Complete Security Certification Guide: 2025 Must-Have Certifications Ranking, Difficulty, and Preparation Methods

Introduction: Are Certifications Really Important?

"Can't find a job without certifications, but having them doesn't guarantee you'll find one either."

This is a common saying in the security community. Sounds contradictory, but it's actually true.

Certifications are a door opener, not a magic solution.

For newcomers, an entry-level certification keeps your resume from being immediately discarded. For experienced professionals, advanced certifications are leverage for promotions and job changes.

But relying solely on certifications without actual skills, you'll be exposed quickly.

This article will tell you: which certifications are worth pursuing, how difficult they are, how long to prepare, and the most efficient preparation methods.

Want to understand complete security engineering career planning? We recommend reading Security Engineer Complete Guide.

---

1. Why Get Security Certifications?

The Value of Certifications

For Job Seekers

• Screening Threshold: Many job postings require "relevant security certifications"
• Capability Proof: Shows HR you at least understand basic concepts
• Salary Leverage: People with certifications typically have higher starting salaries

For Working Professionals

• Promotion Requirements: Some management positions require CISSP or other advanced certifications
• Job Change Leverage: Certifications are negotiation capital when switching jobs
• Continuous Learning: The exam preparation process is systematic learning

For Enterprises

• Compliance Requirements: Some regulations require enterprises to have a certain number of certified personnel
• Customer Trust: "Our team has X CISSPs" is a marketing selling point
• Contract Requirements: Government contracts often require bidders to have certified personnel

Certification Limitations

After the advantages, let's discuss the downsides.

Certification ≠ Capability

Passing exams by memorizing question banks doesn't mean you can do the job. Many certifications test theory, not practice.

Some Certifications Are Too Easy

There are certifications where you basically pay and pass. These certifications aren't recognized in the industry.

Maintenance Costs

Many certifications require periodic renewal, annual fees, and accumulated learning hours (CPE). Without maintenance, they expire.

Practical Experience Is More Important

In interviews, managers want to hear about projects you've done and incidents you've handled. Certifications are just the opening conversation.

---

2. Security Certification Classification and Levels

Security certifications can be classified along two dimensions: level and specialty area.

Classification by Level

Entry Level

Suitable for newcomers, career changers, and students.

Exam content focuses on concepts and basic knowledge. Can be taken without experience.

Representative Certifications: iPAS, Security+, SSCP

Intermediate Level

Suitable for practitioners with 1-3 years of experience.

Exam content covers deeper technical details.

Representative Certifications: CEH, CySA+, GSEC

Advanced Level

Suitable for senior practitioners and management level.

Usually requires multiple years of work experience to apply.

Representative Certifications: CISSP, CISM, OSCP

Classification by Specialty Area

Area	Representative Certifications	Best For
General Security	Security+, CISSP	Those wanting comprehensive security understanding
Penetration Testing	CEH, OSCP, GPEN	Those wanting to do red team/penetration work
Defense/Blue Team	CySA+, GCIH	Those wanting to be SOC analysts
Cloud Security	CCSP, AWS Security	Those focused on cloud environments
Management/Compliance	CISM, CRISC, ISO 27001 LA	Those wanting management track
Digital Forensics	GCFE, EnCE	Those wanting to do incident investigation

3. 2025 Security Certification Rankings

Below are the most industry-recognized security certifications, arranged from entry to advanced.

Entry Level Certifications

iPAS Information Security Engineer

Issuing Organization: Ministry of Economic Affairs Industrial Development Bureau (Taiwan)

Target Audience: Taiwan job seekers, students, career changers

Exam Content:

• Information Security Management Overview
• Information Security Technology Overview

Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Preparation Time: 2-3 months

Cost: ~$100 USD

Advantages:

• Taiwan local certification, recognized by many companies
• Government encouraged, some schools offer subsidies
• Moderate exam difficulty, suitable for beginners

Disadvantages:

• Low international recognition
• Only beginner and intermediate levels, no advanced options

Recommendation: If you're mainly job hunting in Taiwan, iPAS is a good entry choice.

---

CompTIA Security+

Issuing Organization: CompTIA (USA)

Target Audience: Beginners wanting internationally recognized certification

Exam Content:

• Threats, Attacks, Vulnerabilities
• Architecture and Design
• Implementation
• Operations and Incident Response
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Preparation Time: 2-3 months

Cost: ~$350-400 USD (exam fee)

Advantages:

• Internationally recognized, valued by foreign companies
• Comprehensive content, suitable for building foundations
• No work experience required

Disadvantages:

• Relatively expensive
• Requires English ability
• Needs renewal every three years

Recommendation: If you want to join foreign companies or plan to work abroad, Security+ is more valuable than iPAS.

---

Intermediate Certifications

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

Issuing Organization: EC-Council

Target Audience: Those wanting to learn hacking techniques and do penetration testing

Exam Content:

• Hacking techniques and attack methods
• System intrusion, malware
• Social engineering, network attacks
• Web application attacks

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Preparation Time: 3-6 months

Cost: ~$1,000-1,500 USD (including training courses)

Advantages:

• High recognition, many job postings require it
• Learn practical attack techniques
• Has official training courses

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• Exam is more theoretical, less practical than OSCP
• Criticized by some as "too commercialized"

Recommendation: If budget allows, CEH is a stepping stone to penetration testing. But if budget is limited, consider self-study then taking OSCP.

---

SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)

Issuing Organization: (ISC)²

Target Audience: Those wanting to progress toward CISSP

Exam Content:

• Access Controls
• Security Operations and Administration
• Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis
• Incident Response and Recovery
• Cryptography
• Network and Communications Security
• Systems and Application Security

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Preparation Time: 3-6 months

Cost: ~$500 USD

Advantages:

• (ISC)² system, gateway to CISSP
• Solid content, comprehensive coverage
• Only requires 1 year experience (or education substitution)

Disadvantages:

• Less well-known than CEH
• Requires annual fee maintenance

Recommendation: If your goal is CISSP, taking SSCP first builds confidence and knowledge.

---

Advanced Certifications

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Issuing Organization: (ISC)²

Target Audience: Senior security practitioners, management

Exam Content (8 Domains):

1. Security and Risk Management
2. Asset Security
3. Security Architecture and Engineering
4. Communication and Network Security
5. Identity and Access Management
6. Security Assessment and Testing
7. Security Operations
8. Software Development Security

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Preparation Time: 6-12 months

Cost: ~$750 USD (exam fee) + annual fees

Experience Requirement: 5 years relevant work experience (or 4 years + degree)

Advantages:

• The "gold standard" of security certifications
• Globally recognized, powerful tool for job changes and raises
• Significant salary premium (average 20-30% higher)

Disadvantages:

• Requires extensive preparation time
• High experience barrier
• Stressful exam (3 hours, 100-150 questions)
• Annual fees and CPE maintenance costs

Recommendation: If you have 5+ years experience and want to move into management or change jobs, CISSP is almost mandatory.

---

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)

Issuing Organization: Offensive Security

Target Audience: Those wanting to become professional penetration testers

Exam Content:

• Real environment penetration testing
• Compromise designated number of machines within 24 hours
• Write complete penetration test report

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Preparation Time: 6+ months

Cost: ~$1,200-2,000 USD (including lab time)

Advantages:

• Gold standard for penetration testing
• 100% practical exam, no room for memorizing question banks
• Highly recognized by industry, people with OSCP are in demand

Disadvantages:

• Very difficult, ~50% pass rate
• Requires extensive practice time
• Extremely stressful exam (24 hours continuous)

Recommendation: If you want to do penetration testing, OSCP is the ultimate goal. But prepare thoroughly, don't rush to register.

---

Not sure which certification to pursue? Everyone's background is different, suitable paths vary. Schedule a consultation, we'll help you plan the best path.

---

4. Certification Difficulty and Preparation Time Comparison Table

One table to understand all mainstream certifications:

Certification	Level	Difficulty	Prep Time	Cost	Experience Required	Best For
iPAS Security	Entry	⭐⭐	2-3 mo	~$100	None	Taiwan job market newcomers
Security+	Entry	⭐⭐	2-3 mo	~$400	None	Newcomers wanting international cert
CEH	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐	3-6 mo	~$1,500	2 years recommended	Those wanting to learn hacking
SSCP	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐	3-6 mo	~$500	1 year	Those progressing toward CISSP
CySA+	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐	3-6 mo	~$400	2 years recommended	SOC analysts
CISSP	Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐	6-12 mo	~$750	5 years	Senior practitioners, managers
CISM	Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐	6-12 mo	~$750	5 years	Security managers
OSCP	Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	6+ mo	~$1,500	2 years recommended	Penetration testing experts

5. Security Certification Preparation Methods

General Preparation Strategy

These strategies apply regardless of which certification you're pursuing:

1. Understand the Exam Scope

Get the official exam objectives (Exam Objectives), understand exactly what's being tested.

Don't study blindly, prepare based on exam content.

2. Choose Learning Resources

Resource Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Official Materials	Most authoritative, most complete	Usually thick and expensive
Online Courses	Expert explanations, time-saving	Quality varies
Practice Questions	Familiarize with formats, find key points	May over-rely on them
Study Groups	Mutual accountability, discussion	Progress hard to control

3. Create a Study Plan

• Assess how much time you have
• Break exam scope into small units
• Set weekly progress goals
• Reserve time for review and mock exams

4. Do Practice Tests

Complete at least 3-5 mock exams before the real test.

Don't just look at accuracy rate - analyze wrong answers to find weaknesses.

5. Final Sprint

In the last week, focus on:

• Reviewing weak areas
• Memorizing important concepts
• Adjusting schedule, maintaining good condition

Preparation Recommendations by Certification

iPAS Preparation Recommendations

• Read official materials or reference books
• Do past exam questions
• 2-3 months is sufficient

Recommended Resources:

• Official government materials
• Reference books from local publishers

Security+ Preparation Recommendations

• Professor Messer free videos (YouTube)
• CompTIA official learning resources
• Do lots of practice questions

Recommended Resources:

• Professor Messer Security+ Course (free)
• Jason Dion's Udemy course
• CompTIA CertMaster Practice

CISSP Preparation Recommendations

This is a major exam, prepare seriously.

• Read at least one official or authoritative textbook
• Join a study group for mutual accountability
• Do lots of practice questions (at least 1,000+)
• Understand concepts, don't memorize blindly

Recommended Resources:

• "CISSP Official Study Guide" (official textbook)
• "CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide" (Shon Harris)
• Destination Certification MindMap
• Boson practice questions

OSCP Preparation Recommendations

This is a practical exam, requires extensive practice.

• First build solid Linux and networking foundations
• Practice on Hack The Box, TryHackMe
• Purchase PWK course, seriously do the labs
• Build your own notes and cheat sheet

Recommended Resources:

• TryHackMe OSCP Prep Path
• Hack The Box Retired Machines
• IppSec YouTube videos

Want to know more learning resources? See Security Course Recommendations.

---

6. FAQ

Q1: Are security certifications easy to pass?

Depends on the certification level. iPAS and Security+ have high pass rates with 2-3 months of serious preparation. CISSP and OSCP require long-term preparation and are quite difficult.

Q2: Can I get security certifications without experience?

Entry certifications (iPAS, Security+) don't require experience. Intermediate and advanced certifications mostly require 1-5 years work experience. Some allow education substitution for partial experience.

Q3: Will I definitely find a job after getting certified?

Certifications are a plus, not a guarantee. You also need practical experience, interview performance, and communication skills. But having certifications is definitely better than not having them for job hunting.

Q4: Which certification should I get first?

Newcomers should start with iPAS or Security+. After building foundations, take CEH or SSCP. After 5+ years of work, challenge CISSP. If you want to do penetration testing, focus on OSCP.

Q5: Do certifications require maintenance?

Most international certifications do. Usually requires annual fees and CPE (continuing education credits). Without maintenance, certifications expire.

Q6: Can I take exams in Chinese only?

Some certifications have Chinese versions, but:

• Translation quality may be poor
• Industry resources are mostly in English
• Long-term development requires English proficiency

It's recommended to take English exams if you can.

Q7: Do companies verify certifications?

Legitimate companies do. Most certifications have online verification systems. Forgery will be caught and is embarrassing.

Q8: Can certification fees be expensed?

Depends on company policy. Many companies have training budgets and even give bonuses for passing. Ask before joining.

---

7. Next Steps

After reading this article, you should know:

1. Which certifications are worth pursuing
2. Difficulty and preparation time for each certification
3. Most efficient preparation methods

Next Actions:

If you're a newcomer:

• Choose an entry certification (iPAS or Security+)
• Create a 2-3 month study plan
• Start preparing!

If you have experience:

• Evaluate your career goals
• Choose corresponding intermediate/advanced certifications
• Consider joining a study group for mutual accountability

Recommended Reading:

• Security Engineer Complete Guide: Understand the complete security career landscape
• Security Course Recommendations: Find suitable learning resources
• Information Security Complete Guide: Overview of the security field

Certifications are a starting point, not the destination.

After getting certified, the more important thing is applying knowledge in practice and continuously learning and growing.

Good luck with your exams!

---

Plan Your Certification Path

Not sure which certification to start with? Everyone's background and goals are different, suitable paths vary.

We can help you:

• Evaluate your existing skills and experience
• Plan certification path based on career goals
• Recommend suitable learning resources
• Provide preparation strategy advice

Schedule a consultation, let experienced consultants help you plan.

First consultation is free.

---

References

1. (ISC)², "CISSP Certification Exam Outline" (2024)
2. CompTIA, "Security+ Exam Objectives" (2024)
3. EC-Council, "CEH Exam Blueprint"
4. Offensive Security, "OSCP Exam Guide"
5. Ministry of Economic Affairs Industrial Development Bureau, "iPAS Information Security Engineer Certification Guide"
6. Global Knowledge, "IT Skills and Salary Report 2024"