5 Network Security Certifications Your Talent Should Possess

In the modern digital world, where cyber threats and online vulnerabilities are increasingly becoming the norm, ensuring that your existing and future talent is equipped with the necessary certifications has become paramount. Whether you begin enrolling your existing teams in relevant courses or ensuring your recruitment strategy involves sourcing candidates with industry-standard qualifications, it's never been more essential for your people to possess network security certifications. 

This guide will explore five of the best network security certifications you should enroll your current employees on and ensure your future talent is equipped with. The certifications highlighted in this piece are perfect for the professionals you place in your network security jobs. 

In this guide, we'll cover the following network security certifications:

1. CompTIA Security+

2. Fortinet NSE Certified

3. Palo Alto Certifications

4. Cisco Certifications

5. Check Point Certifications

1. CompTIA Security+

As you look to enhance your recruitment strategy, the CompTIA Security+ certification is one of the top network security certifications your current and future talent should possess. This course is perfect for entry-level professionals and allows them to build fundamental knowledge of the core principles of IT security, including how to securely manage and maintain networks, detect threats, and apply cryptography. 

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized certification. It further validates a talent's cyber and network security credentials and establishes a solid foundation that your employees can build upon with more advanced courses. A network security certification, such as CompTIA Security+, allows your people to optimize your existing IT infrastructure while developing their knowledge of essential security compliance, laws, and regulations.

Enrolling your employees in the CompTIA Security+ certification involves completing a 90-minute exam of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Your talent can achieve this network security certification by applying their practical and theoretical knowledge to score 750 out of 900 points in the exam. CompTIA provides various online resources, such as sample questions, to ensure your people are well-prepared before completing the exam.

As mentioned, the CompTIA Security+ certification is ideal for your entry-level talent. While your network security professional requires no prior qualifications to enroll in the course, it's recommended that they have around two years of IT security experience. 

Enrolling your talent on the CompTIA Security+ certification costs $392. This investment will support the career progression of your network security professionals, allowing them to improve your security posture and become a greater asset to your organization.  

2. Fortinet NSE Certified

When refining your recruitment strategy, another of the top network security certifications you should look for on the resumes of your future talent are any provided by Fortinet. The Fortinet Training Institute offers comprehensive training and certification programs to talent within the network security space. Their global presence has seen them issue over 1.5 million certifications to industry professionals.

The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification program offers 12 certifications, each divided into five proficiency levels. These programs are designed to meet the in-demand skill sets of the cyber and network security industry. They allow individuals to hone in on their foundational knowledge and architectural expertise. Each NSE certification ensures talent has the tools to combat cybersecurity challenges, including those in network security jobs.

Here is a list of the five proficiency levels and the certifications within each:

1. Fortinet Certified Expert

• Fortinet Certified Expert, Cybersecurity

2. Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist

• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, OT Security
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, Security Operations
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, Network Security
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, Secure Access Service Edge
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, Cloud Security
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist, Zero Trust Access

3. Fortinet Certified Professional

• Fortinet Certified Professional, Security Operations
• Fortinet Certified Professional, Network Security
• Fortinet Certified Professional, Public Cloud Security

4. Fortinet Certified Associate

• Fortinet Certified Associate, Cybersecurity

5. Fortinet Certified Fundamentals

• Fortinet Certified Fundamentals, Cybersecurity

Fortinet NSE programs deliver self-paced courses, allowing your network security specialists to access e-learning resources, theoretical content, online videos, and pre-recorded sessions. They also provide instructor-led programs conducted by official Fortinet tutors at Authorized Training Centers (ATP). Here, individuals can attend live lessons virtually or in person, with access to interactive labs where talent can apply their knowledge to practical scenarios. 

As mentioned in the Fortinet 2024 Global Skills Gap Report, 91% of companies prefer to hire talent with certifications. Additionally, 58% of IT decision-makers cite insufficient cybersecurity skills and training as a significant cause of security breaches. By enrolling talent in network security jobs on Fortinet NSE certifications or seeking candidates equipped with these traits, you can take further steps to bolster your organization’s security posture. 

3. Palo Alto Certifications

Whether your recruitment efforts are focused on securing talent for permanent or contract network security jobs, Palo Alto provides other qualifications your people could have. Palo Alto supports over 80,000 enterprise customers worldwide and offers entry-level and senior professionals a range of cyber and network security certifications.

Regarding the best network security certifications specifically, Palo Alto offers these advanced certifications:

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE): This advanced certification validates your employee's expertise in managing virtual network security on Palo Alto Networks Software.
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE): As an advanced certification, the PCNSE will help your talent design, deploy, operate, manage, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls.
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA): This advanced certification allows your people to focus their expertise on the operation and management of Next-Generation Firewalls.

Palo Alto also offers specialized courses for talent at intermediate and introductory levels. These include Panorama: Managing Firewalls at Scale, Firewall: Troubleshooting, and Firewall Essentials: Configuration and Management, which provide your professionals with in-depth knowledge on how to manage and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks' security solutions.

Additionally, Palo Alto delivers instructor-led training via its global ATPs. This training provides opportunities for your talent to learn through hands-on sessions conducted online and in person. They also provide digital learning opportunities, catering to professionals wanting to complete the course at their own pace.

Palo Alto Networks also has a Cybersecurity Academy program, which provides free resources to existing and future network security professionals. The academy offers a space for talent to develop skills, master theoretical knowledge, and gain hands-on experience. Overall, Palo Alto Networks certifications stand out as a validation of expertise, providing your network security professionals with the tools needed to excel in their careers and safeguard your business.

4. Cisco Certifications

Next on our list of the best network security certifications your talent should possess are the ones provided by CISCO. These qualifications are widely recognized within network security and are a perfect accompaniment for your existing professionals and future hires working in your network security jobs.

Cisco's courses are perfect for companies requiring talent to secure and protect their on-site and cloud network infrastructure. Their range of programs focuses on helping IT security experts develop their knowledge and stay competitive in the field while ensuring your organization is equipped with essential cyber and network security skills.

One of Cisco's top network security certifications is the Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security Certification. This advanced course provides your talent with the skills to design and deploy security solutions across network, cloud, and content security domains. The program covers security concepts such as encryption and VPNs, along with secure network access, visibility, enforcement, and endpoint protection. 

Although no formal prerequisites are needed, talent should have three to five years of experience working with security solutions before enrolling. Those enrolling in the course must pass a core exam and one of the seven CCNP Security concentration exams. Various resources, including self-study materials, guided learning support, and community forums, are available to support talent embarking on this network security certification.

Cisco offers talent with other certified specialist certifications, including the CCIE Security certification. All these courses can help your talent build expertise and boost their confidence amongst their colleagues. According to Cisco, 81% of employers believe candidates with a Cisco certification produce higher quality and valuable work.

5. Check Point Certifications

You may be looking to upskill employees in your network security team or are seeking to hire more experienced talent to manage the security of your networks. In that case, you'll find that the certifications offered by Check Point are worth considering.

Check Point Certifications provides online protection for all Fortune and Global 100 companies. As part of their service offering, they provide network security professionals with a range of core and master certifications, allowing talent to support and sell Check Point products and two-year expert access to advanced product documentation.

Below is an overview of Check Points two ‘Core Certifications’:

• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) is a foundational 3-day technical course that provides talent with an understanding of the basic concepts and skills needed to configure and manage Check Point Security Management Software Blades and Gateways. It's an essential certification for those beginning their journey in Check Point technology.
• Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) is another advanced 3-day course that dives deeper into Check Point technology. It equips talent with the skills necessary to design, maintain, optimize, and protect enterprise networks against various cyber threats. 

Here is an overview of the two ‘Security Master Certifications’:

• Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) is awarded to cybersecurity and network security professionals who demonstrate advanced expertise in configuring, deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Check Point products and services. Enrolling in this certification requires your talent to have an active CCSE certification or two subsequent Infinity Specialist Accreditations.
• Check Point Certified Security Master Elite (CCSM Elite) is an elite certification that represents the pinnacle of technical mastery in Check Point technology. Network security professionals with an active CCSM certification who achieve two additional Infinity Specialist Accreditations are awarded the CCSM Elite status, placing them among the top Check Point-certified professionals.

Checkpoint certifications can validate the technical prowess of your existing and future talent, making them invaluable assets to your cybersecurity and network security team. These network security certifications are particularly beneficial for major global enterprises.

The Final Word on the Best Network Security Certifications

Enrolling your talent in the top network security certifications discussed in this guide and ensuring your future hires come equipped with industry-standard qualifications can help your business stay ahead in the evolving cyber and network security field. CompTIA Security+, Fortinet NSE Certified, Palo Alto Certifications, CISCO Certifications, and Checkpoint Certifications are among the most highly regarded certifications worldwide. 

They help ensure your network security professionals have the fundamental and advanced knowledge and skills needed to protect your organizational assets from various online threats. By attaining these certifications, your talent will be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of modern network security while safeguarding your IT infrastructure.

Offering your talent the opportunity to enroll in these network security certifications can also support your employee retention strategies - as alluded to in our guide on How to Retain Your Best Employees in Your Cybersecurity Team.

If you found this guide useful and are looking for advice on how to effectively screen your future hires, read our piece on the Top Tips for Interviewing Network Security Specialists. 

Recruiting for Network Security Jobs?

If you need help reaching your talent acquisition goals and finding the people you need to enhance your team, we can help. As specialists in network security recruitment, we have deep industry expertise and know how to overcome your hiring challenges. We can help you source and place the best professionals on the market, allowing you to future-proof and confidently progress your business.

Partner with us today and connect with industry innovators with the specific network security certifications you need to fill your vacancies.