How to Get a Cybersecurity Certification: Your 2025 Guide

A cybersecurity certification program provides you with the skills and advanced knowledge of cybersecurity practices to prevent cyberattacks and excel in senior or managerial cybersecurity positions. Due to the growing threat of cybercrime and increasing reliance on technology, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is increasing. According to Statista, the US cybersecurity workforce is estimated to have 182,000 jobs in 2024 and may grow to over 237,000 jobs by 2034 [1]. 

To get a job in cybersecurity, consider taking the steps to earn a cybersecurity certification and advance in the field. Earning a cybersecurity certification not only improves your credibility in the job market but could potentially help you earn a higher salary. According to a Pearson VUE survey, 37 percent of respondents received a salary upgrade after earning an IT certification, and 27 percent received a promotion [2]. The survey also found that cybersecurity was the second-most popular area of IT certification worldwide, highlighting the global relevance of cybersecurity skills [2]. 

Discover how to get a cybersecurity certification, the various options to consider, and how to determine which one best suits your career goals. 

What is cybersecurity certification?

Cybersecurity certification refers to a credential that you can earn to further your education and knowledge about cybersecurity principles. A cybersecurity certification will validate your expertise in areas like network security, risk management, asset security, and ethical hacking through rigorous courses and tests and help you stand out to future employers.

Earning a cybersecurity credential has several benefits. For example, you might be able to earn higher salaries with your specialized skill set. As a certification demonstrates your commitment to the field of cybersecurity and validates your skills by an internationally recognized standard, you might gain more opportunities for career advancements. Additionally, due to the evolving nature of cyber threats, cybersecurity professionals must remain up-to-date on emerging challenges in the field. A cybersecurity certification program can help you equip yourself with the skills necessary to combat new threats and provide networking opportunities to exchange knowledge and ideas with other individuals in the field.

When choosing a cybersecurity certification for your professional career, consider factors such as the specific role you want to qualify for or your current skill level. Some cybersecurity certifications benefit entry-level job seekers, while others target professionals with prior cybersecurity experience.

How to get a cybersecurity certification

To get your cybersecurity certification, you first need to determine what you want to achieve in your cybersecurity career, including the specific role you desire. From there, you may explore different certifications, as well as their costs, formats, and renewal processes. 

Check out a few steps to help you begin your pathway toward cybersecurity certification. 

Step 1: Determine the best cybersecurity certification for your career goals.

The first step to getting certified is determining which credential best suits your career goals, whether you want a general cybersecurity certification or a specialized one. Doing so helps ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to work in your chosen area. 

For example, if you want to become a network security analyst or security architect, consider cybersecurity certifications covering topics such as security operations or architecture, such as CompTIA Security+. However, if you’re an aspiring information technology professional unsure of your exact career goals, a credential like the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, which focuses on the basics of cybersecurity and cybersecurity concepts, may be a better choice. 

Step 2: Review certification format, structure, and topics.

Once you’ve selected your certification program, review the requirements for earning your credential. Doing so helps identify the areas you need to build upon or any criteria you need to meet beforehand. For instance, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification requires five years of work experience, which you need to know before applying. Other certifications, like the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification, offer entry-level IT professionals the opportunity to complete the program without prior experience.

Step 3: Study or complete a certification course.

After identifying the subject matter and what you need to study, create a structured study plan that considers your learning objectives, study resources, and time required for preparation. Cybersecurity certification-providing bodies often provide training in the form of exam preparation, study materials, and live or on-demand courses, allowing you to gain comprehensive insights into the topics covered in the exam for more targeted practice. Make sure also to take enough practice exams to properly understand the exam structure and identify any areas that you need to work on.

The methods for acquiring the knowledge and skills to pass the final examination depend on which certification you choose to complete. For example, the Certified Ethical Hacker certification offered by the EC-Council includes 20 modules you can use to explore various cybersecurity tools and strategies.

Step 4: Take and pass your exam.

Many cybersecurity certifications require you to pass exams to earn your certification. For example, the CISSP certification requires learners to complete a three-hour examination with a range of 100 to 150 questions. To pass this assessment and earn your credential, you must score a 700 or higher out of a possible 1000 points.

Additionally, many credentials require periodic renewal after a designated amount of time. For instance, CompTIA’s Security+ certification requires renewal after three years of earning your credential. To renew, you typically have the option to engage in continuing education or training through certification programs.

4 cybersecurity certification options: How to get a cybersecurity certification online

As a cybersecurity professional, you have many options to choose from when exploring cybersecurity certifications, including CompTIA’s Security+ certification or the Certified Ethical Hacker certification from the EC-Council. 

Consider these examples of cybersecurity certifications when determining which cybersecurity certification best suits your career needs:

• CompTIA Security+: Information technology (IT) professionals with an interest in cybersecurity may benefit from CompTIA’s Security+ certification, which explores topics like security architecture, how to detect a cyberattack, and cybersecurity management. To earn this certification, you must complete an assessment with 90 multiple-choice questions with a score of 750 or higher.

• ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity: Entry-level cybersecurity professionals may explore this certification to expand their career prospects and potentially earn a higher salary. This program explores basic security principles and security operations, with a final exam of 100 multiple-choice questions to test what you’ve learned.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This cybersecurity certification is for existing cybersecurity managerial professionals looking to improve their cybersecurity leadership skills. The program covers subjects like security management, communication, and security engineering.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): The Certified Ethical Hacker certification may help prepare you for a career in cybersecurity, specifically with artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise. This program includes a knowledge exam and a practical exam, the latter of which tests your skills regarding security tools, communication strategies, and handling system attacks.

Jobs you can get with a cybersecurity certification

Once you’ve completed your cybersecurity certification, you may qualify as a preferred candidate in certain cybersecurity leadership roles, like cybersecurity specialists or chief information officers. Explore these jobs and their requirements, salaries, and responsibilities:

Is cybersecurity high-paying?

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cybersecurity is a high-paying field. BLS reports that information security analysts make a median annual salary of $124,910, which is higher than the median average wage for all other roles, which equals $49,500 [3]. 

Cybersecurity specialist

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $146,236 [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or Professional Certificate

As a cybersecurity specialist, your responsibilities include keeping your company safe from cyberattacks by developing and implementing security strategies. Additionally, you may complete tasks like training other cybersecurity professionals on your team, staying informed about new cyberattack trends and cyber attackers, and testing and troubleshooting your security methods.

Cybersecurity engineer

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $158,290 [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Cybersecurity engineers work to produce systems and methods to protect a business from cybersecurity risks. In this role, your responsibilities may include locating the source of a cyber attack and undergoing trial-and-error attempts to discover whether your protective measures have a positive or negative effect on the safety of your business’s systems.

Chief information officer 

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $321,363 [6]

Requirements: Master’s degree

As a chief information officer, you are typically the leader or manager of a company’s information technology department. Your daily tasks may include leading IT-based projects and making decisions regarding the safety and security of the company’s network systems.

Earn a cybersecurity certificate on Coursera

A cybersecurity certification may help you advance in your cybersecurity career by equipping you with valuable skills such as network security principles, leadership, knowledge of AI advancements, and effective communication.

In addition to exploring certification programs, consider Professional Certificates for cybersecurity professionals on Coursera. Discover Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, designed to help you explore the importance of cybersecurity practices and their impact on organizations. 

Additionally, IBM offers the IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization on Coursera, where you can build your skills in cybersecurity networks and compliance.