iSECURE
Speciality: Attack Simulations and Penetration Testing
Cybersecurity firm headquartered in Rochester, NY, providing penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and incident response services; explicitly offers attack simulations and tabletop exercises to identify security vulnerabilities and simulate real-world cyberattacks.
CISSP Certification Overview
Origin
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) was created by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, commonly known as (ISC)², in 1994. The certification was developed in response to the growing need for a standardized, vendor-neutral credential that could validate the expertise of information security professionals. (ISC)² designed the CISSP to establish a common body of knowledge for the cybersecurity field and provide a benchmark for measuring professional competence in information security.
Industry Value
The CISSP is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and recognized certifications in cybersecurity, often required or preferred for senior-level security positions. Its value stems from its comprehensive coverage of eight security domains, including security operations, asset security, and security architecture, which demonstrates a candidate's broad expertise across the entire security landscape. The certification is accredited to ISO/IEC Standard 17024 and meets U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570 requirements, making it particularly valuable for government contractors and enterprise organizations. Employers value CISSP-certified professionals because the rigorous examination process and experience requirements (minimum five years) ensure holders possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in managing and implementing security programs.
GCIH Cybersecurity Certification
Origin
The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification was created by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), which was founded in 1999. GIAC is part of the SANS Institute, a cooperative research and education organization established in 1989. The GCIH was developed to address the growing need for professionals who could effectively detect, respond to, and resolve computer security incidents. It was designed to validate practitioners' abilities to manage security incidents by understanding common attack techniques, vectors, and tools, as well as defend against and respond to such attacks when they occur.
Industry Value
The GCIH certification is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates practical, hands-on knowledge of incident handling and response—critical skills as organizations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Employers recognize GCIH holders as professionals capable of managing security incidents from detection through resolution, making them essential members of security operations centers (SOCs) and incident response teams. The certification is often required or preferred for positions in incident response, security analysis, and defensive security roles, and it meets Department of Defense (DoD) 8570 requirements for information assurance positions, further enhancing its recognition and value in both government and private sector organizations.
GWAPT Cybersecurity Certification
Origin
The GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT) certification was created by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), an organization founded in 1999 as part of the SANS Institute. GIAC developed GWAPT to address the growing need for skilled professionals who could identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. The certification was designed to validate hands-on technical skills in web application security testing, reflecting the real-world challenges that security professionals face when assessing modern web-based systems.
Industry Value
GWAPT is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates practical expertise in web application penetration testing, one of the most critical areas of information security. Organizations prize this certification because holders have proven their ability to identify common and advanced vulnerabilities in web applications, which remain a primary attack vector for cybercriminals. The certification's emphasis on hands-on skills rather than just theoretical knowledge makes GWAPT holders particularly attractive to employers seeking security professionals who can immediately contribute to protecting their web-based assets and conducting thorough security assessments.
EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
The EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) certification was created by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), the same organization behind the well-known Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential. Launched in the mid-2000s as a progression from the CEH, ECSA was designed to bridge the gap between penetration testing knowledge and practical application. EC-Council developed this certification to provide cybersecurity professionals with advanced penetration testing skills and methodologies, emphasizing hands-on analysis and assessment techniques beyond basic ethical hacking concepts.
ECSA is valued in the industry because it demonstrates a professional's ability to conduct comprehensive security assessments using structured methodologies rather than just automated tools. The certification focuses on the analytical phase of penetration testing, teaching practitioners how to analyze vulnerabilities, assess security posture, and deliver actionable reports to organizations. Many employers and government agencies recognize ECSA as proof of advanced practical skills in security testing, making it particularly valuable for professionals seeking roles as penetration testers, security analysts, or vulnerability assessors who need to go beyond theoretical knowledge and demonstrate real-world testing capabilities.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification
Origin
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification was created by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) in 2003. EC-Council developed this certification in response to the growing need for standardized training in ethical hacking and penetration testing. The organization recognized that cybersecurity professionals needed formal credentials that would demonstrate their ability to think like malicious hackers in order to better defend systems and networks. The CEH was designed to establish a baseline of knowledge for security practitioners who assess system vulnerabilities using the same techniques employed by attackers.
Industry Value
The CEH certification is valued in the cybersecurity industry because it validates practical knowledge of security threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures. Many organizations, including government agencies and private corporations, recognize CEH as a benchmark for hiring security analysts, penetration testers, and security consultants. The certification covers 20 domains of information security, providing holders with a comprehensive understanding of attack vectors and defensive strategies. For professionals, earning the CEH demonstrates commitment to the field and can lead to career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential in an industry facing significant talent shortages.