The world is becoming a more dangerous place, especially where company data and system integrity are concerned. Globally, data breaches cost organizations an average of $4.45 million in 2023, and business owners should not expect good news when the 2024 figures are made available.
The increasing threats of ransomware and phishing, two of the most prevalent threats, have motivated many businesses to increase their focus on cybersecurity. The result is increased demand for cybersecurity professionals. For those thinking about a career in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity, learning more about the best cybersecurity certifications is essential.
Understanding the Cybersecurity Certification Landscape
As the sophistication of cyberattacks grows, so does the demand for IT professionals with certifications or degrees. Prospective employers need to know that the staff they onboard will add value to the organization. One of the ways these employers can enjoy peace of mind is by knowing that their employees are up to date with the latest developments in the cybersecurity field.
Put simply, a certificate validates the skills and knowledge of the holder. That can make all the difference when it comes to professional development. However, that certification must be provided by a recognized and accredited education provider. Finding the best cybersecurity certification can be a daunting task due to the wealth of options. Making the right decision is essential.
Identifying the Best Certifications for Cybersecurity
CyberSeek research has revealed that only 72 cybersecurity professionals are available for every 100 cybersecurity jobs (from September 2022 to August 2023). That means that demand for certified professionals is at an all-time high.
Given the opportunities in the cybersecurity field, it is no surprise that the field of certification is extremely competitive. However, as with most educational offerings, there are good certifications, and there are great certifications.
What factors should the prospective student take into account when making their choice?
- Industry recognition. A great supplier of cybersecurity certifications will usually showcase the companies that recognize their certifications as world-class. It’s a sure sign that they can deliver exceptional career opportunities.
- Real-world experience. The best cybersecurity certifications will include coursework that combines the theoretical with the practical. Look for certifications that have components offering students experience with real-world challenges.
- Accreditation. Ensure that the cybersecurity certification provider is accredited by a leading qualifications body. An example is accreditation as an Online Higher Education institution by regulatory bodies like the MFHEA (under the European Qualification Framework).
- Flexibility. It is more and more common for certification courses to be offered over the internet. These courses allow the student to study when and where they want.
- Scope of offerings. The cybersecurity field is complex, so make sure that the cybersecurity certification you choose has coursework that applies to your vision for professional growth.
Whether you opt for a consulting role, a specialization, or see yourself as a future board member choosing the best cybersecurity certification is vital.
Exploring the Best Cybersecurity Certificate Programs
Choose your program carefully. Although most cybersecurity jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, many hiring managers will focus on candidates who add value through top cybersecurity certifications that complement their existing qualifications.
1. Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
For those starting on their cybersecurity journey, the cybersecurity certification from Google is an attractive option. The certification focuses on on-demand skills, and you can complete your studies in around six months. During the flexible course, students will learn about the importance of cybersecurity practices and how those practices impact organizations.
This foundational certification is ideal for those seeking a career as a cybersecurity analyst, security operations center (SOC) analyst, or security analyst.
2. CompTIA Security+
This certification is ideal for students looking to build foundational skills for almost any cybersecurity role. It provides companies with a validation that the certificate holder is able to monitor and secure mobile and cloud applications and the Internet of Things (IoT) environments. The best cybersecurity certificates also ensure students understand the laws and regulations related to risk and compliance.
This certification can be the foundation of a career as a systems administrator, security engineer, IT auditor, or cloud engineer (among others).
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
For professionals who want to take their cybersecurity skills and careers to new heights, the CISSP certification ticks all the right boxes. It underlines the applicant’s experience in IT security and their skills in developing, implementing, and monitoring a state-of-the-art cybersecurity program.
Students will require five years of cumulative work experience and a four-year degree in computer science – part-time work or paid internships count towards work experience.
This certification will open up opportunities as a chief information security officer, a security administrator, or a top-flight security consultant.
There are numerous programs for motivated professionals interested in either launching or furthering a career in cybersecurity, but a recognized certification from an accredited and trusted education provider is the key to success.
OPIT’s MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity: A Unique Opportunity
OPIT’s postgraduate MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity will take between a year and 18 months to complete. Courses are delivered online, allowing students to learn when and where they prefer.
This certification is designed to align with the four most important foundational industry certifications: CISSP, CISM, CRISC, and CEH.
The program provides employers with a certified professional skilled in both technical and managerial roles, fulfilling an urgent need for multidisciplinary cybersecurity resources. The coursework combines core theoretical concepts, real-world application, and soft skills, dovetailing neatly with the strategic needs of the modern organization.
The Master’s from OPIT is the best cybersecurity certification for IT professionals interested in a career as:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Security Solutions Architect
- Cybersecurity Manager/Director
- Cybersecurity Risk Analyst
- Cybersecurity Compliance Officer
- Incident Response Manager
- Cloud Security Manager
The Advantage of a Comprehensive Education With OPIT
The business world, and especially the world of cybersecurity, is complex and fast-evolving. Businesses require employees with an education aligned with the needs of the industry to cope with the ever-accelerating rate of change.
The best cybersecurity certifications, such as the MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity from OPIT, provide a mix of technical and management skills aligned with industry demands and standards for a holistic educational approach. This allows graduates to deepen their understanding of the challenges of cybersecurity issues and how they impact business strategy and day-to-day operations.
Elevate Your Career With OPIT
The cybersecurity environment is complex. Employers want to know that their IT professionals can deal with complexity. This makes getting the best cybersecurity certification essential.
The reputation and accreditation of the certificate provider are essential, but keep your chosen career path in mind. Make sure that the certificate coursework combines theory and practical cybersecurity experience. The OPIT MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity provides professionals with a unique career-focused advantage by integrating certification preparation with accessible, specialized education.
The result is a well-rounded, expert employee who is intimately familiar with the evolving challenges of cybersecurity, and that is the secret of success.
-
From the same author
Read the articleSource:
- EFMD Global, Published on July 12th, 2024.
By Stephanie Mullins
Many people love to read the stories of successful business school graduates to see what they’ve achieved using the lessons, insights and connections from the programmes they’ve studied. We speak to one alumnus, Riccardo Ocleppo, who studied at top business schools including London Business School (LBS) and INSEAD, about the education institution called OPIT which he created after business school.
Please introduce yourself and your career to date.
I am the founder of OPIT — Open Institute of Technology, a fully accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) by the MFHEA Authority. OPIT also partners with WES (World Education Services), a trusted non-profit providing verified education credential assessments (ECA) in the US and Canada for foreign degrees and certificates.
Prior to founding OPIT, I established Docsity, a global community boasting 15 million registered university students worldwide and partnerships with over 250 Universities and Business Schools. My academic background includes an MSc in Electronics from Politecnico di Torino and an MSc in Management from London Business School.
Why did you decide to create OPIT Open Institute of Technology?
Higher education has a profound impact on people’s futures. Through quality higher education, people can aspire to a better and more fulfilling future.
The mission behind OPIT is to democratise access to high-quality higher education in the fields that will be in high demand in the coming decades: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Innovation.
Since launching my first company in the education field, I’ve engaged with countless students, partnered with hundreds of universities, and collaborated with professors and companies. Through these interactions, I’ve observed a gap between traditional university curricula and the skills demanded by today’s job market, particularly in Computer Science and Technology.
I founded OPIT to bridge this gap by modernising education, making it affordable, and enhancing the digital learning experience. By collaborating with international professors and forging solid relationships with global companies, we are creating a dynamic online community and developing high-quality digital learning content. This approach ensures our students benefit from a flexible, cutting-edge, and stress-free learning environment.
Why do you think an education in tech is relevant in today’s business landscape?
As depicted by the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2023” report, the demand for skilled tech professionals remains (and will remain) robust across industries, driven by the critical role of advanced technologies in business success.
Today’s companies require individuals who can innovate and execute complex solutions. A degree in fields like computer science, cybersecurity, data science, digital business or AI equips graduates with essential skills to thrive in this dynamic industry.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global tech talent shortage will exceed 85 million workers by 2030. The Korn Ferry Institute warns that this gap could result in hundreds of billions in lost revenue across the US, Europe, and Asia.
To address this challenge, OPIT aims to democratise access to technology education. Our competency-based and applied approach, coupled with a flexible online learning experience, empowers students to progress at their own pace, demonstrating their skills as they advance.
Read the full article below:
Read the articleSource:
- The European, Summer 2024 Edition, Page 24
With careful planning, ethical considerations, and ensuring human oversight is maintained, AI can have huge market research benefits, says Lorenzo Livi of the Open Institute of Technology.
By Lorenzo Livi
To market well, you need to get something interesting in front of those who are interested. That takes a lot of thinking, a lot of work, and a whole bunch of research. But what if the bulk of that thinking, work and research could be done for you? What would that mean for marketing as an industry, and market research specifically?
With the recent explosion of AI onto the world stage, big changes are coming in the marketing industry. But will AI be able to do market research as successfully? Simply, the answer is yes. A big, fat, resounding yes. In fact, AI has the potential to revolutionise market research.
Ensuring that people have a clear understanding of what exactly AI is is crucial, given its seismic effect on our world. Common questions that even occur amongst people at the forefront of marketing, such as, “Who invented AI?” or, “Where is the main AI system located?” highlight a widespread misunderstanding about the nature of AI.
As for the notion of a central “main thing” running AI, it’s essential to clarify that AI systems exist in various forms and locations. AI algorithms and models can run on individual computers, servers, or even specialized hardware designed for AI processing, commonly referred to as AI chips. These systems can be distributed across multiple locations, including data centres, cloud platforms, and edge devices. They can also be used anywhere, so long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection.
While the concept of AI may seem abstract or mysterious to some, it’s important to approach it with a clear understanding of its principles and applications. By promoting education and awareness about AI, we can dispel misconceptions and facilitate meaningful conversations about its role in society.
Read the full article below:
- The European, Pages 24 to 26.
-
Go to all authors
Related posts
Source:
- EFMD Global, Published on July 12th, 2024.
By Stephanie Mullins
Many people love to read the stories of successful business school graduates to see what they’ve achieved using the lessons, insights and connections from the programmes they’ve studied. We speak to one alumnus, Riccardo Ocleppo, who studied at top business schools including London Business School (LBS) and INSEAD, about the education institution called OPIT which he created after business school.
Please introduce yourself and your career to date.
I am the founder of OPIT — Open Institute of Technology, a fully accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) by the MFHEA Authority. OPIT also partners with WES (World Education Services), a trusted non-profit providing verified education credential assessments (ECA) in the US and Canada for foreign degrees and certificates.
Prior to founding OPIT, I established Docsity, a global community boasting 15 million registered university students worldwide and partnerships with over 250 Universities and Business Schools. My academic background includes an MSc in Electronics from Politecnico di Torino and an MSc in Management from London Business School.
Why did you decide to create OPIT Open Institute of Technology?
Higher education has a profound impact on people’s futures. Through quality higher education, people can aspire to a better and more fulfilling future.
The mission behind OPIT is to democratise access to high-quality higher education in the fields that will be in high demand in the coming decades: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Innovation.
Since launching my first company in the education field, I’ve engaged with countless students, partnered with hundreds of universities, and collaborated with professors and companies. Through these interactions, I’ve observed a gap between traditional university curricula and the skills demanded by today’s job market, particularly in Computer Science and Technology.
I founded OPIT to bridge this gap by modernising education, making it affordable, and enhancing the digital learning experience. By collaborating with international professors and forging solid relationships with global companies, we are creating a dynamic online community and developing high-quality digital learning content. This approach ensures our students benefit from a flexible, cutting-edge, and stress-free learning environment.
Why do you think an education in tech is relevant in today’s business landscape?
As depicted by the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2023” report, the demand for skilled tech professionals remains (and will remain) robust across industries, driven by the critical role of advanced technologies in business success.
Today’s companies require individuals who can innovate and execute complex solutions. A degree in fields like computer science, cybersecurity, data science, digital business or AI equips graduates with essential skills to thrive in this dynamic industry.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global tech talent shortage will exceed 85 million workers by 2030. The Korn Ferry Institute warns that this gap could result in hundreds of billions in lost revenue across the US, Europe, and Asia.
To address this challenge, OPIT aims to democratise access to technology education. Our competency-based and applied approach, coupled with a flexible online learning experience, empowers students to progress at their own pace, demonstrating their skills as they advance.
Read the full article below:
Source:
- The European, Summer 2024 Edition, Page 24
With careful planning, ethical considerations, and ensuring human oversight is maintained, AI can have huge market research benefits, says Lorenzo Livi of the Open Institute of Technology.
By Lorenzo Livi
To market well, you need to get something interesting in front of those who are interested. That takes a lot of thinking, a lot of work, and a whole bunch of research. But what if the bulk of that thinking, work and research could be done for you? What would that mean for marketing as an industry, and market research specifically?
With the recent explosion of AI onto the world stage, big changes are coming in the marketing industry. But will AI be able to do market research as successfully? Simply, the answer is yes. A big, fat, resounding yes. In fact, AI has the potential to revolutionise market research.
Ensuring that people have a clear understanding of what exactly AI is is crucial, given its seismic effect on our world. Common questions that even occur amongst people at the forefront of marketing, such as, “Who invented AI?” or, “Where is the main AI system located?” highlight a widespread misunderstanding about the nature of AI.
As for the notion of a central “main thing” running AI, it’s essential to clarify that AI systems exist in various forms and locations. AI algorithms and models can run on individual computers, servers, or even specialized hardware designed for AI processing, commonly referred to as AI chips. These systems can be distributed across multiple locations, including data centres, cloud platforms, and edge devices. They can also be used anywhere, so long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection.
While the concept of AI may seem abstract or mysterious to some, it’s important to approach it with a clear understanding of its principles and applications. By promoting education and awareness about AI, we can dispel misconceptions and facilitate meaningful conversations about its role in society.
Read the full article below:
- The European, Pages 24 to 26.
Have questions?
Visit our FAQ page or get in touch with us!
Write us at +39 335 576 0263
Get in touch at hello@opit.com
Talk to one of our Study Advisors
We are international
We can speak in:
