20 of the Best Cybersecurity Certifications in 2024 (and What They Pay)
August 7, 2024
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Cybersecurity & CISO Insights
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18 min read
Cybersecurity continues to be a lucrative field, with professionals worldwide earning more than $100,000 on average, according to Skillsoft's IT Skills and Salary Report.
However, professionals in this domain remain in short supply around the world. In the United States alone, nearly 470,000 job listings remain unfilled, leaving a gap that exposes organizations to increasing threats.
From 2022 to 2023, the number of attack victims' credentials shared on leak sites has increased by 76%, according to a CrowdStrike report. Threat actors are also targeting cloud environments more often — a 75% increase from the year prior, CrowdStrike says — and exploiting vulnerabilities native to certain providers.
The cost and frequency of these breaches are also increasing. In the past year, 84% of organizations have confirmed a breach, according to a report by Fortinet. The same report shows that nearly half of the 1,855 survey respondents confirmed that breaches cost them more than $1 million.
The good news from the report? Ninety percent of leaders want to hire professionals with technical certifications and would pay for them.
Organizations worldwide stand to benefit greatly from employing skilled, certified information and cybersecurity professionals. These professionals can help secure their cloud environments, implement zero-trust architecture, and educate the greater workforce about the threats afoot.
The cybersecurity certifications listed later in this blog are among the most trusted. In fact, many are often listed as job requirements. To see how we compiled this list, check out our methodology.
What are the Benefits of Earning a Cybersecurity Certification?
Is It Worth All the Effort? Yes!
Cybersecurity certifications provide a competitive edge, validating professionals' skills and knowledge to potential employers. These certifications significantly increase your earning potential and open doors to advanced career opportunities and specialized roles. With cyber threats on the rise, certified professionals are highly sought after, ensuring job security and career growth.
For employers, having certified cybersecurity professionals on payroll ensures companies have robust protection against cyber threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and financial losses. These experts bring validated skills and up-to-date knowledge, enabling them to implement advanced security measures effectively. Furthermore, their presence enhances the organization's credibility and compliance with industry standards, fostering trust among clients and stakeholders. In some cases, employing certified staff is a necessity for doing business, including for organizations like the Department of Defense.
The Department of Defense's 8140 requirements are a set of guidelines and standards for training, certifying, and managing the cybersecurity workforce within the DoD. These requirements ensure that personnel possess the necessary skills and knowledge to protect defense information systems and networks. Compliance with 8140 is mandatory for both military and civilian employees engaged in cybersecurity roles, ensuring a unified and competent defense against cyber threats.
Key Benefits of Earning Cybersecurity Certifications
- Increased Earning Potential: Certified professionals often command higher salaries compared to their non-certified peers.
- Advanced Career Opportunities: Certifications open doors to specialized roles and advanced positions within the industry.
- Job Security: With rising cyber threats, certified professionals are in high demand, ensuring stable employment.
- Validated Skills and Knowledge: Certifications provide a concrete validation of skills, making professionals more attractive to employers.
- Enhanced Organizational Credibility: Certified staff increase an organization's credibility and compliance with industry standards.
- Reduced Risk of Data Breaches: Certified professionals implement advanced security measures effectively, minimizing the risk of cyber incidents.
- Industry Compliance: For some employers, especially those in defense, having certified employees is a requirement for doing business.
- Ongoing Professional Development: Certification processes often include continued education and keeping professionals' skills current and relevant.
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The Highest-Paying Cybersecurity Certifications Worldwide
The highest-paying cybersecurity certifications of 2024 include popular credentials that frequent this list and others, like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). These certifications are renowned for their comprehensive coverage of cybersecurity principles and practices, making them highly sought after by top employers. Professionals holding these credentials can expect substantial salary premiums reflecting the critical value they bring to their organizations.
However, a breadth of organizations and companies help earn professionals generous salaries due to their rigorous certification training, renewal standards, and content refreshes. Below, you'll see many represented.
These are the top-paying information and cybersecurity certifications, according to 2,626 technical professionals who participated in Skillsoft's annual survey:
- Google Cloud - Cloud Security Engineer pays on average $159,135.
- CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional pays on average $140,069.
- AWS Certified Security - Specialty pays on average $138,053.
- CRISC - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control pays on average $133,616.
- CISM - Certified Information Security Manager pays on average $131,967.
- CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer pays on average $127,403.
- CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner) pays on average $124,477.
- CSC - Cyber Secure Coder pays on average $119,260.
- DCA: Information Storage and Management v5 pays on average $118,887.
- CCSM - Check Point Security Master pays on average $114,904.
- CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor pays on average $109,012.
- CIoTSP - Certified IoT Security Practitioner pays on average $109,663.
- Security+ pays on average $108,709.
- CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional pays on average $104,987.
- CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) pays on average $103,271.
- CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker pays on average $102,366.
- CCSE - Check Point Certified Security Expert pays on average $101,740.
- Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert pays on average $94,321.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate pays on average $93,812.
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity pays on average $84,470.
The Cybersecurity Average Certification-Holder (Worldwide)
- Average Age: 37
- % Manages a Team: 60%
- % Earned a Certification in Past Year: 57%
- Average Number of Certifications: 8
- Average Salary: $104,687
What These Certifications Pay in the U.S.
The average annual salary of those in the United States tends to be higher than the worldwide average, with few exceptions. However, because of lower response counts, some of these figures aren't as reliable. With more data, the figures may change, so these are presented for continuity to illustrate potential geographic differences.
- Google Cloud - Cloud Security Engineer: $203,702
- CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional: $156,699
- AWS Certified Security - Specialty: $166,449
- CRISC - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control: $169,065
- CISM - Certified Information Security Manager: $167,396
- CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer: $178,545
- CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner): $151,925
- CSC - Cyber Secure Coder: $146,776
- DCA: Information Storage and Management v5: $124,484
- CCSM - Check Point Security Master: $132,762
- CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor: $154,500
- CIoTSP - Certified IoT Security Practitioner: $107,500
- Security+: $121,653
- CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional: $98,188
- CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst): $121,043
- CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker: $161,667
- CCSE - Check Point Certified Security Expert: $106,683
- Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert: $147,740
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate: $156,398
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity: $107,870
Google Cloud - Professional Cloud Security Engineer
The Google Cloud - Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification validates an individual's ability to design, implement, and manage secure infrastructure on the Google Cloud Platform. This certification demonstrates proficiency in ensuring regulatory compliance, managing security operations, and utilizing Google security technologies.
Globally, the Cloud Security Engineer certification earns professionals among the highest salaries of any certification, according to Skillsoft's findings. See a complete breakdown of what Google Cloud certifications pay.
The certification costs approximately $200 USD, and to earn it, candidates must pass a two-hour multiple-choice exam. Before attempting the exam, Google recommends having three or more years of professional experience, with at least one working in the Google Cloud platform.
Training Resources for this Certification
CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification from ISC2 is one of the most well-known, respected credentials in the industry, often serving as a requirement for senior and leadership roles. It confirms one's proficiency in creating, executing, and overseeing a top-tier cybersecurity program. It also signifies a thorough grasp of cybersecurity and managerial principles and techniques, making it ideal for professionals looking to progress their careers in information security.
The CISSP certification costs $749 USD, and to earn it, candidates must have a minimum of five years of paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge. Candidates must also pass the exam, consisting of 100 to 150 questions.
Training Resources for this Certification
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Global Knowledge
- CISSP Certification Training Course - Global Knowledge
- See ISC2 courses and bootcamps from Skillsoft: ISC2 Training
AWS Certified Security - Specialty
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification validates the ability to secure data in the AWS cloud and handle complex security challenges. It showcases proficiency in managing security controls, understanding AWS security services, and handling incident response.
Worldwide, this certification earns professionals more than any other from AWS, according to Skillsoft's findings. See the top-paying AWS certifications.
AWS recommends at least five years of IT security experience and two years of securing AWS workloads. Professionals must pass a 65-question exam in 170 minutes to earn the certification, costing $300 USD.
Training Resources for this Certification
CRISC - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification from ISACA is designed for professionals in enterprise risk management. CRISC holders are skilled in identifying and managing risks through information systems controls. This certification benefits organizations by ensuring they have experts to manage risks and implement robust control programs.
This certification costs approximately $760 USD for non-members ($575 USD for members).
If you're comparing ISACA certifications like CRISC vs. CISM or CRISC vs. CISA, get a more detailed breakdown of each in this guide.
A GUIDE TO ISACA CERTIFICATIONS
Training Resources for this Certification
CISM - Certified Information Security Manager
ISACA's CISM is a globally recognized certification for enterprise information security management. Individuals who obtain this certification have demonstrated their skills in creating and overseeing an enterprise security program, making them invaluable to any organization.
CISM holders are among the highest-paid professionals in the industry, and the certification is listed among the top five highest-paying IT certifications in the United States.
The certification costs cost $575 for members and $760 for non-members.
Training Resources for this Certification
CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer
The CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer certification from ISACA is for IT professionals who develop and deploy privacy solutions in their organizations. It confirms the ability to implement technical privacy controls and manage the privacy engineering for data protection and compliance. It shows proficiency in integrating privacy-by-design principles into technology platforms, products, and processes.
The certification costs $575 USD for non-members and $760 USD for members.
Training Resources for this Certification
CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner)
The CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner) certification from CompTIA confirms advanced cybersecurity skills and knowledge. It shows competence in enterprise security, risk management, and incident response, addressing key security issues and complex projects. This certification suits senior security engineers and leads aiming to enhance their expertise.
According to Skillsoft's findings, this is one of the top-paying certifications from CompTIA. Get a more thorough breakdown of what CompTIA certifications pay.
To earn the CASP+ (Advanced Security Practitioner) certification, candidates must pass a 165-minute exam consisting of both multiple-choice and performance-based questions. The cost of the exam varies by region. In the U.S., it's $509 USD.
Training Resources for this Certification
CSC - Cyber Secure Coder
The CSC - Cyber Secure Coder certification from CertNexus verifies a developer's skill in implementing secure coding practices and cybersecurity principles in software development. It showcases expertise in recognizing and addressing common software vulnerabilities to create robust and secure applications.
The certification exam costs $350 USD, and to earn it, candidates must pass a 120-minute exam consisting of multiple-choice questions.
Training Resources for this Certification
DCA: Information Storage and Management
The DCA: Information Storage and Management certification from Dell validates an individual's expertise in storage technology and data management practices. It demonstrates proficiency in understanding various storage architectures, backup and recovery, and data security. This certification is ideal for IT professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of storage solutions and advance their careers in data management.
It costs approximately $230 USD, and to earn it, candidates must pass a 90-minute exam.
Training Resources for this Certification
CCSM - Check Point Security Master
The CCSM - Check Point Security Master certification is an advanced credential that validates an individual's expertise in managing and configuring advanced security settings within Check Point security systems. It demonstrates proficiency in complex security implementations and troubleshooting. This certification is ideal for IT professionals seeking to master Check Point's comprehensive security suite and advance their careers in network security management.
Candidates can earn this certification by first achieving their Certified Security Expert and then any two Infinity Specialist accreditations. Check Point automatically awards professionals who earn all of these credentials the Security Master certification.
Training Resources for this Certification
CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor
The CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor certification from ISACA validates a professional's expertise in auditing, control, and assurance of information systems. It demonstrates proficiency in assessing an organization's IT and business systems to ensure they are monitored, managed, and protected. This certification is ideal for IT professionals seeking to specialize in information systems auditing and control.
The certification costs $575 USD for members and $760 USD for non-members.
Skillsoft Resources for CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor
CIoTSP - Certified IoT Security Practitioner
The CIoTSP - Certified IoT Security Practitioner from CertNexus verifies an individual's skills and knowledge in securing IoT (Internet of Things) devices and networks. It covers key areas such as IoT architecture, security protocols, and risk assessments. Earning this certification ensures that professionals are equipped to implement robust security measures in IoT environments. It's ideal for network administrators, software developers, solutions architects, and similar roles.
Candidates can earn it by passing an exam that assesses their proficiency in securing IoT ecosystems. It costs $350 USD.
Training Resources for this Certification
Security+
The Security+ certification from CompTIA is an entry-level credential that validates foundational skills in cybersecurity. It's often a job requirement, including for those working for the Department of Defense and similar organizations. It covers essential principles for network security, operations and architecture, and risk management, making it ideal for those beginning their careers in IT security. It's popular with recent graduates, those changing careers, and IT professionals who want to specialize in cybersecurity.
To earn this certification, candidates must pass a 90-minute exam consisting of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. The cost of the Security+ exam varies by region. In the U.S., it's $404 USD.
Training Resources for this Certification
CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional
The CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional certification by ISC2 validates an individual's expertise in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. It demonstrates proficiency in applying best practices and policies to secure cloud environments.
The certification costs $599 USD. To obtain it, candidates need at least five years of professional work experience in IT, with three years specifically in information security and one year in one or more of the six CCSP Common Body of Knowledge domains. Additionally, candidates must pass a three-hour exam.
Training Resources for this Certification
CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)
The CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) certification from CompTIA verifies an individual's ability to capture, monitor, and respond to incidents. It shows proficiency in using various tools and techniques to identify and combat cybersecurity threats. This certification is ideal for IT professionals looking to advance their careers in the field and builds on the Security+ certification.
The cost of the CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) exam varies by region. In the U.S., it's $404 USD. To earn it, candidates must pass a 165-minute exam consisting of multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
Training Resources for this Certification
CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
The CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker certification from EC-Council is a credential that validates an individual's skills in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities using the same knowledge and tools as malicious hackers. It demonstrates proficiency in ethical hacking techniques, penetration testing, and cybersecurity threat assessment. This certification is ideal for administrators, analysts, auditors, and engineers who want to specialize in ethical hacking and enhance their ability to defend against cyberattacks.
The cost of training for and sitting the exam starts at $2,199 through EC-Council. Other packages are available at higher price points. To earn it, candidates must pass two exams. The first runs four hours and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. The second runs six hours, featuring 20 practical challenges.
Training Resources for this Certification
CCSE - Check Point Certified Security Expert
The CCSE - Check Point Certified Security Expert certification is an advanced credential that validates an individual's expertise in configuring and managing Check Point security systems. It demonstrates proficiency in defending against threats, advanced user management, monitoring traffic, and more. This certification is ideal for systems administrators and network engineers seeking to enhance their skills in advanced security configurations and troubleshooting using Check Point technologies.
Live training through Global Knowledge to earn the certification costs $3,000 USD, and candidates must pass an exam that includes multiple-choice and hands-on components.
Training Resources for this Certification
Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert
The Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification validates an individual's expertise in designing cybersecurity strategies and implementing solutions that align with broader organizational goals. It demonstrates proficiency in securing hybrid and cloud-based environments, as well as the ability to design governance frameworks.
This certification is ideal for professionals seeking to advance their roles in cybersecurity architecture and management, and it's one of the highest-paying credentials from Microsoft, earning professionals in the US up to $147,740. See a more thorough breakdown of what Microsoft certifications pay worldwide.
The certification costs approximately $165 USD per exam, and candidates must pass the exam. There are three prerequisite certifications:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate
Training Resources for this Certification
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate certification confirms a person's skills in implementing security measures, managing identity and access, and safeguarding data, applications, and networks in Azure and across hybrid or multi-cloud environments. It showcases an individual's ability to apply security best practices and address security vulnerabilities. This certification is ideal for professionals looking to progress in cloud security and management careers.
To earn the certification, candidates must pass a single exam, which costs approximately $165 USD.
Training Resources for this Certification
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
The ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity certification is an entry-level credential that validates foundational knowledge in cybersecurity principles and practices. It is designed for individuals looking to start their careers in cybersecurity and focuses on essential skills required to secure a variety of IT environments. This certification emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of risk management, security operations, and incident response.
Like Security+, this certification is ideal for recent graduates, those early into their IT careers, or professionals who are changing careers. Relative to others, the cost to earn this certification is low, and it lends professionals who earn it the credibility needed to start their careers.
The certification costs $199 USD. To earn it, candidates must pass the exam.
Training Resources for this Certification
How We Built This List
This list of cybersecurity certifications is based on 2,626 survey responses from Skillsoft's 2023 IT Skills and Salary Survey conducted from May to September 2023. The survey asks respondents about their current jobs and experience, certifications and salaries, and more. Respondents encounter multiple choice and multi-select, open-ended, rank choice, and other types of questions while taking the survey. Technology providers, certification bodies, and Skillsoft distribute the survey to IT professionals worldwide.
When reporting salary figures, Skillsoft looks for at least 50 survey responses before considering relevance, demand, and other factors. Salaries are not normalized for cost of living or location.
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