EP 76: Which Certification Roadmap or Path Should I Use?

EP 76: Which Certification Roadmap or Path Should I Use?

Author: Kip Boyle August 5, 2022 Duration: 24:54

https://www.yourcyberpath.com/podcast/76/

In this episode of Your Cyber Path, Kip and Jason discuss the world of cybersecurity certifications and how you can determine the proper path for you to follow. We bust the myth that the Security Certification Roadmap by Paul Jerimy is a proper roadmap from left to right to follow…but it isn’t!

A certification roadmap or pathway should be something that allows you to outline the skills and certifications you will need in your career for the next few years. A roadmap gives you a plan to follow and allows you to not try and “collect them all” when it comes to certifications. After all, certifications are expensive, and you don’t need to collect them like Pokémon cards.

Jason personally prefers the CompTIA Certs Roadmap, which presents the roadmap based on 5 different jobs within cybersecurity. This will allow you to pick a position, such as cybersecurity analyst, and then it will outline which certifications you should take. Note, this isn’t just CompTIA certifications, but they also include competitor certifications that are applicable to the career and positions you are working towards.

Remember, when it comes to certifications, you don’t need 20 or 30 of them to be competitive, but instead you need 3-5 key certifications based on the job role you are trying to fulfill in the marketplace.

For example, if you want to be a cybersecurity analyst, you should only have a handful of certifications, such as CompTIA Network+ or CCNA, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+, and ITIL 4 Foundation. With these 4-5 certifications, you would be well qualified to join a Security Operations Center as a cybersecurity analyst. By having these certifications under your belt, you will have a better chance of getting through the HR job filtering process, landing an interview, and then impressing the hiring manager with your knowledge and skills. In addition to all of that, you will be much better prepared to do value added work in a large SOC on day 1, too, because you have the foundational knowledge needed to succeed!

What You’ll Learn

●     How to determine which certifications you should earn

●    How to create a roadmap for your future career

●     Where to find data on which certifications employers are asking for

●     How to use certification roadmaps

Relevant Websites For This Episode:

●    www.YourCyberPath.com

●   www.CyberSeek.org

●   CompTIA IT Certification Roadmap

●   Paul Jerimy's Security Certification Progression Chart

Other Relevant Episodes

●   Episode 55 - Which cybersecurity certifications should you get?


Navigating a career in cybersecurity can feel like a maze without a clear map. Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job, hosted by Kip Boyle, cuts through the noise by focusing on the perspective of the people who actually make hiring decisions. This isn't just generic advice; it's a direct line to understanding what employers are truly looking for in candidates, from entry-level roles to advanced positions. Each episode delves into the practical, often unspoken, steps needed to build your skills, craft your resume, and ace interviews in this competitive field. You'll hear concrete strategies for bridging the gap between where you are now and that ideal job, all framed within the broader contexts of business, technology, and personal growth. Tune into this podcast for honest conversations that translate complex career pathways into actionable plans, helping you move forward with confidence. Whether you're considering a pivot or aiming to advance, the guidance here is rooted in real-world hiring dynamics, making it a valuable resource for anyone serious about building a future in cybersecurity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job
Podcast Episodes
EP 86: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Availability) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/86/ In this episode, Kip and Jason discuss everything that makes the A in the CIA Triad, Availability. Availability is when you like to use a system and it's there ready for you to use, beca…
EP 85: The CIA triad - The Basis of Cyber Security (Integrity) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:05
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/85/ In this episode, Kip and Jason discuss the second pillar of the CIA pentagram, Integrity. The whole idea of integrity is making sure any entity that you interact with has not been modifi…
EP 84: The CIA triad - The Basis of Cyber Security (Confidentiality) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:53
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/84/ In this short episode, Jason and Kip discuss the first aspect of the CIA Triad which is Confidentiality. They break down the critically important confidentiality point and how it works i…
EP 82: From Truck Driver to Cybersecurity Analyst with Mike Hillman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:04
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/82/ In this episode, we get to learn about our guest’s inspirational story as he went from truck driver to Cybersecurity Analyst in less than 15 months. Mike Hillman, former truck driver and…
EP 81: How to Negotiate a Pay Raise with Ed Skipka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:54
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/81/ In this episode, we listen to Kip and Ed go over how Ed managed to get a 25% pay raise in a very short period of time and the whole details of his situation. Edward Skipka, a vulnerabili…
EP 80: Risk Management Framework with Drew Church [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/80/ In this episode, Kip and Jason, along with special guest Drew Church, take a closer look at the NIST risk management framework to help facilitate selecting the right kind of security for…
EP 79: Mid-Career Transition Success Story with Steve McMichael [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:56
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/79/ In this episode, Kip and Jason are joined by Steve McMichael who has rapidly climbed the cybersecurity career ladder. Within 2 years, Steve was able to move up to the position of Directo…
EP 77: Get Into the Talent Pipeline With Max Shuftan and Winnie Yung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/podcast/77/ In this episode, Kip and Jason, with special guests Max Shuftan and Winnie Yung, talk about what a talent pipeline is and why hiring managers should be using a solid talent pipel…