Why it’s on our list: The certification is explicitly designed for the “early career” experience level and is a vendor-neutral alternative to the CCNA.
CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification teaches risk analysis and automation across five domains: security concepts, operations, architecture, program management, and threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Numerous enterprises have contributed to the development of Security+, including Microsoft, Deloitte, and Zoom. The Security+ cert opens up varied opportunities, including network security analyst, penetration tester, and security architect. The 90-minute exam consists of a maximum of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions; candidates must score 750 on a scale of 900. Certificate holders must renew the cert by taking 50 CEU through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program within three years. Note: CompTIA will likely retire the exam by 2026.
Training and exam fees: US$404, exam; US$581, exam, retake, study guide; $US1,111, exam, retake, study guide, hands-on lab training, exam prep, e-learning
Why it’s on our list: The CompTIA Security+ is unanimous choice across similar lists. The program specifically teaches early career skills and is the most widely adopted ISO/ANSI-accredited early career cert. CompTIA also documents numerous case studies of professional development enabled through the cert. CompTIA is also the most frequently mentioned certifying organization on similar lists, and its advanced certs, such as CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), come with an average pay premium of 10%.
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
The GIAC Security Essentials certification offers a curriculum comparable to CompTIA Security+. Topics covered include everything from cryptography and the cloud to incident handling and endpoint security. GSEC is suited for security administrators, forensic analysts, and penetration testers who have an IT background but need to validate their knowledge as a practitioner. Candidates must score 73% or more on the four-hour, 106-question exam, which can be administered with a proctor online or onsite. Professionals must take the 36 continuing professional education credits within four years to renew GSEC, a standard consistent for all GIAC certs.
Training fees: On-demand and in-person options priced at local rates
Exam fees: US$999; retakes, US$899
Why it’s on our list: The GIAC Security Essentials offers foundational cybersecurity knowledge ideal for “new InfoSec professionals.” GSEC is also part of the lucrative GIAC certification ecosystem: The average pay premium for GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA) and GIAC Cloud Security Automation is 10%, while GIAC Security Leadership stands at 15%.
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals focuses on the basics of security, compliance, and identity. The vendor-specific cert provides instruction through Microsoft Azure, Entra, Preview, and Purview. The 45-minute proctored exam may consist of 40 to 60 questions across multiple choice, drag and drop, list building, and more. Candidates must wait 24 hours for a retake and then two weeks for all subsequent retakes. Certification holders may display their certificate on LinkedIn and a custom URL through their certification dashboard.
Training fees: Candidates can take the course on-demand and access a study guide for free. Alternatively, they can use a third-party training provider that teaches the material online or onsite at local market rates.
Exam fee: Varies by country (US$99 for US)
Why it’s on our list: While Microsoft offers numerous certifications relating to cybersecurity, Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals is one explicitly aimed at beginners, including students, new IT pros, and business stakeholders. The curriculum aligns strongly with the governance, risk management, and compliance preferred by 24% of hiring managers, according to ISC2.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
To earn the Offsec Certified Professional certification, candidates must complete the affiliated course, PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux, and pass the subsequent exam. The course covers 10 modules, including information gathering, vulnerability scanning, client-side attacks, and fixing exploits. Certificate holders will have shown mastery of penetration testing methodologies ideal for new roles, such as an ethical hacker, incident responder, or threat hunter. The OSCP+ exam is entirely hands-on, and test-takers must compromise systems within a lab environment.
OffSec does not enforce any prerequisites but recommends candidates be familiar with TCP/IP networking, scripting in Bash and Python, and Linux and Windows, which they can learn through its Network Penetration Testing Essentials Learning Path.
Training and lab fees: OffSec bundles the course and exam for US$1649 and as a one-year subscription that also includes a lab environment for US$2079 annually.
Why it’s on our list: OffSec is among the most valuable certifying bodies for offensive security. The average pay premium for Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE) is 10%, and for Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE) is 11%.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
The ISC(2) SSCP certification covers seven domains: security concepts, access control, incident response, cryptography, network security, systems and application security, and risk identification, monitoring, and analysis. It is ideal for various professionals, including security analysts, systems engineers, network analysts, database administrators, and security consultants. The three-hour exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions; candidates must earn 700 out of 1,000 points to pass and undergo a process validating their professional experience. Those who earn the SSCP must abide by ISC(2)’s code of ethics and pay an annual maintenance fee that supports the organization and its initiatives, including its members-only network of cybersecurity pros.
To qualify, the SSCP requires one year of experience. Those without the experience requirement can bypass it with a relevant undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science or a related subject.
Training fees: SSCP has numerous free resources, including an exam outline, flashcards, a practice quiz, and a study app, along with paid options, such as on-demand training for US$90 for 90-day access.
Exam fee: Varies by market (US$249 for North and South America)
Why it’s on our list: The program aligns with two top in-demand skills noted in the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study: application security and risk assessment, analysis, and management.
