Cybersecurity

Security certifications from entry-level to expert

17 exams, 15 with a pass rate published by the body that sets them. The cheapest is Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) at $99.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA

$392·~70% pass

Medium3 years

Use Professor Messer free videos

CISSP

ISC2

$749·~25% pass

Very Hard3 years

Think like a manager, not a technician

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

EC-Council

$950-$1199·~60% pass

Hard3 years

Build a home lab with VMs

CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

ISACA

$575-$760·~50% pass

Hard3 years

Focus on management perspective, not technical

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)

Offensive Security

$1,599-$2,499·~25% pass

Very HardNo expiration

24-hour hands-on practical exam

CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA

$392·~70% pass

Hard3 years

Focus on threat detection and analysis

CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA

$392·~65% pass

Hard3 years

Hands-on penetration testing focus

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

ISACA

$575-$760·~50% pass

Hard3 years (40 CPE/year)

Focus on IS audit process and standards

CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)

ISACA

$575-$760·~55% pass

Hard3 years (40 CPE/year)

Focus on IT risk identification and assessment

CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)

ISC2

$599·~60% pass

Hard3 years (90 CPE)

Cloud-specific version of CISSP

GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

GIAC/SANS

$2,499·~70% pass

Hard4 years

Open book exam - build a comprehensive index

CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner)

CompTIA

$494·~19% pass

Very Hard3 years

Hardest CompTIA certification, significant step up from Security+

GIAC GPEN (Penetration Tester)

GIAC/SANS

$949 (exam only), $8,500+ with SANS training·~70% pass

Hard4 years

Open book, build a detailed index before exam day

GIAC GCIH (Certified Incident Handler)

GIAC / SANS Institute

$2,499 (exam only; SANS training ~$7,000+)·~62% pass

Very Hard4 years (renewable with CPEs)

SANS SEC504 is the main prep route, and costly

CIPP/E (Certified Information Privacy Professional - Europe)

IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)

$550·~60% pass

HardLifetime (with annual maintenance fee)

Essential for GDPR compliance roles, demand exploding

Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

ISC2

$199·Not published pass

Medium3 years, 45 CPEs

Sitting after 1 Sept 2026 means the new outline

Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)

Microsoft

$99·Not published pass

EasyDoes not expire

Four free Microsoft Learn paths cover it

Other categories

IT & Cloud Certifications Project Management Graduate Admissions English Proficiency Finance & Accounting Legal Medical Government & Civil Service Asian Languages European Languages School & University Entrance Language Proficiency Professional & Trade Certifications Digital Skills & Tech Engineering & Architecture