Table of Contents
General Advice
- Be selective:
- This isn’t Pokemon; don’t try to collect them all.
- There are literally hundreds of cyber and IT certifications.
- Some certifications and trainings are expensive.
- Plus, you only have so much time in a day.
- What certifications are for:
- Use certifications to learn, if that suits your style, or to get a foot in the door with HR and Hiring Managers for certain job applications.
- Most cyber jobs do not require specific certifications, but some treat certifications as advantageous.
- Look at job descriptions for cyber roles that interest you to get a sense of current market demand.
- What certifications are not for:
- Having a professional certification earned by passing a multiple-choice test usually does not prove you can do something.
- But there are exceptions, such as for the hands-on certifications related to hacking or specific tools/platforms. You can’t earn those without proving you can do something.
- Conversely, not having a certificate does not prove that you cannot do something.
- Generic certification pathway:
- Get a Network+ or Security+ certification sooner.
- It assumes no prior knowledge, introduces basic concepts, and shows genuine interest.
- Get a CISSP later.
- It’s a common way to get past gatekeepers.
- Even if you pass the exam, you have to prove at least 4 years of work experience to officially obtain the credential.
- Along the way, follow your passion.
- At any stage, pursue any other certs or trainings that pique your personal interest.
- Your intrinsic motivation to study what interests you is precious renewable fuel.
Introductory Cyber Certifications
Examples:
- Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- CompTIA Security+
- Security+
- CCNP
Intermediate Cyber Certifications
Examples: