There are multiple industry security certifications available in my industry including the
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), the
CompTIA Security+, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and
the Certified Information Security Auditor.one of the main certifications that I think can
have an immediate impact and help my career is the CompTIA Security+. The CompTIA
Security+ certification is an international certification that substantiates the baseline skills
you need to execute core security functions and pursue an IT security career. A CompTIA
Security+ certification is the first security certification that one should earn. The certification
establishes the core information and requirements of any Cybersecurity roles. Another
certification that is important and a huge part of my development is the CISM certification.
The Certified Information Security Manager is an advanced certification that indicates
whether or not a person has the skills and knowledge to manage and develop an enterprise
information security program. This certification is a great accomplishment and would be
wonderful to have on your resume. Both of these certifications are great and requires hard
work but are very much worth it. I really never looked to much into the certification for my
future job until now and the one that is most important is CompTia. Also I noticed that they
recommend two years of IT but they don’t have any requirements. Another one I looked at
as well upon my research is CEH. It peaked my interest because I always wondered about
things with hacking and ways to stop it because I’ve had it done to me and it was not a good
feeling. I think it’s important to have that knowledge because you can easily find ways to
stop it and to notice the signs of when it happens. They also would like for you to have at
least two years of IT experience and that they only require you to take one exam to become
certified. I am interested knowing more about the CompTia . I know that they do have these
classes here in my hometown which is Montgomery, Alabama. The class last a couple of
weeks and I do think that it is very helpful for someone who is interested in working in that
field. I however would gain the experience needed that they are offering just to build my
resume but Im interested in taking my career further. I think with that certificate which by
the way it is $2500 for a few weeks but I am assured that you would gain a good paying job.
I just hope that with the training we will be getting that it will assist us properly within our
career choice. The two certifications that I am interested in and are currently working for in
my field are the CompTIA Security plus and CompTIA network plus. These two
certifications will give test me on the requirements to keep my interaction on the cyber
domain locally and outside safe from intrusion. CompTIA security plus will train and test
me on Public Cryptography and public key infrastructure (PKI) and the current industry
standard on protecting data and host security practices. It will also prepare me for risk
management and test on the skills and procedures that I learned that used in the current
industry. CompTIA network plus will give me capabilities to employ devices such as
switches and routers to safely route traffic with the current industry standard. Also, I will
learn and be certified on the industry designing and implementing networks that I think will
also go in hand with the risk management from the security plus certification. Both these
certifications will mesh well together in my future goals and in my current job in the
military. One certification that I am interested in achieving in the CompTIA Security +
certification. CompTIA is an industry recognized training and certification company. Their
name is well known within the Information Technology field. The Security + certification
certifies that a person achieving the certificate has a solid understanding of cybersecurity
concepts and best practices. The material covered in the certification is very similar to what
we have covered here in our Cyber Domain course. Some of the areas that are covered in the
certification are attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities, architecture and design, implementation,
operations and incident response, governance, risk and compliance (Comptia, 2020). The
CompTIA Security + certification is a foundation for anyone looking to enter the cyber
security domain.
Another certification is ISC2’s Certified Cloud Security Professional. This certification
holds a lot of value in the cyber security industry because more and more companies are
moving their data to the cloud. With the increase in cloud usage protecting data from cyber
threats is more important than ever. The Certified Cloud Security Professional certification
cover everything you need to know to secure data within the cloud and ensure that it is safe
and protected. I became interested in cybersecurity because my brother got his certifications
in the Air Force and it piqued my interest. I have no IT work experience which I think will
be my biggest downfall for when it comes time to get a job and or my certifications. I read
that the CompTIA security+ is probably the most important one to have, and its
recommended to have two years of IT experience. From what I have gathered it is one of the
most common certifications to get. Next I would probably say the CISM (certified
information security manager) would be beneficial to have. I am hoping to eventually get a
job as an Information Security Manager. The CISM certification requires you to maintain
your certification by earning credits each year and adhering to a code of professional ethics.
I have found that there are many different certifications that one can get to better help them
stand out from the rest of the crowd because it shows that you have went the extra mile and
that you are certified in the subject. For me it is IT so I narrowed it down to 2 certifications
for cyber security and they are Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and
CompTIA security+. According to Business News Daily, The Certified Information Security
Manager (CISM) is a top credential for IT professionals responsible for managing,
developing and overseeing information security systems in enterprise-level applications, or
for developing best organizational security practices.Credential holders possess advanced
and proven skills in security risk management, program development and management,
governance, and incident management and response. CompTIA's Security+ is a well-
respected, vendor-neutral security certification. Security+ credential holders are recognized
as possessing superior technical skills, broad knowledge and expertise in multiple security-
related disciplines. IT pros who obtain this certification possess expertise in areas such as
threat management, cryptography, identity management, security systems, security risk
identification and mitigation, network access control, and security infrastructure. Since I
started this program I started researching careers in Cyber Security, which way I wanted to
go, I saw a lot of military post and what they require, I also saw banks and saw what
requirements they needed. I finally decided I would like to work on a military base or at
bank. I saw the certifications required and one of those certifications is the SSCP, Its an
advanced security administration certification that helps validate skills needed to secure
businesses critical assets. SSCP certification proves that IT pros possess the advanced
technical skills needed to implement, manage, and administer IT infrastructure. The other
certification is the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Having this certification
employers will know you have been tested, and have the knowledge and skills needed to
provide efficient and experienced auditing services and that you have been credentialed by
one of the most prestigious security associations in the industry. Another career field or
location I'm interested in is working at a hospital. Im currently still researching what
credentials are needed so it this can be a possible career outcome. I live close to lots of
different air force bases, and what I see the most often as a hard requirement for jobs in my
area is the CompTia Security plus and a security clearance. I currently work for the
Department of Defense, and the two entry level positions dont have a hard push for a degree
or for any other entry level certifications except for the Sec+. As long as you can get a
public trust and have the Comptia Securityplus+ they will give you an interview. But when I
worked for Boeing they had stricter requirements. They wanted you to have at least your
Comptia A+ or Comptia Network+ as well as the Security plus, and either have a degree or
are enrolled in college, and be able to get a public trust.So in my experience companies
really want to know that you can safely handle information and that you are aware of best
practices and have the ability to identify various threats. This is knowledge you gain from
acquiring the security plus from Comptia. Since its an entry level certification you most
likely would not be able to get a higher tiered job within the companies I've worked for, but
it can get your foot in the door. I always recommend getting the CompTia trifecta, A+, Net+
and Sec+ to start out, because all 3 certifications will help you build a strong foundation.
The A+ touches on networking, security, hardware, software, mobile devices, tablets, and
trouble shooting basics. So the A+ is like casting a wide net in a shallow pond, you won't
become an expert on this cert alone but you will get a lot of foundational information. It can
also help you identify which field within IT you are the most interested in. The Net+ goes
more in-depth with all things networking, doesn't focus on a specific brand like Cisco but at
the end of it you will have a basic understanding on how networking works. When doing IT
wok for a big corporation we have to know a lot of things and need to be certified in it to be
able to help the customer. The very first certification the employees would have to have is
certifications for iOS. Knowing how the product works and what software it can handle so
you can do your job with technical problems. If you aren't certified you cant help the
customer with any iOS device. If a customer called in and needed help with there iPhone, I
would have to get them to the next representative that is certified in iOS. Another
certification I would need after getting one for the iOS is certifications for iPadOS and its
the same rules go as for the iOS have to have these certifications to be able to help along
with certifications for macOS, watchOS, tvOS but there are many more certifications in the
company. In order to help someone you need to know what you are helping them with so
you can bring confidence to your customers and the company. Having these certifications
helps me to give the best customer service experience and bring up my company's goals with
excellent customer service experience also helping them with their issue. The two industry
certifications that I decided to talk about are the CISSP and the CISA. I chose these two
because according to Business News Daily these are the two that show up most in job
boards. The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification is
recognized worldwide and is offered by the International Information Systems Security
Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)2. The CISSP is designed for individuals who are
experienced security professionals. They offer three CISSP concentrations targeting specific
areas of interest in IT security; Architecture (CISSP-ISSAP); Engineering (CISSP-ISSEP);
and Management (CISSP-ISSMP). The second certification I will talk about is CISA
(Certified Information Systems Auditor). ISACA's Certified Information Systems Auditor
(CISA) is also globally recognized, and it does not require you to work in the field as long
at CISSP. CISA “is the gold standard for IT professionals seeking to practice in information
security, audit control and assurance. Ideal candidates are able to identify and assess
organizational threats and vulnerabilities, assess compliance, and provide guidance and
organizational security controls.”. Since these two were found the most in job boards I think
they would be a good thing to get once I have met the qualifications for each. There are
many different types of industry security certifications. One of the most well known and
beginner types of certifications is the CompTIA Security+ certification. This is one of the
many certifications that CompTIA have and it is a baseline start for anyone that is looking to
get into cyber security. This is a networking based, vendor-neutral certification. It can help
you to get started into the world of cybersecurity and shows that you have a baseline and
fundamental understanding of some of the basics surrounding network security. Another
type of certification that would be great to have and would help tremendously in your career
in cyber security is the CISSP certifications or the Certified Information Systems Security
Professional certification. This is a very highly regarded certification and is a very advanced
level certification. This certification shows employers that you have a very comprehensive
understanding of the cyber domain and all of the different securities surrounding cyber
security. To obtain this certification you must meet many of the steps before you can even
submit an application to take the exam. If you have this certification it really shows that you
know what you are doing in the cyber security field. In the technology-driven time of the
21st century, security certifications indifferent industries play an important role that must be
taken into consideration by professionals. In the healthcare industry, a number of industry
security certifications influence how healthcare professionals operate and function in the
highly dynamic industrial landscape.
Two particular industry security certifications that are applicable in my career interest area
which is healthcare include Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner
(HCISPP) and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). HCISPP is considered to be an
important information security certification that can give healthcare professionals an edge in
the evolving industry. Some of the key advantages of the certification are that it empowers
the professionals to safeguard patient health information and it simplifies navigating the
complex regulatory landscape .CCSP is known as a premier cloud security certification that
is regarded to be a global credential. It has high relevance in the healthcare industry as
various healthcare functions are moving to the cloud environment. The key advantages of
the CCSP certification include the robust insight into cloud security architecture that
safeguards medical data and information and competitive edge over other professionals with
restricted knowledge of cloud security aspects. There are many DoD 8570 security
certificates to obtain but the one that I desire to have is the CompTia Security+ SY0-601
first and then aim for the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). CompTIA
Security+ establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a
springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs. Security+ incorporates best practices in
hands-on troubleshooting, ensuring candidates have practical security problem-solving skills
required.
The Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) certification from (ISC)2 is a globally
recognized security certification that targets IT professionals in roles such as network
security engineer, system administrator, system engineer, security analyst, consultant,
database administrator, and system or network analyst. SSCPs possess advanced security
administration and operations skills. I work for a big company that has endless opportunities
in the security engineering/ cyber world. The advantages of having one of the certs gives
that person a head start and a foot in the door since some of the qualifications on an
application would require you to have or obtain a certificate. I think that CompTIA
Security+ is a huge global certification that I think you should have for any Information
Technology job. As I have been looking for entry level jobs, most of them have been asking
for this certification. It just validates the skill and education that you worked hard for. It is
100% worth the effort of going through this exam. IT will help you gain credentials to
pursue a cyber security related job. Not only does it help you get jobs, but it will also be
great for your resume. The other certification that I would want to get before starting my
career in Information Technology would be CompTIA Linux +. I would want this because a
lot of the companies in my area have this program as a requirement. That way if I have this
in advance, I will have an advantage over other potential employees. These certifications
will get you are an entry level job at companies, and as you advance your resume you will
be able to get higher-paying jobs. Skills will only make you more appealing to companies
when you send in your resume. I work for the Department of Corrections and we have
Correctional Industries (CI) environment, certification programs prepare incarcerated
individuals to work in a specialized trade, both while incarcerated and upon release.
Evidence has shown that including certifications on a resume can give formerly incarcerated
individuals an advantage over other candidates applying for the same job. Technical
certification programs provide the incarcerated individual with the following; increased post-
release employment opportunities, validation of the attainment of job skills needed for
employability, and reduction or elimination of employment barriers. Risk factors are
identified as barriers to success when reintegrating into the community. Many incarcerated
individuals face employment challenges that result from these risk factors. Certified training
provides incarcerated individuals with job skills that align with the labor market and offer
the incarcerated individual one less barrier to overcome upon release. Technical
certifications have standards that are known industry-wide and employers expect that an
incarcerated individual has mastered a specific skill level with the completion of a certified
training program.One of two secondary data sources provided information on security
operations topics. Although one of the survey designs was methodologically sound, the
response rate created a potential for biased estimates. U.S. or local DOL, other federal/state
agencies such as OSHA, Department of Education. There are numerous program providers
throughout the United States that work with CIs. It is important going into a partnership to
be able to clearly articulate what CIs needs are in order for the partner organization to
determine if they have relevant training and services. Overall, high-quality demographic data
have been collected in existing surveys; however, variations in the survey methodology and
definitions of private security across these surveys produced some discrepancies in the
estimates. When in the IT field there are multiple security certifications available, some are
best to help on entry level and others for veteran IT pros. Comp TIA A+ is recommended for
someone who is just beginning in the field, it helps get the foot in the door to start in a tech
support position allowing room for growth. To earn the certification, you must pass two
tests, Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Obtaining it will help demonstrate baseline
security skills, ability to configure operating systems, trouble shoot, and problem solve core
service, and configure and support PC, mobile, and IoT device along with additional skills.
Another certification to investigate is CompTIA Security+, this helps employers see your
understanding of the baseline security skills and helps with compliance for DoD 8140/8570
and ISO 17024. When getting certified it emphasizes hands on practice to ensure
understanding of modern complex issues, covers the core technical skills for risk assessment
and management, incident response, forensics, enterprise networks, hybrid/cloud operations,
and security controls. Having both credentials helps entering the field as a beginner because
it shows the wide range understanding of trouble shooting standard operating system issues
as well as security ones as well. There are several industry security certifications available in
my area of career interest. I specifically want to work in the IT department for the State of
California. I am not sure which department I want to work toward, but for now, any entry
level IT position will do. An industry security certificate that I feel is a must have is the
CompTIA Security +. This is the very first certificate every IT security professional should
earn to get their foot in the door in cybersecurity jobs. Having this certificate is proof that
you have knowledge in information technology security. Most entry level IT security jobs
recommend that you have the CompTIA Security + because they would rather hire someone
who has knowledge in the IT security field instead of someone who knows little to none.
Having said that, this give you a huge advantage in competitive interviews and will help you
land a job. Another industry security certification that I am interested in is the Certified
Information Systems Auditor (CISA). I’ve done a lot of auditing task with every employer
I’ve worked for and feel that if there’s anything that I’d like to pursue in IT, it would be in
auditing. While CompTIA Security + is a must have I think for any job, as far as my
particular job right now I think I would also benefit by obtaining a CompTIA Linux + and a
Red Hat RHCA, RHCE and RHCSA, because I work for the Oklahoma Army National
Guard and the systems I work with are Linux based mainly Red Hat. By obtaining these
certifications when it is time to move on to a different job perhaps I could be a civilian field
representative and continue to aid soldiers with their systems. Security + I think has become
a requisite for any IT related position. and I understand why it has become a requisite in the
industry. CompTIA Security+ is a global certification that validates the baseline skills you
need to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. CompTIA
Security+ is the first security certification IT professionals should earn. The CompTIA
Security+ certification is worth the effort if you intend to pursue a cyber security related
career track or you want to add security credentials to resume. A great benefit of the
Security+, and most other CompTIA certifications, is that there is no prerequisite experience
or training involved. The CompTIA Security+ certification will help you break into the
industry, but for most, it will only be the first step. This certification will get you in the door
at companies, but higher-paying jobs will only be available as you add to your resume with
more advanced skills and work experience. The Security+ is something you could add to
your resume which is a great benefit of the certification. Having a certification that is valued
and recognized by the federal government and it’s vendors and contractors is certainly a
benefit of the CompTIA Security+ certification. I think the CompTIA Security+ is a good
beginner one to have. A lot of the beginner openings in IT seems to ask for this when
applying for beginner jobs. The CompTIA Security+ exam will certify that you have the
knowledge and skills required to install and configure systems to secure applications,
networks, and devices. Also, that you can perform threat analysis and respond with
appropriate mitigation techniques; participate in risk mitigation activities; and operate with
an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations. CompTIA also has three more
certifications in cyber security, the CySA+ which and intermediate exams, and the CASP+
and the PenTest+ are advanced level exams. CompTIA exams are on the cheaper side and
most of the beginner/intermediate companies in the IT work force respect these types of
exams.
