Cyber Security Certifications: Highest-Paying Certification, Exam Preparation, and Job Outlook

The CISM certification is meant for IT professionals with five years of experience in information security, such as information security managers, prospective managers, or IT security consultants who have the knowledge to build and maintain an enterprise information security (infosec) program.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Overview

• Average Salary: $129,000
• Cost: $575 (members); $760 (non-members)
• Requirements: Five years of work experience in information security management, 10 years of overall work experience, $50 application fee
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 150 multiple choice questions in four hours
• Best Suited For: Experts seeking to improve their skills in information security governance, information risk management, information security program development, and information security incident management 

Potential Careers With Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• IT Manager: $159,010
• Security Auditor: $84,039
• Risk Management Consultant: $76,766

With this intermediate security credential from (ISC)², you can show employers that you have the skills to design, implement, and monitor a secure IT infrastructure. The exam tests expertise in access controls, risk identification and analysis, security administration, incident response, cryptography, and network, communications, systems, and application security. The CCSP is designed for IT professionals working hands-on with an organization’s security systems or assets.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Overview

• Average Salary: $121,000
• Cost: $599
• Requirements: Five years of work experience, three years in information security, and one year in at least one of the domains
• Valid For: Three years  
• Exam Length: 125 multiple choice questions in three hours
• Best Suited For: Cloud security professionals who want to improve their skills in cloud security fundamentals like design, operations, and compliance with regulatory frameworks

Potential Careers With Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

• Cloud Security Analyst: $111,355
• Cloud Engineer: $91,409
• Cloud Administrator: $67,467

The CISSP certification from (ISC)² ranks among the most sought-after credentials in the industry. Earning your CISSP demonstrates that you’re experienced in IT security and capable of designing, implementing, and monitoring a cyber security program. This advanced certification is for experienced security professionals looking to advance their careers in roles like senior security consultant and security administrator.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Overview

• Average Salary: $119,000
• Cost: $749
• Requirements: Five years of paid work experience in at least two of the CISSP domains
• Valid For: Three years  
• Exam Length: 100-150 multiple choice questions in three hours (CAT Exam), 250 multiple choice questions in six hours (Linear Exam)
• Best Suited For: Experienced security professionals, managers, and executives seeking to learn extensive security practices and principles

Potential Careers With Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Chief Information Security Officer: $170,271
• Director of Security: $92,232
• Security Architect: $129,188

The CISA exam confirms expertise for technicians that audit IT and business systems. Certification holders know how to stop fraud and non-compliance and analyze audit findings and report them to the affected organization. While challenging to earn, CISA is a good choice for technicians who want to level up their auditing and security skills.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Overview

• Average Salary: $107,000
• Cost: $575 (members); $760 (non-members)
• Requirements: Five or more years of experience in IS/IT audit, control, assurance, or security; $50 application processing fee
• Valid For: Three years  
• Exam Length: 150 multiple choice questions in four hours
• Best Suited For: Beginners and professionals interested in expanding their knowledge in information systems audit, security, and control

Potential Careers With Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Internal Auditor: $60,892
• IT Project Manager: $88,899
• Network Operation Security Engineer: $92,724

This Incident Handler certification is for cyber security professionals who aspire to solidify their authority in threat detection and response to security incidents. Professionals with this certification will have certified knowledge about common attack techniques and vectors. There are no official prerequisites, though it’s recommended that you have a basic understanding and relevant experience with security principles and networking protocols.

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) Overview

• Average Salary: $100,000
• Cost: $949 for certification attempt exam ($199 for practice exams; $849 for retakes; $459 for a certification attempt extension)
• Requirements: No prerequisites
• Valid For: Four years
• Exam Length: 106 questions in four hours
• Best Suited For: Information security experts who act as first responders

Potential Careers With GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

• Information Security Analyst: $102,600
• Cyber Security Engineer: $98,391
• Incident Handler: $79,257

CASP+ is the only performance-based certification designed for advanced cyber security technicians. It is unique in that it covers security architecture and engineering, not just one or the other. CASP+ is the only designation that enables technical leaders to assess cyber readiness within an enterprise and design and implement solutions that ensure an organization is prepared for future attacks.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Overview

• Average Salary: $93,000
• Cost: $480
• Requirements: No prerequisites
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 90 questions in two hours 45 minutes
• Best Suited For: Beginners seeking an understanding of security principles, networking protocols, and the Windows command line

Potential Careers With CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

• Information Security Analyst: $73,898 
• Systems Administrator: $80,600
• Information Security Officer: $95,199

This certification from the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is an entry-level security credential for those with some background in information systems and networking. Earning this credential validates your skills in security tasks like active defense, network security, cryptography, incident response, and cloud security. Consider taking the GSEC exam if you have a background in IT and wish to move into cyber security.

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) Overview

• Average Salary: $91,000
• Cost: $949 for certification attempt exam ($199 for practice exams; $849 for retakes; $459 for a certification attempt extension)
• Requirements: No prerequisites
• Valid For: Four years
• Exam Length: 180 multiple choice questions in five hours
• Best Suited For: Beginners in information security

Potential Careers With GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

• Business Information Security Officer: $127,000
• IT Security Engineer: $98,391
• Risk Services Analyst: $67,124

CCNA certification proves you have what it takes to navigate the ever-changing landscape of IT. The CCNA exam covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. Designed for agility and versatility, CCNA validates that you have the skills required to manage and optimize today's most advanced networks.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Overview

• Average Salary: $88,000
• Cost: $300
• Requirements: No prerequisites
• Valid For: Three years  
• Exam Length: 50-60 questions in one hour 30 minutes
• Best Suited For: Beginners improving their skills in advanced network fundamentals

Potential Careers With Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Network Engineer: $76,634
• Network Administrator: $80,600
• Information Technology Director: $122,484

Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking and penetration testing, involves lawfully hacking organizations to try and uncover vulnerabilities before malicious players do. The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) offers this certification.

Earn it to demonstrate your skills in penetration testing, attack detection, vectors, and prevention. The CEH certification helps you to think like a hacker and take a more proactive approach to cyber security.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Overview

• Average Salary: $82,966
• Cost: $1,699
• Requirements: $100 application fee, two years of work experience
• Valid For: Three years
• Exam Length: 125 multiple choice questions in four hours
• Best Suited For: Mid-level cyber security professionals

Potential Careers With Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• Penetration Tester: $88,257
• Malware Analyst: $92,880
• Security Code Auditor: $84,039

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level security certification that validates the core skills needed in any cyber security role. With this certification, you demonstrate your ability to assess the security of an organization, monitor and secure cloud, mobile, and internet of things (IoT) environments, understand laws and regulations related to risk and compliance and identify, and respond to security incidents.

CompTIA Security+ Overview

• Average Salary: $78,000
• Cost: $381
• Requirements: Two years of IT experience
• Valid For: Three years  
• Exam Length: 90 multiple choice questions in one hour 30 minutes
• Best Suited For: Beginners

Potential Careers With CompTIA Security+

• Help Desk Manager: $68,347
• Junior IT Auditor: $71,110
• Security Consultant: $83,241

• Cost: $2,449
• Duration: Self-paced
• Best Suited For: CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

This bootcamp offers an expert master’s program to prepare professionals for CompTIA Security+, CISM, CISSP, and CCSP certifications. You will explore foundational, intermediate, and advanced cyber security skills. Moreover, users have lifetime access to recordings and self-paced videos. The program includes four courses and several electives. Reviewers commend the course for having instructors who provide in-depth training and practical exercises.

• Cost: $795.95       
• Duration: 180 days
• Best Suited For: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

This course offers a 180-day subscription to anyone preparing for the CISM certification. It includes eight modules covering information security governance, risk management, program management, and legal and ethical issues. You will also have access to over 50 practice exams, including three timed comprehensive exams. More than 6,000 candidates have taken the course, which is presented by ISACA's top-selling exam prep author, Allen Keele.

• Cost: $549
• Duration: 40 hours
• Best Suited For: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The Center for Management Development at Wichita State University offers this course to professionals preparing for the CISSP certification. The course focuses on security breaches, asset security, engineering, operations, risk management, and communications and network security. It provides two practice exams, which cover 120 questions each.

The course is mobile-friendly and includes games, flashcards, video content, and real-world case studies. These resources make it easier for you to understand the ins and outs of the industry and certification.

• Cost: $289
• Duration: Eight online sessions (four weeks), at three hours each
• Best Suited For: GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

Edureka’s certification training course helps students learn application security, computer networks and security, cryptography, ethical hacking, malware threats, and SQL injection. It is a broad training program for cyber security beginners pursuing foundational-level certifications. The course explores confidentiality, security architecture, integrity, availability, security policies, and governance.

• Cost: $39-$89/month (Coursera subscription)
• Duration: Eight months
• Best Suited For: GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Coursera is one of the most affordable course providers for various cyber security courses, including certification courses. The University of Maryland offers this specialization course in partnership with Coursera to prepare students for any cyber security certification. The specialization includes five courses that delve into software security, usable security, cryptography, hardware security, and a cyber security capstone project.

A chief information security officer is an executive who develops, assesses, and implements information security programs within an organization. They ensure that all the data is secure and guide junior employees on how to maintain data security. Moreover, CISOs oversee all of the strategic and budgetary aspects of the organization's security needs.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). This certification emphasizes your ability to perform critical CISO responsibilities by testing your skills in designing, implementing, and managing cyber security programs.

Also referred to as IT managers, the computer and information systems manager plays a significant role in managing all IT-related activities within an organization. They analyze the computers and other data systems, ensure the network is secure, oversee the installation and maintenance of software and hardware, and oversee recommended upgrades.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). This certification proves your information security governance, risk management, and program development expertise, all of which are important skills for an IT manager.

Information security analysts monitor an organization's network for security breaches and vulnerabilities. They are responsible for maintaining security software, researching new security and IT trends, upholding security standards, and recommending security improvements. In addition, they need the skills to design a recovery plan, train employees, and find immediate solutions.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). The CISA certification is suitable for this profession because it focuses on system auditing processes, IT governance, operations, business resilience, and the protection of data assets.

Penetration testers perform planned cyber attacks on an organization’s network and security systems to identify vulnerabilities. These authorized attacks ensure the systems are secure from hackers and viruses that may cripple the organization’s performance. Penetration testers must be highly skilled in threat modeling, incident handling, cryptography, security assessment tools, and technical writing.

Best Certification for the Job Role

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC). GSEC is the best certification for this role because the exam is structured to test all the mandatory skills stated above.

This role involves managing servers and electronic equipment to safeguard an organization's network and systems. They act as first responders in case any breaches occur, notifying security analysts, engineers, or the CISO. They also add users to the network after vetting, optimize system performance, and train network users.

Best Certification for the Job Role

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH). This certification is perfect for first responders and incident handlers in cyber security, as these roles revolve around the skills and knowledge it tests.