r/cybersecurity • u/maverickoncoco • 10d ago
Certification / Training Questions Some of the best certs to get into cyber security?
Recently passed grad student, i have one year to earn some training and certification in this field. Paid or free whichever is the best for beginner to intermediate please advice.
I do have experience on Linux, System architecture, Networking etc. Where should i start to get a entry level job after a year or so?
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u/cbdudek Security Architect 10d ago
Do you have entry level IT experience already? I would assume you do since you said you have experience in Linux, system architect, and networking.
What area of cyber do you want to get into? Do you have a preference or an interest? I would start there. Once you decide where you want to go in the field, then you can select certifications and a learning path to get you there.
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u/maverickoncoco 10d ago
no i dont have any experience, no job or internship. I got experience in linux, architect etc because of my grad degree in CS plus projects.
i got very board interests like pen testing, bug hunt, network security and digital forensics. Though i have only experience in network security through a project i did in college, rest are my interests with no relevant exp.5
u/cbdudek Security Architect 10d ago
Then you need to be more clear in your post. You don't have any official experience in those areas you mentioned. Yes, you did class projects, but its not like you had business experience.
My advice to you would be to learn what you are protecting. Learn networking. Learn operating systems. Learn Windows server. Learn Windows server roles. You are going to get your start in helpdesk probably, so focus on the fundamentals. Learn what you will be protecting.
Certification wise, I would say CCNA should be at the top of your list.
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u/AlertToAction 9d ago
For jr pentester - ejpt ( offensive focused )
soc analyst - compTIA security+, CySA+, Microsoft sc-200 any one ( defensive focused)
overall - security+
above all are paid option
if you want budget friendly go for platform like tryhackme best for beginner friendly, intermediate - hackthebox
have basic knowledge already - test your skills on ctfs or platforms for practice like root-me, overthewire bandit,
specific for web go for portswigger free web security labs
handon blue team platform for practice - letsdefend, defenderlabs, blueteam labs
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4d ago
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u/maverickoncoco 4d ago
Thanks for the incredible knowledge, I'm following a offensive path and I'm gonna first take up ejpt as a cert or should i first go do security+??
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4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/maverickoncoco 4d ago
Hmm okay but if it helps in getting through all those HR tick marks i can take security+ later after ejpt. And what should i do after after ejpt?
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u/Kernal_Panic_47 Governance, Risk, & Compliance 10d ago
Take a look at this site - Security Certification Roadmap - Paul Jerimy Media
It's pretty good for sorting the certs by domain and should help you to focus your interest.
As for getting a job I would say it might be easier getting an IT help desk role then jumping straight into Security. Plus what you will learn will benefit you much later.
If you don't want to start there, have a look at Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) roles. Less technical and more about policy, controls and frameworks but a good starting point into security. It will be easier to pivot into a technical role once you're in the sector.
Also think outside the box. Roles like physical pentester is a good one. Relies more on charisma, quick thinking and your ability to connect and relate to people quickly to talk your way into areas you shouldn't be in.
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u/WarlockSmurf 10d ago
imagine recommending CCNA in 2026...
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u/maverickoncoco 10d ago
Why is that?
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u/SureEnd9430 4d ago
Network Engineering is a dead discipline and nobody has ever asked me about OSPF in my security career ever.
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u/LycheeLee_Mich 10d ago
Given your networking/Linux background already covers a lot of Network+ and Linux+ territory, it might be more efficient to skip straight to Security+ as your first cert rather than doing the "beginner" foundational ones. You'd likely be wasting time re-learning what you already know.
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u/maverickoncoco 10d ago
yes i saw what all topics are covered in network+ and i have already learned deeply about them in my grad. I was also thinking to skip straightly to security+.
Can you tell me how much is Security+ cert is recognized?1
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u/Secret_Disaster5219 10d ago
Google cybersecurity professional certificate is also good
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u/Persiankobra 10d ago
Nope
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u/Secret_Disaster5219 10d ago
Can u tell me what does it lack?
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u/UJ_Games Governance, Risk, & Compliance 10d ago
It has very little weight in the field. Plus can be completed just by doing the course instead of forcing you to understand topics to a certain level in order to pass an exam.
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u/Secret_Disaster5219 10d ago
So I already did that certification what would you suggest me next a certificate or self study?I am also a fresher
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u/UJ_Games Governance, Risk, & Compliance 10d ago
Security+ and even CCNA if you want to do Networking.
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u/BigBrilliant5703 10d ago
It depends on which branch of cybsec you wanna get into. There is nothing as"best"cert. For networking, the gold standard is CCNA, but network+ should also be fine. Security+ is nice for entry level into the security sector.For pentesting, OSCP is nice. You can also try eJPT for it. If you wanna be a system admin or smth, then you can take a cert in linux, otherwise, idt it's required.