10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications You Should Consider After Graduation

Published on: August 20, 2025

Breaking into the cybersecurity field after graduation can feel both exciting and overwhelming — especially with so many certifications promising to elevate your skills and marketability. While your degree provides a strong foundation, earning industry-recognized certifications can validate your expertise, help you stand out to potential employers and fast-track your career growth. From entry-level credentials that cover essential security principles to advanced certifications that are recognized worldwide, the right choice can open doors to specialized roles and higher earning potential. 

Read on to explore 10 popular cybersecurity certifications worth considering after graduation, along with insights on how formal education and early information technology (IT) experience can set you up for long-term success in this high-demand industry.

Why Cybersecurity Certifications Matter

In today’s competitive job market, cybersecurity certifications serve as a testament to your technical skills, industry knowledge and commitment to professional growth. Ultimately, earning the right certification not only boosts your credibility but also demonstrates that you’re proactive about staying current in a fast-changing profession. 

Employers often view certifications as a reliable way to assess whether a candidate meets specific standards, especially in a field where technology and threats evolve rapidly. For recent graduates, certifications can bridge the gap between academic learning and practical, job-ready expertise, making it easier to land interviews and secure entry-level roles. Many certifications are recognized globally and align with government or industry compliance requirements, helping expand your career options across different sectors. 

1. CompTIA Security+

• • Best for: Entry-level professionals and career changers
  • Level: Beginner
  • Cost: ~$425 (single-use voucher) 
  • Overview: CompTIA Security+ is widely considered the go-to starting point for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. It covers the core security principles you’ll use throughout your career, including network security, cryptography, threat detection and risk management. It’s also recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and meets DoD 8570 requirements.

• Why it’s popular:

• Vendor-neutral, making it applicable across different systems and technologies

• Globally recognized and respected by employers

• Serves as a solid foundation for more advanced certifications

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• • Best for: Aspiring penetration testers and security auditors
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: ~$1,199 (exam voucher only)
  • Overview: The CEH certification focuses on the tools and techniques hackers use, teaching you how to think like them and defend against their attacks. Topics include footprinting, scanning, enumeration, system hacking and social engineering. It’s ideal for professionals interested in offensive security roles or red team operations.

• Why it’s popular:

• Teaches real-world hacking methodologies

• Recognized in both corporate and government sectors

• Valuable for roles in penetration testing, security assessment and vulnerability analysis

3. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

• • Best for: IT professionals seeking to validate security skills beyond basic concepts
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: ~$999 (practitioner certification)
  • Overview: Offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), GSEC validates your ability to apply security concepts in hands-on situations. It covers topics such as active defense, network protocols, access control and incident response.

• Why it’s popular:

• Highly respected in the cybersecurity industry

• Focuses on practical application of knowledge

• Vendor-neutral and relevant to multiple job roles

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• • Best for: Experienced security professionals aiming for leadership roles
  • Level: Advanced
  • Cost: ~$749
  • Overview: The CISSP, offered by (ISC)², is one of the most prestigious certifications in cybersecurity. It covers eight domains, including security and risk management, asset security, security engineering and software development security. It’s designed for professionals with at least five years of relevant experience.

• Why it’s popular:

• Globally recognized “gold standard” for security leaders

• Often required for senior and management-level positions

• Validates both technical expertise and leadership skills

5. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

• • Best for: Entry-level SOC analysts and network security professionals
  • Level: Beginner to Intermediate
  • Cost: ~$300
  • Overview: This certification focuses on the fundamentals of security operations, monitoring and incident response — skills critical for working in a security operations center (SOC). It covers topics such as security monitoring, host-based analysis and network intrusion analysis.

• Why it’s popular:

• Backed by Cisco, a leading name in networking and security

• Strong emphasis on SOC workflows and operations

• Great stepping stone for incident response careers

6. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

• • Best for: Analysts specializing in threat detection and response
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: ~$300
  • Overview: CySA+ focuses on behavioral analytics to detect, prevent and combat cybersecurity threats. It’s ideal for those in or aspiring to analyst roles, covering vulnerability management, threat hunting and incident response.

• Why it’s popular:

• Vendor-neutral and widely recognized

• Bridges the gap between entry-level Security+ and advanced certs

• Emphasizes real-world analysis skills used in SOC environments

7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

• • Best for: Security professionals specializing in cloud environments
  • Level: Advanced
  • Cost: ~$599
  • Overview: Also offered by (ISC)², the CCSP validates expertise in securing cloud platforms and services. It covers cloud architecture, governance, compliance, risk management and operations. Candidates should have experience in IT security and cloud technologies.

• Why it’s popular:

• Addresses one of the fastest-growing areas in cybersecurity

• Vendor-neutral, applicable to multiple cloud providers

• Globally recognized credential for cloud security expertise

8. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

• • Best for: Penetration testers and offensive security specialists
  • Level: Advanced
  • Cost: ~$1,749 (includes course and 90-day lab access)
  • Overview: The OSCP is known for its rigorous hands-on exam, requiring candidates to exploit vulnerabilities in a controlled environment. It focuses on penetration testing, vulnerability analysis and exploit development.

• Why it’s popular:

• Highly respected for its difficulty and real-world skills

• Demonstrates practical offensive security expertise

• Valued by employers seeking proven penetration testers

9. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• • Best for: IT managers and leaders in information security
  • Level: Advanced
  • Cost: ~$575 (ISACA members), ~$760 (non-members)
  • Overview: Offered by ISACA, the CISM focuses on security governance, risk management, program development and incident management. It’s ideal for those in — or aspiring to — security management and leadership roles.

• Why it’s popular:

• Recognized worldwide as a management-level credential

• Emphasizes governance and strategic security alignment

• Valuable for bridging technical teams with executive leadership

10. (ISC)² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

• • Best for: IT professionals looking to prove operational security skills
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: ~$249
  • Overview: The SSCP covers topics like access controls, security operations, risk identification and cryptography. It’s ideal for those responsible for day-to-day security operations, such as network administrators or security analysts.

• Why it’s popular:

• Vendor-neutral and globally recognized

• Focuses on hands-on, operational security skills

• Serves as a stepping stone toward more advanced (ISC)² certifications like CISSP

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Certification

With so many cybersecurity certifications available, it’s important to choose one that aligns with your career goals, skill level and desired specialty. By matching your certification path to both your interests and market demand, you can maximize your investment and enhance career potential.

• Start by considering your long-term career path. If you want to work in management, certifications like CISM or CISSP may be worth aiming for, while those interested in hands-on technical roles might prioritize OSCP, CEH or CySA+. 
• Evaluate the prerequisites for each credential, including work experience requirements, so you can plan your progression realistically. 
• Consider both the cost and time commitment, as some certifications require extensive preparation and ongoing renewal fees. 
• Finally, research job postings in your target field to see which certifications employers in your area value most. 

Entry-Level Job Roles in IT to Start a Cybersecurity Career

Breaking directly into a cybersecurity role can be challenging for recent graduates, which is why many professionals start in foundational IT positions. These roles help you develop technical expertise, problem-solving skills and familiarity with systems and networks — all of which are essential for transitioning into cybersecurity. Here are a few entry-level IT jobs that can serve as strong launching pads for your security career.

IT Support Specialist

As an IT support specialist, you’ll assist users with troubleshooting hardware, software and network issues. This role builds your knowledge of system operations, security protocols and incident reporting, giving you a front-row seat to the different technical challenges that can evolve into security risks.

Network Administrator

Network administrators configure, maintain and monitor computer networks to ensure performance and security. This hands-on work with routers, switches and firewalls provides an excellent foundation for network security roles, as you’ll gain experience managing infrastructure that cyber threats often target.

Systems Administrator

Systems administrators are responsible for installing, configuring and maintaining an organization’s servers and operating systems. This role offers valuable exposure to access controls, patch management and backup systems — skills that are highly transferable to security-focused positions.

Help Desk Technician

Help desk technicians are often the first point of contact for resolving technical issues. In addition to honing your problem-solving abilities, you’ll learn how to document incidents, identify recurring issues and escalate problems — important practices in any cybersecurity role.

Junior Analyst or SOC Analyst (Tier 1)

A junior analyst or Tier 1 SOC analyst monitors security alerts, performs initial incident triage and flags issues for higher-level analysts. This entry point into cybersecurity allows you to build familiarity with security tools, event logs and threat detection processes while working closely with experienced security professionals.

Importance of Formal Education in Cybersecurity

Although cybersecurity certifications can validate specific skills, formal education provides the broader knowledge base and critical thinking abilities needed to excel in the long run. A degree program in cybersecurity or a related IT field offers the following: 

• Structured learning in key areas such as networking, programming, cryptography and risk management — ensuring you understand not just how to implement security measures, but why they work. 
• An emphasis on problem-solving, ethics and compliance, which are essential for navigating the legal and organizational complexities of the field. 
• Opportunities for internships, research projects and collaboration with peers, giving you both practical experience and valuable professional connections. 

These elements can coalesce to create a strong foundation that makes it easier to earn certifications, adapt to new technologies and advance into leadership roles.

Learn More About Information Technology and Systems

The cybersecurity industry is growing faster than ever, and the right combination of education, certifications and experience can position you for success in this high-demand field. At Park University, our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity program equips you with the technical expertise, analytical skills and industry knowledge needed to protect critical systems and data in the current digital landscape. Whether you’re aiming for your first entry-level IT role, preparing for top certifications or envisioning a long-term career in security leadership, our program provides the foundation to make it happen. Request more information to begin your journey today!