WHICH ARE THE BEST CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND THEIR COST?

Cybersecurity, as the name suggests, is all about targeting the malicious threat actors that try to invade the privacy of businesses and any organization or individual worldwide. The year 2024 has witnessed a drastic surge in cyberattacks. India has experienced a 33% rise in cyberattacks y-o-y in the first quarter of 2024. Africa has seen a 20% increase in attacks per organization till now. Adding up, the North American region was most impacted by ransomware attacks and Latin America showcased a decline of 20%. These statistics from the Times of India have surfaced and revealed the emerging attack rates so far.

With these staggering numbers infecting the global business landscape, specialized cybersecurity professionals can leverage their targeted cybersecurity skills to safeguard the scenario. And as you proceed to research for the best cybersecurity certification programs; you are sure to fight for the best-priced options. The right credential is sure to boost your cybersecurity career manifold.

Why Cybersecurity?

Simply for the sheer reason that businesses and corporations worldwide are going virtual, with critical details and pieces of information saved and shared online. This makes it highly vulnerable to getting infected and attacked by threat actors. Markets and Markets expect this year to close at USD 208.8 billion for the global cybersecurity industry size. It necessitates the emergence and appointment of qualified cybersecurity professionals who can manage the menace and put cyber guards. Today, the cybersecurity talent gap is expected to widen even further. As per the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a lack of talent or human error could be responsible for over half of major cybersecurity incidents by 2025. This is getting grave!

Role of a Certification?

If you are someone who feels concerned about the grim cyberattack situation and wants to make a difference. Then, getting certified could be your first step in safeguarding global businesses worldwide from getting raided by cyber attackers. A certification in cybersecurity is a holistic credential that caters to developing informed futuristic cybersecurity skills and makes you employable with the finer nuances taught in the course. Being a short-term credential, it can easily be taken alongside while you are working in a company or studying at a university. An anytime-anywhere credential that is virtually imparted; can put you right in the spotlight amongst other credible cybersecurity professionals worldwide and make you a moolah.

Foundation Level Certifications:

1. COMP TIA SECURITY+ (Cost- USD 392, renewal- USD 50 every year)

A great starting point if you plan to learn foundational nuances and begin your career in the cyber world. It caters to multiple-choice and performance-based assessments; covering threats and vulnerabilities, security architecture, and more.

2. (ISC)2 (Cost- USD 249, renewal- USD 125 every year)

A Systems Security certified practitioner (SSCP) course equips you with capabilities in access management and controls, cryptography, network technology, and beyond. it focuses on building administrative security tasks and operations.

3. UNITED STATES CYBERSECURITY INSTITUTE (USCSI®) (Cost- USD 699, renewal- USD 249 valid for three years)

Certified Cybersecurity Consultant (CCC) is your go-to cybersecurity certification that comes with a quick ignition curriculum that equips you with core cybersecurity skills in data security, architecture, machine learning, cryptography applications, execution, and data science amalgamation. It offers easy self-paced and instructor-led program options with world-class accreditation from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

Advanced Level Certifications:

1. EC COUNCIL (Cost- USD 650, renewal- USD 80 every year, additional- USD 2199-USD 3499)

The Certified Network Defender courseware allows you enough room to excel in protocols, network security, infrastructure, and defenses. An advanced-level security administrator’s credential prepares you for the most heinous cybercrimes.

2. UNITED STATES CYBERSECURITY INSTITUTE (USCSI®) (Cost- USD 898, renewal- USD 249 valid for three years)

Becoming a certified senior cybersecurity specialist is made a reality with CSCS; a premium cybersecurity leadership program catering to equipping you with nuances of onboarding leadership tactics, threat intelligence, advanced threat detection with AI, incident handling, AI arsenal test, and beyond. With optional readings, easy enrollment and payment policies, and a major thrust (16%) of the curriculum bending toward business management and continuity amasses massive traction for becoming cybersecurity specialists. Lifetime Digital badging is a one-up amongst the elite offerings worldwide; with greater cybersecurity career advancements.

3. GIAC (Cost- USD 949/USD 499 with a current GIAC certification, renewal- USD 469 every 4 years)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) courseware allows you enough boost to enhance your capabilities in detecting, responding to, and resolving computer security incidents. Master the typical attack tactics and counter security breaches.

Final word:

As the year 2024 rises to the urgent demand for certified cybersecurity professionals, it is of the utmost indispensable nature to decide on the most trusted certifications that command high respect and acceptance.