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What is the Best Cybersecurity Certification for You?

Everyone’s cybersecurity career journey is different, and it can be difficult to navigate through all the certification opportunities available to you. Which professional qualification is right for you? How can our certifications help you advance your career? We’re here to help.

(ISC)² Qualification Pathfinder

We make it easy to discover which (ISC)² certification is ideal for you. Let us help you accelerate your cybersecurity career, and find your pathway to success.

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Are you interested in pursuing cybersecurity certification for you or your team?

  • I am interested in pursuing certification for myself.
  • I am interested in pursuing certification for my team.
  • I already have an (ISC)² certification. I am interested in earning more certifications.

Which of the following best describes your current cybersecurity career goals?

  • I would like to start a cybersecurity career, but unsure where to start.
  • I currently work in IT with security responsibilities. I would like to demonstrate my knowledge to advance my career.
  • I currently work in cybersecurity and would like to advance to a leadership role.
  • I currently work in cybersecurity or IT and would like to demonstrate my cloud security expertise.
  • For my professional growth or leadership role in my organization, I would like to demonstrate my fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity.
  • I am interested in a specialized cybersecurity role, such as secure software development.
  • I work for an MSSP or service provider and would like to demonstrate my security expertise to clients or employers.
  • I work for or am pursuing a cybersecurity job in the government or with a contractor that require specific certifications.
  • I would like to demonstrate my knowledge of various risk management frameworks.

Looking to start a cybersecurity career but unsure where to start?

You’re not alone. Many people are interested in cybersecurity, but they are unsure where to begin their journey toward certification. Select the option that best describes you.

  • I have IT work experience.
  • I would like to start a cybersecurity career but have no or very little security or IT experience.
  • I am a student studying a computer science discipline or security.

You’re In a Great Position

Our research shows IT experience remains a common pathway to a cybersecurity career.
The most appropriate certifications for you to explore include:

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is the world’s most sought-after and in-demand cybersecurity certification. Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

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SSCP Icon

SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Earning a globally recognized advanced security administration and operations certification like the SSCP is a great way to grow your career and better secure your organization’s critical assets.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Get Certified in Cybersecurity℠!

Lacking work experience is not a problem! The new Certified in Cybersecurity entry-level certification is perfect for you.

Certified in Cybersecurity

Earning the (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity certification demonstrates you have the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities to take on entry- and junior-level cybersecurity roles. The certification was created for people just like you with little or no security experience as a pathway to a rewarding cybersecurity career.

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(ISC)² Candidate

Not sure where to start your cybersecurity career journey? Become an (ISC)² Candidate, and we will guide you through the process. You will join our growing community of professionals and gain access to an exclusive array of resources, benefits, learning opportunities and discounts on certification training.

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In addition, check out these helpful resources as you learn more about the cybersecurity profession:


You’re on a Great Path for a Successful Cybersecurity Career

SSCP Icon

SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner

We recommend you add preparing for the SSCP to your studies. You should learn how your education may already help satisfy the experience requirements for the SSCP.

Earning a globally recognized security administration and operations certification like the SSCP is a great way to start your career and secure your first cybersecurity job.

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Our research shows IT security experience is a great pathway to a cybersecurity career.

Which the following best describes the primary role in which you you work within your organization or would like to work in the future?

  • Security Administration (Security Specialist, Security Administrator, Security Engineer, Security Architect, Data Recovery Specialist)
  • DevSecOps (Application Developer, Database Architect, Database Administrator, Cloud Architect)
  • Security Operations (Security Analyst, Incident Responder, Forensic Analyst, Malware Researcher, Pen Tester (Blue Team), Cryptographer)
  • Risk Assessment & Management (Risk Manager, Information Assurance Specialist or Administrator, Pen Tester (Red Team), Vulnerability Specialist)
  • Policy & Compliance (Business Continuity Manager, User Awareness Manager, Security Auditor, Data Privacy Officer, Governance, Risk and Compliance Officer)

Security Administration

The following certifications are ideally suited for the positions you are pursuing:

SSCP Icon

SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Earning a globally recognized advanced security administration and operations certification like the SSCP is a great way to grow your career and better secure your organization’s critical assets.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

DevSecOps

The following certifications are ideally suited for the positions you are pursuing:

CSSLP Icon

CSSLP - The Industry’s Premier Secure Software Development Certification

Secure software development is an increasing in-demand skill, and you take advantage of that opportunity by earning the CSSLP. Prove you have mastered the best practices in secure software development.

Earning the globally recognized CSSLP secure software development certification is a proven way to build your career and better incorporate security practices into each phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Security Operations

The following certifications are ideally suited for the positions you are pursuing:

SSCP Icon

SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Earning a globally recognized advanced security administration and operations certification like the SSCP is a great way to grow your career and better secure your organization’s critical assets.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is the world’s most sought-after and in-demand cybersecurity certification. Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Learn More

Risk Assessment & Management

The following certifications are ideally suited for the positions you are pursuing:

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is the world’s most sought-after and in-demand cybersecurity certification. Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Policy & Compliance

The following certifications are ideally suited for the positions you are pursuing:

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program. With a CISSP, you validate your expertise and become an (ISC)² member, unlocking a broad array of exclusive resources, educational tools, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

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CGRC Icon

CGRC - Security Assessment and Authorization Certification

Earning the CGRC certification is a proven way to build your career and demonstrate your expertise within various risk management frameworks.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Be a Cybersecurity Leader

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

The (ISC)² CISSP is the world’s premier cybersecurity certification. Cybersecurity leaders around the globe earn the CISSP to demonstrate their expertise. We recommend you consider earning the CISSP to help you on your leadership journey.

Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program. With a CISSP, you validate your expertise and become an (ISC)² member, unlocking a broad array of exclusive resources, educational tools, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

Learn More

Be a Cloud Security Expert

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Demand for cybersecurity professionals with a proven ability to secure their organization’s assets in a cloud-based environment has never been greater. We suggest you demonstrate your cloud security expertise by earning the CCSP.

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Demonstrate Your Secure Coding Skill

CSSLP Icon

CSSLP - The Industry’s Premier Secure Software Development Certification

Secure software development is an increasingly in-demand skill, and you can take advantage of that opportunity by earning the CSSLP. Prove you have mastered the best practices in secure software development.

Earning the globally recognized CSSLP secure software development certification is a proven way to build your career and better incorporate security practices into each phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Learn More

Build Confidence with Clients, Partners and Employers

Impress upon your clients and build confidence that you have the necessary expertise to secure their assets in today’s threat environment. We recommend you consider the following certifications to demonstrate your knowledge and build credibility.

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is the world’s most sought-after and in-demand cybersecurity certification. Earning the CISSP proves to clients and partners you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Demonstrate to clients you have what it takes to guide their cloud security strategy with CCSP, the world’s leading cloud security certification.

Learn More

We Have You Covered

Most of our certifications meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1. Thousands of government employees and contractors are members of the (ISC)² community, and we have developed a certification to align with the Risk Management Framework (RMF). Learn more about DoD Cybersecurity Certifications.

For federal employees and contractors, we recommend the following certifications:

CISSP Icon

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is the world’s most sought-after and in-demand cybersecurity certification. Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Learn More

CGRC Icon

CGRC - Security Assessment and Authorization Certification

Earning the CGRC certification is a proven way to build your career and demonstrate your expertise within various risk management frameworks.

Learn More

CCSP Icon

CCSP - The Industry 's Premier Cloud Security Certification

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Learn More

Which of the following best describes your current cybersecurity certification goals for your team?

  • I would like more members of our team to earn their CISSP or other (ISC)² certifications.
  • I am interested in learning how the entire (ISC)² certification portfolio can help our team grow and advance professionally.
  • We offer cybersecurity services to clients. I would like to ensure my team has all the appropriate certifications, so our clients are confident in our cybersecurity consultation and services.
  • We are a government contractor. I need to know which (ISC)² certifications meet governmental requirements.

Contact our team

We can help. Contact our team today for help identifying the best way to guide your team of cybersecurity professionals to reach your certification goals.

It Takes a Highly Skilled Team to Keep Your Organization Secure

At a time when cybersecurity professionals are scarce, organizations that make certification and education a priority are most likely to attract and retain critical staff. Use our proven solutions to train, certify and develop your greatest asset – your people.

Our enterprise solutions education can be tailored to your budget, schedule and unique cybersecurity requirements. You can count on (ISC)² to recommend solutions to help keep your team’s cybersecurity skills sharp, prove credibility to partners and clients and maximize your training investment.


Contact our team

Let us help you navigate the (ISC)² certification portfolio to identify the ideal qualifications for team members across your organization and across all aspects of your cybersecurity program. Contact our team today.

It Takes a Highly Skilled Team to Keep Your Organization Secure

At a time when cybersecurity professionals are scarce, organizations that make certification and education a priority are most likely to attract and retain critical staff. Use our proven solutions to train, certify and develop your greatest asset – your people.

Our enterprise solutions education can be tailored to your budget, schedule and unique cybersecurity requirements. You can count on (ISC)² to recommend solutions to help keep your team’s cybersecurity skills sharp, prove credibility to partners and clients and maximize your training investment.


Contact our team

(ISC)² credentials are recognized around the world. There’s no better way to demonstrate your expertise to current and future clients than your team earning our renowned certifications.

Let us help you navigate the (ISC)² certification portfolio to identify the ideal qualifications for team members across your organization and across all aspects of your cybersecurity program. Contact our team today.


Contact our team

Most of our certifications meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1. Thousands of government employees and contractors are members of the (ISC)² community, and we have developed a certification to align with the Risk Management Framework (RMF). Learn more about DoD Cybersecurity Certifications.

Let us help you navigate the (ISC)² certification portfolio to identify the ideal qualifications for team members across your organization and across all aspects of your cybersecurity program. Contact our team today.


Thank you for your membership!

Earning multiple (ISC)² certifications is a great way to grow your career and demonstrate your ongoing professional development to employers and your peers. Additionally, you can earn CPE credits for the time you invest in preparing for new certifications, and your (ISC)² annual maintenance fee remains the same regardless of how many certifications you earn.

The most common combination of multiple (ISC)² certifications earned by our members is the CISSP and CCSP. It’s also very common for members earning a second certification to begin preparing for their exam within a year of earning their first certification to keep learning and growing.

If you’re considering earning more (ISC)² certifications, which of the following most closely aligns with your career goals?

  • I have earned the CISSP. I want to learn how I can demonstrate my continued mastery of the CISSP domains.
  • I want to be recognized for the skill I have administering secure IT infrastructure on-premise and in the cloud.
  • I would like to advance my career to a cybersecurity leadership role.
  • I am interested in demonstrating my secure software development expertise.
  • I would like to demonstrate my cloud security expertise.
  • I would like to demonstrate my knowledge of various risk management frameworks.
  • I work in the healthcare industry and wish to demonstrate my security expertise and familiarity with relevant privacy regulations.

Beyond CISSP

Build on your experience and join the select few CISSPs who have continued their journey with the CISSP Concentrations. Prove your subject matter mastery beyond the CISSP.

CISSP-ISSAP Icon

CISSP-ISSAP

The CISSP-ISSAP proves your expertise developing, designing and analyzing security solutions. It also shows you excel at giving risk-based guidance to senior management to meet organizational goals.

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CISSP-ISSEP Icon

CISSP-ISSEP

The CISSP-ISSEP recognizes your ability to apply engineering principles and processes to develop secure systems. You have the knowledge and skills to incorporate security into projects, applications, business processes and all information systems.

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CISSP-ISSMP Icon

CISSP-ISSMP

The CISSP-ISSMP shows you excel at establishing, managing and governing information security programs. Validate your expertise aligning security programs with organizational mission, goals and strategies to meet financial and operational requirements.

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Master the Frameworks

Show employers you have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to understand Governance, Risk and Compliance, and can authorize and maintain information systems utilizing various risk management frameworks, as well as best practices, policies and procedures.

CGRC Icon

CGRC - Security Assessment and Authorization Certification

Earning the CGRC certification is a proven way to build your career and demonstrate your expertise within various risk management frameworks.

Learn More

Get Certified in Cybersecurity℠!

The Certified in Cybersecurity certification is perfect for you.

Certified in Cybersecurity

Earning Certified in Cybersecurity demonstrates you understand the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity. As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important in the C-suite and board rooms, leaders and executives can demonstrate their professional growth and knowledge of this critical business function with Certified in Cybersecurity.

Learn More

(ISC)² Candidate

Not sure where to start? Become an (ISC)² Candidate, and we will guide you through the process. You will join our growing community of professionals and gain access to an exclusive array of resources, benefits, learning opportunities and discounts on certification training.

Learn More

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