Cybersecurity Certifications
Cybersecurity certifications from CompTIA, ISC2, and ISACA. From entry-level to advanced management certifications.
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is the highest-ROI entry into cybersecurity. It meets DoD 8570 baseline requirements, is vendor-neutral, and unlocks more entry-level job listings than any other security cert. If you're starting cybersecurity, this is the fastest path to interview callbacks.
Read the full analysis →With a global cybersecurity talent gap exceeding 3.5 million positions, certified professionals are in high demand. The certification path typically starts with Security+, progresses through CySA+ or equivalent, and culminates with CISSP or CISM.
Best For...
CompTIA Security+
Industry standard entry point for cybersecurity. Meets DoD 8570 baseline certification requirements and is vendor-neutral, making it the most recognized starting credential.
CySA+ or SSCP
Validates hands-on analysis skills for threat detection, security monitoring, and incident response. Ideal for SOC analysts and security engineers with 2–4 years of experience.
CISSP or CISM
Gold standard for security management and architecture. CISSP covers broad security domains while CISM focuses on governance. Both require 5+ years of experience.
Quick Comparison
| Certification | Provider | Level | Avg Salary | Pass Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CISSP | ISC2 | Advanced | $152K | 50% | $749 |
| AWS Certified Security — Specialty | Amazon Web Services | Advanced | $148K | 48% | $300 |
| CISM | ISACA | Advanced | $148K | 55% | $575 |
| CCSP | ISC2 | Advanced | $138K | 50% | $599 |
| ISACA CISA | ISACA | Advanced | $130K | 50% | $575 |
| Azure Security Engineer Associate | Microsoft | Intermediate | $125K | 55% | $165 |
| CompTIA CASP+ | CompTIA | Advanced | $120K | 55% | $494 |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | CompTIA | Intermediate | $110K | 58% | $392 |
| GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) | GIAC/SANS | Intermediate | $110K | 73% | $949 |
| Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Associate (SC-200) | Microsoft | Associate | $108K | 52% | $165 |
| CompTIA CySA+ | CompTIA | Intermediate | $105K | 75% | $404 |
| EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | EC-Council | Intermediate | $98K | 60% | $1,199 |
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Entry | $95K | 82% | $404 |
| ISC2 SSCP | ISC2 | Intermediate | $90K | 70% | $249 |
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | ISC2 | Entry-Level | $65K | 80% | $0 |
All Cybersecurity Certifications
CISSP
ISC2
AWS Certified Security — Specialty
Amazon Web Services
CISM
ISACA
CCSP
ISC2
ISACA CISA
ISACA
Azure Security Engineer Associate
Microsoft
CompTIA CASP+
CompTIA
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GIAC/SANS
Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Associate (SC-200)
Microsoft
CompTIA CySA+
CompTIA
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
EC-Council
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA
ISC2 SSCP
ISC2
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
ISC2
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CISA vs CISM
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Security+ vs CySA+
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Related Career Paths
View all →Application Security Engineer
Application security engineers protect software from vulnerabilities by integrating security practic...
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect organizations from cyber threats by monitoring systems, analyzing vul...
GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) Specialist
GRC specialists ensure organizations meet regulatory requirements, manage information security risks...
Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker
Penetration testers simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities before malicious ac...
Security Engineer
Security engineers design, implement, and maintain an organization's security systems and infrastruc...
SOC Analyst
SOC (Security Operations Center) analysts serve as the front line of cyber defense, monitoring netwo...
Cybersecurity Certification Roadmap
The recommended progression for building a cybersecurity career through certifications.
CompTIA Security+
Build your foundation with CompTIA Security+. Covers network security, threats, cryptography, and identity management. Required for many government and defense roles (DoD 8570). Consider starting with ISC2 CC if you're completely new.
Data Sources & Transparency
- Salary data — Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job posting aggregates (US median)
- Pass rates — Community-reported estimates from Reddit, TechExams, and certification forums
- Job growth — BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-2034 projections