Getting Certified in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity certifications can feel overwhelming. There's so much info, acronyms, and courses to choose from. But these certifications can seriously boost your resume, open doors to internships, and help you start your career with confidence. For students like us trying to break into cybersecurity, having a cert (or a few!) can be a huge advantage. It not only proves you know your stuff, but also shows employers you're proactive about developing professional skills. Let's keep it simple and look at what you really need to know.

Popular Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners

• CompTIA Security+: Great amateur cert, covers basics in threats, vulnerabilities, basic cyber defense, and how to protect and manage security systems. Difficulty: beginner-intermediate, 2 years of experience recommended by CompTIA.

• CompTIA Network+: Perfect if you love networks—how they’re set up, secured, and managed. Great for anyone interested in IT infrastructure. Difficulty: beginner to intermediate.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Fun cert focused on penetration testing and thinking like a hacker. Ideal if you enjoy practical, hands-on hacking scenarios. Difficulty: intermediate; helpful to have basic cybersecurity knowledge beforehand.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Advanced cert, ideal once you have more experience. It's broad, covering deep cybersecurity concepts, policy, and management. Difficulty: advanced, usually for professionals with several years of experience.

• ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC): Excellent beginner cert—free, practical, and recognized industry-wide. It's designed to introduce students and entry-level professionals to essential cybersecurity practices. Difficulty: beginner, perfect for first-timers.

Spotlight: ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

The CC cert by ISC² is perfect for beginners. Here’s why:

• What You Learn: Cybersecurity concepts, security controls, incident response, and risk management basics.

• Why It’s Awesome: It’s free to learn, entry-level, and looks good on resumes.

• Exam Details:

  • Format: 100 multiple-choice questions

  • Cost: Free vouchers available!

  • Passing Criteria: Score 700 out of 1000 (about 70%)

  • Difficulty: Beginner-friendly, especially if you attend training sessions

Getting CC certified is a smart first step. It boosts your resume and gives you confidence in basic cybersecurity skills.

WRAVEN Can Help You Get Certified!

Want help prepping for your certification? WRAVEN’s training sessions start tomorrow at 5:00PM in Room 2211 @ WMU Student Center. Drop by, learn with friends, and get certified together. Just be sure to register here: https://forms.gle/zEz23SPuex46m8Co8

We hope to see you there!