A cloud security professional is responsible for ensuring that a service or application remains secure and protected from any malicious activity.
Cloud security professionals are in high demand, as the market value for this position is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years.
After analyzing the latest cloud security trends, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best cloud security certifications in 2022. Look through the table of contents for an overview of what to expect in this article.
Let’s get right into it!
1. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
The CCSK is an optional self-paced, comprehensive online course designed to prepare you for the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) exam.
This course provides a broad overview of cloud computing essentials, as well as fundamental security knowledge needed to achieve CCSP certification.
The CCSK is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can be taken from anywhere in the world. The course will be available on the SANS Institute website at www.sans.org/ccsp.
The CCSK is a vendor-neutral credential. It can be used by organizations to evaluate an information security professional’s expertise in cloud computing and can be used as a credential for individuals who want to demonstrate their specialized knowledge and skills.
The exam consists of two sections: 50 multiple choice questions and 3 scenario-based questions.
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2. Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 by cloud computing technologists, security researchers and industry practitioners.
Its mission is to promote the use of best practices for providing security assurance within Cloud Computing – through the development of standards, guidelines, conformance tests and educational programs.
The CSA aims to aid the public by providing research, education, and certification for security in cloud computing. A few of their highest accomplishments include the creation of the Cloud Controls Matrix and the Cloud Trust Principles.
These documents are used to help organizations analyze and determine if they are properly protected with regards to privacy, availability, confidentiality, and integrity.
They also provide a framework for developers, service providers, and users to understand how to leverage cloud computing as a secure alternative to
3. Comptia Security+
The Security+ certification from CompTIA is a vendor-neutral credential that provides foundation-level knowledge of network security, compliance and operation security, threats and vulnerabilities as well as application, data and host security.
The CompTIA Security+ certification validates the technical knowledge required of entry-level IT security professionals in order to establish an IT security foundation.
This certification ensures that candidates have the essential knowledge they need to select, implement and manage basic security tools and technologies across a variety of enterprise environments.
The CompTIA Security+ exam will cover network security, compliance and operation security, threats and vulnerabilities and application, data and host security.
Candidates for this certification are expected to have at least one year of experience in IT administration with a focus on security.
The candidates have to pass the exam in order to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification. There is no pre-requisite for this exam.
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4. CISCO Certified Network Potential (CCNP)
Cisco Certified Network Potential (CCNP) is the first step in a network engineer’s certification journey. This certification is designed for entry level network engineers and professionals who are looking to get started with their CCNP certification training.
The CCNP route is comprised of five different tracks, including Routing & Switching, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center. An individual can choose one of these tracks to focus on based on their career objective.
CCNP certified network professionals can establish a multilayer switched network that uses Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to exchange routing information with external networks and to implement scalable policy-based network designs.
It CCNP curriculum encompasses the advanced transition skills required to migrate from traditional routers and switches to Cisco Nexus devices, as well as the ability to design, implement, troubleshoot, and verify Layer 2 and Layer 3 advanced technology environments.
5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is an international security certification for cloud computing professionals that validates the knowledge and skills required to secure cloud implementations.
Basically, the CCSP validates the knowledge and skills of experienced security professionals responsible for protecting a cloud computing environment.
The exam tests an individual’s ability to select, configure, and operate within a complex cloud computing environment to protect data, applications, and infrastructure against natural or malicious threats.
In order to earn the CCSP certification, you’ll need to pass a single exam that tests your skills and ability to configure, monitor, and maintain the security of a cloud infrastructure.
The CCSP certification is valid for three years, at which point you can renew it by re-certifying or passing a different exam. The renewal process will ensure that you remain current on industry trends and technology.
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6. GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA)
The GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA) certification is one of the few vendor-neutral credentials available in the market. It is designed to assess individuals that have experience using tools and processes within the cloud computing environment.
It measures an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and administer cloud computing infrastructures that are secure, reliable, and compliant with industry standards.
The certification is accredited by ISC2 as a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) credential, which is part of the organization’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) program.
This certification covers all aspects of the lifecycle of cloud security automation, including:
- Designing a cloud security automation solution
- Planning for deployment of cloud security automation software
- Creating, extending and maintaining capabilities and functionality of automated systems
- Operating and troubleshooting automated cloud security systems.
The GCSA certification is intended for architect roles in cloud security organizations that have responsibility for designing, implementing and operating.
7. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
One of the most popular certifications in all of information security, the Certified Ethical Hacker certification from EC-Council is the standard for assessing your ability to think like a hacker and defend your network against attacks.
The CEH credential is an advanced qualification that requires substantial technical knowledge combined with a practical skillset.
It is designed to demonstrate your ability to perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessment in an ethical and legal manner, and has been developed by the world’s leading organization in Information Security, EC-Council.
A certified ethical hacker (CEH) understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems, and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system.
Certified ethical hackers use their knowledge, experience and tools in a non-destructive manner to assess the security posture of their target systems.
The CEH credential is an intermediate-level certification that builds on the CompTIA Security.
8. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is a global certification that was first introduced in 1983 by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).
It has been updated for the recent times to reflect the changes in information security management. The exam combines technical, managerial and risk management skills to ensure that you are fully aware of the ever-changing security standards.
The exam is about testing the candidate’s knowledge of planning and managing an information security program.
This program aims at ensuring that an organization’s information assets are protected from unauthorized access, use or disclosure as well as wanton destruction or damage.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a professional certification offered by ISACA. CISM certification is a trusted validation of an information security leader’s experience, knowledge and skills in the critical areas of information security management.
9. Offensive Security-PWK OSC
Offensive Security offers a professional penetration testing class focused on advanced network attacks.
OSCP certification requires you to compromise between eight and twelve machines which are owned by the school, in an isolated environment.
The course is expensive, but for those who want to specialize in offensive security testing, it’s a great opportunity.
OSCP is a hands-on, immersion-style pen test training program that is as realistic as possible. It is designed to teach you the skills needed to perform highly-effective penetration testing and ethical hacking.
The program has been developed over the past three years and runs for 5 weeks, twice a year in February and August.
Offensive Security also has other classes if you’re interested:
- OSCE – Offensive Security Certified Expert;
- PWK – Professional Web Application Penetration Testing;
- PWK/OSCEPATH – Full Certification Bundle (includes OSTEO).
10. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP credential is the most sought-after certification in the information security industry. The exam has a reputation for being one of the toughest to pass, but once you have your certificate, it’s as good as gold.
It’s a vendor-neutral, international certification that was designed to be used as a benchmark for best practices in security.
Achieving the CISSP certification can be difficult. In order to pass, you’ll have to pass a rigorous examination and adhere strictly to the eight domains of knowledge for the exam.
But if you can do it, your salary will increase. After all, the average salary for someone with this certification is $116,000 per year. This is almost $10,500 more than the median salary for IT workers as a whole.
The CISSP syllabus and exam are updated every three years by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2®.
While that doesn’t happen very often, it’s a good idea to start preparing for the exam as soon as you can because of how difficult it is to pass.
11. Advanced Penetration Testing (APT)
A penetration test or ethical hack is an authorized simulated attack on a computer system, performed to evaluate the security of the target. APT is short for Advanced Persistent Threat, and it’s an advanced way to penetrate the target, usually a business system.
The purpose of this course is to teach you how to use mainly Kali Linux (an open source operating system) and Metasploit (a hacking tool) to perform Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking.
This paper is about the theoretical and practical penetration testing techniques for an advanced level.
This paper will provide a complete overview of penetration testing, including important terminologies, penetration testing techniques, tools, and techniques available for carrying out a successful penetration test.
This paper aims to highlight the different aspects of the penetration testing process, which includes reconnaissance and information gathering, scanning and enumeration, attack planning and execution, and post-exploitation.
Penetration testing provides an opportunity to perform attacks in a safe environment. Penetration testers can learn many useful skills by exploring information systems in this manner.
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12. Certified Encription Specialist (ECES)
ECES is an organization devoted to the certification of information technology engineers as Certified Encryption Specialists.
The main objective of ECES is to improve the quality of information technology (IT) products and services through a comprehensive, objective, and consistent certification program.
ECES is not limited to computer hardware or software alone but encompasses its applications in all aspects of our lives. It also covers IT in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
ECES is the best certification to get for anyone looking to start a career in the encryption industry. Encryption is an exciting, high-growth industry with a huge demand for skilled professionals, and ECES is the only professional organization that offers this certification.
Being a part of ECES is like being a member of an exclusive club. Members are privy to special networking opportunities, in-person events, and certifications that are not available elsewhere. This means that members have access to the best training materials, resources, people, and jobs.
13. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
CHFI certification is one of the hottest and most challenging career options for IT professionals.
Computer hacking forensic investigators are experts in the analysis and investigation of compromised computer systems – commonly referred to as intrusions. They follow a systematic process to collect, analyze and present digital evidence in order to identify the perpetrator of a computer crime.
CHFI’s are tasked with the collection and preservation of volatile data that may have been modified or destroyed during the course of the intrusion. This data is critical to providing digital evidence that can be used to prosecute offenders.
As a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), you’ll use digital forensic techniques to investigate a wide range of computer crimes, including:
- Hacking,
- Internet fraud,
- Intellectual property theft, and
- Corporate espionage
14. Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)
According to Gartner, the global information security market was valued at $88.2 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $113.4 billion by 2020 and even more by 2021 and 2022.
The need for qualified information security professionals is increasing at a much faster rate than the supply of qualified information security professionals.
Basically, the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) program delivers a proven curriculum, an established body of knowledge, and a globally recognized credential to address this need.
The CCISO program provides a standardized set of competencies, skills and knowledge that help you protect the organization’s information assets.
CCISO credential represents the pinnacle of achievement in computer security. CCISO is the only proven designation that confirms a security executive’s operational and technical expertise in enterprise-wide information security management.
Its exam assesses candidates’ abilities to execute their duties and responsibilities as the executive leader of information security in large organizations.
The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions, where each question has four answer choices. Also, the candidate has 90 minutes to complete the exam.
The passing score is 65%. This means you have to correctly answer at least 65% of the questions to be able to acquire this certification.
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15. AWS Certified Security
AWS Certified Security is the one stop solution for clearing the AWS exam and obtaining AWS Certification. It will help you in passing the AWS CSA – Professional Exam and also in building your career as a Cloud Security Specialist.
This course will be covering all the exam topics on AWS Certified Security Administrator Associate level.
This includes the security best practices, identifying threats, network security, access control, monitoring and logging, data encryption, audit and logging and a lot more.
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification will validate your ability to help secure your company’s AWS cloud infrastructure.
As a specialized certification, this exam targets a specific job role for which Cloud Academy has developed a curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a Cloud Security Professional, you must pass the SSCP exam. The exam costs $650 and includes a $100 voucher to retake the exam if necessary.
Currently, the most popular cloud computing certifications are the Cisco CCNA Cloud, Microsoft MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure and AWS Certified Solutions Architect–Associate.
Note that there is a huge demand for cloud computing professionals in the market. Thus, there is a big chance that the number of cloud computing certifications will increase by 2022.
Anyone who knows about cloud security certifications knows that the SSCP certification from Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is the most prestigious and valuable in the industry.
When people come across someone with a CSA-accredited certification, they know they’re working with someone who has the knowledge to make things happen.
Cloud storage is a great way to store and access your data, but it comes with risks. Businesses are hesitant to adopt cloud technology because of security concerns.
Cloud security is becoming more and more important, and there are many certifications for cloud security. ISO 27001 certification is one of the most popular cloud security certifications. In 2022, CISSP will be the most popular cloud security certification.
Conclusion
The cloud has revolutionized the way we do business. Cloud computing offers great benefits to both businesses and consumers, including reducing costs and increasing efficiency. However, with all its advantages, it is vital that business owners secure their cloud data properly.
If you want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to cloud security, you should consider getting one of these 15 best cloud security certifications.
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