Certification organizations play a vital role in the cybersecurity field by offering standardized assessments and credentials that validate individuals’ knowledge and skills in various aspects of cybersecurity. These certifications serve as benchmarks for professionals, employers, and clients, ensuring a level of competence and expertise in areas such as network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and more. Please refer to the Certifications page for a more detailed look at the entry level certs.

International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²

Known for certifications like CC (Certified in Cybersecurity/Entry level) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional/advanced), ISC² is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing information security skills and knowledge.

Start your journey with the ISC2 certifications roadmap.

ISC2 Pledges One Million FREE ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Courses and Exams

CompTIA

Offers various cybersecurity training and certifications like Security+ (entry level), CySA+ (Entry level Cybersecurity Analyst), and PenTest+ (intermediate level) and provides resources for IT professionals and organizations.

SANS Institute

Offers cybersecurity training, certifications, and research, focusing on practical, hands-on skills for cybersecurity professionals.  The gold standard for cybersecurity training, be prepared for a significant financial investment.

ISACA

Known for certifications like CISA, CISM, and CRISC, ISACA provides resources and guidance for governance, security, and assurance professionals.

EC-Council

Offers certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and provides training in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and other cybersecurity domains.

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)

Focuses on improving the security of software. It provides tools, documentation, and resources for web application security.  The OWASP Top 10 is a regularly updated list of the ten most critical security risks to web applications, compiled by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a nonprofit organization focused on improving software security. The list helps developers, security professionals, and organizations prioritize their efforts to address common vulnerabilities in web applications.

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

Develops standards, guidelines, and best practices for enhancing cybersecurity, including the widely-used NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

NOTE: The highly anticipated Version 2.0 of  the framework was recently released in February 2024.

GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification) 

GIAC Certifications provide the highest and most rigorous assurance of cyber security knowledge and skill available to industry, government, and military clients across the world.