If you’re interested in a career in cybersecurity, earning an entry-level certification is a great way to get started. Cybersecurity certifications demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

There are a number of different entry-level cybersecurity certifications available, each with its own focus and requirements. To help you choose the right certification for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular options, along with information about their prerequisites, free training and exam vouchers, and significance.

ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

About: The ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification is a vendor-neutral certification that covers a broad range of cybersecurity topics, including security fundamentals, asset security, security operations, and incident response.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: (ISC)² is offering free CC training and exam vouchers to the first one million people who sign up.

Significance: The CC certification is a valuable credential for anyone who is new to cybersecurity or who is transitioning into the field. It demonstrates that you have a fundamental understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices.

ISC² CC website: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/cc

CompTIA Security+

About: The CompTIA Security+ certification is another vendor-neutral certification that covers a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including network security, risk management, and security controls.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: CompTIA is offering free Security+ exam vouchers to individuals who complete the CompTIA CertMaster Learn online course for Security+ and pass the CompTIA Security+ exam.

Significance: The Security+ certification is one of the most popular entry-level cybersecurity certifications. It is recognized by employers around the world and is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to start a career in cybersecurity.

CompTIA Security+ website: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security

Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals

About: The Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificate is a free online certificate that provides an introduction to cybersecurity concepts and best practices.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: The Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificate is free to earn.

Significance: The Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificate is a great way to learn the basics of cybersecurity and get started on a career in the field.

Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals website: https://grow.google/certificates/cybersecurity/

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst

About: The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is a free online certificate that teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to become an entry-level cybersecurity analyst.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is free to earn.

Significance: The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to start a career as a cybersecurity analyst.

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate website: https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-cybersecurity-analyst

Cisco Networking Academy

About: The Cisco Networking Academy offers a variety of free and paid courses on networking and cybersecurity.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: Cisco offers free training and exam vouchers for certain Networking Academy courses.

Significance: The Cisco Networking Academy is a well-respected training program that can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to start a career in networking or cybersecurity.

Cisco Networking Academy website: https://www.netacad.com/

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals

About: The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals certification is an entry-level certification that covers the basics of cybersecurity, including security threats, security controls, and security best practices.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: Microsoft offers free training and exam vouchers for the MTA Security Fundamentals certification.

Significance: The MTA Security Fundamentals certification is a good choice for anyone who is new to cybersecurity or who wants to learn more about Microsoft security products and services.

Microsoft MTA Security Fundamentals certification website: https://www.udemy.com/course/microsoft-mta-security-fundamentals-98-367/

Cybrary

About: Cybrary is a free online learning platform that offers a variety of cybersecurity courses, including courses on entry-level cybersecurity topics.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: Cybrary offers free training for all of its courses.

Significance: Cybrary is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn about cybersecurity at no cost.

Cybrary website: https://www.cybrary.it/

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

About: The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a free online certificate that teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to become an entry-level IT support professional.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is free to earn.

Significance: The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to start a career as an IT support professional.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate website: https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-it-support

SANS Cyber Aces Online

About: SANS Cyber Aces Online is a free online cybersecurity training program for high school and college students.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers: SANS Cyber Aces Online is free to participate in.

Significance: SANS Cyber Aces Online is a great way for students to learn about cybersecurity and get a head start on their careers.

SANS Cyber Aces Online website: https://www.sans.org/cyberaces/

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (Retiring on 5^th December 2023)

About: The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ certification is an entry-level certification that covers the skills and knowledge needed to perform security analysis tasks.

Prerequisites: CompTIA Security+ certification

Free training and exam vouchers: CompTIA offers free training and exam vouchers for the Cybersecurity Analyst+ certification to individuals who complete the CompTIA CertMaster Learn online course for Cybersecurity Analyst+ and pass the CompTIA Security+ exam.

Significance: The Cybersecurity Analyst+ certification is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to start a career as a cybersecurity analyst.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ certification website: https://www.comptia.org/certifications/cybersecurity-analyst

Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Security Engineer

About: The Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification is a professional-level certification that covers the skills and knowledge needed to secure Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments.

Prerequisites: One year of experience in a cloud security role

Free training and exam vouchers: Google offers free training and exam vouchers for the Cloud Security Engineer certification to individuals who complete the Google Cloud Security Fundamentals training course and pass the Google Cloud Security Fundamentals exam.

Significance: The Cloud Security Engineer certification is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to start a career as a cloud security engineer or who wants to advance their career in cloud security.

Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification website: https://cloud.google.com/learn/certification/cloud-security-engineer

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Cloud Practitioner

About: The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is an entry-level certification that validates your understanding of the AWS Cloud and the ability to effectively describe AWS services, their common use cases, and the overall AWS Cloud architecture.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers:  AWS offers a variety of free training resources and exam vouchers for the Cloud Practitioner certification.

Significance: The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a valuable credential for anyone who is new to the cloud or who wants to learn more about AWS. It is also a good starting point for anyone who wants to pursue a career in cloud computing.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner website: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner

Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals

About: The Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals certification is an entry-level certification that validates your understanding of the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform and the services it offers.

Prerequisites: None

Free training and exam vouchers:  Microsoft offers a variety of free training resources and exam vouchers for the Azure Fundamentals certification.

Significance: The Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals certification is a valuable credential for anyone who is new to the cloud or who wants to learn more about Azure. It is also a good starting point for anyone who wants to pursue a career in cloud computing.

Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals website: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals/

In the competitive cybersecurity landscape, earning one or more of these certifications can bolster your resume, demonstrate your expertise, and open doors to a multitude of career opportunities. Keep an eye on certification provider websites, social media, and forums for scholarship opportunities, discounts, and updates on free training resources.

For those looking to build a career or enhance their skills in cybersecurity, investing time and effort in pursuing these entry-level certifications can be a transformative step. As the industry evolves, staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is equally important.

Feel free to share this post with anyone looking to dive into the world of cybersecurity!

Stay tuned for more valuable insights and resources on cybersecurity and technology careers. Your journey into cybersecurity begins here.

Samir

Cybersecurity Advisor