Top Six Cybersecurity Certifications

Cybersecurity certifications are one of the fastest ways to prove your skills and move up in the field. If you are just starting out or aiming for a leadership role, the right credential can open doors. Here are six popular certifications, how to earn them, and what they cost.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Offered by ISC2, the CISSP is one of the most respected credentials in the industry. It shows you can design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program, which makes it a common stepping stone to senior roles such as security manager or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). ISC2’s workforce study reports a global average salary of about $119,600 for CISSP holders, and a North American median near $150,000. Your own pay will depend on your role, region, and experience.

Process:

• Experience: Five years of paid, full-time work in at least two of the eight CISSP domains. Some other credentials and degrees can substitute for up to one year.
• Exam: Pass the CISSP exam, which covers eight domains, including security and risk management, asset security, and software development security.
• Associate option: If you pass without the required experience, you become an Associate of ISC2 and have six years to gain it.
• Endorsement: Have your application endorsed by an existing ISC2-certified professional.
• Maintenance: Earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits, 120 over each three-year cycle, and follow the ISC2 Code of Ethics.

Cost:

• Exam fee: $749
• Annual maintenance fee: $135 (Associates pay $50)

2. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Offered by ISACA, the CISA validates your skills in auditing, controlling, and providing assurance over information systems. It suits IT auditors, risk managers, and compliance professionals.

Process:

• Experience: Five years of work in information systems auditing, control, assurance, or security. Certain education and experience waivers can reduce this.
• Exam: Pass the CISA exam, which covers five domains, including auditing information systems and governance of IT.
• Application: After passing, submit an application with proof of your experience.
• Maintenance: Earn continuing professional education credits each year.

Cost:

• Exam fee: $575 for ISACA members, $760 for non-members
• Application fee: $50
• Annual maintenance fee: $45 for members, $85 for non-members

3. CompTIA Security+

Security+ is the most widely recognized entry-level security certification. It covers core concepts such as threats, vulnerabilities, security architecture, and security operations, and it is a common requirement for government and contractor jobs. There are no formal prerequisites, though CompTIA recommends Network+ and about two years of IT experience.

Process:

• Study: Prepare using official or third-party materials.
• Exam: Pass the current exam, SY0-701. A new version, SY0-801, is expected in late 2026, so confirm which version you are buying a voucher for.
• Renewal: The certification lasts three years. Renew by earning 50 continuing education units (CEUs) and paying the renewal fee, or by passing a higher-level CompTIA exam such as CySA+.

Cost:

• Exam fee: $439
• Renewal fee: $150 per three-year cycle (billed as $50 per year)

4. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Offered by EC-Council, the CEH focuses on thinking like an attacker. It covers penetration testing, vulnerability discovery, and defensive techniques, and the current version (v13) adds AI-related content.

Process:

• Eligibility: Show at least two years of information security experience, or complete official EC-Council training, which waives the requirement.
• Exam: Pass the CEH exam, which covers topics such as network scanning, system hacking, malware threats, and cryptography.
• Renewal: Earn 120 EC-Council Continuing Education (ECE) credits over three years and pay an annual membership fee.

Cost:

• Exam voucher (self-study route): about $1,199
• Official training bundles: often several thousand dollars
• Annual membership fee: about $80

5. CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)

CySA+ is an intermediate certification for people who monitor networks, detect threats, and respond to incidents, such as security operations center (SOC) analysts. It has no formal prerequisites, but it works best after Security+ and some hands-on experience.

Process:

• Study: Prepare for the exam objectives, which cover security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, and reporting.
• Exam: Pass the exam. The new version, CS0-004, launched in June 2026, and the older CS0-003 retires in English on December 22, 2026.
• Renewal: Renew every three years through continuing education units and a renewal fee.

Cost:

• Exam fee: $439
• Renewal fee: about $150 per three-year cycle

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Also from ISC2, the CCSP focuses on securing cloud environments, covering topics from cloud architecture and data security to legal and compliance issues. It suits cloud architects, engineers, and security managers.

Process:

• Experience: Five years of paid work in IT, at least three of them in information security and at least one in one or more of the six CCSP domains. A CISSP satisfies the full requirement, and the Cloud Security Alliance’s CCSK can substitute for the one year of domain experience.
• Exam: Pass the CCSP exam, which covers six domains, including cloud data security and legal, risk, and compliance.
• Endorsement: Have your application endorsed by an ISC2-certified professional.
• Maintenance: Earn continuing education credits and pay the annual fee.

Cost:

• Exam fee: $599
• Annual maintenance fee: $135 (Associates pay $50)

Choosing the Right Certification

If you are new to the field, start with Security+, then consider CySA+ for defensive work or CEH for offensive work. If you have several years of experience, CISSP is the standard choice for management, CISA for auditing and governance, and CCSP for cloud-focused roles.

Fees, exam versions, and requirements change often. Always confirm current details on the official sites (isc2.org, isaca.org, comptia.org, and eccouncil.org) before you register.