The Top 3 Free and Highly Respected Cybersecurity Certifications
Cybersecurity is a hot field, offering great earning potential. But getting started requires more than just ambition – you need skills and certifications to prove your worth. Unfortunately, many certifications come with a hefty price tag, often over $1000. This post explores free certifications that still carry weight in the industry. We’ll skip over less recognized platforms like Udemy and focus on certifications that employers value. These certifications helped me land a job with an above-average salary, even without any prior work experience.
Certification 1: Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Description:
The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate is like a guiding light for people who are good with technology and want to get into cybersecurity. Normally, you have to pay about $300 to get this certificate through Coursera. But if you don’t have enough money, you can apply for financial aid. If you got approved, you won’t have to pay anything, which is great! It usually takes about two weeks untill you been approved for the financial aid. This makes it easier for people who want to become cybersecurity experts to access the certificate. Also, if you finish the course quickly, the cost is lower. So, there’s a bonus for making fast progress!
Duration and Requirements:
Coursera gives you a plan to finish the program in six months. They suggest spending about seven hours each week on it. But if you already know a lot about IT, Programming and computer science, you might finish faster. Some people finish the whole thing in less than a month, based on what they’ve said about their experiences.
Curriculum Overview:
This certification covers a lot of important areas in cybersecurity. It talks about things like security analysis, incident response, programming languages like Python, database management with SQL, and using SIEM tools. Its comprehensive coverage equips learners with foundational knowledge and practical skills essential for navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats and defenses.
Organizing Entity: Google via Coursera
Skill Level: Beginner
Duration: 6 months (7 hours per week)
Cost: Free with approved financial aid application
Certification 2: CC – Certified in Cybersecurity
Description:
The CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) certification from ISC2 which is highly respected organization in the cybersecurity world, because of its well-known CISSP certification. Many people see getting the CISSP as the highest achievement because it’s so well-regarded. ISC2 kindly provides a free exam and training program to get the CC certification, making it easy to start with their top-notch offerings. CC ist not as valuable as the CISSP but it comes from the same organization and it’s free. You do have to pay a $50 annual fee to ISC2 to keep the certification, but compared to the benefits you get, it’s not much money.
Duration and Recommendations:
Starting the journey to get the CC certification can lead to quick progress. Some people have finished it in less than three weeks by planning well and studying hard. But it’s better to take about a month to prepare properly, so you understand everything well and remember it. Also, getting the CC certification first can prepare you for other certifications from ISC2, like the CISSP, opening up more opportunities for you in the future.
Curriculum Overview:
The CC certification curriculum is structured around five essential domains, designed to fortify candidates with fundamental knowledge and practical skills vital for success in cybersecurity. These domains include Security Principles, Disaster Recovery (DR) & Incident Response Concepts, Access Controls Concepts, Network Security, and Security Operations. Understanding these domains equips individuals with a robust foundation, empowering them to navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity challenges effectively.
Organizing Entity: ISC2
Skill Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 month of study
Cost: Free training and exam; annual subscription fee of $50 for ISC2
Certification 3: Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
Description:
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which you can also get on Coursera, gives you a complete set of courses designed for people who want to get into cybersecurity. There are nine courses in total, and coursera gives you a plan to finish the program in six months with around 10 hours of study each day. But if you work hard, you might be able to finish everything and get certified in just a month. While this certification is mainly for beginners, if you already know something about cybersecurity, you might find it easier to go through the material quickly.
Duration and Recommendations:
There are nine courses in total, and typically, it takes about six months to complete them all, studying around 10 hours per day. However, if you put in extra effort, you could finish everything and get certified in just a month. This certification is mainly designed for beginners, but if you already have some knowledge of cybersecurity, you might find it easier to move through the material quickly..
Curriculum Overview:
The curriculum covers many aspects of cybersecurity, giving participants the skills and knowledge they need to deal with today’s challenges. Topics covered include Operating Systems and Security, Networking, Cloud Computing Cybersecurity Tools, and more. Mastery of these domains empowers individuals to analyze and mitigate cybersecurity threats effectively, preparing them for roles as professional cybersecurity analysts.
Organizing Entity: Microsoft via Coursera
Skill Level: Beginner
Duration: 6 months at 10 hours per week
Cost: Free with approved financial aid application
Conclusion
In conclusion, starting a career in cybersecurity needs dedication, persistence, and careful planning. While it offers promising opportunities for good pay, it takes more than just ambition to get started. By smartly using free and well-respected certifications, people can gain the skills and credentials they need to stand out in the competitive field.
Certifications like the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, ISC2’s Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), and the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate are great first steps into cybersecurity. They provide accessible paths into the field, even though they require time and effort upfront. The rewards, like career advancement and higher pay, are worth it.
Also, online platforms like Coursera and financial aid options make it easier for people from all backgrounds to join the cybersecurity industry quickly. By taking advantage of these opportunities, individuals can get into cybersecurity armed with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
In cybersecurity, it’s crucial to keep learning and adapting as technology changes and threats grow. Keeping up with industry trends and getting relevant certifications is key for staying relevant and growing professionally.
In summary, by using free and respected cybersecurity certifications, people can start a fulfilling career in cybersecurity with confidence. They’ll be ready to face the challenges of the digital world ahead.