Why Cybersecurity Certifications Matter: A Look at the CompTIA Security+ Certification

The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been higher. As cyber threats continue to evolve in both volume and sophistication, organizations across all industries are scrambling to shore up their defenses by hiring qualified security talent. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a whopping 35% growth in cybersecurity jobs from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

However, there simply aren‘t enough skilled cybersecurity workers to go around. Despite the booming job market, employers are struggling to fill open cybersecurity positions. According to CyberSeek, an initiative funded by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), there are currently over 755,000 unfilled cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. as of April 2023. This massive talent shortage has created a skills gap that threatens the security posture of organizations worldwide.

One way aspiring and current cybersecurity professionals can stand out in this competitive job market is by earning industry certifications. Cybersecurity certifications serve as validation of an individual‘s knowledge and skills in specific security domains. They demonstrate to employers that the holder has the necessary expertise to perform certain job roles and responsibilities.

The Value of Cybersecurity Certifications

So why exactly are certifications so valuable in the cybersecurity field? Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Validate knowledge and skills
Certifications provide third-party validation of an individual‘s cybersecurity knowledge and abilities. They prove to employers that the holder has demonstrated a certain level of competency and possesses the requisite skills for the job. Hiring managers often use certifications as a way to screen candidates and verify their qualifications.

2. Increase job opportunities and salary
Job seekers with in-demand cybersecurity certifications tend to have a significant advantage over those without. Many cybersecurity job listings either prefer or require applicants to hold certain industry certifications. According to CyberSeek, over 58% of U.S. cybersecurity job postings in 2022 requested at least one certification.

Certifications can also lead to higher salaries. The Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Survey found that IT professionals in North America who hold one or more certifications have an average annual salary of nearly $110,000, while those with no certifications earn around $90,000 on average. The survey also revealed that 87% of IT professionals in North America have at least one certification.

3. Demonstrate commitment to the profession
Pursuing and maintaining certifications shows a strong dedication to the cybersecurity field. Employers value individuals who are committed to keeping their skills sharp and continuously improving their knowledge. Certifications are often not a one-and-done deal – they typically require renewal every few years through continuing education or retesting to ensure the holder‘s skills remain current.

4. Provide a common language
Cybersecurity certifications establish a shared vernacular and set of best practices that span job roles, organizations, and industries. They get everyone on the same page and provide a common framework to discuss security topics and approaches. This is especially useful in an evolving field like cybersecurity where new threats, technologies, and strategies are constantly emerging.

5. Align with industry and government standards
Many cybersecurity certifications are designed to align with established industry and government standards and frameworks. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570 specifies baseline security certifications for different job roles. Achieving a certification that maps to these standards makes the holder even more attractive to employers, especially those in government and defense.

Why the CompTIA Security+ Certification Matters

While there are numerous cybersecurity certifications available, one of the most popular and highly requested by employers is the CompTIA Security+. Globally, there are over 600,000 Security+ certified professionals as of 2023. Security+ was the 13th most requested certification in 2022 across all industries, and the most requested cybersecurity certification, according to a 2022 Skillsoft cybersecurity skills gap analysis report.

Here‘s a closer look at why the CompTIA Security+ certification is so valuable and how it can boost your cybersecurity career:

1. Vendor-neutral, globally recognized
The Security+ certification is vendor-neutral, meaning it validates baseline cybersecurity skills that are relevant across different products, solutions, and environments. The exam covers a broad range of foundational topics including network security, compliance, operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, and identity and access management.

This vendor-agnostic nature makes the Security+ appealing to a wide variety of employers. The certification is recognized and requested by companies in industries worldwide, from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations to government agencies. CompTIA is a well-respected, global certification body in the IT industry.

2. Entry-level cybersecurity certification
The Security+ is considered an entry-level cybersecurity certification, but that doesn‘t mean it‘s a walk in the park. The exam is designed for cybersecurity professionals with at least two years of experience in IT administration and focuses on practical, hands-on skills.

For those new to cybersecurity, it‘s recommended to first earn the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications before attempting the Security+. The A+ covers core IT skills like operating systems, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures, while the Network+ validates knowledge of networking concepts, infrastructure, and network security. Together, these three certs provide a solid foundation for a cybersecurity career.

3. Meets DoD requirements
The Security+ certification meets the requirements for U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570.01-M for Information Assurance Technician Level II and above. This means Security+ holders are qualified for certain cybersecurity positions within the DoD and other government agencies. Many government contractors also require or prefer job candidates to have a Security+ certification.

4. Qualifies for popular job roles
Earning the Security+ certification opens the door to a variety of common cybersecurity job roles, such as security analyst, security engineer, security consultant, and penetration tester. The 2023 CompTIA Security+ certification webpage lists the following job titles that can benefit from a Security+:

• Systems Administrator
• Network Administrator
• Security Administrator
• Junior IT Auditor/Penetration Tester
• Security Specialist
• Security Consultant
• Security Engineer

According to ZipRecruiter, security analysts earn an average annual salary of $99,000 in the U.S., while security engineers earn an average of $114,000 per year. Of course, salaries vary based on factors like location, industry, company, and experience level.

5. Prepares for intermediate cybersecurity certifications
The CompTIA Security+ establishes core cybersecurity knowledge that serves as a springboard for more advanced, specialized certifications. After gaining some real-world experience, many Security+ certified professionals go on to pursue intermediate cybersecurity certs like:

• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
• CompTIA PenTest+
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Certification Alone is Not Enough

As beneficial as cybersecurity certifications like the Security+ are, it‘s important to recognize their limitations. Certifications alone do not automatically qualify you for a cybersecurity job or make you an expert hacker. At the end of the day, employers are looking for well-rounded candidates who possess a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Hands-on experience is equally as important as certifications in the cybersecurity field, if not more so. Real-world practice is essential for learning how to apply security concepts and tools to actual scenarios and environments. Aspiring cybersecurity professionals should seek out opportunities to gain practical experience, whether through labs, CTFs, projects, internships, or entry-level IT jobs.

Building strong soft skills is also crucial for career success. According to the Global Knowledge 2023 IT Skills and Salary Report, IT decision-makers say communication is the most important skill area for IT staff moving into leadership positions. Strong collaborators, active listeners, and clear communicators are highly valued on cybersecurity teams.

Ultimately, coupling relevant cybersecurity certifications with hands-on experience and soft skills creates the most competitive combination for job seekers and career advancement. Certifications like the Security+ are not the be-all and end-all, but they are certainly a valuable addition to your professional profile that can help get your foot in the door and open up new opportunities.

How to Get Security+ Certified

If you‘re convinced of the benefits of the CompTIA Security+ certification, here‘s a quick overview of how to earn it:

The current version is the Security+ SY0-701 exam, which was released in 2023. The exam has 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions to be completed within 90 minutes. A score of 750 out of 900 is required to pass.

The exam voucher costs $392 (as of 2023), but discounts may be available through special offers, student pricing, or certification bundles. Candidates can purchase vouchers and schedule the exam through the Pearson VUE website, CompTIA‘s official testing partner.

To prepare for the exam, CompTIA recommends 2-3 years of hands-on experience in IT administration with a focus on security. The organization also offers self-study resources like exam guides, practice questions, and video training. Many third-party training providers offer live online or in-person bootcamps, courses, and practice tests for the Security+ as well.

Once you pass the exam, your Security+ certification is valid for three years. To renew, you can either retake the most current Security+ exam version or earn 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through activities such as completing training, publishing cybersecurity content, getting certified in other cybersecurity topics, or participating in relevant industry events.

Conclusion

There‘s no question that cybersecurity certifications like the CompTIA Security+ can have a major impact on your career prospects and trajectory in this thriving field. In a competitive job market facing a major skills shortage, certifications provide a way to validate your knowledge, stand out from the crowd, and unlock new doors.

Coupling certifications with hands-on experience and soft skills will make you an even stronger, more well-rounded candidate. The Security+ is a smart investment for anyone looking to launch or accelerate their cybersecurity career. While it requires dedicated effort to prepare for and pass the exam, the rewards in terms of job opportunities, salaries, and advancement potential make it well worth it.