Cyber Security Certifications
Cyber security certification pathways
Find the right cyber security certification for your career direction
Cyber security certifications range from entry-level fundamentals through to specialist technical credentials and senior security leadership qualifications. The right route depends on your current experience, the type of role you want and the technologies or responsibilities you work with.
ExperTrain offers instructor-led training for recognised certification pathways from organisations including ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, EC-Council, Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks, with courses covering defensive security, ethical hacking, cloud security, governance, risk, audit and security management.
Choose your direction
Cyber security certification and training paths
Use the pathways below to narrow the options according to the type of cyber security work you want to do. Each route links to relevant instructor-led training currently available through ExperTrain.
Cyber Security Foundations
Entry Level • Core Security
Build broad security knowledge across threats, vulnerabilities, identity, networks, cloud, risk and incident response. A strong starting point for people moving into cyber security from general IT roles.
Security Operations & Incident Response
Defensive Security • SOC
For security analysts and SOC professionals who monitor environments, investigate threats, manage vulnerabilities and respond to incidents using modern security operations tools and processes.
Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing
Offensive Security • Pen Testing
Develop the skills to identify weaknesses, assess exposure and understand how attackers exploit systems. Suitable for professionals moving into ethical hacking, penetration testing and offensive security roles.
Cloud & Infrastructure Security
Cloud Security • Architecture
For professionals responsible for protecting cloud platforms, applications, data and infrastructure. This route suits security architects, engineers and practitioners working in cloud or hybrid environments.
Governance, Risk & Audit
GRC • Audit • Technology Risk
For professionals working in governance, assurance, compliance, technology risk and audit. Relevant certification routes include ISACA CISA for audit and CRISC for technology risk and controls.
Security Management & Leadership
Management • Leadership • Architecture
For experienced professionals moving towards security leadership, programme management and architecture. CISSP and CISM are well-established routes for broad senior-level security responsibilities.
Broader certification portfolio
Cyber security certifications across leading vendors
ExperTrain's cyber security catalogue includes certification-aligned training from ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, EC-Council, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, AWS and Cisco. This gives you options from foundational security through to specialist cloud, platform, offensive security, audit, risk and senior security management pathways.
Browse the Cyber Security training catalogueExplore ISACA CertificationsExplore ISC2 CertificationsFinding your starting point
Which cyber security certification is right for you?
Start with a broad foundational route such as CompTIA Security+ or Microsoft SC-900 if you want to build core security knowledge before specialising.
For defensive security and SOC roles, CompTIA CySA+ and Microsoft SC-200 focus on monitoring, threat detection, investigation and incident response.
For governance, risk, audit and management roles, consider ISACA CISA, CRISC or CISM, while ISC2 CISSP is suited to experienced professionals with broad security responsibilities.
For a technical specialism, look at routes such as ISC2 CCSP for cloud security, CEH or PenTest+ for offensive security, or Palo Alto Networks certifications for platform-focused security roles.
Cyber security certification FAQs
Common questions
Which cyber security certification should I start with?
For many people moving into cyber security, CompTIA Security+ is a strong broad starting point. Microsoft SC-900 is also useful if you work in a Microsoft environment and want an introductory security, compliance and identity route.
Are cyber security certification exams included in the course price?
It varies by course. Some certification training includes an exam or exam voucher, while other courses are priced for training only. The individual course page will state what is included.
Can I take training before I meet the certification experience requirements?
Often, yes. Training can be useful before you meet all of the professional experience requirements for a certification. Eligibility and certification rules vary by awarding body, so check the requirements for the specific credential you are considering.
Do I have to take a certification exam after attending a course?
No. You can attend a course purely to develop practical skills. Certification is optional unless your organisation or career goal specifically requires the credential.
Ready to develop your cyber security skills?
Explore our instructor-led Cyber Security courses and scheduled dates, or contact us if you would like help choosing the certification route that best matches your role and experience.
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