The world is at a revolutionary point. Gone are the days when transactions always happened physically; now, every activity occurs online. Presently, you can meet new people, explore lands you haven’t visited, pay bills, and conduct business all on the internet. In the midst of all these, data is the crux. So professionals who know how to protect data in compliance with data protection laws are needed. In this article, the value of data security certifications is explained. Also, you learn about the top 7 certifications.
Importance of Data Security
With the spike in internet activities comes an increase in the generation and exchange of data. This value spells doom in the wrong hands.
In the 1st quarter of 2024 alone, the number of data breach casualties in the U.S. totalled 28.5 million. That’s not all; companies large, medium, and small are constantly targeted by hackers.
Why? Businesses use personal and sensitive information like name, credit card details, address, etc. for lots of reasons. So, organizations must secure data from loss, compromise, and unauthorized access to prevent reputational damage. Additionally, data security helps with compliance with data protection laws.
How Earning a Data Security Certification Is Important
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for data protection officers and information security may grow by 33% by 2030. This shows that more businesses will need the services of data security experts in the coming years.
Earning a data security certification places you right in the spotlight. It gives you additional leverage in the workforce and angles you for better pay and exposure.
With a certification, your confidence level increases and you work better. Additionally, you get to connect with professionals in related fields. Overall, you become a valuable asset in the workforce.
Top 7 Data Security Certifications
Here are some of the best certifications for data security you can get—in no particular order.
Certification Information Privacy Management
The International Association of Privacy Professionals offers this course. The CIPM is more relevant to people working in the following fields:
- Risk management
- Privacy operations and administrations
- Auditing or privacy analytics
It teaches the various strategies to implement data privacy laws and regulations in every part of a business. These are the skills you learn with the CIPM certification.
- Performance measurement
- Data protection and privacy structuring
- Implementing and maintaining privacy programs
- Developing a company’s data privacy philosophy
Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 as a program grants participants a healthcare information security and privacy practitioner certification.
Patients’ information is extremely valuable so it’s important to secure it. This program teaches individuals ways to secure healthcare data. The following professionals will find this certification useful:
- Health information managers
- Practice managers
- Risk analysts
- Privacy consultants
- Medical records supervisors
- Compliance officers
CompTIA security+
This certification provided by CompTIA is accredited by the International Organization Standardization (ISO) and ANSI. This program teaches participants how to monitor and secure hybrid environments in compliance with regulations. In addition, it teaches how to analyze and respond to threats.
This certification is especially useful to beginner professionals who want to hone their data security skills. While it’s an entry-level data security certification, certain requirements are advised for qualification.
- Two years experience in security-focused IT administration or security system administration.
- CompTIA Network+ credential.
GDPR-certified Data Protection Officer
One of the platforms offering this certification is the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). It focuses on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance.
This certification aims to teach participants how to advise and monitor GDPR compliance in organizations. Basically, you learn how to steer organizations towards maximum compliance with the GDPR.
Certified in Data Protection
For those interested in learning about best data protection practices for organizations, the Identity Management Institute (IMI) offers the certified in data protection certification.
This certification addresses risk analysis and other important concepts in data security.
It’s highly recommended for professionals who want to learn how to meet international security and privacy laws.
Certified Ethical Hacker
This is provided by the EC-council . This data security certification teaches hacking principles to identify weaknesses in the system and combat cyberthreats. The exam tests skills such as cryptography, cloud computing skills, and hacking strategies for various applications, platforms, and devices. To be eligible for the CEH certificate, professionals need to complete an official EC-Council training course—for those with no prior experience and 2 years of information security experience.
Certified Information Privacy Technologist
The IAPP offers this certificate to professionals aiming for data protection proficiency. This program focuses on the technological aspects of data protection in particular. While it’s open to anyone, informational technology and information security professionals will find it useful the most.
This program teaches the following:
- Data protection from interference
- Establishment of privacy protocols for data security
- Audit data infrastructure
- How to implement data protection practices into the development of products and services.
Conclusion
Credible data security certifications are not limited to the mentioned ones above. As an enthusiastic learner, you can explore the internet for a wide variety of courses. Also, register for courses that offer the best in terms of value and convenience.
Pro tip: Never take on more courses than you can handle.
