Top 10 Cyber Security certifications for 2024

Despite an increase in Cyber Security awareness, many businesses still learn its importance the hard way, by having their valuable data compromised; many others still struggle to detect when they have been targeted by a cyberattack.

The rapid advent of AI is driving an increased demand for Cyber Security professionals. According to the 2024 State of Cybersecurity report by CompTIA, the highest percentage of professionals joining Cyber Security teams in 2023, 41%, were infrastructure specialists who have been promoted, whilst the second-highest percentage, 35%, are current line of business employees who seek to develop their Cyber Security skills.

The need for high-quality Cyber Security training and certifications is at an all-time high.

Let's take a look at the 10 top Cyber Security certifications to consider in 2024.

1. CompTIA Security+

Developed with input from the tech industry, government, and academia, CompTIA’s Security+ is a well-known, comprehensive certification that will teach you to troubleshoot events and incidents, identify threats, and manage risk effectively.

This certification is an excellent place to start if you’re aiming to build a career in Cyber Security. At Firebrand, we recommend taking CompTIA A+ and/or CompTIA Network+ before taking this course. To further specialise after Security+, the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is a popular next step.

2. ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP®)

If you have experience in Cyber Security, you may want to consider specialising in Cloud. This platform is widely used across different industries, and the more integrated it becomes, the higher the risk of sensitive data ending up in the hands of cybercriminals.

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) course developed by ISC2 is ideal for Enterprise Architects, Systems Engineers, Security Managers, Security Engineers, and similar professionals. This certification helps you develop the skills to manage your company's Cloud Environments and purchased Cloud Services.

This comprehensive certification comprises the 6 CCSP Domains, including Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security, Cloud Security Operations, and Legal, Risk and Compliance. See the full curriculum.

3. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH)

What better way to identify an organisation’s vulnerabilities than to penetrate its cybersecurity defences yourself? With the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course, you’ll have the opportunity to operate in an interactive environment. On top of that, you’ll learn from first-hand experience how cybercriminals take down a company's defences and how to protect yours from these attack vectors.

The curriculum is comprised of 20 modules, from Vulnerability Analysis, System Hacking, and Malware Threats, to IoT and OT Hacking, Cloud Computing, and Cryptography.

To take this course, you should have at least two years of IT work experience and familiarity with both Windows and Linux/Unix operating systems. Find out more. 

4. ISC2 Certified Information Security System Professional (CISSP®)

The ISC2 CISSP is one of the top certifications you can acquire in this field, as it helps you develop the expert knowledge you need to implement and manage an Enterprise Security Programme (ESP) for your company. CISSP is a key certification for professionals who aim for senior Cyber Security roles.

Before attending this course, you should have at least five years of paid, full-time work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) Domains. If you do not have this experience, you can still get certified and you will have six years to earn the work experience required.

ISC2 CISSP will help you develop the credibility you need to access higher-paid Cyber Security positions. After becoming certified, you may look to such as the CSA Certified Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK), ISACA CISA, ISC2 CCSP, and more.

5. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®) 

Developed by ISACA, a well-respected membership organization committed to the advancement of digital trust, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is one of the top certifications for anyone who audits, controls, and monitors enterprise IT and business systems. 

This comprehensive certification helps you enhance and prove your skills across the 5 CISA Domains, from IT Governance and Management to the Audit Process itself.

Before attempting this certification, delegates should have a minimum of 5 years of exposure to the field of Information Systems Auditing. Find out more.

6. ISO 27001 Lead Auditor

As the name suggests, the ISO 27001 Lead Auditor certification, developed by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB), is an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop the skills to audit Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

This comprehensive course is comprised of several sections, from Normative, regulatory, and legal frameworks to Planning, Performing, and Following up an ISO 27001 audit.

Lead Auditors ensure that their auditing team apply the latest and most efficient techniques, principles, and procedures. For this reason, at Firebrand, we strongly recommend acquiring the ISO 27001 Lead Implementer certification in conjunction with this one. Find out more.

7. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®)

The ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is highly respected in the world of IT. If you want to establish yourself as one of the most competent and successful Information Security Managers, CISM is the way to go.

This comprehensive certification proves your knowledge of information security programmes and their role as part of business goals and objectives. The curriculum includes modules on Information Security Governance, Information Risk Management, Compliance, and other important aspects.

We're often asked which one we recommend, ISACA CISA® (see number 5) or CISM; the answer is, it depends on what you would like to achieve. if you're looking to become a skilled IT Auditor, CISA is the way to go; however, if you'd like to become a leader in Information Security Management, Risk Management, or Governance, CISM is the way to go. Find out more.

8. ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC®)

Risk assessment and management can have a significant impact on the overall business of an organisation. By achieving a respected certification such as the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC®), developed by ISACA, you can prove you have a comprehensive knowledge of enterprise risk and the skills to manage it efficiently.

CRISC is recommended for IT and business professionals at the operational or management level. The latest version of this certification encompasses 4 Domains focusing on identifying and assessing risk as well as proper response and monitoring.

CRISC job opportunities are quite dynamic, either on its own or as part of another specialism such as Project Management, Business Analysis, or Compliance. See the full course spec.

9. ISC2 Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP®)

Almost 80% of all security breaches are related to applications. That makes professionals with this certification an invaluable asset to any software development company.

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)® certification developed by ISC2 helps you develop the skills you need to incorporate current security practices into the software development lifecycle. That includes everything from authentication to auditing.

If you have at least four years of experience in SLC, this certification is a must. Everyone from Software Developers and Engineers to Quality Assurance and Project Management can significantly benefit from a CSSLP certification.

The major advantage of this certification is its versatility. Since it’s vendor-neutral, you’ll be able to apply your skills across various technologies and methodologies, whatever comes your way. Find out more.

10. EC-Council Chief Information Security Officer Training (CCISO)

This certification was developed by some of the best CISOs in the industry. It’s designed to teach you the skills you need to climb the ladder to the executive ranks of Information Security.

The EC-Council CCISO is aimed at professionals with extensive experience. There are no prerequisites to sit this course; however, to sit the exam, you must demonstrate five years of experience in three of the five CCISO Domains.

At Firebrand, we are proud to be a multi-award-winning EC-Council training partner, so you know you're learning from the best. 

To sum up, 

With the IT skills gap at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to forward your career. The certifications listed in this article will help you obtain the crucial skills you need to have a competitive advantage over other candidates. 

Are you ready?

Secure your business with Firebrand

For the past 13 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 gets you certified at twice the speed.

Cyber Security has been the core of our offering ever since we opened our doors in 2001. Last year, we were appointed the official provider of Cyber Crime Training for police officers and staff throughout the UK by the NPCC National Cyber Crime Programme; earlier this month, we introduced a comprehensive new course, Firebrand Cyber Protect for Business.

Could one of these courses be right for you?

Our advisors can recommend the right training plan for your needs. Get in touch.