Most In-Demand Cybersecurity Certifications in 2026

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

ISC2

Validates knowledge of designing and managing security programs, including risk, architecture, access control, operations and software security.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA · Exam SY0-701

Validates knowledge of security threats, protective controls, risk management and incident response across modern IT environments.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

ISACA

Validates knowledge of information security governance, risk management, security program development and management, and incident management.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

ISC2

Validates knowledge of securing cloud environments, including architecture, data, platforms, applications, operations and cloud legal and compliance requirements.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

EC-Council · Exam 312-50

Validates knowledge of attacker tools and techniques, including reconnaissance, system, network, web, wireless and cloud attacks, and cryptography.

GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

GIAC

Validates knowledge of access control, networking, cryptography, Linux and Windows security, cloud security and incident handling.

CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA · Exam CS0-004

Validates knowledge of security operations, including alert and log analysis, vulnerability prioritization, incident handling and reporting.

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

GIAC

Validates practical skills in detecting, investigating and responding to security incidents, including attacker techniques, credential attacks and exploitation.

CompTIA SecurityX

CompTIA · Exam CAS-005

Validates knowledge of enterprise security architecture and engineering, including governance, risk, compliance and security operations.

OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP)

OffSec · Exam PEN-200

Validates practical penetration testing skills, including enumeration, exploitation, privilege escalation, Active Directory attacks and professional reporting.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

ISACA

Validates knowledge of IT auditing, covering audit processes, IT governance, systems development, operations, resilience and information asset protection.

AWS Certified Security – Specialty

AWS · Exam SCS-C03

Validates knowledge of securing AWS workloads, including threat detection, incident response, infrastructure security, identity, data protection and governance.

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

ISC2

Validates knowledge of building security into software, from requirements and design to testing, deployment and supply chain.

Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC)

ISC2

Validates knowledge of authorizing and maintaining secure systems, including scoping, control selection, implementation, assessment and ongoing compliance.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

ISC2

Validates practical skills in implementing access controls, monitoring risk, responding to incidents and securing networks, systems and applications.

CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA · Exam PT0-003

Validates practical skills in planning, performing and reporting penetration tests, from scoping and reconnaissance to exploitation and post-exploitation.