- Security Certification Overview
- Reviewing the Security Certification Landscape
Reviewing the Security Certification Landscape
Even having limited our search to only vendor-neutral security certifications, this list contains 20 entries, indicating no shortage of options for those interested in this topic area. But today, the CPP, the CISSP, and the SANS GIAC are the best-recognized and most widely adopted computer security certifications. Numbers of certified individuals vary from a low of 2,000 (SANS) to a high of 8,000 (for CPP; current numbers for CISSP total around 3,000).
Table 1 provides a breakdown of the various certifications mentioned, according to a number of categories, to help you decide which of them you might be interested in. For those interested in general security certifications, we recommend that you stick to certifications labeled General in the Focus column rather than those aimed at more specialized interests. Likewise, if you're interested in security certification but have no previous experience, we urge you to attempt an entry-level certification or exam before pursuing intermediate or advanced credentials (as indicated in the Level column).
The current market balance might change when the various International Computer Security Association (ICSA) certifications hit the market later in 2001 because the ICSA enjoys global recognition and high regard in the business and computing worlds. Many other certifications mentioned are more focused and more likely to appeal to auditors, members of the intelligence community, or law-enforcement professionals. Because of its burgeoning popularity, the Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Security Professional exam also deserves extended coverage as well. These selected programs—CPP, SANS GIAC, CISSP, and the CIW Security Professional—are covered in more detail in other articles in this series.
Table 1 Security Certifications Categorized
|
Program |
Level |
Focus |
Cost |
Pgm/Exam |
Trng |
Popularity |
|
BIS |
Entry |
General |
$25 |
Exam (1) |
No |
Low |
|
BNS |
Entry |
General |
$25 |
Exam (1) |
No |
Low |
|
CCO |
Intermediate |
General |
$1450 |
Pgm (5) |
Yes |
High |
|
CCSA |
Advanced |
Auditing |
$295 |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
High |
|
CNSA |
Entry |
General |
$6990 |
Pgm (1) |
Yes |
Low |
|
CNSE |
Advanced |
General |
$6990 |
Pgm (1) |
Yes |
Low |
|
CNSM |
Intermediate |
General |
$4195 |
Pgm (1) |
Yes |
Low |
|
CNSP |
Intermediate |
General |
$6990 |
Pgm (1) |
Yes |
Low |
|
CFE |
Advanced |
Finance |
$200 |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
High |
|
CIA |
Advanced |
Auditing |
$300 |
Pgm (4) |
No* |
High |
|
CISA |
Advanced |
Auditing |
$295–$445 |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
High |
|
CISSP |
Advanced |
General |
$450 |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
Medium |
|
CIW-SP |
Intermediate |
General |
$125 |
Exam (1) |
No* |
Medium |
|
CPP |
Intermediate |
Admin |
$275–$325 |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
High |
|
GIAC |
Advanced |
General |
$4450–$6000 |
Pgm (3) |
Yes |
Medium |
|
ICSA |
Entry |
General |
TBD |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
N/A |
|
ICSE |
Advanced |
General |
TBD |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
N/A |
|
ICSP |
Advanced |
General |
TBD |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
N/A |
|
SCCP |
Entry |
General |
TBD |
Pgm (1) |
No* |
N/A |
|
SNSCP |
Intermediate |
General |
$5000 |
Pgm (4) |
Yes |
Low |
|
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Key: |
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Cost |
When a range is given, costs vary for members/nonmembers or by curriculum |
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Pgm/Exam |
Pgm = Certification program; Exam = Single exam, no formal certification |
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Number in parentheses indicates number of exams required |
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Trng |
No = No training required; No* = Not required, but available; Yes = Required |
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Where Trng = Yes, Cost column includes cost of required training |
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Popularity |
Low = 0–1999 certified; Medium = 2000–7999 certified; High = 8000-plus certified |
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