Cyber Security Certifications
Gain the skills to protect against cyber threats with our cyber security certifications, endorsed by leading accreditation bodies and designed to cater to a range of professional needs and cyber roles.
Top 10 Cyber Security Certifications
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) over 90% of security leaders will pay for employee to complete security certifications. Global shortage of skills, job movers and growing cyber threats drives demand for security skills certifications for the foreseeable future.
Explore the best cyber security certifications you can earn in 2025, as chosen by our Cyber Security Portfolio Director, Richard Beck.
Top 10 Cyber Security Certifications
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is the gold standard in cyber security certifications. If you’re looking to establish credibility in the field or elevate your expertise, CISSP can be a career defining achievement.
CISSP is intended for professionals who have at least five years of cumulative, paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)²® CISSP CBK and are pursuing CISSP training and certification to advance within their current information security careers.
A CISSP certification is best for these roles:
- Security Consultant
- Security Manager
- IT Director/Manager Security Auditor
- Security Architect
- Security Analyst
- Security Systems Engineer
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Security Director
- Network Architect.
2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Enterprises and government agencies increasingly expect their IT professionals to hold a CISM certification, and it is considered essential to ongoing education and career development.
This course will see that you are well-equipped to manage the ongoing security, compliance and governance of your IT organization.
A CISM certification gives you the skills to build and lead security programs, aligning global best practices with evolving enterprise needs.
A CISM certification is best for:
- Security consultants and managers
- IT directors and managers
- Security auditors and architects
- Security systems engineers
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
- Information security managers
- IS/IT consultants
- Chief Compliance/Privacy/Risk Officers
3. PEN-200 OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP)
Master ethical hacking with the industry-leading OSCP PEN-200 course. Gain hands-on experience in penetration testing methodologies and tools, with a years worth of access to materials, labs and two exam vouchers, and earn the prestigious OSCP certification by proving your skills in a live lab environment.
An OSCP certification is best for:
- Infosec professionals transitioning into penetration testing
- Pen testers seeking one of the best pentesting certifications
- Those interested in pursuing a penetration tester career path
- Security professionals
- Network administrators
- Other technology professionals
4. Certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP)
The Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional training or 'AIGP' teaches professionals how to develop, integrate and deploy trustworthy AI systems in line with emerging laws and policies around the world.
The course and certification provide an overview of AI technology, survey of current law and strategies for risk management, among many other relevant topics.
An AIGP certification is best for:
- Compliance professionals
- Privacy professionals
- Security risk management
- HR and governance
- Data scientists
- AI project managers
- AI product owners
5. NIST Cyber Security Framework Foundation
Build a strong foundation in cybersecurity with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST-CSF) Foundation course. Learn to apply industry-leading standards and best practices to enhance your organization’s security posture and resilience against evolving threats.
The NIST Cyber Security Framework (NIST-CSF) provides a policy framework of computer security guidance for how organizations can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks.
A NIST-CSF certification is best for:
- IT, business and cyber security professionals who play an active or passive role in engineering and operations.
6. Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)
Designed by industry experts, the Certified Chief Security Information Security Officer certification equips aspiring CISOs with the strategic, technical, and leadership skills needed to build and manage world-class security programs.
Each segment of the program was developed with the aspiring CISO in mind and looks to transfer the knowledge of seasoned professionals to the next generation in the areas that are most critical in the development and maintenance of a successful information security program.
A CCISO certification is best for:
- Security management roles, including those with CISSP, CISM, CISA qualifications. C|CISO provides an opportunity to differentiate yourself in the marketplace with this outstanding security leadership certification.
7. Certified Incident Responder (OSIR)
Prepare for real-world cybersecurity challenges with OffSec’s Incident Response (IR-200) course. Gain hands-on experience in managing and mitigating security incidents, mastering the incident response lifecycle, and earning the OffSec Certified Incident Responder (OSIR) certification to become a critical asset to SOCs and cybersecurity teams.
An OSIR certification is best for:
- Aspiring incident responders
- Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts
- IT security specialists
- Professionals aiming to transition into specialized cybersecurity roles focused on incident management
8. Certified Security Risk Manager (CSRM)
Gain expertise in Security Risk Assessment and Management with ISO/IEC 27005 Security Risk Manager training. Learn to apply ISO/IEC 27005 methodologies to assess and mitigate risks, aligning with ISO/IEC 27001 to enhance your organization’s information security posture.
By holding a PECB Security Risk Manager Certificate, you will be able to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform an optimal Information Security Risk Assessment and timely manage Information Security risks.
A CSRM certification is best for:
- Information Security risk managers
- Information Security team members
- Individuals responsible for Information Security, compliance, and risk within an organization
- Individuals implementing ISO/IEC 27001
- IT professionals
- Privacy officers
9. Certified AI Security Engineer (CAISE)
Gain hands-on expertise in AI security with this in-depth Certified AI Security Engineer course, featuring 30+ practical labs and an APMG exam voucher.
Learn to defend against threats like prompt injection, model theft, and AI-driven attacks while mastering secure AI integration, robust infrastructure, and effective human-AI collaboration.
A certified AI security engineer course is best for:
- Cyber security professionals
- AI & ML tech specialists
- Risk managers
- AI governance professionals
- Data architects
- Technical consultants
- IT professionals
- Software engineers.
10. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ helps learners to gain the knowledge and skills to secure applications, networks, and devices, conduct analysis, and apply mitigation techniques.
CompTIA Security+ is best for:
- Security Administrator
- Security Specialist
- Systems Administrator
- Help Desk Analyst
- Security Engineer
- Security Analyst
Best entry level cyber security certifications
SEC-100 Security Essentials
The OffSec Security Essentials (SEC-100) equips learners with the essential knowledge and hands-on skills needed to launch a successful career in cybersecurity.
This comprehensive course covers basic offensive and defensive techniques, networking, scripting, application and operating system security, and business-related skills.
Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP)
CISMP is a practical NCSC Assured course designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to manage information security, information assurance or information risk based processes.
Aligned with the latest national information assurance frameworks, standards, and code of practice for information security.
Best certifications for cloud security
Practitioner Certificate in Cloud Security
This NCSC Assured hands-on vendor agnostic course, encompassing cloud security architecture, cloud security testing, identity & access management, DevSecOps, cloud data security, cloud assurance, governance, cloud security operations, web application security, and Zero Trust in the cloud and cloud supply chain.
Certified Cloud Security Professional
The CCSP is a cloud agnostic course ensures that cloud security professionals have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in cloud security design, multi-cloud, implementation, architecture, operations, service orchestration, controls, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. This professional competence is measured against a globally recognized body of knowledge.
Best security certifications for software professionals
Secure by Design
Master the art of secure software development by exploring industry-leading models, threat modeling techniques, and cutting-edge security best practices. From AI-generated code challenges to the latest OWASP vulnerabilities, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to build resilient, secure-by-design applications.
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
The CSSLP is a comprehensive review of the knowledge required to incorporate security practices, including authentication, authorisation and auditing, into each phase of the Software Development Lifecycle, from software design and implementation to testing and deployment. Content aligns with and comprehensively covers the eight domains of the body of knowledge.
Best certifications for security architecture
Hands-On Threat Modeling Certificate
Hands-on threat modeling teaches you to identify and evaluate threats and vulnerabilities during the design phase. Learn structured methods to assess security objectives, threats, and attacks, guiding your design and security testing.
Through workshops, gain practical experience in documenting security implications and applying threat models, ensuring effective security risk mitigation in your projects.
Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust
Gain authoritative expertise in Zero Trust with the industry’s first dedicated Zero Trust security certification from the Cloud Security Alliance.
Learn to integrate Zero Trust principles into business planning, enterprise architecture, and technology deployments, ensuring a security model where no system, network, or user is implicitly trusted.
Best certifications for OT security
ICS405 - Securing ICS: Becoming an Industrial Cyber Security Professional
Secure your Industrial Control Systems (ICS) with this hands-on OT security course, help prepare for the knowledge required for the challenging GICSP exam.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of IT, OT, and physical security, industry regulations, and threat mitigation strategies to protect critical infrastructure and respond effectively to cyber incidents.
Assessing and Exploiting Control Systems & IIoT
Take a deep dive into hands-on ICS/SCADA security with this cutting-edge penetration testing course—complete with lifetime updates and hardware kit, including your own PLC and RF hacking tools.
Learn to test real-world control system components using advanced pentesting techniques, RF analysis, and embedded circuit attacks, all structured around a proven methodology developed for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Master cyber skills at your own pace
Flexible learning for a variety of cyber security subjects, helping you master skills and prepare for exams. With engaging content and practical exercises, you can learn anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace.
Why choose QA for cyber certification training?
Diverse Accreditation Bodies
Gain professional recognition with cyber security courses accredited by ISC2, ISACA, IAPP, PECB and more.
Industry-Relevant Learning
Equip yourself with skills and knowledge that are current, practical, and widely respected across industries.
Hands-On Learning Experience
Learn through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, tailored to your professional journey.
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