In this guide, we dissect the top cybersecurity certifications for 2025.
Cybercrime has become one of the biggest threats today. Its impacts affect not only organizations or agencies that store private information and financial assets but even individuals. With how big cybercrime has gotten worldwide, Cybercrime Magazine actually said that if cybercrime were measured as a country, it would have the third largest economy next to the United States and China.
According to a Cybersecurity Ventures study, global cybercrime costs are projected to skyrocket by around 15% each year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion per year by 2025—up from $3 trillion in 2015. This marks the largest economic wealth transfer in history, threatens innovation and investment, surpasses the annual financial impact of natural disasters, and will generate more profit than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined.
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As cybercrime damage rises, so does the demand for cybersecurity analysts. With an expected job growth of 33% from 2023 to 2033, it’s indeed one of the best fields to get into. Pursuing an education that leads to a cybersecurity position puts you at a significantly lower risk for unemployment.
Despite 17,300 job openings for information security analysts in the United States each year, employers are very selective in hiring. With a six-figure salary and high stakes in protecting sensitive data, it’s no surprise that employers don’t hire candidates right off the bat.
You need to earn two or more of the best cybersecurity certifications in 2025 to increase your chances of getting noticed. Even if you already have a formal degree, earning these cybersecurity certifications will put you at the top. Why? Certification programs are more updated and focused than formal degrees, especially the bachelor’s.
There are several cybersecurity certifications available on the internet today. While they can be helpful, it is recommended to pursue ones that are highly recognized in the field. That is why this article will only list the top 10 cybersecurity certifications for this year.
Why Cybersecurity Certifications Matter
Employment for cybersecurity professionals is rising not just in the United States but worldwide. This is especially true for major tech countries like Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, and Germany. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, worldwide job vacancies have grown 350 percent since 2013 in 2021.
Here are some of the top cybersecurity job opportunities and their average annual salaries:
- Digital Forensic Examiner – $74,125
- Security Systems Administrator – $97,112
- IT Auditor – $98,220
- Information Security Specialist – $119,743
- Penetration Tester – $119,895
- Information Security Analyst – $120,360
- Cybersecurity Manager – $132,962
- Security Architect – $164,836
- Cryptography Engineer – $182,132
- Security Engineer – $191,205
You may wonder, “Do I still need certifications for cybersecurity career advancement if I already have a degree?” Absolutely yes! Certifications are important today, especially if you hope to acquire certain skills in a niche area or address specific issues. Certifications are also useful if you’re a career switcher.
Let’s take a quick review of the differences between a cybersecurity degree vs. certification:
- Training Type: Certifications focus on hands-on skills and specific technologies, while degrees provide a broader theoretical foundation.
- Study Duration and Cost: Certifications are shorter and less expensive, while degrees take up to four years and cost an average of $90,000.
- Qualification Level: Certifications prove expertise in a niche, while degrees offer broader career flexibility.
- Job Prospects: Certifications help with specialized roles, whereas degrees open doors to advanced positions in research, management, or administration.
If you’re new, do not worry, as there are a lot of entry-level cybersecurity certifications. At this level, you’ll explore the fundamentals of cybersecurity. These include:
- network security
- threat detection
- risk management
- ethical hacking
If you’re already experienced, there are even more certifications that will train you for specialized areas.
Top 10 Cybersecurity Certifications for 2025
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
A leading cybersecurity certification in 2025, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional is mainly designed for professionals who are already in practice. As practically known as the “golden ticket,” certified ISS professionals enjoy a median annual salary of about $50 an hour.
It is a four-hour long exam with 125-175 questions. There are eight domains:
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security
You need to:
- Have 5+ years of relevant work experience in at least one domain (or 4 years + a degree or Security+ cert)
- Pass the CISSP exam
The exam costs $749, and you must pay a $125 fee annually to keep the certification. You can, and we highly recommend you do, participate in ISC2’s $1,000 online, instructor-led, self-paced training program.
2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Next on the top of cybersecurity certifications is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). It is the ideal one if you want to focus on two things: penetration testing and security analysis. Currently, over 237,000 CEH are working in top companies, including Microsoft, IBM, the FBI, the U.S. Army, and the United Nations. Top job roles include for CEH professionals include:
- Security analyst
- Penetration tester
- Network administrator
- System administrator
The CEH cybersecurity certification cost for a single test voucher is $950. Other fees you pay include a $100 non-refundable application fee. There are also instructor-led training course packages that cost up to $2,999.
3. CompTIA Security+
If you’re a beginner, we suggest starting with the CompTIA Security+ certification. It will teach you the fundamentals of cybersecurity and validate the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions. With this certification, you can start pursuing entry-level IT roles and gradually work your way up to cybersecurity positions.
There are no prerequisites for this certification. However, the best candidates often have at least two years of IT administration experience.
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
If you want to focus on IT security management, we then suggest pursuing the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) exam. Putting this on your resume will prove your proficiency in assessing risks, implementing effective governance, and proactively responding to incidents. Cybersecurity salary potential of CISMs, according to ISACA, is $148,680
Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of becoming a CISM:
- $50 application fee
- Exam fee of $575 (members) / $760 (non-members)
- Annual maintenance fee of $45 (members) or $85 (non-members)
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
THE Certified Information Systems Auditor is a top-ranking certification for IT auditors and compliance roles. The CISA certification will refine your risk management and governance skills, which are crucial for ensuring organizations follow security regulations and best practices.
Here are the CISA exam details and prerequisites:
- 5 years of experience in auditing, control, or security (some substitutions allowed).
- The exam costs $575 (ISACA members) | $760 (non-members).
- Requires continuing education credits and an annual fee of $45 (members) $85 (non-members)
6. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
The GSEC is another one of the top cybersecurity certifications for beginners. Covering the fundamental cybersecurity skills, earning this certification will demonstrate your knowledge of information security beyond simple concepts and terminology. But unlike the CompTIA Security+ certification, the GSEC requires some IT experience.
The GSEC exam costs $949 for registration, excluding optional training fees.
7. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
This one’s for the hardcore hackers. OSCP is an advanced cert that’s all about hands-on penetration testing. No multiple-choice nonsense—you have actually to break into machines to pass. If you want serious street cred in ethical hacking, this is the cert.
The PEN-200 cybersecurity training courses and exam bundle cost $1,649, including:
- one course
- 90-day lab access
- one exam attempt
Subscription options start at $2,599/year. Prerequisites are TCP/IP, basic Python and Bash, and Windows/Linux admin experience.
8. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
If you’re thinking about working in a Security Operations Center (SOC), this cert is for you. This is all about monitoring networks, spotting cyber threats, and responding to attacks.
The Cisco CyberOps Associate exam costs $300 for the voucher alone. Additional training, like bootcamps or IT security programs, can increase the total cost.
9. GIAC Certified Incident Handler
If you like the idea of figuring out how hackers got in after an attack, GIAC Certified Incident Handler is for you. It’s focused on incident response—detecting threats, mitigating damage, and keeping organizations safe from future attacks.
The GCIH exam is open-book, 100+ multiple-choice, and lasts four hours. It includes ‘CyberLive,’ a hands-on section with virtual machines for practical tasks. A quick LinkedIn search for “GCIH” in the U.S. pulls up over 2,200 job listings—so yes, this cert is definitely in demand!
10. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
More hands-on than CISSP, SSCP is great for IT pros who actively manage security systems and assets. If you work in network security, systems admin, or cloud security, this cert can help boost your career.
To earn your SSCP, you must pass a certification exam covering seven security domains. Here’s a quick rundown of the details:
- $249 exam cost
- Requires 1 year of relevant work experience
- You can only take the exam at Pearson VUE Testing Centers
How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Certification
There are a lot of in-demand cybersecurity certifications, and picking the right one can be tricky. Here’s a quick guide to make sure you don’t choose something too basic or too advanced for your needs.
- Know your experience level. Pick a certification that matches your current skills while also pushing you to grow.
- Define your career goals. Choose a cert that aligns with your short-term and long-term objectives.
- Pick your niche. Decide if you’re interested in areas like network security, cloud security, digital forensics, or ethical hacking.
- Consider cost and time. Compare exam fees, training costs, and renewal requirements to find one that fits your budget and schedule. You should also apply for financial aid for cybersecurity certifications. Some organizations, like (ISC)², CompTIA, and SANS, offer funding opportunities or discounts for training and exams.
- Plan for prep. Factor in study time and any additional training needed before taking the exam.
You also have to choose between vendor-specific vs. vendor-neutral certifications. What are they exactly?
- Vendor-Specific: Focuses on a single company’s technology, offers deep expertise, industry recognition, and vendor support, but may be costly and limit flexibility.
- Vendor-Neutral: Covers broad industry concepts, applies across multiple technologies, and offers versatility but may lack in-depth expertise on specific tools.
Online Cybersecurity Certification Programs
Earning a cybersecurity certification can be expensive when you add up exam fees, training costs, and annual renewals. So, it is very important to pass the exam the first time around. The best thing you can do is prepare through low-cost and free online cybersecurity certification programs. Here are some of the best online options for studying for certifications:
- Coursera – Offers university-backed courses and professional certificates, sometimes with financial aid options.
- Udemy – Budget-friendly courses with lifetime access, covering everything from beginner to advanced cybersecurity topics.
- Cybrary – Free and paid courses focused on hands-on cybersecurity training, ideal for certification prep.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Career Now
Cybersecurity certifications are very much necessary add-ons to your degree. They prove to employers that you have refined and customized your skills based on industry demands and the latest security threats. They will surely help you stand out among other applicants!
Yet, before making a decision, make sure that the certification program matches your career goals, experience level, and budget. If not, you might end up with a certification that doesn’t help you advance or costs more than it’s worth.
To help you get started, check out these resources on cybersecurity education and financial aid: