How to Select the Right Information Security Cert Course

Last Updated on July 6, 2022

With so many options available, it can be tough to know what cybersecurity certification is the right fit for your current skills, your future goals, and your personal interests.

Certifications for CompTIA Security+ and CASP, Microsoft Security, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional

(CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)  and more can help with advancing your career or getting started with entry-level roles in a cybersecurity career. 

But which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at these in-demand credentials to help you decide the best cybersecurity certification worth pursuing and which you should postpone. 

CompTIA Security+

If your job responsibilities – or the ones you wish you have – include securing network services, devices, and traffic at an organization, the CompTIA® Security+® exam might be a good bet for you. Throughout a CompTIA Security+ course with ONLC, you’ll build on your existing knowledge through coverage of security fundamentals, networks, and organizational security. Along the way, you’ll acquire specific skills required to implement security systems and services on any type of computer network. CompTIA Security+ is considered one of the top certification programs in information systems security and is required by the Department of Defense for all of their IT professionals. 

Today’s job market demands individuals with demonstrable skills, and the information and activities in this course can help you build your computer security skill set so that you can confidently perform your duties in any security-related role.

Microsoft Security

If you’re an information security specialist hoping to learn and validate fundamental security concepts as well as a focus on security layers, authentication, authorization, and accounting, the Microsoft  Security track with ONLC might serve you well. It’s a relatively new and very innovative course track that is meant to provide a pathway to success in technology. Participants will also become familiar with security policies, network security, and how to protect both a server and a client.

GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

The GIAC certification program is a well-rounded entry-level credential for IT security professionals. It proves knowledge and understanding of IT security concepts and terms, but also that the holder has technical skills to execute competently in the information or network security role. The certification covers concepts and skills like Linux security, penetration testing, risk management, incident response, and handling of cyberattacks, access control, and more. 

Certified Ethical Hacker

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a credential from the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) that is an almost must-have for IT professionals looking for a career in “White Hat hacking”.  CEH helps you take the tools and techniques hackers use to penetrate security systems and use them for good? The Certified Ethical Hacker course is for you. At ONLC, our instructors offer the world’s most advanced, progressive ethical hacking course. It includes 18 of the most current security domains any ethical hacker will ever want to know when they are planning to beef up the information security posture of their organization. In 18 comprehensive modules, the course covers 270 attack technologies, commonly used by hackers. Through this course, you’ll learn the techniques hackers use to compromise an organization’s security, and how you can use those techniques to identify weak spots and create a remediation plan that protects users.

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP) 

The CCNP Security certification is directly aligned with IT professionals looking for a career path as a Cisco Network Security Engineer. A CCNP Security Certification provides the training and skills to handle the deployment and security for networking, firewalls, routers, switches, firewalls, and   IDS/IPS solutions.

Cisco Certified Network Associate – (CCNA)

The Cisco Certified Network Associate certification (CCNA) prepares IT professionals for entry-level and associate-level cybersecurity jobs. The CCNA certification covers a wide range of information security management and cybersecurity training including networks, switches, VLANs, monitoring, and more.   

CISSP

Are you an experienced IT security professional, auditor, consultant, or investigator, hoping to learn more about CISSP training to advance in your computer security career? This course is for you. In it, you’ll study all 10 CISSP CBK domains, and validate your knowledge by taking – and passing! – the CISSP certification exam. This test, however, is notoriously difficult, and should not be taken on lightly. Even those students with years of experience in the field should expect to put in extra time beyond class to master the material. As such, it’s a prerequisite that certification-seekers have five years’ work experience in one or more fields directly related to the 10 CBK security domains, or a college degree and four years’ experience.

Whether you’re a long-time cybersecurity professional looking to level up or a newcomer who needs a broader base of knowledge before becoming more specialized, ONLC has a course for you!