Top Data Security Certifications for IT Professionals
As data breaches and cyber attacks continue to make headlines, the demand for qualified information security professionals is higher than ever. For IT professionals looking to advance their careers in data security, obtaining relevant certifications can provide a significant boost. Here are some of the most valuable data security certifications to consider:
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP is widely viewed as one of the top information security certifications. To earn this credential, you must have at least 5 years of professional work experience and pass a rigorous exam that covers topics like access control, cryptography, risk management, and more.
Why Earn It
- Globally recognized as a premier cybersecurity certification
- Validates a broad range of security knowledge and skills
- Required by many employers and government agencies
- Opens doors to high-paying security roles
Who Should Consider It
The CISSP is ideal for experienced IT security professionals looking to prove their expertise. It’s especially beneficial for roles like:
- Security analyst
- Security engineer
- Security manager
- Security architect
- Security consultant
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Managed by ISACA, the CISM certification focuses on information security management and governance. To qualify, you need at least 5 years of industry experience, with 3 years specifically in security management.
Why Earn It
- Demonstrates expertise in security governance, program development, and risk management
- Globally recognized certification trusted by employers
- Provides a management-focused alternative to technical certs like the CISSP
- Opens up senior-level security management roles
Who Should Consider It
The CISM is tailored for IT professionals moving into security management positions. It can benefit those seeking roles like:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Security director
- Security manager
- IT director
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The CEH certification trains cybersecurity pros to think like hackers, arming them with technical tools and techniques to thwart attacks. To qualify, you must have at least 2 years of work experience and complete a training course and exam.
Why Earn It
- Provides hands-on offensive security training
- Develops skills to proactively safeguard systems from intrusion
- Valuable credential for penetration testers and ethical hackers
- Compliments defensive certs like the CISSP
Who Should Consider It
With its practical, hands-on focus, the CEH is ideal for security pros working in technical, attack-oriented roles such as:
- Penetration tester
- Vulnerability assessor
- Cybercrime investigator
- Incident responder
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Awarded by (ISC)2, the CCSP provides complete cloud security training. To qualify, you need at least 5 years of IT experience, with 3 years specifically in information security.
Why Earn It
- Validates cloud security expertise as organizations migrate to the cloud
- Provides comprehensive cloud security training
- Globally recognized certification from a leading security organization
- Hot skillset that’s in high demand
Who Should Consider It
With cloud adoption continuing to accelerate, the CCSP is valuable for IT pros in cloud-focused security roles such as:
- Cloud security engineer
- Cloud security architect
- Cloud security analyst
- Cloud security manager
Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
Overseen by ISACA, the CISA is tailored for IT audit and security compliance professionals. To qualify, you need at least 5 years of experience in auditing, monitoring, and control of IT systems.
Why Earn It
- Demonstrates expertise in IT systems auditing and control
- Globally recognized certification from a leading IT governance organization
- Required or preferred by many employers
- Enhances careers for IT auditors and compliance officers
Who Should Consider It
The CISA is an ideal certification for IT professionals in audit and compliance-focused security roles such as:
- IT auditor
- Compliance officer
- Risk assurance professional
- Quality assurance analyst
By earning one or more of these in-demand certifications, IT professionals can become more marketable and qualified to advance in specialized data security roles. While challenging to obtain, these credentials offer excellent returns on investment for serious cybersecurity careerists.
