The Certifications Employers Actually Value
In cybersecurity, certifications are more than a stamp on your CV — they signal commitment, expertise and current knowledge. But not all certifications are equal. Here is our ranking based on employer value, ROI and career impact.
1. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Level: Senior/Management. Cost: ~EUR 750 + training. ROI: Very high. The gold standard for security management. Required for virtually every CISO position.
2. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
Level: Management. Cost: ~EUR 600 + training. ROI: High. Ideal for the step into security management. Complementary to CISSP.
3. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
Level: Mid-Senior. Cost: ~EUR 1,600 incl. lab. ROI: Very high for pentesters. The most respected hands-on certification in offensive security.
4. CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
Level: Mid-Senior. Cost: ~EUR 600 + training. ROI: High and rising. With cloud migration this is the fastest-growing certification in value.
5. CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)
Level: Mid-Senior. Cost: ~EUR 600. ROI: High for GRC roles. The NIS2 compliance wave makes CRISC especially valuable.
6. CompTIA Security+
Level: Junior. Cost: ~EUR 370. ROI: Good as a starting point. The entry ticket for a cybersecurity career.
7-10
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), Azure Security Engineer Associate, and AWS Security Specialty complete the top 10. Each has its own niche and career path.
Advice by Career Stage
Junior (0-3 years): Start with Security+ or CEH. Mid (3-7 years): Invest in OSCP, CCSP or CRISC depending on direction. Senior (7+ years): CISSP and/or CISM are essential for leadership roles.