When you enter the job market, you will realize that the competition is tough. No matter which domain you choose, you must work hard to stay put in the competition and enjoy a fruitful professional journey. One of the ways to stay up to date is to complete certification courses relevant to your industry. It helps you learn the latest techniques and tools and pushes you towards your desired career goals. Now, speaking specifically about cyber security, it is an ever-evolving industry. Every day, new threats and safety practices are coming into the market. So, to plan a fruitful career in this industry, you should enrol on top Cybersecurity courses and sharpen your skill set. I will discuss the cyber security certification cost and other details in this article. This information will help you decide which certifications suit you and will comply with your career goals.
Cyber Security Certification: Overview
The cyber security certifications validate the technical proficiency of the experts and signify that they have the expertise in safeguarding digital systems. You can find countless certification options training individuals in different aspects of cyber security. You can find a specific certification if you want to get skilled in identifying the latest security threats or curating the most effective disaster management strategy. Even trained cybersecurity professionals can opt for an add-on certification course to learn the latest trends and keep scaling higher in their careers. To choose the certification, just check the topics covered and the cyber security exam cost and enroll in the one that best delivers your expectations.
Cyber Security Certification Cost
As I mentioned, countless certification options are available in the cybersecurity domain. You would have to dig deeper to understand the deliverables, cyber security certification cost, and other details to decide which would suit you. I have categorized the certifications into three parts, depending on the experience level of the aspirants who wish to complete the certification course.
General Cyber Security Certifications Cost
1. CompTIA Security+ certification
Exam fee: The exam fee is $392
Certification Course/Training Cost
CompTIA Security+ certification is excellent for beginners who want to learn cyber security principles. It will prepare you for jobs like systems administrator, security consultant, etc. You must answer 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes to pass the exam.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 20000 |
USA | $392 |
Singapore | $239 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $50 every three years.
2. (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $249
Certification Course/Training Cost
This course covers administrative security tasks and topics related to operations. You must pass a four-hour test with 150 multiple-choice questions to get this certification.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 30000 |
USA | $249 |
Singapore | $341 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $125 every year.
3. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $949. However, with GIAC certification, the cyber security certification fee for GSEC is $499.
Certification Course/Training Cost
This certification gets awarded by a renowned GIAC organization and holds a respected position in the industry. The exam contains around 108 questions, which you have to qualify to earn the certification.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 6k |
USA | $949 |
Singapore | $949 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $469 every four years.
4. CompTIA CySA+
Exam fee: The exam fee is $392
Certification Course/Training Cost
It is an excellent option for candidates working in security roles like an analyst or an engineer. It is a 165 minute long exam with 85 MCQs. After earning the certification, you will gain proficiency in vulnerability management and security operations.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 16086 |
USA | $392 |
Singapore | $500 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $50 every three years.
5. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH ANSI)
The exam fee is $1,199 (Pearson Vue) or $950 (EC-Council) plus a $100 administration fee. Moreover, there is an additional cost of cyber security certification, which includes a partnered training fee of around $850.
Certification Course/Training Cost
This certification validates your ethical hacking skills and gives you proficiency in penetration testing. It is a closed-book exam with 125 MCQs to be completed in four hours. The domains covered in this certification are cryptography, cloud, hacking overview, and mobile /IoT security. It is the best CEH Training for career growth.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 40000 |
USA | $1,199 |
Singapore | $950 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $80 every year.
6. Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
Exam fee: The exam fee is $99
Certification Course/Training Cost
It is excellent for beginners who wish to learn cyber security principles. It will prepare you for jobs like systems administrator, security consultant, etc. You must answer 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes to pass the exam.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 7000 |
USA | $99 |
Singapore | $99 |
Certification Renewal Cost: Lifetime Validity.
Advanced Cyber Security Certifications Cost
1.Certified Network Defender (CND)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $650
Certification Course/Training Cost
This certification program prepares security administrators for building effective and strong network defenses. It includes domains like incident prediction, network defense management, and incident response. There are 100 MCQs that you have to complete in four hours to gain this certification.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 28000 |
USA | $650 |
Singapore | $250 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $80 every year.
2. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $650
Certification Course/Training Cost
This certification covers computer hacking forensic investigation. After completing the training, you will be proficient in detecting hacking attacks, extracting evidence, and conducting fair audits. You have to complete 150 questions in four hours to pass the exam.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 34000 |
USA | $650 |
Singapore | $718 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $80 every year.
3. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
Exam fee: The cyber security certification price is $949. However, you pay $499 with your current GIAC certification.
Certification Course/Training Cost
This certification sharpens the aspirant’s skills in detecting and resolving computer safety incidents. The cyber security exam fee that you pay for this certification is worth it, as it multiplies your chances of growing professionally.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 38000 |
USA | $949 |
Singapore | $479 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $469 every four years.
4. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH Practical)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $550
Certification Course/Training Cost
The CEH practical tests your ability to use ethical hacking techniques and bring the organization or system under question out of the security lapses. It tests your mastery in the five ethical hacking phases: reconnaissance, gaining access, enumeration, maintaining access, and covering your tracks.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 35000 |
USA | $550 |
Singapore | $850 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $80 per year.
5. The OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP)
Exam fee: $1,599 (Exam, course, and 90 days lab access) or $2,499 (Exam, course, 1 year lab access)
Certification Course/Training Cost
It is a hands-on course to teach penetration testing strategies and tools that can help prepare the best safety strategies. You get a 24-hour hacking challenge where you must hack a system and gain root access.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 6000 to INR 10000 |
USA | $1,599 (Exam, course, and 90 days lab access) or $2,499 (Exam, course, 1-year lab access) |
Singapore | $1,649 |
Certification Renewal Cost: Lifetime Validity.
6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Exam fee: The exam fee is $749
Certification Course/Training Cost
CISSP is universally acknowledged as one of the premier certification options in cyber security. The course includes mastery in project management, compliance, legal considerations, and strategy implementation. The cyber security certification fees you pay for this course will be your best investment in your professional journey.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 57000 |
USA | $749 |
Singapore | $570 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $125 every year.
7. Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
Exam fee: The exam cost is $575.
Certification Course/Training Cost
The CISA Certification Training is a global IT and business-certified information system security standard. It trains you to demonstrate expertise in applying risk-based auditing approaches. The exam includes 150 questions you must answer to get certified.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 30000 |
USA | $575 |
Singapore | $858 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $45 annually for members and $85 for non-members.
8. CCNP Security
Exam fee: The cyber security certification exam costs $400 for the SCOR exam and $300 for a concentration exam.
Certification Course/Training Cost
It is excellent for beginners who wish to learn cyber security principles. It will prepare you for jobs like systems administrator, security consultant, etc. You must answer 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes to pass the exam.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 55000 |
USA | $400 for SCOR exam and $300 for a concentration exam |
Singapore | $400 |
Certification Renewal Cost: No renewal cost is involved.
Expert Cyber Security Certifications
1. CISM
Exam fee: $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members.
Certification Course/Training Cost
CISM is an advanced certification course for experienced cybersecurity professionals. The cybersecurity certificate cost for CISM is reasonable, and the value it adds to your career makes it all the more worth it. You answer 150 questions in four hours and score at least 450 marks out of 800 to qualify.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 29000 |
USA | $575 for ISACA members, $760 for non-members |
Singapore | USD 955 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $45 annually for members and $85 for non-members.
2. CRISC
Exam fee: $575 for ISACA members, $760 for non-members
Certification Course/Training Cost
An excellent certification course places you at the forefront of risk management strategy. The professionals qualifying for this certification master a proactive and agile-based approach to risk management across the enterprise.
Country-wise cost
Country | Cost |
India | INR 67000 |
USA | $575 for ISACA members, $760 for non-members |
Singapore | USD 675 |
Certification Renewal Cost: $45 annually for members, $85 for non-members.
Other costs
The cyber security certification cost includes a few additional expenses besides the exam fee. Some of the things you would have to spend extra are listed below.
1. Study materials
One of the significant expenses you make is the study material you buy to prepare for the exam. Though many training bodies provide the study material, you may want to buy additional notes for better preparation.
2. Practice exams
You can find practice papers online and solve them to understand the actual exam. While some sample papers are free, you may have to pay for others.
3. Other resources
You make a few additional expenses, like your application fee. It does not apply to every certification. So, when you explore how much cyber security certifications cost, consider these additional expenses, too.
Cyber Security Certification Cost Saving Strategies + Tips
Whether you choose any of KnowledgeHut's Cyber Security trainings or courses provided by other conducting bodies, there is a cost involved. Here are a few effective tips to cut costs and complete the course at a discounted price.
- Choose certifications with lifetime validity or longer renewal periods to avoid the price you pay to renew them.
- Consider self-paced learning options to avoid high training fees. The instructor-led training courses are expensive, so you can certainly avoid them.
- Look for discounted exam vouchers, often available through package deals or promotions.
- Collaborate with colleagues to share study resources or form study groups, fostering a supportive and cost-effective learning environment.
With these simple yet effective tips, you can cut the overall cost of your certification program. Plan everything strategically to not compromise with the perks it has to offer.
Conclusion
Managing a career in the cybersecurity domain is challenging and rewarding at the same time. The demand is high, and the monetary perks are excellent. However, all this is possible if only you keep up with the changing security trends and learn the latest practices to ensure the safety of digital systems. So, for anyone planning a career in this industry, completing the certification courses at different times in their career is essential. You can explore the available courses to choose the one that best suits your requirements and satisfies your career goals. Ensure you keep track of the renewals to enjoy the steady benefits of the certifications you have earned. I have shared all the information in this article about various certifications at different times in your cybersecurity career. You can refer to it and plan your journey toward a safe, steady, and financially sound career.