How to choose the right cybersecurity certificate for your IT career
Whether you’re a seasoned IT pro or relatively new to the field, you may have picked up on an interesting dilemma: almost everyone agrees cybersecurity skills are essential, but many IT professionals aren’t confident in their security expertise.
According to the Spiceworks 2025 State of IT Report, while 90% of IT pros consider cybersecurity knowledge critical, only 63% feel confident in those skills.
This gap isn’t just a vulnerability — it’s your opportunity to stand out. Whether you want to strengthen your organization’s defenses or advance your career prospects, the right cybersecurity certificate can help you bridge this divide.
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Why cybersecurity certification matters now
Cybersecurity is a pressing concern for any company with digital operations. Our State of IT report also found that fifty-three percent of companies are increasing tech spending specifically for security, which makes security expertise highly sought after.
As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the job market for cybersecurity positions is hot right now. Information security analyst roles are projected to grow by 33% through 2033, far outpacing most IT specialties.
Survey after survey shows what IT veterans already know: the right cybersecurity certificate can open doors that would otherwise remain locked. Among all certification types, they’re consistently ranked most valuable, with 67% of your fellow IT pros considering them worth the investment. And they do more than just look good on LinkedIn:
- They give skeptical employers solid proof of your cybersecurity expertise while helping you stand out in a crowded field
- They provide a roadmap for building comprehensive security skills beyond what you can learn on the job
- They often correlate with higher salaries, especially in regulated industries where certifications aren’t optional
If you’re among the 28% of IT professionals planning to earn a tech certification this year, you face a crucial question: which security cert gives you the best return on investment (ROI)? Here are three strategic paths to consider.
Strategic certification pathways
Rather than stacking up certs because they can, successful IT professionals achieve certifications that support their IT advancement goals while helping their teams and their companies tackle the security challenges they face. So, consider where you want your career to go and how you can most effectively help your organization. Here are three proven paths that align with different career and company objectives:
The Management Track: CISSP and CISM
Ever notice how security teams and business leaders often speak completely different languages? It’s not easy to translate between these two vastly different worlds (I’ve been there). That’s exactly why CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) holders are in such high demand.
The numbers back this up – a recent Spiceworks community survey showed CISSP leading the pack with 67% of IT pros rating it most valuable, compared to 47% for CompTIA Security+ and 24% for CISM.
CISSP covers eight security domains, from risk management to security architecture. It’s perfect if you want to direct security operations with a holistic view. CISM, meanwhile, narrows the focus to governance and program management. It’s ideal if you’ve got your sights set on a CISO role or a similar cybersecurity leadership position.
Fair warning: both certs require five years of professional experience and some serious study time. But their value significantly increases as you enter leadership positions on the org chart, where connecting security operations to business objectives becomes critically important.
The Technical Specialist Track: OSCP and GIAC
If you’re more interested in being the technical ace than interfacing with the C-suite, look at OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) as well as specialized certifications from Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). The OSCP’s 24-hour practical hacking exam is the gold standard for penetration testers. It will help you master the offensive security skills that make you invaluable when threats emerge.
GIAC offers deep-dive certifications for specific technical domains: incident response (GCIH), forensics (GCFA), and cloud security (GCSA). These certifications command respect because they test practical capabilities rather than theoretical knowledge. They’re ideal for security engineers and analysts who want to become the go-to expert in a particular security domain.
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The Career Progression Path: Security+ → CySA+ → CISSP
Not ready to jump into the deep end just yet? There’s a certification path for you, too. Many successful security professionals start with CompTIA Security+, which gives you essential security fundamentals without demanding years of prior experience. When you’re comfortable there, CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) builds on that foundation with advanced defensive security skills focused on threat detection and response.
With this ladder approach, you’ll earn credentials at each step rather than waiting years to qualify for advanced certifications. By the time you’re ready for CISSP, you’ll have a solid foundation instead of cramming an entire security education into one massive exam.
Future-proofing your expertise: The AI factor
If you’re investing time and money in a cybersecurity certificate, you need to know they’ll remain valuable. The elephant in the room is AI, which will reshape security before long — though its exact impact on the cybersecurity profession remains unclear. Looking further ahead, quantum computing stands ready to shatter existing encryption approaches. Although it’s not influencing today’s cert pathways, forward-thinking security pros are already keeping it on their radar.
According to the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2024, two-thirds of cybersecurity professionals believe their expertise will complement AI technology, while only one-third worry about roles becoming obsolete. Whatever your views, it’s worth considering how AI might play a role in your future IT career advancement — especially if you’re still coming up through the ranks.
For their part, leading certification bodies are already integrating AI components into their courses:
- CompTIA has updated CySA+ with modules on AI-powered threat detection
- ISACA now offers a dedicated AI Fundamentals Certificate with security applications
- SANS has developed hands-on labs focused specifically on AI security implications
When evaluating certifications, ask yourself: “Will this still be relevant if AI changes the security landscape in two years?” The most valuable certifications prepare you for tomorrow’s threats, not just today’s.
Certification’s hidden reward: the perspective shift
Many IT pros discover that certification’s real value comes from the journey itself. What surprises them isn’t passing the exam — it’s how the certification process fundamentally changes their approach to security. The structured learning forces you to build mental frameworks that connect otherwise scattered knowledge into a coherent security philosophy. This shift in perspective elevates you from a technical resource to the security strategist your company can’t afford to lose.
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