Posted:
Thursday, October 18, 2018
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The constant barrage of cyber attacks are pressuring businesses to be vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity.
For IT professionals, this pressure means cybersecurity certifications are more valuable than ever. Most of the time, such massive value translates into premium pay. Among the certifications in highest demand are those from ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association), an international association that concentrates on IT governance.
IT skills surveys regularly show the top three in-demand certifications are from the ISACA: CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor). Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) is another extremely popular and valuable cybersecurity certification that you should know about.
4 Certs That Are Extremely Valuable
CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor
Established in 1978, the CISA is a necessity for IT auditors and IS engineers. Greater than 100,000 people currently hold the certification.
The CISA isn’t for newbies: It indicates that you understand applications, systems, infrastructure and management, as well as best practices and regulatory standards. The certification requires at least five years of professional information systems auditing, control or security experience, which can include work in managing IT, information systems acquisition, implementation, IS operations, support and protection of data assets.
CISM: Certified Information Security Manager
ISACA’s second most popular certification, CISM is for tech professionals in information security governance, information risk management, information security program development, and information security incident management. This certification indicates having the formal training and experience needed to comprehend the latest cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
The CISM certification requires five years of experience, and at least three years in IS management, with waivers, are available for some type of experience.
CRISC: Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
Established in 2010, the CRISC is made for risk professionals doing work in and around IT and enterprise risk management. The certification requires three years of collective work experience in risk identification, risk response, risk monitoring, data systems control design and IS control monitoring and maintenance.
Considered a fairly new certification, the CRISC is rapidly gaining recognition, particularly as a follow-up to the CISA. It’s a certification for IT professionals who are increasingly business-oriented and who want to connect IT risk management to the business objectives.
CGEIT: Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT
Increasingly becoming a requirement for people involved in enterprise IT governance, the CGEIT is also a solid credential to have if you seek to move into the C suite.
To get the CGEIT, you’ll need a minimum of five years of experience in IT governance. In particular, those seeking the credentials will need to have an understanding of benefits realization, risk optimization, resource optimization and strategic management.
The CGEIT credential is also useful when it comes to getting new clients. Companies are always filling sales positions with those who have the certification because it adds significant authority to the overall sales sequence.
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