ITCareerFinder analyzes salaries and hiring trends to uncover this year's best-paying cyber security roles.

Data breaches are becoming so ubiquitous that it’s easy to gloss over the headlines, but the fallout is much harder for companies to ignore -- hacks are not just embarrassing but can lead to serious financial and reputational damage. So, it’s not surprising that there’s high demand for IT security specialists, and that those who are up to the task are generously compensated. In fact, cyber security is the 3rd most highly sought-after skill set in 2023, and many companies report info-sec vacancies due to their inability to find qualified candidates.

Not only are these skills in peak demand, but cyber security is one of the highest-paying IT specialties, bringing in an average salary of $102,600 (more than double the $45,760 average for all occupations) according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. But not all cyber-sec jobs pay the same. A handful of positions stand above the rest, at least in terms of compensation.

Here are some of the highest paying cyber security careers for 2023:

A guide to the most valuable CompTIA certifications, broken down by IT career path.

This article will be updated annually with the best CompTIA certifications.

CompTIA certifications have long been a staple for IT professionals looking to solidify their skills and advance their careers. Their global recognition, career-focused subject matter, vendor-neutrality, and respect among employers and workers make them the first choice for many in the field.

But which CompTIA certification(s) should you pursue?

This guide will provide an overview of today’s best CompTIA certifications, organized by IT career path and skill level, to help you decide which credentials are right for you.

A guide to penetration testing certifications, including what they are, why they're valuable, and the best pen testing credentials for your cybersecurity career path.

This post will be updated annually with the top pen-testing certificates.

Penetration testing - a.k.a. “pentesting” - involves simulating attacks on networks and computer systems to identify vulnerabilities which can then be shored up by the cybersecurity team. Pen testing is a vital component of an organization’s information security strategy.

Pen testing certifications are professional credentials earned by IT security specialists who demonstrate a level of proficiency in this field. The leading pen-tester certificates are offered by various types of institutions, including cybersecurity industry associations, globally recognized certifying bodies, and technical training providers.

In this post, we will identify the best penetration testing certifications by experience level and specialization. For each certificate, we’ll highlight the key skills it covers, prerequisites, costs, benefits, training options, and more.

The timeframe for earning a college degree in cybersecurity varies based on program level and format. This post will outline how long it takes to obtain different cybersecurity degrees and provide a synopsis of each type.

Here's a quick summary of cybersecurity degree durations:

Yes, cybersecurity is a STEM degree. Let’s explore how.

Cybersecurity degrees align with all four STEM domains. Here’s how cybersecurity fits into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

ITCareerFinder breaks down the key differences between cybersecurity bootcamps and degrees to help you choose the best path forward.

As cyber attacks continue to escalate, the demand for skilled and certified IT security professionals has surged dramatically. This boom in hiring has brought with it a proliferation of educational pathways, each promising the quickest and most comprehensive route to becoming an IT security specialist.

Among these options, two learning paths stand out: cybersecurity bootcamps and cybersecurity degree programs. But which is the better route? Let's delve into the nuances of both to help you make an informed decision.

A detailed comparison of CompTIA’s CySA+ and Security+ certifications.

In the rapidly expanding field of cybersecurity certifications, two prominent credentials are the CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) and Security+ from CompTIA. Both industry-respected certifications play a crucial role in validating the skills of cybersecurity professionals. But, how do the CySA+ and Security+ differ? Which one should you choose?

This page will provide a head-to-head comparison of the Security+ and CySA+ certifications. We’ll summarize each credential, and outline key aspects such as skill level, curriculum, costs, job roles, and exam details. We will also highlight some of the best CySA+ and Security+ training programs to help you get skilled up and ace the exams.

A heads-up comparison of EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and CompTIA's PenTest+ professional certifications.

Cybersecurity is one of the top paying and fastest growing disciplines in the IT workforce. Among the myriad specializations in this field, ethical hacking and penetration testing are particularly sought-after due to the critical role they play in identifying and mitigating potential cyber attacks before they happen. Professional certifications like EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and CompTIA's PenTest+ offer a pathway to demonstrate your expertise in these domains.

But when it comes to choosing between the two, which certificate should you pursue? This article will compare the CEH and PenTest+ certifications to help you make an informed decision.