New Getting Started With Cybersecurity Certifications 2026
Posted on Jan 2
• Originally published at cyberpath-hq.com
Starting a career in cybersecurity can be overwhelming with the multitude of certifications available. This guide will help you navigate through the most valuable certifications for different career stages.
Focus on Practical Skills Certifications validate your knowledge, but hands-on experience is equally important. The most successful cybersecurity professionals combine theoretical understanding with practical application. Consider setting up a home lab environment where you can experiment with the concepts you learn through certification programs.
Cybersecurity certifications provide structured learning paths and industry recognition that can significantly accelerate your career. They demonstrate to employers that you have acquired specific knowledge and skills through rigorous study and examination. Beyond the credential itself, the preparation process builds a solid foundation of concepts and techniques that will serve you throughout your career.
Certifications also create opportunities for networking with other professionals who have earned the same credentials. Many certification programs include access to exclusive communities, forums, and events where you can learn from peers and stay updated on industry trends. This professional network often proves as valuable as the technical knowledge gained during certification preparation.
The Security+ certification is an excellent starting point for beginners. It provides comprehensive coverage of foundational security concepts including network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, and application security. The certification uses a vendor-neutral approach, making the knowledge applicable across different technologies and platforms. Most professionals can prepare for this exam within three to six months of dedicated study while working full-time.
The CEH certification focuses on the offensive side of cybersecurity, teaching you to think like an attacker to better defend systems. The curriculum covers practical techniques for scanning networks, enumerating systems, analyzing vulnerabilities, and understanding how attackers compromise systems. This hands-on approach makes CEH particularly valuable for those interested in penetration testing or security assessment roles.
Scanning Networks: Learn to identify live hosts, open ports, and running services using industry-standard tools
Source: Dev.to
