Cybersecurity consultant certifications — Explore your options

Introduction: IT consultants for cybersecurity matters

Cybersecurity consultants are the go-to professionals to devise best ways to protect an organization’s critical assets. Their role entails helping clients lower their risk by accurately interpreting and analyzing security risks to implement best practices that can increase protection from cyber threats. They are able to tailor cybersecurity solutions to specific business needs.

All medium-to-large companies and many smaller ones are now making cybersecurity consultants a core part of their resource planning and are investing time and money in hiring professionals able to address the myriad of security threats that present themselves. Whatever is decided, hiring in-house or external, experienced consultants with proper training are becoming a necessity.

A career as a cybersecurity consultant

According to CyberSeek™, the path to becoming a cybersecurity consultant is varied. These mid-level professionals can start as an IT auditor, incident responder, cybercrime analyst or technician as well as a penetration tester or vulnerability expert. Often advertised as a security specialist or consultant, the demand is booming. According to the 2019 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, “Organizations in North America and Europe are more likely than others to recruit consultants.”

The larger demand comes from cybersecurity consulting firms, as the tendency for businesses is to hire external help for 24/7 coverage without straining their often stretched, understaffed IT departments. Consulting companies, then, are looking for professionals with the right education (most ask for at least a bachelor’s degree). They are especially looking for professionals who can prove specific expertise and updated knowledge.

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Becoming a cybersecurity consultant requires a mix of formal knowledge and practical experience and credentials can nicely complement both. Are there certifications that will give you an edge? Yes: subject matter-specific certifications are a concrete way to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and can help prove your (Read more...)