The software industry is in a constant state of flux, and staying competitive requires continuous skill enhancement through the acquisition of the latest and most sought-after certifications. To elevate your career prospects in 2024, consider pursuing one or more of the following certifications, ensuring your pay scale continues to rise:
1.) Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP): This certification validates your advanced technical skills in monitoring and administering an organization’s IT infrastructure. ISC2 issues this intermediate-level security certificate, and the exam fee is $263, plus additional costs. To sit for this exam, you must have at least 18 months of prior experience in the IT security field.
2.) CompTIA Security+: This certification provides fundamental knowledge for IT professionals in cybersecurity, covering laws and regulations related to cyber risks and compliance, as well as incident response in cloud, mobile, and IoT environments. To be eligible for this $400+ exam, you need IT admin or system admin experience.
3.) GIAC Security Certification: Tailored for individuals with information systems and networking backgrounds, this certification costs between $1000 and $1300. Prerequisites include completing a GIAC Security course and having three years of experience in Information Security.
4.) CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): This advanced certification from ISC2 is essential for roles such as security executive, security manager, and security practitioner. To qualify for this certification, you must have five years of experience in security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, security assessment and testing, software development security, and identity and access management. The cost is approximately $800.
5.) CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor): Offered by ISACA, this certification is ideal for those aspiring to become cybersecurity auditors. CISA equips you to evaluate security vulnerabilities, assess the authenticity of the security framework, and report compliance irregularities. Candidates must have five years of experience in information security auditing, control, and assurance, with an exam cost of around $760.
6.) Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): EC-Council offers this certification, which validates skills related to penetration testing, attack detection, and prevention. CEH candidates will lawfully learn how to identify security flaws by simulating organization hacking. Completing this certification costs approximately $1200, and you must have at least five years of experience in information security and obtain training from a reputable institution.
7.) CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner: This certification is designed for experienced security professionals such as security engineers and senior security architects. It covers topics like governance, risk management, compliance, architecture, security engineering, and cryptography. The exam fee is around $512.
8.) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Offered by ISACA at a cost of about $760, this certification is particularly beneficial for moving into team lead positions. Previous experience is required.
9.) GIAC Certified Incident Handler: This certification assesses a candidate’s ability to resolve cybersecurity incidents using their skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s beneficial for those looking to qualify for digital crime investigations and costs approximately $960.
10.) Certified Cloud Security Specialist (CCSS)- This certification covers topics such as cloud data security, cloud architecture and design, cloud application security and cloud security operations and legalities, risks and compliance issues. So, those looking for roles such as cloud engineer and architect or relative admin or consultant can seek this certification for a cost of $603.
These certifications are your gateway to staying competitive in the ever-evolving software industry. Choose the ones that align with your career goals and current skill set to ensure your career continues to thrive in 2024 and beyond.
