Top Cybersecurity Certifications for 2025 (with Salary Insights)
By Ben McGee, MS-CYBER, CISSP, CEH-I
President & CEO, CyberProtex
Professor of Cybersecurity, University of Alabama in Huntsville
As someone who has personally certified over 3,500 cybersecurity professionals and taught cybersecurity at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for over 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how the right certification can launch or accelerate a career. At CyberProtex, we don’t just teach to pass a test—we build security leaders, engineers, analysts, and architects who can defend networks and systems at the highest levels.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, certifications remain a powerful way to prove your expertise, build credibility, and command higher salaries in an increasingly competitive market. Below are our top recommended certifications for 2025—complete with average salaries and who should pursue each one.
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Best for: Senior Cybersecurity Professionals & Architects
Average Salary: $130,000/year
Why it matters: As the most sought-after cert in cybersecurity leadership, CISSP is essential for CISOs, architects, and GRC professionals. It’s a DoD 8140 requirement for many high-level roles.
CyberProtex Advantage: Over 81 HD video lessons, in-depth review sessions, and high pass rates in our CISSP Bootcamp.
2. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Best for: Entry-Level Cybersecurity Roles
Average Salary: $72,000/year
Why it matters: A DoD 8570 baseline certification, Security+ validates core security skills like threat detection, risk mitigation, and secure architecture. Ideal for military contractors, SOC analysts, and anyone looking to break into cybersecurity.
CyberProtex Advantage: Includes full labs, practice exams, and video-based instruction tied to the new SY0-701 exam.
3. Microsoft Security & Cloud Certifications
Popular Paths: SC-900, AZ-900, AZ-500, PL-900
Average Salary (AZ-500): $105,000/year
Why they matter: Microsoft’s certifications validate skills across secure cloud platforms like Azure, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform. As hybrid environments grow, these are essential for cloud engineers and security professionals.
CyberProtex Advantage: We train teams on Zero Trust, Defender, Sentinel, and compliance automation within the Microsoft ecosystem.
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Best for: Security Managers, Risk Leaders, CISOs
Average Salary: $128,000/year
Why it matters: CISM is ISACA’s management-level certification focused on risk, compliance, and governance. It’s perfect for transitioning from technical roles to executive or policy-focused careers.
CyberProtex Advantage: Role-based case studies, control framework mapping, and exam simulations aligned with NIST, ISO, and COBIT.
5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Best for: Penetration Testers & Red Teamers
Average Salary: $103,000/year
Why it matters: CEH is the industry standard for demonstrating offensive security and ethical hacking skills. It’s widely respected among defense contractors and companies building red team capabilities.
CyberProtex Advantage: Real-world simulations, cyber range labs, and the latest attack techniques integrated into our CEH Bootcamp.
6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Best for: Cloud Architects & Security Engineers
Average Salary: $118,000/year
Why it matters: As cloud adoption skyrockets, CCSP proves your expertise in securing cloud environments, data, and workloads. It’s the cloud-focused sibling of CISSP, also offered by (ISC)².
CyberProtex Advantage: Labs and scenarios across AWS, Azure, and GCP, aligned to the six CCSP domains.
7. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Best for: SOC Analysts, Blue Teamers
Average Salary: $89,000/year
Why it matters: CySA+ bridges the gap between foundational certs and advanced roles like threat hunter or incident responder. It covers behavioral analytics, SIEM usage, and defensive operations.
CyberProtex Advantage: Threat-hunting labs, use cases with Splunk, and Blue Team tactics based on real cyber incidents.
Why Choose CyberProtex for Certification Training?
Let’s Get You Certified and Paid What You’re Worth
Visit www.CyberProtex.com or email us at [email protected] to explore our next training cohort or build a custom path to six-figure success in cybersecurity.
By Ben McGee, MS-CYBER, CISSP, CEH-I
President & CEO, CyberProtex
Professor of Cybersecurity, University of Alabama in Huntsville
As someone who has personally certified over 3,500 cybersecurity professionals and taught cybersecurity at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for over 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how the right certification can launch or accelerate a career. At CyberProtex, we don’t just teach to pass a test—we build security leaders, engineers, analysts, and architects who can defend networks and systems at the highest levels.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, certifications remain a powerful way to prove your expertise, build credibility, and command higher salaries in an increasingly competitive market. Below are our top recommended certifications for 2025—complete with average salaries and who should pursue each one.
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Best for: Senior Cybersecurity Professionals & Architects
Average Salary: $130,000/year
Why it matters: As the most sought-after cert in cybersecurity leadership, CISSP is essential for CISOs, architects, and GRC professionals. It’s a DoD 8140 requirement for many high-level roles.
CyberProtex Advantage: Over 81 HD video lessons, in-depth review sessions, and high pass rates in our CISSP Bootcamp.
2. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Best for: Entry-Level Cybersecurity Roles
Average Salary: $72,000/year
Why it matters: A DoD 8570 baseline certification, Security+ validates core security skills like threat detection, risk mitigation, and secure architecture. Ideal for military contractors, SOC analysts, and anyone looking to break into cybersecurity.
CyberProtex Advantage: Includes full labs, practice exams, and video-based instruction tied to the new SY0-701 exam.
3. Microsoft Security & Cloud Certifications
Popular Paths: SC-900, AZ-900, AZ-500, PL-900
Average Salary (AZ-500): $105,000/year
Why they matter: Microsoft’s certifications validate skills across secure cloud platforms like Azure, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform. As hybrid environments grow, these are essential for cloud engineers and security professionals.
CyberProtex Advantage: We train teams on Zero Trust, Defender, Sentinel, and compliance automation within the Microsoft ecosystem.
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Best for: Security Managers, Risk Leaders, CISOs
Average Salary: $128,000/year
Why it matters: CISM is ISACA’s management-level certification focused on risk, compliance, and governance. It’s perfect for transitioning from technical roles to executive or policy-focused careers.
CyberProtex Advantage: Role-based case studies, control framework mapping, and exam simulations aligned with NIST, ISO, and COBIT.
5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Best for: Penetration Testers & Red Teamers
Average Salary: $103,000/year
Why it matters: CEH is the industry standard for demonstrating offensive security and ethical hacking skills. It’s widely respected among defense contractors and companies building red team capabilities.
CyberProtex Advantage: Real-world simulations, cyber range labs, and the latest attack techniques integrated into our CEH Bootcamp.
6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Best for: Cloud Architects & Security Engineers
Average Salary: $118,000/year
Why it matters: As cloud adoption skyrockets, CCSP proves your expertise in securing cloud environments, data, and workloads. It’s the cloud-focused sibling of CISSP, also offered by (ISC)².
CyberProtex Advantage: Labs and scenarios across AWS, Azure, and GCP, aligned to the six CCSP domains.
7. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
Best for: SOC Analysts, Blue Teamers
Average Salary: $89,000/year
Why it matters: CySA+ bridges the gap between foundational certs and advanced roles like threat hunter or incident responder. It covers behavioral analytics, SIEM usage, and defensive operations.
CyberProtex Advantage: Threat-hunting labs, use cases with Splunk, and Blue Team tactics based on real cyber incidents.
Why Choose CyberProtex for Certification Training?
- Nationwide Impact: Over 3,500 professionals trained across government, DoD, and private sector.
- DoD 8570/8140 Ready: All courses aligned to cybersecurity workforce framework requirements.
- Top Instructors: All instructors are certified and have real-world experience in cyber defense, red teaming, and cloud security.
- Flexible Delivery: In-person, virtual, or on-demand via CyberProtex LMS.
- Custom Roadmaps: Tailored plans for organizations, transitioning service members, or individuals entering the cyber workforce.
Let’s Get You Certified and Paid What You’re Worth
Visit www.CyberProtex.com or email us at [email protected] to explore our next training cohort or build a custom path to six-figure success in cybersecurity.
For more information, send us an email to [email protected] with your resume attached!
