To become a competent professional in the Cyber Security business usually requires doing some courses on the subject, especially with cyber criminals continuously becoming more resourceful and engaging in complex changes to take advantage in the technology industry. It’s always best to start with the basics in courses on Cyber Security. The details of optimal courses, from both a content and price point of view, as well as recognition by employers are provided below with various study options given, followed by more sophisticated courses.
Entry-level Cybersecurity Certification
Most IT technicians start with the basic A+ and N+ certifications from CompTIA. These two internationally certified courses are also recommended for anyone starting their studies in Cyber Security. Both of these courses can be completed without any prior certifications or NQF requirements and, if preferred, can be purchased as exam vouchers which are available directly through Pearson VUE to be used at any of their authorised testing centres nationwide. Course material is also offered through Pearson Vue if required. The details on the contents of the various courses and exams, as well as the costs are provided below together with information on jobs that typically require such qualifications.
| CompTia A+ and N+ Certification Costs (recommended): | |
| Exam | Price |
| CompTia A+ exam | R 1835 (ZAR)* |
| CompTia Network+ (N+) exam | R 2680 (ZAR) * |
*Excludes course material and examination booking costs
Alternatively, a learner could enrol directly to a college offering these certifications which should then include course material as well.
Skills Learned:
- Hardware
- Identifying, using, and connecting hardware components and devices.
- Operating Systems
- Install and support Windows OS including command line & client support. Understand Mac OS, Linux and mobile OS.
- Software Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot PC and mobile device issues including application security support.
- Networking
- Explain types of networks and connections including TCP/IP, WIFI and SOHO.
- Hardware & Network Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot device and network issues.
- Security
- Identify and protect against security vulnerabilities for devices and their network connections.
- Mobile Devices
- Install & configure laptops and other mobile devices.
- Virtualization & Cloud Computing
- Compare & contrast cloud computing concepts & set up client-side virtualization.
- Operational Procedures
- Follow best practices for safety, environmental impacts, and communication and professionalism.
Jobs that use CompTia A+
- Service Desk Analyst
- Data Support Technician
- Help Desk Tech
- Desktop Support Administrator
- Technical Support Specialist
- End-user Computing Technician
- Field Service Technician
- Help Desk Technician
- Associate Network Engineer
- System Support Specialist
Comptia Network+ certification
Skills Learned:
- Networking Fundamentals
- Explain basic networking concepts including network services, physical connections, topologies and architecture, and cloud connectivity.
- Network Implementations
- Explain routing technologies and networking devices; deploy ethernet solutions and configure wireless technologies.
- Network Operations
- Monitor and optimize networks to ensure business continuity.
- Network Security
- Explain security concepts and network attacks in order to harden networks against threats.
- Network Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot common cable, connectivity, and software issues related to networking.
Recommended Experience for Network+ certification: CompTIA A+ Certification and at least 9 to 12 months of networking experience
Jobs that use CompTia Network+
- Junior Network Administrator
- Datacenter Support Technician
- Network Engineer
- System Administrator
- NOC (Network Operations Centre) Technician
- Telecommunications Technician
- Cable Technician
After completing the A+ and N+ courses, the next step is acquiring the Security+ certification which qualifies the learner as an officially qualified Cyber Security professional. Depending on the targeted level of expertise, many would stop here and enter into the workplace to acquire more hands-on experience. However, the Security+ certification is only really the point of entry into the Cyber Security field – the tip of the iceberg, some would say.
| CompTia Security+ Costs: | |
| Exam | Price |
| CompTia Security+ exam | R 2928 (ZAR)* |
*Excludes course material and examination booking costs
Comptia Security+ certification
Skills Learned:
- Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities
- Focusing on more threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities on the Internet from newer custom devices that must be mitigated, such as IoT and embedded devices, newer DDoS attacks, and social engineering attacks based on current events.
- Architecture and Design
- Includes coverage of enterprise environments and reliance on the cloud, which is growing quickly as organizations transition to hybrid networks.
- Implementation
- Expanded to focus on administering identity, access management, PKI, basic cryptography, wireless, and end-to-end security.
- Operations and Incident Response
- Covering organizational security assessment and incident response procedures, such as basic threat detection, risk mitigation techniques, security controls, and basic digital forensics.
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Expanded to support organizational risk management and compliance to regulations, such as PCI-DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, FISMA, NIST, and CCPA.
Recommended Experience for Security+ certification: CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus
Jobs that use CompTia Security+
- Security Administrator
- Systems Administrator
- Helpdesk Manager / Analyst
- Network / Cloud Engineer
- Security Engineer / Analyst
- DevOps / Software Developer
- IT Auditors
- IT Project Manager
Intermediate-Level Cybersecurity Certifications
Moving on to better and greater things, we’ve reached the middle section of the Cyber Security Professional certifications. The A+, N+ and Security+ courses from CompTIA cover the basic knowledge required for this career choice.
Starting at the intermediate level, the courses branch out into more focused areas of study to further develop an individual’s expertise to a specific career path, rather than the general industry.
| Intermediate-Level Certification Costs (optional): | |
| Exam | Price |
| Comptia CySA+ exam | R 2928 (ZAR)* |
| CompTIA PenTest+ exam | R 2928 (ZAR)* |
*Excludes course material and examination booking costs
The learner should choose one of the intermediate fields of study to focus on. Although it is not recommended to do both the CySA+ and PenTest+ courses, the learner can choose to do so if they so desire.
Comptia CySA+ (CySA = Cyber Security Analyst)
Skills Learned:
- Threat and Vulnerability Management
- Utilize and apply proactive threat intelligence to support organizational security and perform vulnerability management activities.
- Software and Systems Security
- Apply security solutions for infrastructure management and explain software & hardware assurance best practices.
- Compliance and Assessment
- Apply security concepts in support of organizational risk mitigation and understand the importance of frameworks, policies, procedures, and controls.
- Security Operations and Monitoring
- Analyze data as part of continuous security monitoring activities and implement configuration changes to existing controls to improve security.
- Incident Response
- Apply the appropriate incident response procedure, analyze potential indicators of compromise, and utilize basic digital forensics techniques.
Recommended Experience for CySA+ Certification: Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge. Minimum of 4 years of hands-on information security or related experience.
Jobs that use CompTIA CySA+
- Security analyst
-Tier II SOC analyst
-Security monitoring
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Security engineer
- Application security analyst
- Incident response or handler
- Compliance analyst
- Threat hunter
OR
Skills Learned:
- Planning and Scoping
- Includes updated techniques emphasizing governance, risk, and compliance concepts, scoping and organizational/customer requirements, and demonstrating an ethical hacking mindset.
- Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning
- Includes updated skills on performing vulnerability scanning and passive/active reconnaissance, vulnerability management, as well as analyzing the results of the reconnaissance exercise.
- Attacks and Exploits
- Includes updated approaches to expanded attack surfaces, researching social engineering techniques, performing network attacks, wireless attacks, application-based attacks and attacks on cloud technologies, and performing post-exploitation techniques.
- Reporting and Communication
- Expanded to focus on the importance of reporting and communication in an increased regulatory environment during the pen testing process through analyzing findings and recommending appropriate remediation within a report.
- Tools and Code Analysis
- Includes updated concepts of identifying scripts in various software deployments, analyzing a script or code sample, and explaining use cases of various tools used during the phases of a penetration test. It is important to note that no scripting and coding is required.
Recommended Experience for PenTest+ Certification: Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge. Minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience. While there is no required prerequisite, PenTest+ is intended to follow CompTIA Security+ or equivalent experience and has a technical, hands-on focus.
Jobs that use CompTIA PenTest+
- Penetration Tester
- Security Consultant
- Cloud Penetration Tester
- Web App Penetration Tester
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Network & Security Specialist
Advanced-Level Cybersecurity Certification
Lastly, we have the CASP+ or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification. Someone with these qualifications is sure to land a high paying job in most industries and will likely hold a position of immense responsibility.
| Advanced Level Certification Costs (optional): | |
| Exam | Price |
| CompTIA CASP+ | R 3685 (ZAR)* |
*Excludes course material and examination booking costs
CompTIA CASP+ (CASP = CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner)
Skills Learned:
- Security Architecture
- Expanded coverage to analyze security requirements in hybrid networks to work toward an enterprise-wide, zero trust security architecture with advanced secure cloud and virtualization solutions.
- Security Operations
- Expanded emphasis on newer techniques addressing advanced threat management, vulnerability management, risk mitigation, incident response tactics, and digital forensics analysis.
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Expanded to support advanced techniques to prove an organization’s overall cybersecurity resiliency metric and compliance to regulations, such as CMMC, PCI-DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, FISMA, NIST, and CCPA.
- Security Engineering and Cryptography
- Expanded to focus on advanced cybersecurity configurations for endpoint security controls, enterprise mobility, cloud/hybrid environments, and enterprise-wide PKI and cryptographic solutions.
Recommended Experience for CASP+: A minimum of ten years of experience in IT administration, including at least five years of hands-on technical security experience. A minimum of ten years of general hands-on IT experience, with at least five years of broad hands-on security experience.
Jobs That Use CASP+
- Security Architect
- Senior Security Engineer
- SOC Manager
- Security Analyst
CompTia/Pearson VUE Testing Centres
Alternative options:
CompTIA is one of many internationally recognised learning institutions where one can learn new skills or expand on the existing ones. Many learning institutions base their course work on the CompTIA certifications but it’s not the only option available.
If you prefer a more structured learning experience, then try the following options:
Institutions offering Training for Cyber Security
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT):
Cyber Security (Beginner) – R9500
Entrance Requirements
- Matric certificate or equivalent qualification with minimum of 50% for Mathematics coupled with suitable knowledge of Informational and communication technology (ICT) and/or
- Experience within the information security industry will be beneficial.
- Attendees must have Internet access and suitable computing hardware and software in order to participate on the e-learning forum and complete practical assignments.
Get additional info, contact info, and brochures
Target Audience
Security personnel working within the spheres of information and computer security as well as prospective students that want to embark on a career within the cyber security domain
Course Structure
The course consists of four modules.
- Module 1: Cyber Crime
- Module 2: Practical Cryptography
- Module 3: Cyber Intelligence and Analysis
- Module 4: Cyber Security Governance
ICT Academy Communication Networks (More Advanced) – R 42,000
Entrance Requirements
- 25 Point Grade 12 for five subjects (50% = 5) Excluding Life Orientation
- Maths 40% (Maths Lit 60%)
- English (1st Language) 50%
- 2nd Language 40%)
Target Audience
School Leaver with aptitude and interest in Computer Networking
Course Structure
- IT Essentials 1: CompTIA A+
- IT Essentials II: CCNA Cybersecurity Operations
- CCNA: Introduction to Networks (ITN)
- CCNA: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials (SRWE)
- CCNA: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation (ENSA)
- Linux LPI 101
- Juniper Networks JNCIA
University of Cape Town (UCT):
Fundamentals Of Cybersecurity – R57,570
- Module 1 Basic Principles of Cybersecurity Management
Discover the fundamental concepts, processes, and roles involved in maintaining information security. - Module 2 Risk Assessment
Discover the major cybersecurity vectors and actors, and how cybersecurity risks can be thoroughly assessed and managed. - Module 3 Corporate Governance, Policies, and the Regulatory Environment
Learn about the cybersecurity regulative and legislative environment in South Africa, and how corporate governance and policy support cybersecurity practices. - Module 4 Cybersecurity Culture
Why is a committed cybersecurity culture necessary, and what are the risks it should mitigate? - Module 5 Cybersecurity Architecture
Engage with the goals and features of secure network design and the methods to achieve this. - Module 6 Cybersecurity Software and Hardware
Discover the types of software and hardware that can be used to protect information assets. - Module 7 The CIS 20 Critical Security Controls (CSCs)
Engage with the 20 critical security controls as compiled by the Centre for Internet Security. - Module 8 Incident Management
Discover the elements of cybersecurity incident response and management.
Other Cyber Security Certification Organisations:
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium(ISC)²
Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
Training for Management
Cyber Security is an all-inclusive industry. It affects everyone, not just the IT or security team but management as well. To ensure that no one is left out, we’ve also included courses that can help top-level management better understand the information reported by their security team and requirements of the business in relation to Cyber Security practices and defences.
GetSmarter/IMD (Institute for Management Development)
Cybersecurity for Managers – R30,768
Course details
Wits University
Certificate in Cybersecurity Professional Practice and Leadership (CPPL) – R48,000
MIT Sloan School of Management
Cybersecurity for Managers: A Playbook – $2800 (Approx. R 41,000)
Cybersecurity Leadership for Non-Technical Executives – $4100 (Approx. R 60,000)
Cyber Leadership Institute
Executive Cyber Resilience Program – $675 (Approx. R10,000)
LinkedIn Learning
Cybersecurity for Executives – R 459
SANS Institute
MGT512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers OnDemand (online) course
– $7190 (Approx. R105,879.22) + GSLC Certification – $949 (Approx. R13, 974.88)