Comprehensive Guide to Cybersecurity Certifications

 In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high. Obtaining a cybersecurity certification can enhance your credibility, showcase your expertise, and open doors to exciting career opportunities. This comprehensive guide explores the various cybersecurity certifications available, including U.S. Department of Defense directives, vendor-neutral certifications, and vendor-specific certifications.

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directives

DoD Directive 8570.01

  • Purpose: Ensures that all personnel involved with information security in the DoD possess security certifications.
  • Applicability: Affects any U.S. DoD facility or contractor organization.
  • Objective: Reduces the possibility that unqualified personnel gain access to secure information.
  • Content: "Information Assurance Training, Certification, and Workforce Management."

DoD Directive 8140

  • Replacement: Supersedes DoD Directive 8570.01.
  • Focus: Operationally focused cybersecurity training framework developed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).
  • Objective: Provides solutions for various cybersecurity roles required for combat support.
  • Manual: DoDD 8140 uses the 8570.01 Manual (M) until the 8140.01 Manual (M) is approved.
  • Job Categories:
    • Securely Provision
    • Operate and Maintain
    • Protect and Defend
    • Analyze
    • Collect and Operate
    • Oversee and Govern
    • Investigate
  • Training Framework: Likely to draw structure and content from the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) training framework.

Vendor-Neutral Professional Certifications

Vendor-neutral certifications validate a professional's understanding of universal cybersecurity principles and concepts. These certifications are not tied to any specific technology or vendor, making them versatile and widely recognized across the industry.


International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium ((ISC)²) Certifications

  • SSCP® (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
    • Target Audience: Senior network security engineers, senior security systems analysts, or senior security administrators.
  • CISSP® (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
    • Target Audience: Chief information security officers (CISOs), chief security officers (CSOs), or senior security engineers.
  • CAP® (Certified Authorization Professional)
    • Focus: Measures the knowledge and skills of professionals involved in authorizing and maintaining information systems.
  • CSSLP® (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional)
    • Focus: Evaluates professionals for the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and deploy secure software applications.
  • HCISPP® (HealthCare Certified Information Security Privacy Practitioner)
    • Focus: Tests knowledge and skills necessary for security and privacy work in healthcare organizations.
  • CCSP® (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
    • Focus: Tests knowledge and skills necessary to secure and manage cloud computing environments.
  • Associate of (ISC)²
    • Target Audience: Aspiring cybersecurity professionals who have not yet met the experience requirements for other (ICS)² certifications.

Additional (ISC)² Professional Certifications

  • CISSP ISSAP (Architecture)
    • Experience Required: Two years of experience in architecture.
    • Target Audience: Chief security architects and analysts.
  • CISSP ISSEP (Engineering)
    • Focus: Provides a roadmap for incorporating security into projects, applications, business processes, and all information systems.
  • CISSP ISSMP (Management)
    • Experience Required: Two years of experience in enterprise-wide security operations and management.
    • Focus: Contains deeper managerial elements.

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) / SANS Institute

Credential Offerings: Approximately 30 individual credentials spanning several information security job disciplines:

  • Audit
  • Forensics
  • Legal
  • Management
  • Security administration
  • Software security

Gold Designation: Added to a credential by submitting a technical paper that covers an important area of information security and having it accepted.

GIAC Security Expert (GSE): The highest level credential within GIAC, requiring:

  • Holding three GIAC credentials (two of which must be Gold).
  • Passing a GSE exam.
  • Completing an intensive two-day hands-on lab.

Certified Internet Web Professional (CIW)

Focus: General and web-related security credentials.

Credentials: Satisfy CIW requirements include:

  • (ISC)² SCCP or CISSP.
  • Various GIAC credentials, such as GSE and GIAC Certified Incident Handler.
  • CompTIA Security+.
  • Several vendor-specific credentials.

Detailed Breakdown of Vendor-Neutral Certifications

Certified Internet Web Professional (CIW) Credentials

  • CIW Web Security Associate
    • Exam: Web Security Associate exam (1D0-571).
    • Focus: Basic skills and knowledge related to web security.
  • CIW Web Security Specialist
    • Requirements: Pass the Web Security Associate exam (1D0-571) and earn one additional credential from the CIW-approved credential list.
    • Focus: Advanced understanding of web security technologies and best practices.
  • CIW Web Security Professional
    • Requirements: Pass the Web Security Associate exam (1D0-571) and earn two additional credentials from the CIW-approved credential list.
    • Focus: Expertise in implementing and managing web security solutions.

CompTIA Certifications

CompTIA Security+

  • Level: Entry-level.
  • Recognition: Globally recognized.
  • Standards: Meets ISO 17024 and DoD 8570.01-M requirements.
  • Industry Support: Widely supported by IT professionals.
  • Focus: Basic principles of network security and risk management.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

  • Experience Required: 5 to 10 years in the field.
  • Standards: Meets ISO 17024 and DoD 8140/8570.01-M requirements.
  • Focus: Advanced-level security skills and knowledge for enterprise environments.

ISACA Certifications

ISACA is a nonprofit global organization promoting industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems. They provide security training at conferences and events and offer the following certifications:

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
    • Focus: Management-focused, covering governance and risk management.
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
    • Focus: Auditing, control, and assurance of information systems.
  • Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
    • Focus: Governance and management of enterprise IT.
  • Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
    • Focus: Risk management and control practices.
  • Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
    • Focus: Privacy governance, architecture, and lifecycle management.
  • Cybersecurity Practitioner Certification (CSXP)
    • Focus: Real-world, hands-on cybersecurity skills.
  • Information Technology Certified Associate (ITCA)
    • Focus: Foundational IT skills across five domains.

Other Information Systems Security Certifications

International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council)

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
    • Focus: Penetration testing and ethical hacking.
  • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
    • Focus: Computer forensic analysis and investigation.
  • EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
    • Focus: Advanced penetration testing techniques.
Software Engineering Institute (SEI) - Carnegie Mellon University
  • CERT Certified Computer Security Incident Handler
    • Focus: Handling and managing security incidents.
  • SEI Authorized CERT Instructor
    • Focus: Teaching and certifying incident response skills.

Mile2

  • Certified Wireless Security Professional
    • Focus: Wireless network security and protocols.
  • High Tech Crime Network
    • Certified Computer Crime Investigator
      • Focus: Investigating computer-related crimes.
    • Certified Computer Forensic Technician
      • Focus: Forensic analysis of computer systems.

International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners

  • Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
    • Focus: Forensic examination and evidence analysis.

CyberSecurity Institute

  • CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)
    • Focus: Digital forensic analysis and investigation.

Offensive Security

Certifications: Offers multiple certifications focused on offensive security techniques and ethical hacking.

Vendor-Specific Professional Certifications

Vendor-specific certifications demonstrate competence and expertise in specific products and technologies provided by particular vendors. They are valuable for professionals working with these technologies and looking to specialize in them.

Cisco Systems

Cisco is one of the largest manufacturers of network security devices and software, offering a range of certifications for its networking products across various levels and technology groups:

Levels

  • Entry-Level
    • Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
  • Associate Level
    • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
    • CyberOps Associate
    • DevNet Associate
  • Professional Level
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Collaboration
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security
    • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Service Provider
    • CyberOps Professional
    • DevNet Professional
  • Expert Level
    • Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
    • Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
  • Architect Level
    • Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)
Cisco Certified Security Certifications
  • Associate Level
    • CCNA Security: Basic network security concepts and technologies.
  • Professional Level
    • CCNP Security: Advanced network security skills and knowledge.
  • Expert Level
    • CCIE Security: Expert-level security skills and design.

Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat offers certifications for security professionals working with its software:

  • Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
    • Focus: Basic system administration skills.
  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
    • Focus: Advanced system administration and security skills.
  • Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)
    • Focus: Expertise in designing and implementing security solutions.

Microsoft Certifications

Microsoft certifications validate skills related to Microsoft products and technologies:

  • MTA: Security Fundamentals
    • Focus: Basic security concepts and principles.
  • MCSA: Windows Server 2016
    • Focus: Administration and security of Windows Server 2016.
  • MCSE: Core Infrastructure
    • Focus: Advanced skills in managing and securing Microsoft infrastructure.

Other Vendor-Specific Certifications

  • Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
    • Vendor: Check Point Software Technologies.
  • Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)
    • Vendor: Check Point Software Technologies.
  • Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)
    • Vendor: Palo Alto Networks.
  • Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA)
    • Vendor: Juniper Networks.
  • Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE)
    • Vendor: Fortinet.
  • VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
    • Vendor: VMware.
  • AWS Certified Security – Specialty
    • Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Obtaining cybersecurity certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects and demonstrate your expertise in the field. Whether you pursue vendor-neutral certifications for a broad understanding of security principles or vendor-specific certifications for specialized knowledge, these credentials can help you stand out in the competitive cybersecurity landscape. Explore the certifications that align with your career goals and take the next step towards becoming a cybersecurity expert.

References

CYBR 332 Class Lecture Notes by Professor  Yohannes Tadesse

Comments

Post a Comment