By Quick answer: Which cybersecurity certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Analyst — CompTIA Security+.
- Senior — CISSP.
- Pentester — CEH.
- Manager — CISM.
Key takeaways
- Security+ is the most common entry requirement in security job posts.
- Use the exact credential name on your résumé.
- Bring a home-lab write-up to interviews.
Security job posts name certifications more often than most fields, because many employers and government contracts require them. These five match the job titles you'll see most: analyst, senior professional, penetration tester and manager, with one entry credential for people who are just starting.
The top 5 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 store1 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 2 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)EC-Council | Check the official page3 | 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | Free test |
| 4 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members5 | Check issuer | 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 →
- CEH Practice TestPractise for Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 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 certification, and the job post it matches
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SOC and security analyst rolesVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalSenior and lead rolesSee ISC2 page
- EC-CouncilCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)Penetration tester rolesCheck the official page
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store1
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Named in many SOC and security analyst posts, and accepted for some government security roles. The standard entry requirement. 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 forSOC and security analyst roles
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page2
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Named in senior, lead and architect posts. Requires five years of paid security 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 forsenior and lead roles
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cost
- Check the official page3
- Format
- 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours
Named in penetration testing and red team posts. A four-hour, 125-question exam. 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 forpenetration tester roles
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page4
- Entry
- No work experience required
Shows employers you've started in security when you have no experience yet. Pair it with Security+. 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 forfirst security applications
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members5
Named in security manager and governance posts. 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 manager roles
Résumé lines that pass security screens
- Exact names — 'CompTIA Security+', 'ISC2 CISSP'.
- Tools — SIEM, EDR, Wireshark, Nmap.
- One lab line — 'Built a home SOC lab and wrote detections for brute-force attacks'.
- A link — to your write-up.
How we ranked these picks
We chose the cybersecurity certifications most often named in security job posts, matched to job titles. Fees and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which cybersecurity certification is best for getting a job?
CompTIA Security+ for entry roles. Senior roles often require CISSP.
Can freshers get cybersecurity jobs?
Yes, often through SOC analyst or IT roles. Security+ and a home lab make a fresher application much stronger.
Is CEH worth it for jobs?
For penetration testing roles, yes. Many employers also value hands-on practice and write-ups.
How many security certifications do I need?
One relevant certification plus practical work is enough to start. Add more as you specialise.
Is there a free cybersecurity practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free Security+, CISSP and CEH practice tests with instant results.
Sources
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- EC-Council — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, 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
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free CompTIA Security+ Practice Test. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.