In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between the top three certifications in cybersecurity: CISSP vs CISM vs CEH.
When it comes to career progression in the field of cybersecurity, the best way to make it to the top is to earn the best cybersecurity certification.
However, with numerous certifications available, the choice can be confusing. In this article, we’re going to explore CISSP vs CISM vs CEH. We’re going to break them down for you so that you can determine which one is right for your career goals.
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Before we go in-depth on each of these certifications, let’s take a brief step back and discuss the relevance of certifications in the cybersecurity world.
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, with more companies recognizing the value of protecting their digital assets. If you’re a network administrator, security analyst, or IT manager, certifications can help demonstrate that you have the skills and expertise to protect against constantly evolving cyber threats.
When you receive a certification, you’re not only demonstrating your competence in a particular field of cybersecurity but also your dedication to the career. It also informs employers that you’re committed to keeping abreast of current security trends, legislation, and technologies.
Selecting the proper certification is important because it has a direct bearing on your career path. Although some certifications may be better for those who want to work in managerial positions, others are technical skills that are required for actual hands-on cybersecurity work. The certification you seek can influence:
- The kind of job you become eligible for
- Your earning potential
- The amount of responsibility you will have
- Your chances for career advancement
The correct certification will prepare you for success, while the incorrect one may delay your goals.
Now let’s quickly start examining CISSP vs CISM vs CEH and who should look into each of these certifications:
- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional): This is best suited to those who want to take up a managerial or leadership position in cybersecurity. It’s usually the first choice for people responsible for managing an organization’s security infrastructure.
- CISM (Certified Information Security Manager: This is a good option if you desire a security management or consulting role. It is centered around governance, risk management, and the direction of information security programs.
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): This is for you if you seek a deep dive into ethical hacking and penetration testing. Primarily, you’ll learn about offensive security and identify vulnerabilities in systems well before malicious hackers can exploit them.
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What is CISSP?
- Cost: Approximately $749
- Duration: The exam duration is 6 hours
- Difficulty: High. The questions are exhaustive, asking for in-depth knowledge of most areas of cybersecurity.
CISSP is an acronym for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. It’s certified by (ISC)², a well-known worldwide non-profit organization specializing in cybersecurity training and certification.
The CISSP certification requirements require you to be an experienced professional with a general knowledge of cybersecurity. You must be highly passionate about assuming managerial or strategic positions.
You must have at least 5 years of information security work experience. This work experience must be in two or more of the eight CISSP domains. If you don’t have all 5 years of experience, you can swap up to 1 year of experience with a relevant college degree or another accepted certification (e.g., CompTIA Security+).
The CISSP exam is notoriously one of the most challenging cybersecurity exams. The exam has 250 questions, which assess your knowledge in eight areas of security:
- Security and Risk Management: Governance, compliance, risk management, and business continuity
- Asset Security: Protecting physical and digital assets
- Security Architecture and Engineering: Securing IT infrastructure
- Communication and Network Security: Protecting networks and communication channels
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): Ensuring access control
- Security Assessment and Testing: Evaluating and testing security measures
- Security Operations: Managing daily security tasks and responding to incidents
- Software Development Security: Implementing secure coding practices and defending against threats
Common Job Roles and Salary Expectations
- CISSP-certified professionals usually get positions such as:
- Information Security Manager
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Security Consultant
- IT Security Director
Salary ranges for CISSP certificate holders are quite impressive, with average salaries between $120,360 and $160,000 per annum, depending on the level of experience, location, and industry.
What is CISM?
- Cost: Approximately $575 for ISACA members/$760 USD for non-members
- Duration: The test takes 4 hours.
- Difficulty: Medium to high. It’s a professional-level certification that demands a good grasp of both security principles and management practices.
Certified Information Security Managers is also one of the best credentials you can earn for the field. It is certified by ISACA, a global professional association for IT governance, risk management, and cybersecurity professionals.
CISM is for security management or leadership professionals or those who want to transition into these roles. It emphasizes managing security staff, creating security policies, and monitoring risk management procedures.
The CISM examination contains 150 multiple-choice questions across four broad areas:
- Information Risk Management: Identification, assessment, and control of risks to information resources.
- Information Security Governance: Policy and practice development and enforcement on security across an organization.
- Information Security Program Development & Management: Development and management of security strategies and programs.
- Incident Response: Detection, response, and recovery from security incidents and breaches.
The CISM certification cost is among the cheapest of the major cybersecurity certifications. Most professionals choose to start with this certificate.
Career Paths and Salary Outlook
CISM is ideal for professionals looking to transition into managerial or consulting positions. Job titles include:
- Information Security Manager
- IT Risk Manager
- Security Consultant
Salary ranges for CISM-certified individuals vary from $100,000 to $140,000 annually, with the possibility of higher compensation in executive positions.
What is CEH?
- Cost: Approximately $1,199
- Duration: The exam is 4 hours long
- Difficulty: Medium to high. You must know hacking techniques but also how to apply them responsibly for defensive purposes.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is certified by EC-Council, which is a cybersecurity certification specialist. CEH is designed for professionals seeking a career in penetration testing or ethical hacking. CEH certification benefits mainly those who want to focus on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems to help organizations strengthen their security.
The CEH exam assesses your knowledge of ethical hacking tools and techniques. It consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering
- Network Security: Securing networks against unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches.
- Ethical Hacking Methodologies: Applying lawful hacking methods to locate vulnerabilities and enhance security.
- Risk Management: Locating, analyzing, and addressing potential security risks to minimize vulnerabilities.
Typical Jobs and Salary Potential
CEH-certified professionals are usually employed for positions such as:
- Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
- Security Consultant
- Vulnerability Assessor
Salaries for CEH professionals vary from $80,000 to $120,000, with the possibility of earning more depending on experience and location.
Key Differences Between CISSP, CISM, and CEH
Here’s a quick table of cybersecurity certifications comparison:
| Feature | CISSP | CISM | CEH |
| Focus Area | General security management and leadership | Security management and governance | Ethical hacking and penetration testing |
| Certifying Body | (ISC)² | ISACA | EC-Council |
| Experience Required | 5 years in info security | 5 years in info security management | 2 years in IT security or EC-Council training |
| Cost | $749 | $575-$760 | $1,199 |
| Difficulty | High | Medium to High | Medium to High |
| Job Roles | Security Manager, CISO, Security Consultant | Information Security Manager, Consultant | Penetration Tester, Ethical Hacker |
| Salary Outlook | $120,000–$160,000 | $100,000–$140,000 | $80,000–$120,000 |
Which Certification is the Hardest?
When it comes to CISM vs CEH vs CISSP difficulty, CISSP is generally considered the most difficult. Its wide range and deep treatment of a variety of cybersecurity subjects make it a tough test. It’s designed for experienced professionals, and the level of difficulty is appropriate.
Which Offers the Highest Salary Potential?
When comparing CEH vs CISSP vs CISM salary, the CISSP tends to have the most salary potential. CISSP experts are earning more than $120,000 annually. Managerial positions that accompany CISSP tend to pay more because of the amount of responsibility required.
Choosing the Best Certification for Your Career Goals
The most important question of all is, “Which cybersecurity certification should I get?” When determining which certification is best for you, it’s important to look at your career aspirations:
- For security managers: Both CISSP and CISM are very good options, but CISSP is suitable for those targeting information security leadership roles.
- For penetration testers or hackers: The CEH option is the most appropriate. It’s very specialized and targets skills required in discovering vulnerabilities with the help of ethical hacking.
- For general cybersecurity professionals: If you’re looking to gain a broad understanding of cybersecurity without focusing solely on management or ethical hacking, CISSP is a great option.
Remember that cybersecurity jobs with CISSP, CISM, and CEH greatly vary. It’s useful to consider what direction you desire your career to take.
Cost, Financial Aid, and Return on Investment
When deciding on how to choose a cybersecurity certification, cost, financial aid available, and return on investment (ROI) must be considered as well. Here is a quick summary of cybersecurity certification costs and ROI:
Cost
- CISSP: One of the most expensive at approximately $749. But its worth in gaining leadership roles makes it a worthwhile investment that typically pays for itself quickly.
- CISM: A bit less expensive, at a cost of anywhere between $575 and $760. It provides good value, particularly for positions in governance and risk management.
- CEH: The most costly, at around $1,199, but it delivers a niche skillset in high demand for penetration testing and ethical hacking.
Financial Aid For Cybersecurity Certifications
- CISSP: Most major organizations pay for it, particularly those that heavily emphasize security leadership.
- CISM: Companies emphasizing governance and risk management typically expense CISM out, particularly those in the financial, healthcare, and tech fields.
- CEH: Most likely to be funded by a company with a devoted security staff or penetration testing requirement, though not as common unless you are performing an ethical hacker role.
Return on Investment (ROI)
- CISSP: Significant salary potential (avg. $120,000–$160,000), with the expense frequently paid back in 1–2 years in senior positions such as CISO or security manager.
- CISM: Provides a good ROI with salaries of $100,000–$140,000. The reduced certification expense ensures professionals can recoup their investment within 1–2 years, especially in management or consultancy.
- CEH: Very high ROI with compensation ranging from $80,000–$120,000. However, since it’s a niche area, it will take 2–3 years to return the investment, particularly if you are moving from a general IT job to ethical hacking.
All three certifications can greatly advance your cybersecurity career, but the best one for you is determined by where you envision yourself in the industry. Sit down and take the time to review your career goals, skills, and job types you wish to land, and you’ll be well on your way to making the best choice.
Conclusion: Which Certification Is Right For You?
CISSP, CISM, and CEH career paths are different. It ultimately comes down to where you would like your cybersecurity career to take you. If you’re considering management or leadership roles, CISSP or CISM would be most appropriate. Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a role in hacking and penetration testing, CEH would be the way to go.
Whatever certifications you pursue, whether it’s advanced or just entry-level cybersecurity certifications, just keep in mind that becoming certified will be a fulfilling experience. Not only will it boost your employment opportunities, but it’ll also provide you with a better understanding of cybersecurity and its relevance in today’s world.