Many people are unsure what cybersecurity certificates are worth the cost both in terms of money and time. There are a variety of arguments against certifications, particularly since there are numerous certifications in the market today, and the majority have been tossed aside in popularity over the time. However they’re an interesting option for beginner professional in cybersecurity or a career change seeking to get into the field of cybersecurity.
Do you think that cybersecurity certifications are worthy of the time and effort? Certifications in cybersecurity are worth the effort when you utilize them to complement other credentials on your resume. The mere presence of certifications on your resume can be an indicator to employers that you have a solid foundation of knowledge that is not solely based on your experiences.
Certifications are well worth the effort, but they’re not the sole thing that requires your time and effort when you’re building your career in cybersecurity. I’m a huge advocate of certifications, as I’ve witnessed them aid my career as well as other people’s careers and they offer numerous benefits beyond the obvious impact on your finances. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits right now.
The benefits of having an accreditation
A lot of people who are just beginning their journey in cybersecurity believe that certifications are just about money. this is certainly true but certifications be a great source of additional benefits to your professional career.
Benefit #1 A certification can be an important differentiator.
The top cybersecurity certifications can make a difference over someone else seeking the same position. I’ve seen a few occasions when an applicant who has the certification or multiple certificates over a similarly qualified but uncertified candidate, purely due to the certification. In these instances the employer relied on the certification as a deciding element. For students who are enrolled in college, I would always suggest to take a course to obtain a certification as it can be an indicator of distinction from others who have graduated from college.
Advantage #2: Certificates indicate an accomplishment level and endurance.
Everyone is aware that obtaining an award takes effort so having one does demonstrate a degree of dedication to your professional development and understanding. This is particularly important when you begin your career and you’re not able to rely on or discuss with potential employers about. The certifications show that the seriousness of your chosen career area.
Benefit #3: Lots employers put a high value on them.
Employers are not all influenced by certifications, however there are still plenty of employers who are impressed by these certifications. In fact, the Department of Defense has established standards for the certification of their employees including those from CompTIA Security+ for many of the security and intelligence jobs. Certain employers will even prefer certifications over the equivalent of a college degree, and therefore having a certification could make you stand out also.
Advantage #4: A certificate will keep your employer on guard.
Many times throughout my career I’ve followed the rules of gaining a certification by myself and using my own funds and not divulging to my employer my motives. Once I was certified I would either forward the confirmation email, or tell them in person (or simply hang it on the wall in my office without ever saying anything.) In these situations you’ll begin to feel the wheels turning as people wonder if you’ve completed your certification, what you’ve learned about yourself, and what your objectives are.
When you obtain a certificate in the course of your work, whether in the field of cybersecurity or not, getting the certification could cause your employer to pay attention. In many instances it can provide you with the advantage.
Beneficial #5: Certifications may be used to bargain a promotion or raise.
At some point, money has to become a factor in every career choice, and in this case it is. The certifications are helpful in providing cybersecurity professionals with the leverage needed to get promotions or raises. This is the reason that many certification companies attempt to tie them to paying rates. Of of course, there are different factors that affect whether the certification will result in an increase for you, but it could be worth the effort to use a certificate as a bargaining tool to get better pay.
Benefit #6: Every person who doesn’t has one wishes they had.
According to me, this might be the most beneficial benefits of it all. Wouldn’t it be better to be certified rather over not having it? Take a look. Are there people who doesn’t have a degree who wouldn’t make a wish to obtain a degree, even if they had the chance? Are there any IT person in the world who wouldn’t be thrilled to have an alphabet of qualifications in their name? We all enjoy these certifications however many people don’t have the desire to go after them, which makes them more valuable for those who do.
7. Benefit: Companies usually prefer certifications to be more credible than programs for training.
There are a myriad of training programs online and in person that are available, and the amount of people who have poured hundreds of thousands into these programs is astonishing. A lot of these training programs are actually brain dumps, in which students aren’t given the opportunity to study something, and is often not given the chance to do things with hands-on experience. The issue is that many of these programs are linked to the preparation for certification, even though some students don’t pass the exam at the conclusion of the course. A certification is typically thought of by employers as an additional proof of your the knowledge gained than simply having completed a certain amount of training.
What is the most effective way to get ready for the certification?
In preparing for the cybersecurity exam, make certain to utilize a range of sources. Every textbook, class , or video course will reflect the interpretation provided by the source of what’s best in preparing you to pass the test. The best resource is not equipped to give you everything you require to ensure success or be able to provide all exam subjects in the most effective method.
In this regard the best approach to cybersecurity certification is to attend a class or video tutorial first, and then build on that knowledge through textbooks and practice in the hands. There are many books on certification available in libraries of public libraries. Explore these resources and use them to enhance the course you’ve already completed. Once you’re comfortable with the content, go through a variety of practice tests. The most effective practice exams will explain the correct answer in depth, as well in the incorrect ones. Because many certification exams contain fifty or more questions, it is recommended to study a lot of practice questions to ensure that you’ve covered enough questions and topics. Be aware that all exam questions are designed from what the test writer thinks about the subject matter, and not necessarily the way in which it’s done in the specific operational context. This means that it is best to approach the concepts of the exam from the viewpoint of the test taker. This is why a lot of guides to preparing for certifications say things like “CompTIA would like you to know …”” or “Cisco examines …”.
How can I tell if I’m prepared to take the exam to become certified?
I’ve found that one of the best ways to confirm that you’re ready to take an exam for certification is to test if are knowledgeable enough about the subject that you can teach the material to other people. If you are able to fully describe the material for certification to someone who’s not familiar with the content, that is an indication that you are knowledgeable enough to be able to respond to any questions the test could require. When you are nearing the end of your preparation for the certification exam take the time to explain and teach the subject to someone you’re familiar with. If you’re confident in explaining the material to others, this will help you feel confident that you’re well-prepared for the test.