Security Certifications
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Security Certifications

There are numerous studies available in the field that focuses on information security as a professional qualification. They are some commonly recognised international, national or industry certificates but do not mean to be exhaustive. The listed certifications below does not in any way imply endorsement by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but some examples categorising into Product Neutral and Product Oriented ones for reference.

Product Neutral Certifications

Certification from the China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center (CNITSEC)

CNITSEC, approved and authorised by the Chinese Central Government, is an authoritative security evaluation facility to, among others, assess, evaluate and confirm the qualifications and capabilities of information security professionals.

The evaluation and qualification certification of information security personnel mainly includes Certified Information Security Professional (CISP) and Certified Information Security Member (CISM).

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Certifications

CIW offers vendor-neutral Web technology certification programs for professional, including Web design, Web development and Web security. The CIW Web Security series include three certifications:

CIW Web Security Associate certification
CIW Web Security Specialist certification
CIW Web Security Professional certification.

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Certifications

CompTIA has developed training and certification exams for computing support, networking, security, open-source (Linux) development, cloud and mobility. The professional certifications on cyber security include:

CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Cloud+
CompTIA CySA+
CASP+
CompTIA PenTest+

Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Certifications

CSA is an international organisation dedicated to defining and raising awareness of best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. CSA offers some security certificates on cloud computing to individuals.

Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) (Co-organised with Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA))

CREST

CREST provides various levels of professional certifications in cyber security. It provides examinations in mainly three levels, namely Practitioner, Registered and Certified. Following categories of examinations are being provided:

Penetration Testing Examinations
CBEST / Simulated Target Attack and Response (STAR) Examinations
Incident Response Examinations
Security Architecture Examination

DRI International 's Business Continuity Professional Certifications

DRI International provides various levels of certification for business continuity planners. Here are some examples:

Associate Business Continuity Planner (ABCP)
Certified Business Continuity Vendor (CBCV)
Certified Functional Continuity Professional (CFCP)
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP)

EC-Council Certifications

EC-Council is a cyber security technical certification body。The professional certifications include:

Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI)
Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)

(ISC)2 Information Security Certifications

(ISC)2 offers several information security certifications and concentrations related to specific certifications. Here are some examples:

CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional
CGRC - Governance, Risk and Compliance Certification
CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
CISSP Concentrations
ISSAP - Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
ISSEP - Information Systems Security Engineering Professional
ISSMP - Information Systems Security Management Professional
CSSLP - Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner
Associate of (ISC)2 Designation
Fellow of (ISC)2

These are vendor-neutral programs. CISSP is targeted at executives, while CISSP Concentrations are targeted for experienced information security professionals and SSCPis appropriate for security specialists in the field. CGRC is to measure the professionals' knowledge, skills and abilities involved in the process of certifying and accrediting the security of information systems. There are also Associate Programs for CISSP and SSCP for those who pass these examinations but without the experience required for the certifications.

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Certifications

The program is designed for IS audit, control and security professionals. It includes:

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information System Manager(CISM)
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Cybersecurity Practitioner Certification (CSX-P)
Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) (Co-organised with Cloud Security Alliance (CSA))

ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor

The ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor certification consists of a professional certification for auditors specialising in information security management systems (ISMS) based on the ISO/IEC 27001 standard and ISO/IEC 19011.0

Offensive Security Certifications

Offensive Security provides penetration testing courses and certifications for information security professionals. Its certifications include:

Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE)
Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE)
Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

The first ever vendor-neutral security certifications for IT security professionals. GIAC currently offers certifications for various job-specific responsibilities instead of general purpose information security knowledge. It covers various IT/IT Security job disciplines such as Security Administration, Management, Audit and Software Security. Here are some examples:

GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
GIAC Security Expert (GSE)
GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)
GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)
Product Oriented Certifications

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Security – Specialty

It recognises the holder the understanding and working knowledge of AWS data protection mechanisms, AWS security services and features to provide a secure cloud environment, security operations and risk, etc.

Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) & Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)

A CCSA possesses the skills to define and configure security policies that enable secure access to information across corporate networks. The CCSE certification is recognised as the industry standard for Internet security certifications as CCSEs possess expertise to configure VPN-1/FireWall-1 as an Internet security solution and virtual private network (VPN) that securely connects corporate offices and remote workers, protecting information exchange and granting access to network resources.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security

CCNP SeCCNP Security requires a Cisco Certified Network Associate designation and proficiency with Cisco firewalls, intrusion detection systems and VPNs; whereas Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security covers IP, IP routing, and specific security components.

Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) program

It is a training and certification program that validates network security skills and experience using Fortinet solutions.

The Juniper Networks Certification Program (JNCP) Junos Security Certification

Juniper Networks offers this program that allows participants to demonstrate competence with Juniper Networks technology. Successful candidates demonstrate thorough understanding of security technology in general and Junos software for SRX Series devices.

Symantec Certifications

Symantec offers specialist certification credentials for its security products, including Symantec Certified Specialist (SCS), etc.