10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners

Certifications in cybersecurity are necessary to begin and enhance your cybersecurity job. 96 percent of IT leaders feel cybersecurity qualifications bring value, according to Forbes. However, with hundreds of certificates available, deciding which one best suits your job objectives, money, and schedule may be difficult.

 

Reputable cybersecurity businesses provide the finest cybersecurity certificates, which are approved by organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). You'll discover crackdowns of major cybersecurity certifications, as well as relevant learning options to give you a head start for examinations, in this post.

 

So, let’s get started with the most important cybersecurity certifications for beginners. But before jumping onto the final list, let’s understand why these certifications are important.

 

Importance of Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners

 

Because becoming a cybersecurity specialist necessitates sophisticated knowledge which might not be convenient through all the other means, cybersecurity certifications for beginners are essential. 

 

Although some cybersecurity professionals have earned a bachelor's degree in the discipline, someone may have specialized in a department unrelated to cybersecurity or in general information technology. For people with and without a cybersecurity degree, a certificate can give specialized information on cybersecurity procedures.

 

It's critical to choose a cybersecurity certification that is appropriate for newcomers, even some of the more complex programmes need prior expertise that beginners lack. However, these specialists will need some training to obtain that experience, which is where cybersecurity credentials for beginners come in handy. 

 

Many businesses may also urge even their fresher cybersecurity specialists to get extra added certifications in order to develop abilities unique to certain systems or procedures.

 

Also Read | What is Cybersecurity Mesh?

 

 

Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners

 

It might be difficult to identify which cybersecurity credentials are right for you if you are new to the field. Many of these credentials are available as examinations that you must study for on your own or via a boot camp. For beginners, these are some of the greatest cybersecurity certifications:

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Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners

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1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

 

The test for the Certified Ethical Hacker certification takes two years of experience, so it's not entirely beginner-friendly, yet it is accessible to people in the early phases of their professions. Whether or not you have two years of experience, you may still prepare for the exam by attending a training programme. 

 

The goal of becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker is to improve your ability to block hackers from gaining access to your computer or network by acquiring hacker techniques. It's a vendor-agnostic certification that may be used in a wide range of cybersecurity scenarios. The skills required to become a certified ethical hacker are:

 

• Operating system knowledge

 

• Penetration testing methodologies
• Strong coding knowledge
• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Cryptography skills

 

 

2. CompTIA Security+

 

CompTIA Security+ is among the most well-known entrance cybersecurity certifications in the business, and it is frequently required or strongly preferred for entry-level positions. 

 

The Security+ certification, developed by Netflix and John Hopkins University and certified by the US Department of Defense, covers a wide range of topics including network security and IT regulatory compliance. The skills covered in CompTIA Security+ are:

 

• Networks and apps that are secure
• Make a threat assessment.
• Risk management
• Cryptography
• Management of Identity and Access
• LAN
• Protocols that are secure
• Assessment of Vulnerabilities

 

3. CompTIA Network+

 

Network+ is similar to A+ in that cybersecurity is not a priority. Network+, on the other hand, is a certification for those who work on developing functioning networks, system administrators, network administration, network configuration, and information standards and procedures. 

 

Given the importance of networks in today's IT, this certificate might be very useful for cybersecurity experts that work with networking. The CompTIA Network+ exam covers the following topics:

 

• Functional network design and implementation

 

• Configuration, management, and upkeep of critical network equipment

 

• Switches and routers are used to separate network traffic and build robust networks.

 

• Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of current network setups

 

• Putting in place network security, protocols, and standards

 

• Identifying and resolving network issues

 

• Assisting in the development of virtualized networks

 

 

4. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

 

Although it is not specifically geared at cybersecurity experts, this credential can be extremely useful for people who deal with Cisco systems. It serves as proof that you are familiar with Cisco infrastructure, along with how to troubleshoot when essential. 

 

It's a certificate that may be used by network and other IT professionals as well as cybersecurity experts. Furthermore, because Cisco is a well-known brand, the certification can enable you to advance in your profession even if you aren't working with Cisco equipment. Anyone with expertise in information security can apply for this. This certification is for:

 

• Professionals in the field of security

 

• Administrators of security and operations

 

• Supervisors and IT engineers

 

• Administrators of security

 

• Forensic investigators

 

• Testers for penetration

 

• Auditors

 

 

5. CompTIA A+

 

CompTIA A+ is a certification that proves you can customize, install, operate, and repair personal computers. This certification does not specifically address cybersecurity, but because PCs are frequently used in corporate systems, they can be useful. 

 

Because it is so broad, you may apply it to a wide range of IT jobs, giving you a lot of options for your career prospects. CompTIA A+ holders can fulfill the following tasks:

 

• Configure, install, and update Windows, Apple OS X, Linux, iOS, etc.

 

• Create virtual machines and photograph them.

 

• Configure and troubleshoot external devices.

 

• Assemble and deconstruct computer hardware.

 

• Install and maintain basics ranging from small business networks.

 

• Apply proper cybersecurity safeguards to help desk positions.

 

• Troubleshoot and provide assistance for end-user application and network services.

 

Also Read | Types of Security Logs for Cybersecurity

 

 

6. GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF)

 

Another extensive cybersecurity credential for a variety of IT workers, including cybersecurity specialists, is the GISF. It covers defense and security strategies, regulatory compliance, information assurance concepts, security policies, and business contingency planning. 

 

Although cybersecurity experts may desire to concentrate more on future degrees, GIAC gives a beginner's look into cybersecurity that can be beneficial for a number of people. This certification is for:

 

• Managers of non-IT security

 

• Professionals having a decent understanding of computers and technology

 

• Those who want to make a career transition to cybersecurity

 

• Managers, information security officials, and system administrators are all members of this group.

 

• Anyone who is responsible for writing, implementing, or adhering to enterprise security policies.

 

 

7. ISACA CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals

 

The Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate is an entry-level option from ISACA, which also provides more complex cybersecurity qualifications for more accomplished individuals. 

 

Architectural style principles, networking, system, application, and information protection, security of emerging technologies, and incident response are some of the subjects addressed in this certificate. It is not just a good entry-level alternative, but it is also reasonably priced.

 

 

8. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals

 

The MTA Security Fundamentals certificate is designed for university students, as well as individuals looking to change jobs, but it may also be used as an entry-level cybersecurity credential. 

 

Data encryption, operational system security, and information protection, as well as fundamental security principles, are all covered in the test. Another low-cost alternative that looks nice on a resume is this. The career opportunities after completing MTA security Fundamentals are:

 

• Security specialist

 

• Incident responder

 

• Security addressed

 

• Security admin

 

• Security auditor

 

• Vulnerability Assessor

 

• Penetration tester

 

• Security engineer

 

 

9. (ISC)2 System Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

 

Once you're an (ISC)2 Associate, you can take the SSCP, which is one of the certifications stated above. The SSCP is a worldwide recognised credential that may be used by a wide range of IT workers, especially those working in cybersecurity. 

 

The SSCP is one of many credentials issued by (ISC)2 for cybersecurity professionals, and it focuses on network components of cybersecurity. 

 

The SSCP is designed for IT admins, managers, executives, and networking security professionals who are accountable for the practical learning operational security of their company's important assets, such as those in the following roles:

 

• Network Security Engineer

 

• Systems Administrator

 

• Security Analyst

 

• Systems Engineer

 

• Security Consultant/Specialist

 

• Security Administrator

 

• Systems/Network Analyst

 

• Database Administrator

 

10. (ISC)2 Associate

 

The Associate certification from (ISC)2 is particularly valuable for students who are unfamiliar with the cybersecurity profession so don't have a lot more experience yet. While you wait to have adequate competence, the Associate qualification is stepping towards a more particular certification. 

 

While working on credentials such as Cybersecurity Strategy and Organizational performance, IT/ICT Security Administration, Cloud Security, and Healthcare Security and Privacy, you can use the Associate classification on your CV.

 

Also Read | Software-Defined Networking (SDN): An Overview

 

 

Choose the best Cyber Security Career Path

 

Whether you're new to the sector or not, you should familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of cybersecurity. As your employment progresses and you decide on a speciality, you’d probably prefer to look into less generic and more technical certifications to showcase your knowledge.

 

Certifications are less important for more experienced cybersecurity experts. You'll want to demonstrate your management capacity as you improve your technical talents and obtain more expertise. 

 

Certificates such as the CISSP can demonstrate that you understand how to implement and evaluate security initiatives. They do not, however, guarantee that you will acquire leadership abilities and soft skills.