Top 10 Cybersecurity certifications with no prerequisites

Global cybercrime is projected to cost $10.5 trillion in 2025 due to the increased adoption of AI. Whether you already work in IT or seek to enter the field, Cybersecurity training is becoming indispensable and a valuable entry point into this industry. But, with so many certifications out there, which one should you choose?

Let's take a look at our top 10 Cybersecurity certifications for 2025 with few or no prerequisites to attend. Could one of them be right for you?

1. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity® (CC®)

Starting off is the Certified in Cybersecurity® (CC®) certification from Cybersecurity experts, ISC2. This award-winning course is aimed at those just starting out or aiming for junior-level positions.

This course helps you develop the foundational knowledge and skills you need for entry- or junior-level Cybersecurity roles, including Security Principles, Business Continuity (BC), Disaster Recovery (DR) & Incident Response Concepts, Access Controls, Network Security, and Security Operations.

If you know someone who's taking an ISC2 or ISACA course, for a limited time, you could take CC® for free. Find out how.

2. IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional — Europe® (CIPP/E®)

If you're interested in Cybersecurity but would prefer to work in Data Protection, an excellent certification to give your career a boost is the IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional certification specialised for Europe, CIPP/E®.

CIPP/E® is suitable for anyone involved with Data Protection processes and programmes, from Information Managers, Auditors, and Records Managers to Compliance Officers and Law professionals. This course is accredited under ISO 17024:2012 and teaches you key Data Protection terminology and concepts. Find out more. 

You can also combine this course with management modules to progress faster with the CIPP/E® and Certified Information Privacy Manager® (CIPM®) combined course. Read the spec.

3. CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)

Next on our list, for those of you wishing to specialise in Cloud Security, the Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) certification developed by CSA, the Cloud Security Alliance, helps you understand security threats facing Cloud infrastructure and design and implement secure Cloud environments.

The course takes you through Cloud Architecture, Data Protection, Zero Trust, Generative AI, and hands-on activities in the world's leading security platforms, Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure. You do not need Cybersecurity knowledge to take this course, but you do need some experience with Cloud. Find out more.

4. CertNexus Cyber Secure Coder™ (CSC)

Similar to number 3 but with a programming angle, Cyber Secure Coder™ (CSC) developed by CertNexus.

This course is intended for those with experience in Python, HTML and JavaScript, such as Software Developers and Testers; however, you can attend even if you don't work in these areas at the moment. 

This course helps you develop a Cybersecurity mindset and refine your programming knowledge to ensure that what you build stays safe from security breaches and vulnerabilities. This course will also show you how to implement user data protection, test for security defects, and eliminate vulnerabilities by using a Security by Design approach. Attaining this certification shows employers and contractors that you have a well-rounded approach to programming and are quick to adapt to the increasingly complex needs of the market. Find out more and sign up here.

5. CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA)

The next course on our list, CPSA, is intended for entry-level/junior professionals with some experience in Networking or Server Administration.

This course helps you develop the core technical skills you need to progress into a Cybersecurity role, such as network mapping, cryptography, DNS checks, security assessments, web testing techniques, and much more. You will learn hands-on how to perform infrastructure and web application testing to locate security vulnerabilities. This course helps you become a more well-rounded Networking professional and, if you choose to, progress to specialising in Penetration Testing. Find out more and register. 

6. ISO 27001 Foundation — Information Security Management

Another way to build expertise is to train for the specific Security standards used in the industry you'd like to work. For example, one of our popular courses is the Information Security Management Foundation for the ISO/IEC 27001 standard.

As it's foundation-level, there are no official prerequisites to take this course and, if you work in roles such as Compliance, Quality Management, Risk Management, and Data Privacy, you can use it to pivot your career into Cybersecurity. 

This course covers a structured introduction to Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), ISO 27001 concepts, security controls, Risk Management, and compliance requirements, as well as numerous interactive exercises and real-world case studies. Find out more.

7. BCS Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP)

Related to number 6 but not specialised in a specific standard is the well-known BCS CISMP, the Certificate in Information Security Management Principles developed by the UK's Chartered Institute for IT.

CISMP is open to anyone seeking to understand how to protect business assets by applying Information Security principles; you only need a basic understanding of IT to take it. This course takes you through key Information Security Management principles, risk, security frameworks, security controls, Business Continuity Management, Incident Management, and useful legal and compliance issues. At Firebrand, we offer the latest version of the curriculum, CISMP v10. Find out more.

8. DVMS Institute NIST® Cybersecurity Framework Foundation

Next on our list is another foundational course, this time allowing you to specialise in NIST®. NIST-CSF is a Cybersecurity Framework used across various sectors, including Government, private companies, and academic institutions. It's most prevalent in the UK, the United States, Japan, Australia, Israel, and 20 other nations.

This certification teaches you how NIST® can help businesses mitigate Cybersecurity challenges, manage risks, and adopt scalable, secure digital transformation, which is becoming increasingly important as we move into the age of AI. There are no prerequisites to attend this course, making it an effective way to specialise in Cybersecurity from a broader business background. Find out more.

9. GIAC Securing ICS: Becoming an Industrial Cyber Security Professional

Moving on, an interesting course that helps you pivot into Cybersecurity from an operational background. Professionals with Operations, Supply Chain, and Third-Party experience can take the GIAC Cyber Security course for Industrial Control Systems (ICS).

This course was designed to provide IT/OT Operators with an enhanced understanding of Cyber Security, discussing essential Cyber Security principles, ICS Security Governance, Architecture, Risk, Incident Management, Physical Security, and much more, applied to the integrated hardware and software used to manage and control vital sectors like manufacturing, power, and water treatment.

Anyone working to secure an ICS environment as well as non-ICS staff who need to understand ICS terminology would greatly benefit from this course. Find out more.

10. CertNexus CyberSAFE®

Finally, last but certainly not least, let's end this blog with another solid course, CertNexus CyberSAFE®.

Developed by the US-based CertNexus, CyberSAFE® helps you understand common risks associated with using conventional end-user technology such as e-mail, cloud, and social media, maintain the security of your devices, and identify compliance requirements for organisational security. Anyone interested in Cybersecurity can take this course. Find out more.

Upskill into Cybersecurity, fast!

For the past 14 years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.

We specialise in accelerated training that helps you become competent, confident, and certified fast.

Could one of our Cybersecurity courses be right for you?

See them all