Top 5 Security Certs to Earn in 2025

Security certifications play a vital role in preparing IT professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience they need to protect critical data and assets from potential threats. 

Because cyberattacks are occurring at an alarming rate, there is a continued need for cybersecurity professionals to protect businesses’ critical data. According to Statista, there are approximately 755,000 cybersecurity job opportunities in the U.S. — and CISOs lament that there aren't enough qualified candidates to fill these positions.

Here are five cybersecurity-focused certifications you should consider earning this year — so you can help fill the void organizations are struggling to fill.

Ready to Earn a Security Certification in 2025?

Professionals with top cybersecurity qualifications are in great demand in the market. Earning cybersecurity certifications is crucial to prepare for and land coveted roles like system auditor, network security professional, and information security professional. 

Cybersecurity training offered by CBT Nuggets can help you start developing in-demand security skills — or sharpen existing ones. Become the cybersecurity ninja every organization needs more than ever. 

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1. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)

The CompTIA Security+ certification is an entry-level cybersecurity certification that helps you build foundational cybersecurity skills. The CompTIA Security+ certification attests to a deep level of understanding of cybersecurity and security best practices. It offers extremely essential information on how to identify, stop, and resolve cybersecurity issues for non-IT professionals.

There are five domains on the Security+ exam that you will be tested on:

• Governance, risk, and compliance (14%)

• Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities (24%)

• Implementation (25%)

• Design and architecture (21%).

• Incident response and operations (16%)

Recommended experience: To earn a CompTIA security+ credential, you should have two years of systems administration experience with a security focus.

Exam details: 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, with 750 being the passing score.

Exam Cost: $404.

2. Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR)

The Cisco CCNP Security Core (350-701 SCOR) cybersecurity certification validates the ability to implement, design, and architect core security concepts to protect critical data and assets in the organization.

This cybersecurity certification is a professional-level security credential designed for network security administrators with 3 to 5 years of experience in implementing advanced security practices. 

Topics covered on the 350-701 SCOR exam are:

• Security Concepts (25%)

• Network Security (20%)

• Securing the Cloud (15%)

• Content Security (15%)

• Endpoint Protect and Detection (10%)

• Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement (15%)

Recommended experience: You should have a solid understanding of security concepts, network applications and endpoint attacks, ASA firewalls, and Layer 2/3 data plane controls.

Exam details: 120 minutes to complete 120 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 849 out of 1000.

Exam cost: $400.

Related: 5 Issues that are Driving Cybersecurity Today.

3. ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

One of the most prestigious and sought-after cybersecurity qualifications is the CISSP. Earning CISSP certification demonstrates your proficiency in creating, engineering, and implementing information security systems in the business. 

Earning this certification can open a lot of doors for you professionally, as cybersecurity skills are in high demand.

The eight domains covered on the CISSP certification exam are:

• Security and Risk Management (15%)

• Asset Security (10%)

• Security Architecture and Engineering (13%)

• Communication and Network Security (13%)

• Identity and Access Management (13%)

• Security Assessment and Testing (12%)

• Security Operations (13%)

• Software Development Security (11%)

Recommended experience/prerequisites: The candidate requires 5 years of hands-on job experience in at least two of the eight CISSP CBK domains. The CISSP experience waiver can be used to fulfill some of the requirements for those who lack the necessary work experience.

Exam details: Four hours to complete 125 to 175 multiple-choice questions, with 700 being a passing score. 

Exam cost: $749.

4. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM cybersecurity certification is founded on security management concepts and validates substantial information security-aligned managerial skills in assurance and risk management.

Organizations desperately need IT professionals who can ensure the security and the procedures necessary to maintain compliance and security in the IT environment. They place a lot of value on cybersecurity pros who have this additional globally recognized certification.

The four domains the CISM certification exam covers are:

• Information Security Governance (17%)

• Information Security Risk Management (20%)

• Information Security Program (33%)

• Incident Management (30%)

Recommended experience: Five years of professional experience managing information security systems in an organization is highly recommended.

Exam details: Four hours to finish the 150 multiple-choice questions on the test. A score of 450 qualifies as passing — and the scoring range is 200 to 800.

Exam cost: ISACA members pay $575, while non-members pay $760.

5. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification helps to evaluate an IT auditor's knowledge, experience, and ability to implement IT controls to secure organization assets. Because CISA certification is widely recognized by companies and is frequently required for IT audit and security information management (SIM) roles, earning it is a no-brainer for IT pros.

The CISA validates that candidates can implement audit strategies for information systems based on risk management, and plan IT audits that can be used to assess whether IT assets are protected, managed, and valuable.

The five domains the CISA certification exam covers are:

• Information System Auditing Process (21%)

• Governance and Management of IT (17%)

• Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%)

• Information Systems Operation and Business Resilience (23%)

• Protection of Information Assets (27%)

Recommended experience: Five years of professional experience is highly recommended in the auditing, controlling, or security of information systems. 

Exam details: Four hours to complete the 150-question, multiple-choice exam. A passing score is 450 — and the scoring range is 200 to 800.

Exam cost: ISACA members pay $575, while non-members pay $760.

Final Thoughts

Earning a security certification this year is a smart bet. IT pros who have cybersecurity certifications and real-world experience are in high demand due to the increasing amount of cyber threats.

Studying for, and earning any, of the certifications we covered in this article can prepare you for in-demand and well-paying careers including system auditor, network security professional, and information security professional.

Start training today with CBT Nuggets.