Foundational Certifications
Entry-level certifications for professionals new to cybersecurity or IT. These provide fundamental knowledge in security principles, networking, and IT administration.
Foundational Certifications at a glance
This category covers 5 cybersecurity certifications, with top reported salaries reaching $120,000. Each certification below maps to a specific role and skill profile — pick the one whose target audience and career paths match where you are or where you want to be.
The certifications
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CompTIA Security+ CompTIA · Entry-Level
- Cost$392 exam fee
- Study time3-6 months typical study time
- Salary$89,636 - $110,000
- DemandHigh - entry point for 40% of security roles
- Validity3 years
IT professionals, system administrators, network engineers new to security
Career paths: Security Administrator · Security Analyst · IT Support Specialist
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Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) ISC2 · Entry-Level
- Cost$329 exam fee
- Study time4-8 weeks study time
- Salary$85,000 - $95,000
- DemandGrowing - 25% increase in demand
- Validity3 years (continuously)
Career changers, IT professionals, non-technical professionals
Career paths: Security Analyst · Security Administrator · Compliance Officer
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eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester) INE Security · Entry-Level
- Cost$200 exam fee
- Study time2-4 weeks for beginners
- Salary$95,000 - $120,000
- DemandHigh - entry to penetration testing
- ValidityNo expiration
Aspiring penetration testers, security enthusiasts
Career paths: Junior Penetration Tester · Security Analyst · Red Team Member
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S-ITSF (IT-Security Foundation) SECO-Institute · Entry-Level
- Cost$200 exam fee
- Study time2-3 weeks study time
- Salary$80,000 - $95,000
- DemandModerate - European focus
- Validity3 years
IT professionals, system administrators
Career paths: Security Administrator · IT Support · Help Desk
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CSX-F (Cyber Security Fundamentals) ISACA · Entry-Level
- Cost$195 exam fee
- Study time3-4 weeks study time
- Salary$85,000 - $100,000
- DemandGrowing - ISACA focus
- ValidityNo expiration
Career changers, IT professionals, business professionals
Career paths: Security Analyst · Risk Analyst · Compliance Officer
How to choose
Start with the cert whose target audience matches your current role and the level matches your experience. Among those, the practical filter is usually cost and study time — pick what you can realistically commit to over the next 6 months. The career paths section tells you which roles each cert opens up; the salary range is a rough industry signal but varies heavily by region and employer.