{"id":533,"date":"2025-04-28T10:19:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T10:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/?p=533"},"modified":"2026-06-16T09:10:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T09:10:56","slug":"top-10-lucrative-cybersecurity-certifications-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/top-10-lucrative-cybersecurity-certifications-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Lucrative Cybersecurity Certifications in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The cybersecurity industry experienced significant growth throughout 2019, as organizations across virtually every sector recognized the increasing importance of protecting their digital assets. High profile data breaches and ransomware attacks targeting both private companies and government agencies pushed cybersecurity to the forefront of business priorities. This heightened awareness translated directly into increased hiring budgets and a growing willingness among employers to offer competitive salaries for qualified security professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

As demand outpaced the available supply of skilled workers, certifications became an essential tool for employers to quickly identify candidates who possessed verified knowledge and practical skills. Professionals who invested in obtaining respected certifications found themselves with significantly more leverage during salary negotiations and job interviews. This article explores ten of the most lucrative cybersecurity certifications available in 2019, examining what made each credential valuable and how they contributed to career advancement within this rapidly expanding field.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification, commonly known as CISSP, remained one of the most prestigious and highly compensated credentials throughout 2019. Offered by ISC2, this certification required candidates to demonstrate broad knowledge across eight distinct security domains, ranging from security architecture to identity and access management. The comprehensive nature of this exam made it particularly valuable for professionals seeking senior level positions within security organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Employers consistently sought out CISSP holders for roles such as security manager, security architect, and chief information security officer throughout 2019. The certification’s requirement for several years of verified work experience before candidates could even sit for the exam ensured that those who held the credential possessed substantial real world expertise. This combination of rigorous testing and experience requirements contributed to the consistently high salaries reported by certified professionals across various industries and geographic regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified Information Security Manager CISM<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Certified Information Security Manager certification, issued by ISACA, focused heavily on the managerial and governance aspects of information security rather than purely technical implementation skills. Throughout 2019, this certification proved particularly attractive to professionals looking to transition from technical security roles into positions involving strategic planning, risk management, and organizational leadership. The exam covered four core domains, including security governance, risk management, program development, and incident management.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizations valued CISM certified professionals for their ability to align security initiatives with broader business objectives, making this credential especially relevant for mid career professionals aiming for director level positions. Many employers in 2019 specifically listed this certification as a preferred or required qualification for security management roles, contributing to the strong salary premiums reported by those who held it. The credential’s focus on governance made it complementary to more technically oriented certifications already held by experienced practitioners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified Ethical Hacker CEH<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification, offered by EC Council, gained substantial popularity throughout 2019 as organizations increasingly invested in proactive security measures such as penetration testing. This certification trained professionals to think and act like malicious hackers, allowing them to identify vulnerabilities within systems before actual attackers could exploit them. The practical, hands on nature of the training appealed to professionals who wanted to develop offensive security skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies across the financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors actively recruited CEH certified professionals to strengthen their security testing capabilities throughout 2019. The certification’s relatively accessible entry requirements, compared to more senior credentials like CISSP, made it an attractive option for professionals earlier in their security careers who wanted to specialize in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. This accessibility, combined with strong industry demand, resulted in competitive salaries for those entering this specialized niche.<\/span><\/p>\n

CompTIA Security Plus Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n

CompTIA Security Plus served as an excellent entry point into the cybersecurity field throughout 2019, providing foundational knowledge that many employers required for even junior level security positions. This vendor neutral certification covered essential topics such as network security, compliance, operational security, and threats and vulnerabilities. Its broad applicability across different technology environments made it a popular choice among professionals just beginning their security careers.<\/span><\/p>\n

While entry level salaries for Security Plus holders were generally lower compared to more advanced certifications, the credential often served as a stepping stone toward higher paying roles and additional certifications. Many government positions, particularly within the United States Department of Defense, specifically required this certification as a baseline qualification throughout 2019. This government recognition created a stable and consistent demand for certified professionals across numerous contracting and civil service positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP<\/b><\/h3>\n

As cloud computing adoption accelerated dramatically throughout 2019, the Certified Cloud Security Professional certification became increasingly valuable for security professionals working with cloud environments. Jointly offered by ISC2 and the Cloud Security Alliance, this certification addressed the unique security challenges associated with cloud architecture, data security, platform and infrastructure security, and legal compliance within cloud environments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizations migrating critical workloads to platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud actively sought professionals who understood the specific security implications of these transitions. The relatively new nature of this certification in 2019 meant that fewer professionals held it compared to more established credentials, creating a favorable supply and demand dynamic that translated into strong compensation for certified individuals. Companies undergoing digital transformation initiatives particularly valued this specialized expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensive Security Certified Professional OSCP<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Offensive Security Certified Professional certification developed a reputation throughout 2019 as one of the most technically demanding and respected credentials within the penetration testing community. Unlike many certifications that relied primarily on multiple choice examinations, OSCP required candidates to complete a rigorous hands on practical exam, demonstrating their ability to actually compromise systems within a controlled environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

This hands on, practical approach to certification testing earned OSCP significant respect among technical hiring managers and fellow security professionals throughout 2019. Companies seeking highly skilled penetration testers and red team members often prioritized candidates holding this certification over those with purely theoretical credentials. The difficulty of obtaining this certification, combined with strong industry recognition of its practical rigor, contributed to above average salaries for those who successfully earned it.<\/span><\/p>\n

GIAC Security Essentials Certification GSEC<\/b><\/h3>\n

The GIAC Security Essentials certification, offered through the SANS Institute, provided comprehensive validation of practical security skills throughout 2019. This certification covered a wide range of topics, including network security, cryptography, incident handling, and various security technologies. The association with SANS training, widely regarded as some of the best technical security education available, lent additional credibility to this credential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professionals holding GSEC certification throughout 2019 often commanded premium salaries, particularly when combined with completion of the associated SANS training courses, which were known for their intensive and practical curriculum. Government agencies and large enterprises with substantial security budgets frequently sponsored employees to pursue this certification, recognizing the value of the comprehensive technical knowledge it represented. This employer sponsored pathway contributed to strong demand and corresponding compensation for certified professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Certified Information Systems Auditor certification, also issued by ISACA, focused specifically on information systems auditing, control, and assurance throughout 2019. While not exclusively a security certification, CISA held significant relevance for professionals working at the intersection of security and compliance, particularly within heavily regulated industries such as finance and healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organizations facing strict regulatory requirements throughout 2019, including those subject to Sarbanes Oxley, HIPAA, and various financial services regulations, actively sought CISA certified professionals to ensure proper governance and compliance practices. This certification proved particularly valuable for professionals pursuing careers in IT audit, risk assessment, and compliance management roles. The specialized nature of this expertise, combined with consistent regulatory demand, supported strong salary levels throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control CRISC<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control certification, another ISACA credential, gained increasing recognition throughout 2019 as organizations placed greater emphasis on enterprise risk management practices. This certification validated a professional’s ability to identify and manage IT risk while implementing appropriate information systems controls to mitigate potential threats to organizational objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Financial institutions and large enterprises with complex risk management requirements particularly valued CRISC certified professionals throughout 2019, often integrating these individuals into broader enterprise risk management teams rather than purely technical security functions. This certification’s focus on connecting technical risk factors with business impact made it especially attractive for professionals seeking to demonstrate strategic value beyond traditional technical security roles, contributing to its strong salary potential during this period.<\/span><\/p>\n

Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Systems Security Certified Practitioner certification, offered by ISC2, served as a popular option throughout 2019 for technical professionals seeking validation of their hands on security implementation skills. This certification differed from more managerially focused credentials by concentrating on the technical and operational aspects of security, including access controls, cryptography, network security, and incident response.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professionals working in hands on technical roles, such as security analysts and systems administrators with security responsibilities, found this certification particularly relevant throughout 2019. While generally commanding somewhat lower salaries compared to more senior certifications like CISSP, SSCP provided a respected stepping stone for technical professionals working toward more advanced credentials and senior security positions later in their careers. The certification’s emphasis on practical implementation skills made it valuable for organizations needing hands on technical expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

The cybersecurity certification landscape throughout 2019 reflected an industry experiencing rapid growth and evolving complexity, with organizations increasingly recognizing that verified credentials provided meaningful assurance of candidate capabilities. Throughout this exploration of ten lucrative certifications, several clear patterns emerged regarding what made certain credentials more valuable than others within that year’s job market. Certifications requiring substantial hands on practical demonstration, such as OSCP, alongside those validating strategic managerial capabilities, such as CISSP and CISM, consistently commanded premium salaries compared to more introductory credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

The diversity of certifications available throughout 2019 also reflected the increasingly specialized nature of cybersecurity as a discipline, with distinct pathways emerging for technical implementation, governance and risk management, auditing and compliance, and offensive security testing. Professionals navigating their career paths during this period benefited from understanding which certifications aligned most closely with their career aspirations, whether that meant pursuing senior leadership positions, specializing in penetration testing, or focusing on emerging areas such as cloud security. Vendor neutral certifications like Security Plus provided accessible entry points, while specialized credentials like CCSP addressed emerging technological shifts within the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back at 2019 from a historical perspective, it becomes clear that this period represented an important inflection point for cybersecurity certification value, as organizations began treating these credentials as essential hiring criteria rather than simply preferred qualifications. The salary premiums associated with these certifications throughout 2019 reflected genuine market demand driven by a persistent shortage of qualified security professionals relative to the rapidly growing need for robust organizational security postures. For professionals considering certification investments during this period, the data clearly demonstrated that strategic credential selection, aligned with both personal career goals and prevailing market demands, offered substantial returns on the time and financial investment required to obtain these respected industry qualifications.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The cybersecurity industry experienced significant growth throughout 2019, as organizations across virtually every sector recognized the increasing importance of protecting their digital assets. High profile data breaches and ransomware attacks targeting both private companies and government agencies pushed cybersecurity to the forefront of business priorities. This heightened awareness translated directly into increased hiring budgets and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1648,1653],"tags":[42,93,164,165],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11286,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions\/11286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/certification\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}