cybersecurity certifications

Key Takeaways

• Cybersecurity demand continues to grow rapidly as organisations face more advanced and frequent cyber threats, creating a global skills gap in the millions.
• Career progression in cybersecurity is not linear, salary and responsibility significantly increase when moving from foundational IT roles into specialised areas like cloud security, SOC analysis, and ethical hacking.
• Entry-level roles focus on IT support and networking fundamentals, while mid and advanced levels require deeper expertise in tools, threat detection, and security architecture.
• Regional salary trends show strong growth across the UK, Ireland, USA, and Canada, with the highest earning potential in highly specialised cybersecurity roles.
• Cloud security, AI-driven threat detection, and SOC operations are key trends shaping certification relevance in 2026.
• Choosing the right certification should always align with career goals, not just industry hype or trending tools.

Jobs in the cybersecurity sector are on the rise as more and more businesses are looking for professionals who can help them secure their digital assets. Nowadays, cybersecurity has gotten more technical and is not just a simple job. Organisations are facing increasingly advanced cyber threats, making certified professionals more valuable than ever.

Choosing the best cyber security certifications in 2026 is the way to go because it sets you apart from others. Thanks to proper certifications, one can build a structured learning path that aligns with real industry needs. No matter if you’re starting fresh, switching careers, or advancing toward senior security roles, understanding which certifications deliver practical skills and employer recognition is essential.

Why Cyber Security Certifications Matter in 2026

Cybersecurity has shifted from being an IT support function to a core business priority. Companies now treat security professionals as strategic assets rather than technical add-ons.

According to the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global cybersecurity workforce gap remains in the millions, showing continued demand for trained professionals. Certifications help bridge this gap by validating practical knowledge, understanding of security frameworks, and hands-on skills. Certifications also provide three major advantages:

• First, they create standardised proof of competency for employers.
• Second, they help candidates stand out in competitive job markets.
• Third, they establish a clear learning structure, known as a cybersecurity certification roadmap.

Cybersecurity Salary Growth (Global Insight)

The numbers in the table and the graph above don’t just represent salaries, they tell the story of how a cybersecurity career actually evolves across global markets. At the entry level, salaries may appear modest, especially in regions like the UK and Ireland. But this stage is not about earnings, it’s about positioning. Roles such as IT Support or Junior Analyst act as the gateway into the industry, where individuals begin to understand systems, networks, and the operational backbone of organisations. This is where foundational knowledge is built, and more importantly, where career direction starts to take shape.

As professionals move into mid-level roles, the shift becomes noticeable, not just in responsibilities, but in compensation. This is the stage where networking knowledge, security tools, and hands-on experience start to translate into tangible value for employers. The jump in salaries across all four regions reflects a simple truth: once you move from general IT into cybersecurity-focused roles, your market worth increases significantly. You are no longer replaceable at scale, you are becoming specialised.

The most interesting pattern, however, appears at the advanced level. This is where the curve steepens. In markets like the United States and Canada, salaries cross into six figures, driven by demand for highly skilled professionals in areas such as cloud security, penetration testing, and security architecture. Even in the UK and Ireland, the growth remains strong, particularly as regulatory pressures and digital transformation continue to push companies toward stronger security frameworks.

What the graph clearly visualises is that cybersecurity does not follow a linear salary path. Growth accelerates once a professional moves beyond the basics and into specialised domains. The transition from IT support to cybersecurity analyst is one jump, but the move from analyst to cloud security engineer or ethical hacker is where the real financial leap happens.

This trend is being driven by several global factors. Organisations today are facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, while simultaneously shifting toward cloud-based infrastructures and remote work environments. This combination has created a surge in demand for professionals who not only understand security but can actively design, implement, and manage it. As a result, companies are willing to pay a premium for individuals who can operate at that level.

Another key insight from the data is regional variation. The United States leads due to its mature tech ecosystem and higher exposure to cyber threats, making it a high-reward market for cybersecurity professionals. Ireland, despite its smaller size, shows strong growth due to its position as a European hub for global tech companies. The UK continues to expand steadily, driven by compliance requirements and enterprise demand, while Canada offers a balanced environment where consistent demand meets stable career progression.

This is exactly where structured pathways become critical. Without a clear progression, from foundational IT roles to specialised cybersecurity positions, many professionals remain stuck at entry or mid-level stages, unable to unlock the higher earning brackets shown in the graph. A well-defined journey ensures that each step builds toward the next, allowing individuals to move faster, smarter, and with purpose.

1. Career Change Programs (For Beginners – Zero IT Background)

Program	Best For	Duration	Outcome	Link
IT Support Technician	Absolute beginners	4–12 weeks	First IT job	https://www.fortray.com/itcareerswitch/Itsupport-technician-job-placement-after-training-certification-course-online/
Network Cybersecurity	Beginner → Networking → Security	4–12 weeks	IT + Network roles	https://www.fortray.com/itcareerswitch/network-cybersecurity-job-placement-after-training-certification-course-online/
Cybersecurity Engineer	Direct cybersecurity pathway	4–12 weeks	Entry-level cyber roles	https://www.fortray.com/itcareerswitch/cybersecurity-job-placement-after-training-certification-course-online/

What makes these programs effective is not just the promise of a job, it’s the architecture behind that promise. Most beginners assume cybersecurity is a starting point. It isn’t. It’s a layered discipline, built on IT fundamentals and networking. Fortray understands this, which is why learners are not overwhelmed with complex security concepts from day one. Instead, they are gradually introduced to systems, networks, and then security, mirroring how professionals actually grow in the industry.

This structured progression is exactly why students don’t feel lost midway. Instead of “just completing a course,” they experience visible growth, from understanding basic IT tickets to configuring networks and eventually stepping into security environments. Many learners report that what stands out most is the confidence shift. They begin unsure, often from completely non-technical backgrounds, and end the program with the ability to handle interviews, solve technical scenarios, and speak the language of IT. That’s the real outcome, not just training, but transformation into a hireable professional.

2. Job Guarantee Bootcamps (For People With IT Background)

Program	Best For	Duration	Outcome	Link
Cyber Security Masters Program	IT professionals	2–7 months	Mid-level cybersecurity roles	https://www.fortray.com/itcareerswitch/cyber-security-masters-job-guarantee-after-training-certification-courses-online/

Now, for professionals already in IT, the challenge is very different. They don’t need basics. They need direction and elevation. The Cyber Security Job Guarantee Bootcamp is built with that exact mindset. It assumes you already understand infrastructure, networks, or support environments, and instead focuses on deep specialisation. Learners are exposed to real-world cybersecurity scenarios, incident handling, threat detection, vulnerability management, things that go far beyond textbook learning.

What makes this program powerful is its alignment with real job roles. Instead of fragmented learning, everything is structured around becoming a cybersecurity professional in practice. This includes simulated environments, hands-on labs, and projects that reflect what companies actually expect on the job. Students often highlight that this is where their career finally “clicks.” They move from being general IT professionals to becoming specialists with direction. This is not a slow transition. It’s a career acceleration engine.

3. Standalone Cybersecurity Courses

Category	Course	Focus Area	Link
Networking	Cisco CCNA	Foundation networking	https://www.fortray.com/courses/network/cisco-ccna-online-learning-certification/
Traffic Management	F5 BIG-IP LTM	Load balancing & app delivery	https://www.fortray.com/courses/network/f5-big-ip-ltm-technical-specialist-online-learning-certification/
Firewall Security	Check Point CCSA/CCSE	Enterprise firewall security	https://www.fortray.com/courses/network-security/check-point-ccsa-ccse-online-learning-certification/
Firewall Security	Cisco ASA	Network security & VPNs	https://www.fortray.com/courses/network-security/cisco-asa-expert-online-learning-certification/
Firewall Security	Fortinet FortiGate	Threat protection & firewall	https://www.fortray.com/courses/network-security/fortinet-fortigate-online-learning-certification/
Cloud Security	Palo Alto Prisma Cloud	Cloud & SASE security	https://www.fortray.com/courses/cloud-security/palo-alto-networks-prisma-cloud-sse-engineer-online-learning-certification/

These courses represent the actual tools used inside enterprise environments. This is where learners stop being generalists and start becoming technically valuable. For example, networking professionals often move into firewall technologies like Fortinet or Check Point to enter security roles. Others transition into cloud environments through Prisma Cloud, aligning with the massive shift towards remote infrastructure and cloud-first companies.

The biggest advantage here is precision. Professionals don’t need to restart their careers, they simply sharpen their expertise in the right direction. Students who take these certifications often report faster career movement because they can directly map their learning to specific job requirements.

Industry Trends Shaping Cyber Security Certifications in 2026

Cybersecurity certifications are evolving alongside technological changes. Several trends now influence certification value. Cloud security expertise has become critical as organisations migrate infrastructure to cloud environments. Certifications increasingly include cloud threat modelling and identity security topics.

Artificial intelligence is also reshaping threat detection. Security analysts must understand automation, behavioural analytics, and machine learning-driven monitoring tools. The rise of Security Operations Centres (SOC) has created demand for analysts capable of real-time monitoring. Many training providers now align certification content with SOC workflows. A report from the World Economic Forum highlights cybersecurity as one of the fastest-growing professional fields globally, emphasising the need for continuous reskilling rather than one-time certification.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Cyber Security Certifications

Many beginners make the mistake of pursuing advanced certifications too early. Without foundational knowledge, complex certifications become overwhelming and expensive. Another common mistake is chasing trends rather than aligning with a career. Although trends and tools are important in shaping cybersecurity in the UK, certifications should match desired job roles, not market hype. Finally, some learners overlook soft skills such as documentation, communication, and analytical thinking. Cybersecurity professionals often collaborate with executives, developers, and compliance teams, making communication skills equally important.

Building Real Experience Alongside Certifications

Certifications alone do not guarantee employment. Employers increasingly look for applied skills supported by practical experience. Successful candidates combine certifications with hands-on learning through:

• Home labs and virtual machines
• Capture-the-Flag competitions
• Open-source security projects
• Simulated incident response exercises

Many learners accelerate their progress by combining certification training with structured programs such as Fortray’s Cyber Security bootcamp, which emphasise real-world SOC exposure. Similarly, professionals exploring structured career transitions may benefit from following a roadmap to align certification choices with long-term goals. Experience transforms certification knowledge into operational expertise, which ultimately determines career success.

Conclusion

What truly sets Fortray Global Services apart is not just what they teach, but how intentionally they design the entire learning experience around real career outcomes. Their programs are led by industry experts who are actively working in the field, which means learners are not stuck with outdated theory, they are exposed to the exact tools, threats, and scenarios shaping today’s cybersecurity landscape. This is reinforced through project-based learning, where students don’t just study concepts but apply them in real-world simulations, building the kind of confidence that only hands-on experience can create.

Beyond training, Fortray addresses the biggest fear most learners have: uncertainty. Their job guarantee model shifts the focus from “what if” to “what’s next,” giving students the assurance that their effort leads to a tangible outcome. This is further strengthened by personalised 1:1 mentorship, where learners are guided not just through the course, but through a structured long-term career roadmap, ensuring they don’t plateau after landing their first role. The emphasis is not on short-term placement alone, but on sustained career growth, helping individuals move from entry-level positions into specialised, higher-paying roles over time.

What makes this ecosystem even more accessible is the flexibility in how learners can begin. With options like 0% finance and structured payment plans, the barrier to entry is significantly reduced, allowing more people to transition into IT and cybersecurity without financial pressure. Altogether, these elements create a system that doesn’t just train individuals, it supports, guides, and positions them for long-term success in a competitive global market.

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