By Quick answer: Are cybersecurity certifications worth it in 2027?
- Worth it — Security+ for entry roles.
- Worth it — CISSP, CISM for experienced staff.
- Worth it if free — ISC2 CC.
- Survey pay — CISSP holders $168,060 average (US).
Key takeaways
- Security hiring names certifications more than most fields.
- Senior credentials need years of experience, which drives their pay.
- A home lab makes any security certification credible.
Security is one of the few fields where certifications are routinely required, sometimes by contract. That makes the main ones worth it. But there are many security badges, and not all deserve your money. Here's how to tell.
Five security certifications that are worth it
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 2 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 4 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page5 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)EC-Council | Check the official page6 | 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- CISM Practice TestPractise for CISM – Certified Information Security Manager before you pay.Start free test →
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice TestPractise for ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) before you pay.Start free test →
Each one, and who it's worth it for
- CompTIACompTIA Security+Entry rolesVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalExperienced professionalsSee ISC2 page
- ISACACISM – Certified Information Security ManagerSecurity managersUS$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Worth it for entry roles: the credential most often required in analyst posts. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forentry roles
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page3
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Worth it for experienced professionals: US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey.1 Needs five years' experience. ISC2's senior credential covers eight broad security domains and requires five years of paid security experience. It's ANAB-accredited, and US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey, the highest of any IT certification there.
Best forexperienced professionals
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members4
Worth it for managers: holders averaged $157,189.1 US$575 ISACA members, US$760 non-members. ISACA's credential for security managers covers governance, risk, programme management and incident management. It costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members and requires management experience.
Best forsecurity managers
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page5
- Entry
- No work experience required
Worth it, especially when ISC2's free-exam promotion runs. ISC2's entry credential covers security principles, access control, networks and operations, with no work experience required. It's ANAB-accredited, and ISC2 has run promotions offering free training and exams.
Best fora free start
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cost
- Check the official page6
- Format
- 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours
Worth it for penetration testing roles that name it. EC-Council's ethical hacking exam has 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours, covering attack techniques and tools. It's ANAB-accredited and often named in penetration testing posts; check EC-Council for the fee.
Best forpentesting roles
Worth it, or not?
| Worth it when… | Not worth it when… |
|---|---|
| Job posts name it | Nobody in your market asks for it |
| It has a proctored exam | It's a completion badge |
| You meet its experience rules | You'd only hold an associate status for years |
Table: When cybersecurity certifications are worth it
How we ranked these picks
We judged security certifications by employer demand, exam rigour and experience rules, with Skillsoft's 2025 survey for salary context. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Security+ worth it in 2027?
Yes for entry security roles; it's the credential most often required.
Is CISSP worth it?
Yes for experienced professionals. It needs five years of paid security work.
Is CEH worth it?
For penetration testing roles that name it, yes. Hands-on practice matters too.
Do security certifications guarantee jobs?
No, but they're required more often than in most fields.
Is there a free security practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free Security+, CISSP and CEH tests with instant results.
Sources
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- EC-Council — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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