Level

Expert level

Expert-level certifications represent the pinnacle of cybersecurity credentials. Reserved for elite professionals with 8+ years of deep expertise, these certifications validate mastery-level knowledge, thought leadership, and the ability to shape industry practices. Holders often serve as advisors, lead global security initiatives, or define organizational security strategy.

8 certifications

Next steps

Industry thought leadership, board advisory, shape security standards

Expert level certifications

ISC21

ISC2

Expert

Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Proves five years of security experience across eight broad domains, endorsed by a peer and tested on an adaptive exam of up to 150 items

Exam: $749
Study: 6-12 months

ISACA3

ISACA

Expert

Certified Information Security Manager

Verifies that you can run an information security program, and ISACA checks five years of security management experience before granting it

Exam: $760
Study: 6-12 months

ISACA

Expert

Certified Information Systems Auditor

Proves you can plan and run risk-based IT audits, and it is granted only after five years of verified audit, control or security work

Exam: $760
Study: 6-12 months

ISACA

Expert

Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT

Recognizes enterprise IT governance leaders, covering frameworks, investment benefits, resources and risk, after five verified years in governance roles

Exam: $760
Study: 6-12 months

GIAC1

GIAC

Expert

GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware

Proves you can reverse-engineer Windows malware and malicious documents with disassemblers and debuggers, including unpacking samples and defeating anti-analysis tricks

Exam: $999
Study: 6-9 months