Let’s dive into the top cybersecurity certifications to get in 2025, along with their expected salaries and job prospects.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

🧠 Level: Advanced
🏢 Offered by: (ISC)²
💸 Salary: ₹18–30 LPA (India) / $110,000–160,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Recognized globally as a top-tier security credential

• Ideal for roles like CISO, Security Architect, and Senior Security Consultant

• Covers 8 domains of information security including risk, network, and operations security

🎯 Best For: Experienced professionals with 5+ years in security.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

🧠 Level: Intermediate
🏢 Offered by: EC-Council
💸 Salary: ₹8–15 LPA (India) / $75,000–120,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Teaches how to think like a hacker — legally

• Popular among penetration testers, security analysts, and bug bounty hunters

• Widely accepted by MNCs and government agencies

🎯 Best For: Those entering ethical hacking and penetration testing.

3. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701 – Updated 2024)

🧠 Level: Entry
🏢 Offered by: CompTIA
💸 Salary: ₹6–10 LPA (India) / $60,000–95,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Vendor-neutral and beginner-friendly

• Covers core cybersecurity skills including threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, and compliance

• Required by many US government roles (DoD 8570 compliant)

🎯 Best For: Newcomers to cybersecurity or IT pros looking to specialize.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

🧠 Level: Mid to Senior
🏢 Offered by: ISACA
💸 Salary: ₹15–25 LPA (India) / $100,000–140,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Ideal for managers, auditors, and risk officers

• Focuses on governance, risk management, and program development

• Preferred for roles that blend business and IT

🎯 Best For: Professionals aiming to move into leadership roles in security.

5. Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate (via Coursera)

🧠 Level: Beginner
🏢 Offered by: Google
💸 Salary Range: ₹5–8 LPA entry-level (India) / $55,000–80,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Budget-friendly and fully online

• No degree or experience required

• Covers hands-on tools like SIEM, Wireshark, and SQL for threat analysis

🎯 Best For: Career switchers, students, and anyone exploring cybersecurity in 2025.

6. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

🧠 Level: Advanced
🏢 Offered by: Offensive Security
💸 Salary: ₹12–20 LPA (India) / $90,000–140,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• One of the most hands-on, challenging certs in ethical hacking

• Widely respected in the penetration testing community

• Required for elite security jobs and red teaming roles

🎯 Best For: Professionals serious about offensive security.

7. AWS Certified Security – Specialty

🧠 Level: Intermediate to Advanced
🏢 Offered by: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
💸 Salary: ₹10–18 LPA (India) / $100,000–130,000 (US)

Why It’s Worth It:

• Cloud security is one of the fastest-growing specializations

• Validates ability to secure workloads on AWS

• High demand in startups, fintech, SaaS companies

🎯 Best For: Cloud architects, DevSecOps, and cloud engineers.

🧾 Bonus: How to Choose the Right Certification

💼 Top Cybersecurity Roles in 2025 & Average Salaries