Choosing the Right
Cybersecurity
Certification in 2026 A role-based breakdown
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Certifications (2026) Certification
Best For
Real-World Role Alignment
Passing Score
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEHv13)
Beginners entering offensive security
Junior Ethical Hacker, Junior Pentester, SOC Analyst (offensive exposure)
60โ85% (scaled)
CEH (Practical)
Those who want proof of practical hacking skills
JuniorโMid Pentester
70%
Certified Penetration Testing Professionalโจ (CPENT)
Pentesters moving to advanced real-world attacks
Senior Pentester, Red Team Operator
70%
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
SOC / IR professionals handling investigations
DFIR Analyst, Incident Responder
70%
Certified Network Defender (CND)
Blue-team and SOC beginners
SOC Analyst, Network Security Engineer
70%
Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
SOC-focused professionals SOC Analyst L1โL2 (NOT ethical hacking)
70%
ISC2 Certifications (2026) Certification
Best For
Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Non-IT or earlySOC Tier 1, Junior Security 700 / 1000 career professionals Analyst
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Hands-on security practitioners
SOC Tier 2, Security Engineer
700 / 1000
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Professionals with Security Manager, 5+ years experience Architect, Consultant
700 / 1000
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
Architects designing secure systems
Security Architect
700 / 1000
Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP)
Engineers building secure systems
Senior Security Engineer
700 / 1000
Security Program Manager, GRC Lead
700 / 1000
Information Systems Security Leaders managing Management Professional (ISSMP) people & programs
Real-World Role Alignment
Passing Score
Certifications (2026) Certification
Best For
Real-World Role
Passing Score
Alignment
Certified Information Systems
Audit & compliance
IT Auditor, Compliance
Auditor (CISA)
professionals
Auditor
Certified Information Security
Those moving into
Security Manager, Deputy
Manager (CISM)
management
CISO
Certified in Risk and Information
Risk-focused
GRC Lead, Risk Manager
450 / 800
Systems Control (CRISC)
security roles
Certified Data Privacy Solutions
Engineers building
Privacy Engineer, Security
450 / 800
Engineer (CDPSE)
compliant systems
Architect
450 / 800
450 / 800
Certifications (2026) Best For
Real-World Role Alignment
Passing Score
Anyone working with EU Certified Information Privacy Professional โ Europe (CIPP/E) data
DPO, Privacy Analyst
300 / 500
Certified Information Privacy Professional โ US (CIPP/US)
US-focused privacy roles
Privacy Consultant
300 / 500
Certified Information Privacy Professional โ Asia (CIPP/A)
Asia-Pacific compliance roles
Regional Privacy Lead
300 / 500
Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
Managing privacy programs
Privacy Manager
300 / 500
Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)
Technical professionals handling data
Privacy Engineer
300 / 500
Certification
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