Security Consultant: Jobs & Certifications

1. SSCP: Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Cost: $249

Level: Entry-level

Timeline: Self-paced or five consecutive days or twice a week for eight weeks

The SSCP certification demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and inspect a secure IT infrastructure. This course targets network security engineers, security analysts, system administrators, security consultants, system engineers, and database administrators.

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Candidates will need to take a three-hour SSCP exam consisting of 125 questions. You can prepare to sit this exam with Coursera’s (ISC)² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).

To be certified, you must pass the exam and have at least a year of experience in at least one of the testing areas. The good thing is that internships and part-time work count towards the experience.

The exam tests your expertise in applications and system security; access controls; security administration and operations; network and communications security; incident response and recovery; risk identification, analysis, and monitoring; and cryptography.

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2. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professionals

Cost: $499

Level: Advanced

Timeline: Five consecutive days or twice a week for eight weeks

CISSP is one of the most in-demand certifications that focus on security policy and management. Earning the certification proves that you have advanced knowledge in IT security and can design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program.

CISSP is aimed at seasoned security professionals looking to advance into jobs like senior security consultant, chief information security officer, information assurance analyst, IT security engineer, and security administrator.

As a prerequisite for CISSP certification, you must have at least five years of cumulative work experience in two or more of the eight examinable security domains.

The eight domains include asset security, communication, and network security; security and risk management; security assessment and testing; identity and access management; software development security, security architecture engineering, and security operations. A one-year pathway is granted to degree holders in cybersecurity programs.

One of the best resources to prepare for the CISSP exam is Udemy’s CISSP practice question #2. The course covers two full 125-question tests and a 10-question bonus test.

3. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor

Cost: $575 to $760, depending on membership

Level: Entry to Intermediate

Timeline: Self-paced

CISA is a widely recognized certification for careers in systems auditing and controls. Holding this certification proves your ability to assess security flaws, design and implement controls, and report on compliance.

The certification is designed for security professionals looking to advance their careers in roles like IT security engineer, cybersecurity auditor, IT audit manager, information security analyst, compliance program manager, and IT project manager.

For CISA certification, you’ll need to take a four-hour exam that consists of 150 questions. But there’s a prerequisite: you must have at least five years of work experience in IS audit, IT, assurance, security, or control.

If you’re looking for test prep solutions, then Information Systems Auditing, Controls, and Assurance offered through Coursera could be a great place to start.