Introduction
In today’s digital age, cyber risks are increasing at an alarming rate, making cybersecurity one of the most in-demand skills in the tech business. With cybercrime expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion per year by 2025, the need for qualified cybersecurity workers has never been greater. If you want to get into this profitable profession, taking the proper course can provide you with the necessary skills, credentials, and competitive advantage to land high-paying positions.
In this article, we’ll look at the top 8 cybersecurity courses that will help you start or develop your career in this fast-increasing area. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced IT worker, these courses will provide you with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to succeed in cybersecurity.
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
If you’re interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from EC-Council is a good alternative. This widely recognised course teaches you to think like a hacker, demonstrating how to discover and remediate security vulnerabilities before malevolent attackers exploit them.
Key Benefits:
- Covers more than 20 of the most current security domains.
- Hands-on training with realistic attack simulations
- Recognised by organisations such as the United States Department of Defense.
- The median annual wage ranges from £70,000 to £100,000
Best suited for: IT workers seeking to advance into ethical hacking or penetration testing professions.
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP certification is one of the most highly regarded in cybersecurity. The (ISC)² certification confirms experience in creating, executing, and managing top-tier cybersecurity programs.
Key Benefits:
- Contains eight domains, including risk management, asset security, and cryptography.
- Required for many senior cybersecurity roles.
- The median annual wage ranges from £90,000 to £120,000
Best for: Mid-to-senior-level cybersecurity professionals seeking leadership positions.
3. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an excellent entry-level certification for those wishing to build a solid foundation in cybersecurity. It covers fundamental security ideas, making it excellent for anyone entering the sector.
Key Benefits:
- No prior cybersecurity experience is required.
- Includes subjects such as network security, threats, vulnerabilities, and cryptography.
- Recognised by leading employers such as the US government and Microsoft.
- The median annual wage is between £50,000 and £70,000.
Best for: Beginners looking to start their cybersecurity path with a recognised certification.
4. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
For serious penetration testers, Offensive Security’s OSCP certification is the gold standard. Unlike standard multiple-choice exams, the OSCP demands applicants to conduct real-world penetration tests in a controlled environment.
Key Benefits:
- Hands-on and practical approach to ethical hacking
- Respected by leading cybersecurity firms and employers
- Increases the likelihood of securing high-paying penetration testing employment.
- The median annual wage ranges from £80,000 to £110,000
Ideal for: Aspiring ethical hackers and penetration testers seeking hands-on experience.
5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The (ISC)² CCSP certification focuses on safeguarding cloud settings, an essential competence for current cybersecurity professionals as cloud adoption increases.
Key Benefits:
- Includes cloud security architecture, compliance, and risk management.
- recognised by major cloud service providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
- Median annual pay ranges from £85,000 to £115,000.
Best for: IT experts who specialise in cloud security positions.
6. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GSEC is an entry-level certification for IT workers looking to validate their cybersecurity skills.
Key Benefits:
- Key subjects include access control, cryptography, and network security.
- No prior experience is required.
- Hands-on instruction is included.
- The median annual wage ranges from £60,000 to £80,000
Best suited for: IT professionals and system administrators migrating to cybersecurity.
7. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
Cisco’s CyberOps Associate certification is ideal for those interested in Security Operations Center (SOC) positions. It prioritises threat detection, security monitoring, and incident response.
Key Benefits:
- Provides fundamental understanding of SOC operations.
- includes network intrusion analysis, digital forensics, and security monitoring.
- recognised widely in SOC contexts.
- The median annual wage ranges from £55,000 to £75,000.
Best for: People who want to start a career in cybersecurity operations.
8. Google Cybersecurity Certificate
Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate is an outstanding entry-level course that teaches hands-on skills and simulates real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
Key Benefits:
- includes incident response, risk assessment, and threat intelligence.
- Contains hands-on projects and case studies.
- Affordable and available online.
- The median annual wage ranges from £45,000 to £65,000.
Best for: Beginners seeking an affordable and recognised certification.
Conclusion
The cybersecurity industry provides several career prospects, with job demand soaring worldwide. Choosing the correct course is determined by your prior experience, professional ambitions, and desired cybersecurity role. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level job or a senior leadership role, investing in the correct cybersecurity courses can lead to a lucrative and fulfilling career.
If you’re ready to take the next step, look into courses from trusted platforms like SOC Learning, which offer personalised training to improve your cybersecurity abilities and advance your career.
