Certifications to Kickstart Your Cybersecurity Career
Getting into cyber security is difficult, particularly if you don’t have a guide to show you the way. In the other hand, certifications are highly valued in the information security industry, but it is debatable if this is the best way to find talent. There are several certifications available to help anyone get started in the field of cyber security, but which one is right for you? To get an idea, read the full article.
1. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
CEH Certification is a well-known certification for those who are new to the information security industry. EC-COUNCIL provides this training, which has in many ways become an industry norm that everybody should have. It’s a four-hour test with a variety of multiple-choice questions to choose from. Depending on the test forms, the passing criteria for the exam varies from 60% to 85%. The cost of the CEH certification exam is normally between $500 and $600, but scholarships are available on occasion. One disadvantage of CEH is its lack of practicality. Is CEH worth the price? It is entirely up to you to decide.
2. eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester)
eJPT by eLearnSecurity is another highly rated certification which is popular in infosec industry. It is a 72hour long exam and very practical having hands-on exercises. There will be abundance of time to complete the challenge if one know what he is doing. I would really suggest eJPT who wants to step into the industry as a penetration tester or even wants to know the offensive side of things. This gives you an experience of a real penetration test and exam is not like capture the flag challenges. One may either receive training for the certification or attempt the exam on their own, which affects the certification’s price.
3. CompTIA (A+/Network+/Security+)
CompTIA offers a wide range of certifications, with A+, Network+, and Security+ appearing to be the most popular ones. CompTIA A+ is a certification that focuses on PC maintenance and configuration for a variety of devices. CompTIA Network+, on the other hand, teaches core networking skills that are important for cybersecurity. With a passing score of 750, CompTIA Security+ focuses mostly on the security side of things. If you lack fundamentals and want to get the basics correct, I recommend taking these certifications. However, if you have a certain amount of experience, you might be hesitant to pursue these certifications.
4. SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
The (ISC)²’s SSCP Certification provides you with a solid base in the area of cyber security. Individuals who serve as system administrators, security analysts, database administrators, and other similar positions often enroll in this course. SSCP also serves as a prerequisite for (ISC)²’s CISSP, which is highly admired and favored by many. The SSCP costs about $250, which is well worth it when you consider the skills you’ll learn, which are primarily based on mastering business-oriented security techniques. It offers you a broad overview of the cyber security environment as a whole, and it’s one to keep an eye on if you’re just getting started in the field of information security.
5. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
Offensive Security offers the OSCP Certification, which is perhaps the most popular and highly regarded certification in the cyber security domain. The realistic nature of the exam and hands-on experience simulating a near to real-time penetration test are the key reasons for its popularity. OSCP is not intended for beginners to the industry, but we do sometimes see job openings that specify OSCP as an entry level prerequisite, which strikes me as unusual. The exam will last 48 hours, with the first 24 hours dedicated to compromising five machines and the remaining 24 hours for writing a report on the steps taken to compromise those machines. This certification is highly recommended for all aspiring cyber security professionals who want to gain real-world pentesting experience.
Conclusion
I’ve mentioned the certifications that I believe are the most preferred, based on a variety of factors such as popularity, course work, practicality, and so on. I hope this has given you some insight into which path is best for you to take as you begin your cyber security career.
Author: Anurodh Acharya
CryptoGen Nepal | www.cryptogennepal.com
