Nodeware
Speciality: Ethical Hacking and Vulnerability Assessment
Cybersecurity company specializing in continuous vulnerability management and penetration testing; headquartered in Pittsford, NY, with explicit service offerings including ethical hacking and security assessments.
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.
CRISC Certification Overview
Origin and Creation
The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification was created and launched by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) in 2010. ISACA developed this credential in response to growing demand from organizations for professionals who could identify and manage IT risks and implement effective information systems controls. The certification was designed to fill a gap in the market for a specialized credential focused specifically on enterprise risk management within IT environments, distinguishing it from ISACA's other certifications like CISA, which focuses more on auditing.
Industry Value and Importance
The CRISC certification is highly valued because it validates a professional's expertise in four critical domains: IT risk identification, assessment, evaluation and response, and control design and implementation. Organizations prize CRISC holders for their ability to bridge the gap between technical IT operations and business risk management, helping enterprises make informed decisions about technology investments and security measures. The certification is particularly sought after in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government, where managing IT risk and demonstrating compliance are essential. Many employers list CRISC as a preferred or required qualification for risk management, compliance, and IT governance positions, often associated with higher salary potential.