Cybersecurity experts are in high demand as the reliance on digital infrastructure continues to grow. This reliance increases the attack surface of organizations, with large networks requiring constant protection and monitoring.
Cybersecurity professionals are increasingly turning to online courses to earn their credentials, helping them stand out from the crowd and keep pace with an ever-changing industry. This article will provide an overview of the best cybersecurity certificates in 2023 and where you can sign up for them.
Why are cybersecurity certificates important?
Cybersecurity certificates can be important ways to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals working in the sector. Certificates are achieved by completing exams and courses which test the individual's aptitude. Some courses are tailored to a specific discipline, while others may be broader, covering areas such as network security, ethical hacking, and more.
Below are five of the key benefits of working toward a cybersecurity certificate.
Appeal to employers
Achieving certification allows professionals to market themselves better and appear more credible to would-be employers, especially if they are new to the field and perhaps lack practical experience. Certificates show that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge for the role, helping them stand out in a competitive job market.
Advance your career
Becoming certified can help a professional advance their career, showing a will to improve their skills and that they are committed to the profession long-term. This could make them more likely to be considered for promotions or earmarked for a leadership role.
Command a better salary
A fully-certified cybersecurity professional is in high demand. A person with a respected certificate can request a higher salary in their current role or stand a better chance of finding a higher-paying role elsewhere. Certified professionals often earn 20% more than their counterparts who have not completed the relevant tests and exams.
Stay on top of industry changes
The cybersecurity sector is in a state of constant change, with new technologies and methodologies introduced on a regular basis. Staying on top of these changes by completing certificates is the best way to stay abreast of this fast-paced environment while showing employers that your skills and knowledge are up to date.
Certificates also allow professionals to grow their overall knowledge base, focusing on more than just traditional networks. For example, on mobile devices, an attack is launched every 39 seconds, so it is vital to know how to secure a range of endpoints.
Professional networking
When completing a certificate, you will be given the opportunity to meet other people working in the industry, helping you develop an invaluable professional network. As well as knowledge sharing, this network can present new opportunities in terms of career advancement, collaborations, and partnerships.
The 5 best cybersecurity certificates in 2023
This section will cover the five best cybersecurity certificates you can complete in 2023. These online courses are provided by top educational platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and Cybrary, leading U.S. universities, and industry leaders like IBM.
Designed by the University of Colorado and delivered by Coursera, the Cybersecurity for Business Specialization course has been developed to help beginners access the cybersecurity industry. Learners will develop the knowledge needed to protect organizations and data from cyberattacks while learning the basic techniques required to conduct security analysis at a business level.
The course will revolve around real-world system architectures, the threats and exploits that could result in a data breach, and the defense mechanisms that could be employed to protect a network. With this knowledge, learners will then exploit a live system to identify the risks of web applications that lack the necessary security.
Previous experience is optional to complete this course, although some students feel there need to be more practical exercises. This course could be useful for web developers looking to build more secure websites by implementing security features such as data encryption.
The course is split into four different programs:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business
- Cyber Threats and Attack Vectors
- Detecting and Mitigating Cyber Threats and Attacks
- A proactive way to test your current systems that protect your data
Duration: Five months (2 hours a week)
Certificate: Yes
Languages: 11, including English, French, Italian, and simplified Chinese
Rating: 4.7 (based on reviews on Coursera)
Cost: Free
https://www.coursera.org/specializations/cyber-security-business
Industry giant IBM has launched the Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, delivered by Coursera. At the end of the course, learners will be required to complete a real-world security breach project to show their aptitude, using tools such as Wireshark, i2 Enterprise, Insight Analysis, and a suite of IBM tools.
This qualification comprises eight courses that provide learners with the necessary skills to become cybersecurity professionals.
The eight courses include:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks
- Cybersecurity Roles, Processes & Operating System Security
- Cybersecurity Compliance Framework & System Administration
- Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities
- Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Forensics
- Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Cybersecurity Capstone: Breach Response Case Studies
- IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Assessment
Duration: Eight months (4 hours a week)
Certificate: Yes
Languages: English, with subtitles in multiple languages
Rating: 4.7 (based on reviews on Coursera)
Cost: Free 7-day trial, and then $312 to earn the certificate
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-cybersecurity-analyst
The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed! is offered by Udemy and focuses on major operating systems like Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, providing learners with the skills they need to secure systems while preserving privacy and anonymity. This course is perfect for anyone looking to launch a career as a cybersecurity analyst and is accessible to beginners.
This comprehensive course has become popular due to its flexibility, allowing learners to choose volumes that are applicable to them. Top companies, including Volkswagen, Nasdaq, and Eventbrite, offer this certification to their employees. However, some learners have complained that the lectures could be delivered in a more entertaining manner.
The course consists of four volumes that include:
- The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!
- The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!
- The Complete Cyber Security Course: Anonymous Browsing!
- The Complete Cyber Security Course: Endpoint Protection!
Duration: 54 hours
Certificate: Yes
Languages: 16, including English, Japanese, Arabic, and Turkish
Rating: 4.5 (based on reviews on Udemy)
Cost: $29.99
https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-internet-security-privacy-course-volume-1/
Security professionals looking to improve their real-time cybersecurity skills may consider the Real-Time Cyber Threat Detection and Mitigation Certificate offered by New York University and Coursera. Focusing on TCP/IP protocol suites, this certification centers around the methods used when creating and configuring firewall solutions.
This affordable and project-based certificate can be completed at the learner's own pace; however, some learners have stated that parts of the course can feel rushed.
Duration: 15 hours
Certificate: Yes
Languages: English
Rating: 4.8 (based on reviews on Coursera)
Cost: Free
https://www.coursera.org/learn/real-time-cyber-threat-detection
The Cybersecurity Training Online Certification allows candidates to gain experience by working on industry-based examples thanks to Cybrary's extensive library of more than 1,000 browser-based practice tests and secured virtual labs. Learners will be able to test their knowledge with over 200 skill assessments, helping them gain a thorough understanding of the industry.
Industry examples include high-risk sectors such as healthcare that increasingly rely on technology to improve the patient experience. For example, a recent study conducted by GetWeave found that 30% of practices spend a thousand dollars or more per month on software to communicate with their patients. With healthcare organizations being targeted by cyber attackers at an alarming rate, the Cybersecurity Training Online Certification can help security professionals mitigate risks in the industry.
This is another self-paced certification that appeals to both beginners and experienced professionals. However, this course is not partnered with any official accreditation.
Duration: Self-paced
Certificate: Yes
Languages: English
Rating: 4.6 (based on reviews on Cybrary)
Cost: Free
https://www.cybrary.it/
Conclusion
The five cybersecurity certificates listed above are among the best available in 2023, providing candidates with the knowledge required to start a career in the cybersecurity industry or expand their current skill set to apply for more senior roles. These certificates can make a professional more marketable to employers, helping them command a better salary and stay on top of industry changes.
[RELATED: Google Launches Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certificate Program]
