Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, with the need for qualified professionals to protect against cyber-attacks and data breaches increasing every day. One way to demonstrate your qualifications and skills in the field is by earning a cybersecurity certification. Earning a certification not only enhances your knowledge and skill in cybersecurity, but it also increases your earning potential.
Here is a list of the top cybersecurity certifications based on earning potential for those who hold them:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – The CISSP is widely recognized as the gold standard for information security professionals. It is considered to be one of the most challenging and respected certifications in the industry and is highly sought after by employers. The CISSP certification covers a wide range of topics including security management practices, security design and architecture, access control, and cryptography. The average salary for a CISSP certified professional is around $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – The CISA is another highly respected certification, focused on auditing and assurance for information systems. It is particularly useful for professionals working in the field of IT audit and compliance. The CISA certification covers topics such as IT governance, IT management, IT operations, IT service management, and IT governance. The average salary for a CISA certified professional is around $100,000 to $120,000 per year.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – The CEH is a popular certification for those interested in penetration testing and ethical hacking. It is widely recognized by employers as a demonstration of a professional’s ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. The CEH certification covers topics such as reconnaissance, scanning, and enumeration, system hacking, malware and virus creation, and social engineering. The average salary for a CEH certified professional is around $90,000 to $110,000 per year.
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) – The GCIH is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in incident handling and incident response. It is particularly useful for professionals working in incident response and incident management. The GCIH certification covers topics such as incident handling, incident response, incident management, and incident recovery. The average salary for a GCIH certified professional is around $90,000 to $110,000 per year.
- Certified Information Systems Security Manager (CISM) – The CISM certification is designed for information security managers and focuses on the management and governance of information security. The CISM certification covers topics such as information security governance, risk management, incident management, and regulatory compliance. The average salary for a CISM certified professional is around $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
- Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) – The CGEIT certification is focused on governance of enterprise IT, and is particularly useful for professionals working in the field of IT governance and risk management. The CGEIT certification covers topics such as IT governance framework, strategic management, value delivery, risk management, and resource management. The average salary for a CGEIT certified professional is around $110,000 to $130,000 per year.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP-ISSAP) – The CISSP-ISSAP is a specialized version of the CISSP certification, focused on architecture and design of information systems. It is a highly respected certification and is particularly useful for professionals working in the field of information security architecture and design. The average salary for a CISSP-ISSAP certified professional is around $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
Please note that these are expected salary ranges and actual salary may vary depending on location, company and experience. Additionally, this list may not include all cybersecurity certifications as new certifications are being introduced constantly. It’s important to research and consider the certifications that best align with your career goals and interests.
