Top Certifications for a better Career in Information Security

Are you looking for a career in Information Security? Does the thought of security illuminate your mind? Do you scan the Internet and other media for types of attacks and other forms of lapses in security? Then, look no further…a career in Information Security is the path for you.

As social media rages ahead so do other forms of sophisticated attacks. Information Security was a term that was barely used about 20 years ago. Yet, it has begun to play a major role today and will continue to do so in the future. The demand for Security professionals has also exponentially increased and the way to step into the most sought after career is to be certified. Employers will look for a proper mix of certification and experience to short list prospective candidates. Employees will climb up the information security ladder faster if they are certified. Certification is easier for professionals who have IT and Security experience but it does not stop strong-willed non-IT professionals to demonstrate their strength either. Each exam will have separate rules for inexperienced professionals to take the exam.
 
If one does not have the required experience to take the exam, one can become an Associate of (ISC)² and clear the exam after gaining enough experience to take the exam within the stipulated amount of time.
 
We will discuss the CISSP and SSCP (ISC)² certifications that are available.

(ISC)² is the ‘International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium’ and is one of the most prevalent and widely accepted standards for Information Security certification.

1. CISSP certification (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

1. Have five years of demonstrated Information Security experience in two or more of the ten domains of the CISSP exam
2. Subscribe to the (ISC)² code of ethics
3. Pass the CISSP exam and complete the endorsement process

1. Access Control
2. Application Development Security
3. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
4. Cryptography
5. Information Security Governance and Risk Management
6. Legal, Regulations, Investigations and Compliance
7. Operations Security
8. Physical (Environmental) Security
9. Security Architecture and Design
10. Telecommunications and Network Security

2. SSCP certification (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)

1. Access Controls
2. Cryptography
3. Malicious Code and Activity
4. Monitoring and Analysis
5. Networks and Communications
6. Risk, Response and Recovery
7. Security Operations and Administration