Investing in upgrading your cybersecurity skills through the best cybersecurity certification programs will help you move ahead in your cybersecurity career faster. What ROI can one expect from these certifications?

The world of cybersecurity is evolving rapidly with new threats emerging regularly and existing cyber threats becoming more advanced, innovative, and sophisticated. Especially with the advent of artificial intelligence technology, the attackers are able to automate their attacks and can even carry them out on a larger scale making it difficult for organizations to mitigate such attacks effectively in real time.

The average cost of a data breach in 2024 is $4.88 million, a 10% increase that last year, as reported by IBM Data Breach Report 2024. And do you know, that the same report suggests that organizations using AI and automation for their security were able to minimize the security cost by $2.2 million more than those who don’t?

This indicates how important upgrading yourself with the latest security tools and techniques is. The latest cybersecurity certification programs will help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge required to mitigate advanced forms of cyber threats. But how much do these certifications cost?

Cost of leading cybersecurity certifications

Here's a detailed chart of how much-leading cybersecurity certifications cost across the globe.

These are the latest certification fees as mentioned in the official certification websites.

Benefits of certifications

So, is it worth investing in cybersecurity certifications? Well, yes. These certifications offer several benefits to cybersecurity professionals who are looking to start or advance in their cybersecurity careers.

Some of the notable benefits of credible and recognized cybersecurity certification programs are:

• Gain industry-relevant skills: Several certification programs are designed and updated with the latest industry-relevant cybersecurity skills. For example, Certified Ethical Hacker will help you learn advanced penetration testing and ethical hacking skills, CCGP™ will help you build a strong foundation in cybersecurity concepts, and so on.
• Validate your skills and knowledge: These certifications also serve as a testament to your cybersecurity knowledge and skills, as well as demonstrate to the employers your professional commitment towards this domain and lifelong learning.
• Gain competitive advantage: With top cybersecurity certification under your belt, you can distinguish yourself from the crowd, enhance your employability, as well as increase your chances of getting higher salaries.
• Network with other professionals: Many certification programs offer networking opportunities with other cybersecurity professionals that can be helpful while looking for job change, seeking mentorship, or guidance.
• Updated with the latest technologies: Since certification programs are evolving with the upcoming tools and technologies, you can stay relevant and updated in the market with the best cybersecurity certification programs.

With so many benefits, it is worth investing in the top cybersecurity certification programs to learn and validate new skills and enhance your credibility in the cybersecurity industry.

Top cybersecurity certifications

Also, with so many certifications available in the market, it might be difficult to choose the right certification program for you.

You must consider the following points while choosing the best certification:

• Your career goals i.e., current career position and future aspirations
• The skills you want to learn, course curriculum
• The certification costs, and the payment options available with the provider
• Program duration, and learning mode
• The certification provider and its industry recognition

Here are some of the most popular and widely recognized certifications that will help you boost your cybersecurity career:

1. Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™): Offered by USCSI®, this is a beginner-level cybersecurity certification program designed to make your fundamentals clear and build a strong foundation in cybersecurity.
2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Offered by EC-Council, you will learn how to perform penetration testing and effectively find vulnerabilities in the organization, along with designing recommendation reports.
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This is meant for mid-level cybersecurity professionals with over 5 years of work experience who want to validate their knowledge and cybersecurity skills in managing cybersecurity projects, risks, compliance, auditing, etc.

There are numerous other certifications. So, research well, analyze your career goals, and choose the programs that suit your career needs.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity certifications are highly valuable in the IT industry. Employers give preference to candidates having these cybersecurity certifications under their belt. These programs prove you possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience that organizations look for in a candidate. So, investing in such programs is definitely worth a rewarding cybersecurity career. Find the best cybersecurity certification program for yourself and register now to boost your cybersecurity career.