Which Cybersecurity Certifications Are Good For Experienced Non-Technical Professionals ?
These Certs Can Help You Transition Into Cybersecurity As An Experienced Professional
Cybersecurity can be a difficult field to break into
Especially if you are moving from a non-technical background
However this does not mean you have to start from scratch.
I have talked to many professionals with years of experience in finance, risk management, operations, and management who want to move into cybersecurity
BUT .. they do not want to enter as a beginner and want to leverage the skills they already have ..
Instead of reinventing the wheel, I always advise these professionals to focus on mapping their existing experience to cybersecurity roles that align with their strengths.
One of the best ways to bridge this gap is through certifications.
If you have followed me on any platform then you know I talk a lot about cybersecurity certifications .. both the good and bad of them
Certifications provide a structured pathway to acquire knowledge, build credibility, and open doors to new roles.
The challenge, however, lies in finding certifications that complement your non-technical expertise while providing the cybersecurity knowledge needed to succeed.
There are three certifications I usually recommend for non-technical professionals:
They are:
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control), and
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).
These certifications do not require a deep technical background BUT are not easy by any means
They are well-respected and valuable in the cybersecurity community and can give you that spring board you need to break into the industry
Let’s take a look at each of them
1. CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is widely recognized and respected in the cybersecurity and governance industry.
It focuses on the audit, control, and security of information systems.
The skills gained from CISA can help professionals understand how to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s IT systems, ensuring they are secure, reliable, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
For professionals from a finance or auditing background, this is an ideal certification, as it aligns with familiar skills such as controls, risk management, and governance.
If you already understand financial audits, this certification introduces the technical aspects of auditing IT systems, making it a natural next step for those seeking to combine finance and technology in their careers.
CISA is particularly useful for those who want to move into roles that require ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
For example compliance officers, and finance professionals looking to move into cybersecurity governance would benefit greatly from this certification.
In many ways, CISA serves as a bridge between financial control, compliance, and IT security.
2. CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)
For professionals who come from risk management or operations backgrounds, the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification is a great choice.
CRISC focuses on identifying, assessing, and controlling IT risks, and it is a must-have for anyone involved in managing enterprise risk management (ERM) processes.
Risk is a universal concept in both operations and finance, and CRISC maps this into the world of cybersecurity by teaching professionals how to manage risks associated with IT systems.
It’s designed for managers who are tasked with ensuring that an organization’s IT infrastructure aligns with business objectives while keeping threats in check.
CRISC-certified professionals learn how to build a risk-aware culture and implement risk-based strategies to safeguard IT systems.
This certification is especially great for those looking for management lvel roles in business continuity, disaster recovery planning, and overall cybersecurity risk management.
3. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
For individuals from a management or risk background, the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification offers a focused approach to cybersecurity at a strategic level.
CISM is designed for those who manage or oversee information security programs rather than implementing the hands-on technical aspects of cybersecurity.
This certification is especially relevant to mid-level or senior managers looking to deepen their understanding of information security governance, program development, and incident management.
It provides a framework for managing and governing enterprise-level security practices and integrating security into broader business goals.
This is another great cert for landing management level roles in cybersecurity that leverage your existing experience.
Why These Certifications Work For Non-Technical Backgrounds
Let’s face it .. the job market is not perfect right now
People need jobs ASAP and they do not have time to start from scratch
It is better to get your foot in the door and then learn rather than spending six months building up your profile
Each of these certifications help you leverage your existing knowledge of compliance, risk, operations, or governance while acquiring specialized cybersecurity knowledge.
The key is that these certifications are more about building strategy, policy, and oversight than understanding the technical nuances of firewalls or intrusion detection systems.
These certifications serve as door-openers, but it’s important to remember that certifications are only part of the equation.
These certifications also have experience requirements that you will need to fulfill but those can wait until you land a job.
Remember that certs can help you break into cybersecurity, but practical experience is critical to long term career success.
Building a strong foundation of real-world experience, whether through mentorships, or shadowing experienced professionals, will complement your certification and give you the practical skills needed to thrive in this fast-paced industry.
Cybersecurity is vast, and non-technical professionals have an important role to play, especially in managing risks, ensuring compliance, and overseeing cybersecurity governance.
The CISA, CRISC, and CISM certifications are good pathways for professionals transitioning from finance, risk, operations, and management backgrounds into cybersecurity.
By obtaining these certifications, you’ll gain a solid understanding of how to secure information systems, manage risk, and lead security initiatives.
However, these certifications are just the beginning.
They help open doors, but you’ll still need to build hands-on knowledge through practical experience, networking, and staying up to date with the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.
Good luck on your journey !