By Quick answer: Which cybersecurity certification is best in 2027?
- First job — CompTIA Security+.
- No experience — ISC2 CC or Google Cybersecurity.
- Senior — CISSP (needs five years' experience).
- Management and audit — CISM and CISA (US$575/US$760).
Key takeaways
- Security+ is the standard entry credential; start there if you're in IT.
- CISSP, CISM and CISA need verified experience, so plan them for later.
- Networking knowledge underpins every security role; don't skip it.
Networks and cybersecurity rank among the fastest-growing skill groups in the World Economic Forum's 2025 jobs report.1 Security certifications form a clear ladder: an entry credential to get hired, a specialism in the middle, and senior credentials that need verified experience. This ranking follows that ladder so you can see where each one fits.
Ten cybersecurity certifications at a glance
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 store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 2 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cybersecurity Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan5 | 6 months at 7 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 6 | CISA – Certified Information Systems AuditorISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)EC-Council | Check the official page9 | 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | Free test |
| 8 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store10 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 9 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page11 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 10 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $15012 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | 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 →
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice TestPractise for ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) before you pay.Start free test →
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the security career it builds
- CompTIACompTIA Security+The first security jobVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- ISC2ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)A no-experience entry credentialSee ISC2 page
- CourseraGoogle Cybersecurity Professional CertificateComplete beginners$49/mo Coursera plan
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The most widely requested entry-level security certification, covering threats, architecture, operations and governance. The new version adds AI-related risk. Voucher price varies by country. 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 forthe first security job
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page4
- Entry
- No work experience required
ISC2's entry credential needs no work experience and covers security principles, access control, networks and operations. ISC2 has run free-exam promotions; check its page. 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 no-experience entry credential
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan5
- Time
- 6 months at 7 hours a week
A beginner programme with Python, Linux, SQL and SIEM tools, designed for about six months at seven hours a week. Google's professional certificate teaches security basics with Python, Linux, SQL and SIEM tools through hands-on labs. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at seven hours a week and offers financial aid.
Best forcomplete beginners
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page6
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
The senior credential for security professionals. It needs five years of paid security experience. Skillsoft's 2025 survey put US holders at an average $168,060.2 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-members7
For managers who run security programmes: governance, risk and incident management. US$575 for ISACA members, US$760 for 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
CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8
The audit credential for IT auditors and assurance roles. Same ISACA pricing as CISM. ISACA's audit credential covers auditing information systems, governance, operations and protection of assets. It costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members and is the standard for IT auditors.
Best forIT auditors
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cost
- Check the official page9
- Format
- 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours
EC-Council's ethical hacking certification: 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours. Common in penetration testing job posts. 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 forethical hacking roles
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store10
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Networking foundations: protocols, infrastructure and troubleshooting. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience. CompTIA's Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, operations and troubleshooting in a 90-minute exam. It's vendor-neutral and ANAB-accredited; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience.
Best fornetworking foundations
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page11
Cisco's associate certification proves networking and security fundamentals, valuable for network security roles. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork security roles
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $15012
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Cloud security work needs cloud architecture skills. AWS SAA ($150) proves you can design secure systems on AWS. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud security work
The cybersecurity certification ladder
| Stage | Certifications |
|---|---|
| No experience | Google Cybersecurity, ISC2 CC |
| First security job | CompTIA Security+, Network+ |
| Specialist | CEH, CCNA, cloud security |
| Senior | CISSP, CISM, CISA |
Table: Where each cybersecurity certification fits
Build a home lab
- Virtual machines — a Linux box and a deliberately vulnerable target.
- A SIEM — collect logs and write one detection rule.
- A write-up — publish what you found and how you'd fix it.
How we ranked these picks
We ranked cybersecurity certifications by employer demand and placed them on a career ladder from entry to senior, noting experience requirements. Fees and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026; salary figures are survey averages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cybersecurity certification?
For a first security job, CompTIA Security+. For experienced professionals, CISSP. For managers, CISM; for auditors, CISA.
Which cybersecurity certification needs no experience?
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity and Google Cybersecurity need none. Security+ has no formal requirement, though IT experience helps.
Is CISSP worth it?
Yes, for experienced professionals. It needs five years of paid security work and is among the best-paid credentials in salary surveys.
How long does Security+ take to prepare?
Most people need two to three months of part-time study, less if they already work in IT.
Is there a free cybersecurity practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for Security+, CISSP, CEH and more, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- World Economic Forum — The Future of Jobs Report 2025
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, 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)
- ISACA — CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- EC-Council — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, 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.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Cybersecurity Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The cybersecurity certification roadmap for 2027: from first IT job to CISSPA cybersecurity certification roadmap for 2027: Google Cybersecurity or ISC2 CC, A+ and Network+, Security+, then CEH or CCNA, then CISSP, CISM or CISA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027, from survey dataThe highest-paying cybersecurity certifications for 2027: CISSP, CISM, CISA, Security+, CEH and CCNA, with Skillsoft survey salary data and exam fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones security job posts nameThe top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, ISC2 CC and CISM, matched to security job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Cybersecurity certifications for beginners: seven best for 2027 if you're starting from zeroThe 7 best cybersecurity certifications for beginners in 2027: Google Cybersecurity, ISC2 CC, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Google IT Support and CCNA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free cybersecurity certifications in 2027: five ways to start in security without paying5 free ways into cybersecurity in 2027: ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, Google Cybersecurity aid, Harvard CS50, Microsoft Learn and freeCodeCamp.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The certifications employers value most in 2027: ten respected across industriesThe 10 certifications employers value most in 2027: PMP, CISSP, AWS SAA, Security+, CISA, CISM, CFA, AZ-104, CCNA and PL-300, with survey pay where available.
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