Right now, the IT industry is at a critical point: new vulnerabilities and associated cyber threats are discovered daily and cybersecurity incidents are on the rise, but there is an incredibly large, and growing, shortage of a skilled cybersecurity workforce. It is reported that currently there is upwards of 3.5 unfilled cybersecurity jobs.

And at a time when the skills shortage is increasing, the threat of a cyber attack and the cost that an organization will incur from an attack is increasing as well.

So, why should you worry about cybersecurity? Well, you can’t afford not to.

Certifications provide a way to validate specific professionals competencies in both a current and an ongoing basis, which is more important in an industry that is constantly evolving. In almost every case, a cybersecurity certification exists to address a skills gap. It has been designed to evaluate a very specific set of knowledge, skills, and abilities required of an individual in a specific job function or performing specific tasks. Typically, it requires ongoing continuing education or recertification to ensure continued competence in the subject areas. Often, it also maps to specific industry standards, validating that it meets the stringent requirements of an organization or overseeing body.

From both an employer and employee perspective, certifications can be expensive and time consuming. And yet, when surveyed, both cite numerous reasons for why certifications matter. By requiring a certification, an employer can validate that an employee has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties. They can reap the benefits of the increased job performance, organizational efficiencies, and collective expertise that tend to accompany certifications. By holding a certification, an individual can continuously improve and build upon their competencies, provide proof of these competencies, and command higher salaries. Together, they can identify career pathways and place the right people in the right job functions to support ongoing talent progression.

CertNexus develops its certifications to meet the most robust, rigorous development standards possible. Our CyberSec First Responder® (CFR) exam is accredited under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17024:2012 standard, which outlines a global framework for developing personnel certification programs. Our certifications that are not ANSI-accredited still follow the same rigorous development process, just one that is slightly more streamlined. In all cases, CertNexus partners with highly knowledgeable and talented industry experts during development to ensure the integrity and quality of each exam.