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CertGPS
Domain

Network Security

Network Security protects the backbone of IT infrastructure. You'll secure networks, configure firewalls, implement VPNs, and defend against network-based attacks. This domain blends networking fundamentals with security expertise.

NS8 certifications

Why NS matters

Networks are still the backbone of every organization. Network security professionals protect this critical infrastructure from external and internal threats. You'll be the gatekeeper, controlling access and defending the perimeter.

Key areas

  • Firewall and IDS/IPS configuration
  • VPN implementation and management
  • Network segmentation and zoning
  • DDoS mitigation
  • Wireless security
  • Network traffic analysis and monitoring

Career path in NS

  1. Entry level
    Start as Network Admin, learning infrastructure and basic security
  2. Mid level
    Progress to Network Security Engineer, implementing security controls
  3. Senior level
    Advance to Network Security Architect, designing enterprise networks

Essential skills

TCP/IP and networking protocolsFirewall and VPN technologiesPacket analysis (Wireshark)Network security appliancesCisco/Palo Alto/Fortinet platforms

Typical roles

Network Security EngineerSecurity AdministratorNetwork ArchitectSecurity Operations Engineer

Pay and outlook for these roles

US figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the closest BLS occupation to each role. BLS doesn't report pay by specialty and counts most of these roles only within a wider occupation, so each card covers every job in it.

Certifications for NS

Entry2

CompTIA

Entry

CompTIA Security+

Vendor-neutral proof of core security administration skills, tested partly through performance-based tasks and mapped by CompTIA to DoD 8140 work roles

Exam
$439
Study
3-6 months

CompTIA

Entry

CompTIA Network+

Vendor-neutral proof that you can address, configure, secure and troubleshoot business networks, tested with performance-based tasks on a 90-minute exam

Exam
$399
Study
3-4 months

Intermediate3

ISC2

Intermediate

Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Proves a year of hands-on security administration, from access control to cryptography, on a two-hour adaptive exam across seven evenly weighted domains

Exam
$249
Study
3-6 months

TCM Security

Intermediate

Practical Network Penetration Tester

Five-day external-to-domain-controller pentest, followed by a written report and a live debrief with TCM Security assessors

Exam
$499
Study
3-6 months

OffSec

Intermediate

OffSec Wireless Professional

A 3h45m proctored practical in which you recover wireless keys by hand and reach the access point in two of three live scenarios

Exam
$799
Study
2-4 months

Advanced3

GIAC

Advanced

GIAC Network Forensic Analyst

Proves you can trace an attack from network evidence alone, using packet captures, NetFlow, proxy logs and protocol analysis, in a hands-on CyberLive exam

Exam
$999
Study
4-6 months

GIAC

Advanced

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst

Proves you can read network traffic at the header level and write detection rules, tested partly through hands-on CyberLive tasks

Exam
$999
Study
4-6 months