Top 8 Cybersecurity Certifications to Look for 2025 (Updated)

Cybersecurity continues to be a critical priority as digital threats evolve rapidly in 2025. Organizations now require professionals who not only understand existing threats but can anticipate emerging risks, manage vulnerabilities proactively, and deploy advanced defensive strategies. Achieving specialized cybersecurity certifications can significantly enhance your credibility, open doors to senior roles, and position you effectively to handle today’s complex cybersecurity challenges. Here, we’ll explore the top 8 cybersecurity certifications you should pursue in 2025 to advance your career.

Top 8 Cybersecurity Certifications for 2025

Because this field requires that you continuously learn new skills, you should make sure that your next training milestone is passing a security certification. By doing so, you will boost your appeal to potential employers for your future career role.

These are the top seven qualifications you might get in 2023.

1. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601)
2. Analyst in Cybersecurity by CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-002)
3. Cisco CCNP Security certification (300-710 SNCF)
4. Certified Information systems security professional (CISSP)
5. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
6. Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
7. Palo Alto Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

1.   CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601)

One of the most well-known entry-level cybersecurity certifications is the CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601) which may help you build the fundamental skills necessary for any cybersecurity position. Many people see Security+ as a stepping stone to intermediate-level certifications and a wider variety of employment options.

The CompTIA Security+ certification attests to a thorough grasp of cybersecurity and best practices. It provides non-IT professionals with incredibly important knowledge on how to recognize, prevent, and fix cybersecurity concerns.

The CompTIA Security+ exam will assess your knowledge of five domains:

• Attacks, threats, and weaknesses (24%).
• Risk, compliance, and governance (14%).
• Application (25%).
• Architecture and design (21%).
• Operations and incident response (16%)

Also Read: How to Become a Certified Ethical Hacker: A Comprehensive Guide

Prerequisites: You need two years of experience in systems administration with a security focus to obtain the CompTIA security+ certificate.

Exam: The passing score is 750, and a maximum of 90 performance-based and multiple-choice questions must be completed in 90 minutes.

Examination Cost: $392.

2.   CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-002)

This intermediate CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst+) CS0-002 training course will help you prepare for the CS0-002 examination, which is the sole exam required to get the CompTIA CySA+ certification.

The CySA+ certification demonstrates a security expert’s capacity to offer continual security monitoring. It is one of the most contemporary core security analyst skill certifications since it enables users to employ behavioral analytics on networks and devices to prevent, detect, and fight threats. This curriculum teaches IT security professionals the principles, material, and resources required to ace the CySA+ exam.

This course for the CySA+ (CS0-002) exam will cover every aspect of the five exam areas in detail:   

• Threats and Vulnerabilities Management (22%)
• Software and system security (18%)
• Security Operations and Monitoring (25%)
• Incident response (25%).
• Compliance and assessment (13%).

Prerequisites: Network+, Security+, or equivalent information security knowledge or at least four years of closely related practical experience.

Exam: 165 minutes; depending on performance, up to 85 multiple-choice questions. A passing mark is set at 750 on a scale of 100 to 900.

Examination cost: $392.

3.    Cisco CCNP Security (300-710 SNCF)

The CCNP 300-710 SNCF exam tests a candidate’s abilities to deploy, manage, integrate, set up policies for, and troubleshoot Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and Firepower. The advanced features of the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPS), including deep packet inspection, network intelligence, file type identification, and network-based malware detection, are the focus of your study for this test.

Examination material for the 300-710 SNCF:

• (30%) Configuration
• Dispatch (30%)
• Adaptation (15%)
• Managing and resolving issues (25%).

Prerequisites: A valid CCNA Security certification is the only prerequisite for CCNP Security certification; however, to get one, you also need to pass the CCNA R&S exam.

Exam: fifty to sixty-five multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes. A score of 750 to 850 out of 1000 is considered to be passable.

Examination cost: $300.

4.   Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Although it isn’t an entry-level certification, the CISSP is one of the most prominent and sought-after cybersecurity certifications. Your ability to design, create, and execute information security solutions in the workplace is demonstrated by obtaining CISSP Training.

All across the world, the CISSP certificate is highly regarded and in great demand. After earning the certification, you’ll have a lot of possibilities at your disposal to advance your cybersecurity career.

Getting the CISSP certification is a fantastic way to grow in the IT industry and increase your earning potential. It is a fantastic choice for specialists who want to demonstrate their expertise in various topics and obtain a certification with a strong worldwide reputation.

Also Read: Unlock Unlimited Streaming with 10 Best VPNs

Prerequisites: The applicant must have five years of practical work experience in at least two of the eight CISSP CBK areas. For people who don’t have the required work experience, the CISSP experience waiver can be utilized to satisfy part of the criteria. Candidates will then have six years to gain the required work experience for the CISSP.

Exam: In 4 hours, you must finish 125–175 multiple-choice and difficult questions. Passing is defined as 700 out of 1000.

Examination cost: $749.

5.   Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Significant managerial abilities in assurance and risk management that are matched with information security are provided by the CISM qualifications. It is founded on security management ideas that are helpful and necessary for finishing the task.

The availability of this higher-level qualification opens up a wide range of career growth choices. CISM might benefit information risk managers as well as experts in cybersecurity and IT security.

Businesses that value compliance and security in the IT environment highly value this extra, internationally recognized accreditation.

Prerequisites: experience managing the information security systems for a firm for five years.

Exam: The 150 multiple-choice questions are answered in four hours. The passing score is 450, and possible scores range from 200 to 800. The test covers four knowledge domains or subjects pertinent to the task.

Examination cost: for members, ISACA pays $575, and for non-members, ISACA pays $760.

6.   Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) accreditation assists in evaluating an IT auditor’s knowledge, expertise, and capacity to establish IT controls to safeguard organizational assets. Earning the CISA certification is seen as useful since it is widely recognized by businesses and commonly necessary for IT audit and security information management (SIM) responsibilities.

The CISA’s primary duties include developing a risk-based audit strategy for information systems and planning IT audits that may be used to judge whether IT assets are effectively managed, safeguarded, and valued.

For candidates to earn their CISA certification, they must complete the five steps below:

• Complete and completely pass the CISA test.
• CISA certification request
• abide by the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
• • Think about registering for the ISACA CPE program (Continuing Professional Education).
• Follow ISACA’s Information Systems Auditing Standards.

Also Read: Best Ethical Hacking Certifications

Prerequisites: Information systems auditing, regulating, or security requires five years of professional experience.

Exam: Four hours are needed to finish a 150-question multiple-choice exam. Between 200 and 800, 450 is the minimum passing score.

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

7. Palo Alto Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

Designing, building, managing, and troubleshooting Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls are skills that network security professionals may show through the Palo Alto PCNSE certification. In the vast majority of installations, those who hold the PCNSE certification have demonstrated a deep mastery of the Palo Alto Networks product range.

A PCNSE is necessary when a business must install a next-generation firewall while maintaining access to and availability of the rest of its platform.

Prerequisites: Although the PCNSE certification does not require prerequisites, candidates are urged to enroll in CBT Nugget’s training.

Exam: Application candidates have 80 minutes to complete the 75-question PCNSE test. A passing grade is achieved with a score between 70 and 80 out of 100.

Cost for Exam: $175.

8. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

One of the top certifications for cybersecurity professionals is the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). CCSP validates advanced skills required to design, manage, and secure cloud infrastructure. Given the rise of cloud solutions, CCSP is increasingly sought after by organizations aiming to safeguard sensitive data and manage cybersecurity risks in cloud environments.

The CCSP certification demonstrates your ability to apply best practices in cloud security and prepares you to handle sophisticated security challenges associated with cloud-based systems.

The CCSP exam evaluates expertise across six critical domains:

• Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design (17%)
• Cloud Data Security (20%)
• Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security (17%)
• Cloud Application Security (17%)
• Cloud Security Operations (16%)
• Legal, Risk, and Compliance (13%)

Prerequisites: To qualify for the CCSP certification, you need at least five years of cumulative, paid work experience in information technology, with at least three years in information security and one year specifically in cloud computing.

Exam: The CCSP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and candidates must complete it within 4 hours, achieving a passing score of 700 out of 1000.

Examination Cost: $599.

Wrapping Up

Staying updated with the latest cybersecurity certifications is critical for career advancement and effective threat management in 2025. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, certifications like CISSP, CISA, CCSP, and others on this list demonstrate your commitment and capability to secure digital assets against evolving risks. Investing in these certifications ensures you remain competitive, competent, and highly sought-after in the cybersecurity job market.

One of the best tools for equipping you with the most recent knowledge and abilities is the cyber security training that CBT Nuggets provides. If you’re interested in extending your possibilities for careers in cybersecurity, start learning right away and be ready to become a security ninja.