Security Certification: What it entails and its importance
In the current digital age, cybersecurity is a pressing concern for industries, governments, and individuals. Cyber attacks that rob individuals of their privacy and invade companies with serious financial implications are commonplace. To mitigate these risks, many organizations rely on professionals with specialized skills in security management, information security, or IT security who hold certifications.
Security certifications are widely regarded as necessary credentials for security professionals. They authenticate the skills and knowledge of those who work in cybersecurity and serve as an invaluable tool for measuring the value and relevancy of their expertise.
This article aims to help readers better understand security certifications, their types, the benefits of earning one, and the steps involved in getting certified.
What is a Security Certification?
A security certification is a formal acknowledgment of knowledge or expertise in a particular field of cybersecurity. It is usually awarded after the candidate passes a standardized examination or through a process of review and verification of practical skills, knowledge, and experience. The most important aspect of a security certification is that it serves as a benchmark of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the industry.
The importance of security certification
As cyber threats increase, the knowledge needed to deal with them also evolves. Security certifications exert a significant influence on the cybersecurity industry by demonstrating that certified professionals truly understand current threats, risks, defense strategies, and methodologies relevant to the field.
Organizations now place more emphasis on certifications for prospective employees; it helps boost their confidence in new employees' capabilities, such as their ability to protect the company's computer networks, applications, or data. A security certification could also help a professional maintain their job reputation or gain promotion. As such, possessing a security certification demonstrates a higher level of credibility and commitment to the security industry.
Types of Security Certifications
There are various security certifications, ranging from entry-level to advanced, and from managerial to technical, emphasizing a focus on different areas of Cybersecurity. Some of the popular certifications in the cybersecurity industry include:
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification focused on building foundational-level security knowledge and skills in areas such as network security, threat management, and access control.
This certification is suitable for individuals who desire a wide basic security knowledge to work in an IT department alongside other IT teams, such as networking or software development.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP certification is recommended for experienced security professionals or those looking to advance their career into senior roles. It covers a wider range of topics such as cybersecurity management, security strategy, and access control than CompTIA Security+.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISM certification focuses on information security management, such as governance, risk, and compliance. It is recommended for security professionals with experience in cybersecurity management or security consulting. This certification demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge and skills needed to manage cybersecurity issues effectively.
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker certification validates the holder's knowledge and skills in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and countermeasures. This certification is suitable for IT auditors, network security professionals, and security analysts.
How to Get a Security Certification
Getting a security certification requires a combination of experience, education, and training. While each certification has its eligibility requirements, most certifications generally require candidates to pass a standardized test before getting certified.
Before taking the certification exam, it is advisable to enroll in a training program to gain enough knowledge of the concepts and expected areas that are covered in the certification exam. Each certification test requires a different level of knowledge and experience, so taking a course that covers each certification's topics and concepts can help the candidate prepare effectively.
After this training, the candidate can take the certification exam at a designated testing center. The testing center provides an online exam of multiple-choice questions to assess the candidate's knowledge of the certification.
Once the candidate passes the exam, the certification body will issue a certificate, which is valid for a specific period, after which the candidate must renew it. Renewing a certification requires earning a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or attending a program recognized by the certification body's Human Resource department.
Conclusion
In the face of rising cybersecurity threats, security certifications offer individuals and organizations a means of building the relevant knowledge and expertise to tackle them. A security certification demonstrates experience and knowledge in various fields, from cybersecurity management to ethical hacking.
Individuals interested in obtaining a security certification should research which certification is suitable for their career path or skill level. They should then enroll in a training program that covers the certification's concepts and expected areas before taking the test of multiple-choice questions specifically designed to test their knowledge of the certification. Proper preparation and passing the certification exam paves the way to gain certifications that strengthens the holder's cybersecurity knowledge and competence.
