Tuesday, 29 December 2015
You know the No. 1 attribute of people claiming security certifications don’t matter? They don’t have any. In my years of experience placing security pros in good jobs, it’s that simple. Having the right certifications matters, and here's why.
1. You will make more money. The 682 IT security professionals responding to the security cut of InformationWeek’s 2013 U.S. IT Salary Survey are unequivocal: Security staffers holding any security certification (CISSP, CISA, CISM) average $101,000 in total compensation vs. $87,000 for those with no certs. For managers, the spread is $130,000 vs. $121,000. Do you really need another reason?
2. Certs show your commitment to the security field. I know you’re serious about cybersecurity as a career, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this. But how will a hiring manager know? Easy -- by scanning resumes to see which applicants are committed enough that they’re willing to spend free time studying and doing homework, often paying for the privilege out of their own pockets.
Just 44% of security staffers and 49% of managers in the salary survey expected to get certification reimbursement.I know a person who burned a full week of vacation and paid for lodging to obtain his Cloud Security certification. As an employer and a hiring manager, that tells me he wants to become better. He’s the type of security professional that any company would be fortunate to have.
3. Certs make you more attractive to potential employers. Building on the above, obtaining a security certification shows you respect the industry and take pride in your profession. That kind of attitude is contagious. Moreover, it shows you’re smart enough to know what you don’t know and look to improve. It takes gumption to acknowledge that there are areas of one’s professional experience that could use a boost.
Team members see this, and it rubs off.All that adds up to a great employee. That hiring managers get this is a no-brainer. In a side-by-side comparison of otherwise equal candidates, most prefer the one with certs.
