certification

  • CISSP Certification: What Is It? Requirements, Benefits, and Compensation

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    Coyote Hunters Team

    The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential should be taken into consideration by IT security professionals who want to progress in their professions or learn more about cybersecurity. Businesses in all sectors must safeguard their confidential data from threats, which makes CISSP-certified experts an invaluable resource.

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    Having a CISSP certification shows potential employers that you are an expert in managing a robust IT security team and safeguarding web-based information systems. Continue reading to find out all you should know to become certified as a CISSP.

    Who Needs to Become Certified as a CISSP?

    If you’re an early-career IT security expert, you might be tempted to work in entry-level cybersecurity employment for a short while after earning your bachelor degree and then immediately begin the CISSP certification process. Nevertheless, there are requirements you must fulfill in order to be eligible to become a CISSP.

    The Body of Knowledge (CBK), which contains almost all of the knowledge a seasoned cybersecurity expert should possess, was also developed by (ISC)2. The eight core domains listed by the CBK include software development security and asset security. Your prior job experience must have been in one or more of these eight fields in order to become a CISSP.

    Obtaining CISSP certification is a difficult undertaking. Time, effort, and money must be invested in obtaining this certification, from passing the test to paying annual fees. However, one of the most popular cybersecurity qualifications that businesses want is the CISSP certification.

    No matter what your career goals are—chief information officer or independent security consultant—having a clear understanding of your “why” can keep you motivated while you pursue CISSP certification.

    Candidates must have either completed five years of full-time employment or four years of employment plus an undergraduate degree (such as a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity) or another recognized certificate, according to (ISC)², the organization that administers the CISSP certification.

    CISSP Certification Advantages

    One of the most prestigious certifications for IT and cybersecurity specialists is the CISSP. Possessing this certification can help you get better jobs, earn more money, and stay up to date on industry developments.

    Raise Your Prospect of Earning

    Pay for those with CISSP certification varies depending on their position and region. According to Payscale, these workers in North America make an average of $128,000 annually.

    Those with CISSP certification rank among the highest paid IT specialists in the business. This is due to the fact that CISSP certification is globally recognized and companies are aware of the demanding training needed to obtain it.

    Develop Into a More Competitive Job Seeker

    A cybersecurity resume that highlights your CISSP certification tells recruiters and companies that you are one of the best applicants in the field of information security. Additionally, having at least four or five years of practical experience is guaranteed by this degree.

    In order to pursue positions outside of their present firms, several professionals intend to get certification. According to (ISC)2’s 2023 workforce research, 17% of participants sought qualifications in order to secure a job with a different organization, and 15% thought that certification would help them advance in their careers.

    Develop Cybersecurity Knowledge

    Gaining a thorough understanding of all pertinent cybersecurity material is a necessary step in the CISSP certification process, which is required to pass the test and keep certification current.

    CISSPs need to accrue a certain amount of continuing education credits in order to obtain their certification. By ensuring that CISSPs have up-to-date, applicable abilities, continuing education contributes to the development of competence.

    The workforce research participants from (ISC)2 revealed that their teams are aware of the following advantages of hiring cybersecurity experts with certifications such as the CISSP.

    These employees are more knowledgeable about important cybersecurity subjects.

    The trust of certified personnel in their teams’ capacity to manage security concerns is increased.

    Employing experts with cybersecurity certificates guarantees that information security trends are up to date and that they are practicing them.

    Organizations may acquire top-tier employees with proven cybersecurity competence thanks to certification.

    Connect with Additional CISSPs

    It is mandatory for all CISSPs to become (ISC)2 members, which opens up networking possibilities. (ISC)2 has over 168,000 cybersecurity experts as members.

    How Much Demand Is There Right Now for Cybersecurity Experts?

    Cyberattacks and data breaches rose by 41.5% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in cyberattacks targeting businesses of all stripes emphasizes the shortage of qualified cybersecurity specialists as well as the necessity for them.

    According to the (ISC)2 workforce report, 67% of cybersecurity professionals believe that a lack of qualified candidates is endangering their firms, despite the field’s growing popularity. By 2023, there will be 3.9 million fewer cybersecurity workers worldwide, according to (ISC)2.

    The fact that the majority of cybersecurity jobs require certifications like the CISSP is one possible explanation for this labor shortage. It takes a lot of time and effort to become certified, which makes closing this employment gap more difficult. Malicious actors’ use of technology is advancing faster than the rate at which IT and cybersecurity specialists are hired and acquire the skills required to protect data from these kinds of attacks.

    The Demand for CISSPs

    Because of their extensive knowledge, capacity to protect against data breaches, and ability to enhance security procedures, CISSP specialists are highly sought after across sectors.

    Out of all the cybersecurity job vacancies that need certification, CyberSeek reports that the biggest demand is for CISSP credentials. More than 85,000 cybersecurity job postings as of December 2023 ask for CISSP certification.

  • The CCNA: What Is It? A Certification in Entry-Level Networking

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    Coyote Hunters Team

    Networking IT jobs such as network specialist, network administrator, and network engineer can be prepared for with the entry-level networking certification called CCNA.

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    The networking gear manufacturer Cisco offers an entry-level information technology (IT) certification called the CCNA, or Cisco Certified Network Associate. The purpose of the CCNA is to verify your understanding of core networking principles, which are frequently needed for networking tasks in IT jobs.

    Here’s a brief summary of important details:

    You need to pass the 200-301 CCNA test in order to become certified as a CCNA.

    The CCNA test costs around $300 USD, VAT included.

    Exam preparation is not required, although it is advised to have some training and knowledge of computer networks.

    As of May 2023, there are over 18,500 job posts on LinkedIn in India that reference the CCNA certification, indicating how popular it is among IT professionals.

    How much does the CCNA test cost?

    The exam for the CCNA costs about $300 USD (tax included). The test can also be purchased with Cisco Learning Credits. These are pre-paid credits that an organization may purchase to allow staff members to customize their credit usage on the Cisco platform.

    CompTIA Network+ vs. CCNA

    Like the CCNA, professionals who want to improve their networking abilities frequently get the CompTIA Network+ certification, which is a test of your networking expertise. There are several notable variations:

    The CompTIA Network+ certification is vendor neutral, in contrast to CCNA. This indicates that it’s made to get you ready to deal with any system or network device, no matter which manufacturer made it. You can only be tested on Cisco tools and products for the CCNA.

    Many people believe that the Network+ certification is more fundamental than the CCNA. It is well recognized that the CCNA covers more ground and delves deeper into network subjects than the Network+.

    Which one therefore ought you to select? Despite being vendor-specific to Cisco, a lot of people choose to take the CCNA since Cisco products essentially control the networking business. Cisco held a forty-five percent market share in Ethernet switches and a thirty-seven percent market share in SP and business router combined. Given the widespread usage of Cisco products, it might be beneficial to be well-versed in them. A lot of students also discover that their understanding of Cisco products may be applied to other manufacturers’ networking solutions.

    However, for people who are entirely new to networking or find the CCNA too complex or extensive for their purposes, the Network+ might be helpful because it concentrates on the fundamentals. Obtaining the Network+ and then taking the CCNA once you have more experience is entirely feasible.

    What is covered in the CCNA exam?

    The 120-minute 200-301 CCNA test is available in both Japanese and English.

    The breakdown of the CCNA test is as follows:

    Network basics (20%): IP parameters; physical interfaces and cabling types; IPv4 and IPv6 configuration; network components such as routers, switches, and access points; network topology architectures; IP parameters; wireless, virtualization, and switching fundamentals

    Network access (20%): EtherChannel, Layer 2 discovery protocols, VLAN configuration and verification, and interswitch connectivity; swift actions of the Spanning Tree Protocol; AP modes, physical WLAN components, wireless LAN access, AP and WLC management access connections, and Cisco wireless designs

    Routing tables, router decision-making, setting up and confirming IPv4 and IPv6 static routing, single area OSPFv2, and first hop redundancy protocol account for 25% of IP connectivity.

    IP services (10%): NAT and NTP configuration and verification; DHCP, DNS, SNMP, and syslog feature descriptions; per-hop behavior; Using SSH and explaining TFTP/FTP

    Fundamentals of security (15%): principles of physical access control, password rules, access control lists, Layer 2 security features, threats and mitigation, and wireless security protocols

    Programmability and automation (10%): evaluating controller-based networks against conventional networks; understanding JSON data; automation ideas.

    How to become certified as a CCNA

    You need to take the Cisco 200-301 CCNA test in order to become certified as a CCNA. The CCNA test has no requirements, although according to Cisco, applicants often have the following background before taking it:

    a minimum of one year of experience with Cisco products and solutions

    fundamental understanding of IP addressing

    understanding of the principles of networks.

    CCNA education and instruction

    You may select from a wide variety of online courses that will help you get ready for the CCNA test. Your neighborhood community college could also offer in-person classes that do the same thing.

    Implementing and Administering Solutions is an online course offered by Cisco that is intended to assist you in passing the CCNA test. The tuition is $800 USD.

    For a comprehensive introduction to the field of networking, you can enroll in Coursera’s Computer Communications specialization. Alternatively, you can take individual courses to concentrate on learning certain abilities, such as packet switching networks or TCP/IP. Despite not being a direct preparation for the CCNA, the specialization will teach you a lot of the basics of computer networks.

    Consider finishing the Introduction to Networks and Cisco Devices guided project on Coursera if you’re in need of a fast refresher on networks or aren’t sure if networking is the right path for you. It will take less than three hours to finish the project.