A lot of my scholars ask me which certifications they should take as they prepare to enter the field of cybersecurity. There are clearly a lot of certification options available, which can make this decision confusing, to say the least. Because this is similar to a common question, let’s take a look at the stylish cybersecurity certification for newcomers.
What is the stylish cybersecurity certification for newcomers? For utmost entry- position people, the stylish cybersecurity certifications for newcomers are the CompTIA Network, CompTIA Security, CompTIA CySA, and the Cisco CCNA certifications.
But just listing many entry-position cybersecurity certifications only tells half of the story. It doesn’t tell you how to get started, which one to take first, and doesn’t consider the massive quantum of time and plutocrat it takes to pursue a certification. Because of this, I suppose the more important question is, what's the stylish cybersecurity certification PATH for newcomers?
The best cybersecurity certification PATH for beginners
When we look at entry-position cybersecurity certifications and which bones are the stylish fit on a certification path, there are many factors and criteria that we want to consider. The stylish cybersecurity certifications for newcomers will bear the fellow of two times or lower of experience, bring lower than$ 400, and only take one test to achieve.
They also won't dictate specific training to be completed beforehand. Keep in mind that a number of examinations bear documented work experience in the cybersecurity field or backing from someone formerly in the field, so those would not qualify for entry-position status moreover. We also want to choose a path that minimizes time and trouble since our thing is to get certified and get hired snappily.
With these factors in mind, then's my view of the stylish cybersecurity certification path for newcomers who are looking to enter the field.
Step 1: CompTIA Network+ and/or Security+
CompTIA’s Network and Security are the first way on our path to cybersecurity because they're largely honored, only take one test to earn, and don't have a minimal demand of experience to qualify to sit for the examinations. (To see my comparison of the Network and Security, check out my composition then.)
You're presumably wondering why I list two certifications in our first step and why they're listed as an and/ or. Both the CompTIA Network and Security are listed because they have a great deal of imbrication in content and preparing for one actually helps you prepare for both. However, take the Network first, If you choose to take both.
The Network covers introductory computer networking generalities, similar to routers, switches, and protocols, and now has a great deal of network security content as well, similar to cyber-attacks and systems hardening generalities. The Security covers introductory security generalities, similar to cyber-attacks, and systems hardening, but also touches on network generalities similar to routers and switches.
See the point? It’s tough to talk about computer networks without also talking about security in our ultramodern connected world, so there's now a good bit of imbrication between the two examinations. In fact, 20 of the Network test is devoted to security generalities.
So, what should you do? If you formerly have strong networking knowledge and are pressed for time, you could just jump straight to CompTIA Security. I’ve had several scholars do that. I believe Security is more reputed than Network and it's a true security certification. However, numerous employers will presumably assume you have the networking generalities down too If you earn the Security first.
Still, going for the Network first would be a helpful and good use of time, If you're new to the cybersecurity field fully. It would also give you a solid foundation for your future certifications and your career. However, I suppose you surely should go for the Network first just so you can make that foundational knowledge, If you’re tone- studying and not enrolled in a training program. ( Check out my podcast occasion on the Network and Security where I compare the two and talk about which you should do first then.)
Step #2: Cisco CCNA and/or CompTIA CySA+.
Two certifications in one step, again? Absolutely. Remember that the field of cybersecurity is veritably wide with lots of different disciplines and career options. Plus, we want and need inflexibility since some of us made different opinions about whether to sit for the Network test in the first step.
Cisco CCNA is Cisco’s associate- position “Cisco Certified Network Associate” certification. It isn't security- grounded but has a great deal of imbrication with Network, so if you're allowing of going into a career as a computer network director, network security critic, or another computer networking-related career, and you have formerly studied and passed the Network, the Cisco CCNA will be a good coming step.
With the CCNA, even employers that don’t use Cisco products recognize that your Cisco networking knowledge can be applied to their systems too. Keep that in mind as you move through our second step here.
CompTIA’s CySA, which stands for Cybersecurity Analyst, is a newer certification and thus isn't as extensively known or honored. But it's developed and backed by CompTIA, which as a certification inventor is extensively honored and has what presumably can be considered the stylish suite of entry-position IT certifications in the world.
CompTIA places the CySA after Security on its track and suggests indeed more experience and knowledge as a prerequisite, so if you did well on the Security, have continued to make your knowledge, and are getting really passionate about the cybersecurity field, also sitting for the CySA would be a good idea.
The CySA covers trouble and vulnerability operation and incident response-related motifs that go beyond Security. It's a more grueling test, so make sure you’re really ready for this bone and that your knowledge is solid. Then’s my videotape on the CySA.
Step #3: CompTIA Linux+ and/or CompTIA PenTest+
Still, you now have a number of certifications listed after your name and are presumably good for an entry position in cybersecurity, If you’ve made it to this point. However, you should consider one or both of the certifications listed in this step, If you decide to continue on your certifications trip. The important point of step# 3 then's to start expanding our knowledge into a specialty.
The CompTIA Linux+ is not the most widely-known or widely-respected Linux certification, but it is a good certification that can be earned in one exam without a great deal of experience, and it will serve to begin validating your specialty skills in a very valuable area – Linux.
Our other certification test at step# 3 is the CompTIA PenTest. I like this test for newcomers because it's cost-effective, requires only one test, and doesn't bear documented field experience. The PenTest also helps you begin to specialize in an economic area – penetration testing. Indeed though it won’t get you a penetration testing job on its own, it's a good first step.
I fete that there are other options at this position, similar to the CEH ( Pukka Ethical Hacker), but this costs further than $400, which makes it a challenge for newcomers and disqualifies them from our list.
Which test or examinations you choose to take at this step will really depend on your career pretensions and if your employer will pay for them. However, you should have erected up enough experience that working in the field should be a veritably real option for you, and you know enough about the field now that you can and should do your own due industriousness on your certification path from this point on If you’ve worked through the three-way as outlined.
Step #4: Move into intermediate-level certifications
At this point, you should be well on your way, with several certifications to your name, and more importantly, the knowledge that goes with it. In step #4, it’s time for you to branch out into other intermediate-level certifications, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), the CompTIA CASP+, or the OSCP, for example.
Why So Many CompTIA Certifications on the List?
Yes, I know that there are a lot of CompTIA certifications on our list here and that CompTIA certifications are hit or miss with higher-level cybersecurity professionals (I cover whether CompTIA certifications are worth it here), but they are great certifications for beginners that are relatively easy to obtain, which will help you get your foot in the door.
After you're in the cybersecurity field many times, you’ll know further about what you want to negotiate, and can make a more informed decision about which intermediate and advanced- position certifications you should earn.
Related Reading: The 15 most valuable IT certcollection today