With organizations getting increasingly concerned about cyber threats, a career in cybersecurity not only offers excellent job stability, but also competitive salaries and a lot of opportunity for growth. If you’re looking to get into cybersecurity this year, the following certifications can serve as excellent entry points into this lucrative and exciting field.
1. Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Provider: Google (via Coursera)
Cost: ~$59/month subscription
The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate is a flexible, beginner-friendly certification designed to provide job-ready skills. It’s tailored to individuals who are new to cybersecurity and want to prepare for roles like Security Analyst or IT Support Specialist in less than six months.
What You’ll Learn:
- Core cybersecurity concepts, including threat identification, incident response, and securing systems.
- Hands-on experience with tools such as Linux, Python, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms.
- Building a portfolio project to demonstrate your skills to employers.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Google-backed certification with recognized credibility.
- Provides career services, including access to job boards and coaching.
- Highly affordable and self-paced. Suitable for those balancing work or studies.
Ideal For:
The Google Cybersecurity Certificate is perfect for beginners with no prior cybersecurity experience who want an affordable, flexible way to enter the field.
Carolyn, who happens to have completed this certificate program, wrote personal reviews for the first four courses. You may check them out there:
- My Google Cybersecurity Certification Journey: Course 1 Overview
- My Google Cybersecurity Certification Journey: Course 2 Overview
- My Google Cybersecurity Certification Journey: Course 3 Overview
- My Google Cybersecurity Certification Journey: Course 4 Overview
2. CompTIA Security+
Provider: CompTIA
Cost: $581 (Basic Bundle)
CompTIA Security+ is one of the most widely recognized entry-level certifications for cybersecurity. It’s vendor-neutral and covers the foundational knowledge needed to secure systems, networks, and devices, making it ideal for newcomers to the field.
What You’ll Learn:
- General security concepts and controls.
- Technical skills like detecting vulnerabilities, securing enterprise architectures, and responding to common threats.
- Reporting and communication skills for job roles that deal with governance, risk management, and compliance.
Why It’s Valuable:
- A respected global standard for entry-level cybersecurity certifications.
- Often required for government jobs and Department of Defense (DoD) roles.
- Opens the door to positions like Security Analyst, Junior IT Administrator, and SOC Analyst.
Ideal For:
The CompTIA Security+ certification is suited for anyone looking for an industry-recognized, foundational certification that can lead to a wide range of cybersecurity roles.
3. ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Provider: ISC²
Cost: Free online self-paced training and exam; Just pay $50 Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) upon passing
Launched in 2022, the ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is designed specifically for people seeking entry-level or junior-level cybersecurity roles. It’s ideal for those who are new to the industry, providing a solid introduction to cybersecurity principles without requiring any prior experience.
What You’ll Learn:
- Fundamental security concepts, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
- Business continuity and disaster recovery concepts.
- Access control and network security concepts
- Foundational security operations concepts, including data handling, logging and monitoring, system hardening, change management, and security awareness.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Free exam voucher and training available through ISC²’s “One Million Certified in Cybersecurity” initiative.
- Comes from the same organization that offers Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), arguably the most widely recognized cybersecurity certification.
- Globally recognized by employers, making it a great resume booster for beginners.
Ideal For: Complete beginners looking for an accessible, almost-zero-cost way to enter the cybersecurity field.
4. GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT)
Provider: GIAC
Cost: $999 (exam fee; training sold separately)
The GFACT certification is a solid entry point for individuals who want a deep understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals. Although tailored for beginners, it puts emphasis on hands-on learning through labs.
What You’ll Learn:
- Core IT concepts like system administration, basic networking, virtualization, web, cloud, and operating systems.
- Foundational knowledge in vulnerability exploitation and mitigation, as well as in forensic investigation and post-exploitation activities
- Introduction to tools and techniques used by both attackers and cybersecurity professionals.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Provides hands-on learning and practical knowledge of cybersecurity tools.
- Respected by employers due to GIAC’s reputation for rigorous testing.
- A great starting point for beginners who plan to pursue advanced certifications later.
Ideal For:
The GFACT certification is suited for anyone completely new to cybersecurity, including career changers, college and university students, and business professionals.
5. EC-Council Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT)
Provider: EC-Council
Cost: $999
The Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT) certification is a new addition to EC-Council’s offerings and is specifically designed for individuals at the start of their cybersecurity careers. It cultivates a good balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.
What You’ll Learn:
- Basic skills across a wide range of cybersecurity domains, including network defense, ethical hacking, digital forensics, security operations, risk management, and threat intelligence.
- Practical skills developed through experience in immersive and gamified learning environments like capture-the-flag and a live cyber range
- An introduction to incident response and ethical hacking principles.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Teaches you job-ready, technical skills through 85 hands-on labs—one of the most extensive selection of practical trainings among entry-level certifications.
- A great precursor to more advanced EC-Council certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker).
- Widely respected as an entry-level technical certification.
Ideal For:
A CCT certification is designed for aspiring SOC Analysts, IT Support Specialists, or anyone seeking a hands-on, technical cybersecurity role.
Conclusion
If you’re new to cybersecurity, earning one of these entry-level certifications can give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to land your first job in the field. By choosing the certification that aligns best with your goals and learning style, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career in cybersecurity in 2025.