During the third quarter of 2022, internet users worldwide saw approximately 15 million data breaches, up by 167 percent compared to the previous quarter. In the measured period, the highest number of data breaches was detected in the fourth quarter of 2020, nearly 125 million cases.
The sheer magnitude of these information security breaches equates not only with bigger losses and more media coverage but also with more jobs and opportunities for IT and programming professionals.
The cybersecurity workforce has reached an all-time high, with an estimated 4.7 million professionals, but there’s still a global shortage of 3.4 million workers in this field, according to the 2022 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study released in October. And that shortage persists, despite the addition of 464,000 more cybersecurity positions this year, the report found. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, data from Cybersecurity Ventures shows.
This year's list includes entry-level credentials, such as Security+ and GIAC Security Essentials, as well as more advanced certifications, such as the CEH, CISSP and CISM. We also offer some additional certification options in the last section that cover choices outside our top five, because the field of information security is both wide and varied, with lots of other options.
Security-related job roles cover a lot of ground, such as information security specialist, security analyst, network security administrator, system administrator (with security as a responsibility), and security engineer, as well as specialized roles like malware engineer, intrusion analyst, and penetration tester. Average salaries for information security specialists and security engineers – two of the most common job roles – vary widely depending on the source.
If you're serious about advancing your career in the IT field and are interested in specializing in security, certification is a great choice. It's an effective way to validate your skills and show a current or prospective employer that you're qualified and properly trained.
Job Board Search Results (in alphabetical order, by certification)*
|
Certification |
Simply Hired |
Indeed |
LinkedIn Jobs |
TechCareers |
Total |
|
CEH (EC-Council) |
2,100 |
2,849 |
4,471 |
1,360 |
10,780 |
|
CISM (ISACA) |
3,088 |
4,049 |
6,663 |
6,409 |
20,209 |
|
CISSP [(ISC)2] |
9,760 |
12,967 |
20,129 |
6,875 |
49,731 |
|
GSEC (SANS GIAC) |
1,552 |
1,983 |
3,187 |
920 |
7,642 |
|
Security+ (CompTIA) |
2,437 |
3,145 |
4,348 |
415 |
10,345
|