If you’ve been thinking about getting into cybersecurity or leveling up your skills, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Which certification should I get?”
It’s a fair question, but here’s the truth: there isn’t one single “best” certification for everyone.
It’s like asking, “What’s the best car?” Well… it depends. Are you just learning to drive? Are you planning to race? Do you need something for city streets or long road trips? Cybersecurity certifications are the same way – the “best” one depends on where you are now and where you want to go.
Why Even Bother With Cybersecurity Certifications?
Let’s be honest, you can work in cybersecurity without certifications, but here’s why most people still get them:
- They open doors. Many job postings say, “must have Security+” or “CISSP preferred.” Without it, you might not even get an interview.
- They prove you know your stuff. It’s not just about theory – passing a good cert means you’ve learned real-world skills.
- They boost confidence. Even if you have experience, certifications help you feel sure you’re on the right track.
- They can bump your salary. Employers are often willing to pay more for certified staff.
If You’re Brand New – Start Simple
If you’re new to cybersecurity, don’t go straight for the big, scary exams. You need a solid base first, something that teaches you the fundamentals.
CompTIA Security+ is that “first step” for a lot of people.
Why?
- No crazy prerequisites.
- Covers the essentials: threats, networks, encryption, identity management… basically the ABCs of security.
- Recognized pretty much everywhere – government, private companies, and even overseas.
Think of Security+ like learning the rules of the road before trying to drive a Formula 1 car. You’ll understand the basics, and from there, you can decide if you want to go into ethical hacking, cloud security, or management.
If You’ve Been in the Game a While – Show Your Expertise
Maybe you’ve been working in IT or security for a few years. You know the basics. You’ve handled incidents, maybe even led a few projects. Now you want to move up.
Two certifications stand out for experienced professionals:
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
- This one is the heavyweight champ.
- Shows you can design and run an entire security program, not just fix problems as they pop up.
- Employers love it for management and high-level roles.
- The catch? You need five years of experience in security to even qualify.
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
- Less about the technical hands-on work, more about managing teams and aligning security with business goals.
- Great for moving into leadership roles, think Security Manager, not Security Technician.
CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)
- A bit more hands-on than CISM.
- Focuses on finding threats, responding to them, and keeping systems safe day-to-day.
- Perfect for Security Operations Center (SOC) roles.
Want to Specialize? Pick Your Lane
Cybersecurity has many paths. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can go deep into one area.
Cloud Security Certifications
If you’re working with AWS or Google Cloud, their security certifications are gold:
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer
Both show you can lock down cloud systems and keep data safe in an online world.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
For people who want to “hack” for a living, ethically, of course. CEH teaches you how attackers think, so you can beat them at their own game.
GIAC Certifications
GIAC has many options, but two standouts are:
- GSEC – Deep dive into security essentials.
- GPEN – All about penetration testing.
How to Decide Which One Is Best for You
Here’s my simple decision guide:
- Ask yourself where you are now.
- Brand new? → Security+.
- A few years in? → CySA+ or cloud security certs.
- Experienced leader? → CISSP or CISM.
- Brand new? → Security+.
- Think about what you enjoy.
- Love hands-on work and solving puzzles? Ethical hacking or penetration testing might be your path.
- Prefer leading teams and strategy? Management-focused certs like CISM are better.
- Want to work in cloud environments? Go for AWS or Google security certs.
- Love hands-on work and solving puzzles? Ethical hacking or penetration testing might be your path.
- Check the job market.
- Search your dream jobs and see which certifications keep popping up. That’s your biggest clue.
Once you know which certification you’re aiming for, look for updated exam dumps that match the latest exam version. They’re great for practice before the real test.
Mistakes I See People Make
- Jumping in too deep too soon. Starting with CISSP when you’re brand new is like learning to swim by jumping into the deep end – it’s overwhelming.
- Collecting certs for the sake of it. Focus on quality, not quantity. Employers value the right certs, not the most certs.
- Forgetting about renewal. Some certs require you to earn “continuing education credits” or retake exams. It’s not a one-and-done deal.
A Quick Salary Reality Check
Certifications can and do impact salaries, but they’re not magic. Experience still matters.
- CISSP holders often earn six figures in the US and Australia.
- Cloud security experts are in such demand that salaries can match or beat CISSP holders.
- Ethical hackers with CEH can make great money, especially in consulting.
My Final Take
The “best” cybersecurity certification is the one that fits your current skill level and future goals.
If you’re starting from zero, Security+ is your safest bet. If you’re already experienced, CISSP or CISM can take you to the next level. And if you have a specific passion like hacking, cloud, or forensics, go all in on a certification that proves you’re an expert in that niche.
Cybersecurity changes fast. The threats are always evolving, and so are the tools to fight them. That’s why no matter what certification you start with, you’ll probably add more as your career grows. Think of them as milestones on a much longer journey.