Best Cybersecurity Certifications for 2025
1. CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Commonly known as the "gold standard" for senior cybersecurity practitioners, CISSP includes materials on a wide range of topics such as risk management, cryptography, architecture, and governance. It is a great credential for those where the plan is to find the right opportunity to work as Security Architect or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
2. CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
CEH teaches you to think like a hacker, including penetration testing, vulnerability identification and assessments, and tools and techniques that hackers use to attack modern systems. This makes sense for anyone in a red team role or working as a penetration tester.
3. CompTIA Security+
Security+ is probably the best entry-level cybersecurity certification, as it covers the basics of cybersecurity, including network security, IT governance, compliance, risk management, and incident response; essentially a good introduction for an entry-level role.
4. CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
CISM is a management-level certification from ISACA which is designed to allow professionals to leverage both management and security fundamentals. Even though is a general model, it is a robust program, with a focus on governance, risk management, and developing an enterprise security program.
5. CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
The CISA credential is positioned for IT auditors and compliance specialists. The CISA credential is focused around the auditing function and internal controls to ensure the organization is compliant in accordance with regulations.
6. CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional
The CCSP credential will be more important in 2025 with greater use of cloud services. The course material will have existing readings that align nicely to cloud architecture, cloud security operations and compliance with the 3 major cloud platforms - AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.
7. OSCP – Offensive Security Certified Professional
The OSCP exam is one of the most difficult hands-on cyber security exams. Depending upon where they are testing, they will break into real systems in a lab and exam environment. By 2025, OSCP+ will require license renewal every 3 years.
8. GIAC certifications (GSEC, GCSA, GWAPT, etc.)
GIAC certifications from SANS offer positions in specialized areas based on a practical hands-on certification exam, which may also include penetration testing, digital forensics, cloud security, and automation, as GIAC has a strong reputation based upon a practical certification.
9. CCOA – Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst
CCOA, which is intended for training professionals working in Security Operations Centers (SOCs), is a new certification from ISACA. It includes theoretical knowledge and practical capability for incident response and monitoring.
10. CRISC – Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
CRISC provides certification for individuals applying enterprise risk management. This certification reflects qualifications to identify, measure, and respond to risk associated with the business risk and technology.
Conclusion
In 2025 the certifications fit into four broad paths:
Foundational: Security+, SSCP
Technical/Hands-on: CEH, OSCP, GIAC
Management & Governance: CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC
Cloud & SOC Operations: CCSP, CCOA.
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