Cybersecurity career intelligence
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© 2026 Bespoke Intermedia LLC
Founded by Julian Calvo, Ed.D. · Cybersecurity career intelligence · Est. 2024
Which certifications to get, in what order, and how much they cost, based on your career goals.
Arrows show recommended progression paths. Click any node to view the full certification guide.
NO BACKGROUND, ANY INTEREST AREA
CompTIA Security+
Appears in 75% of entry-level job postings. The universal first cert.
View cert guide →GRC, COMPLIANCE, OR POLICY FOCUS
ISC2 CC (free)
Free exam. Opens doors to compliance roles immediately. Get this, then Security+.
View cert guide →CYBERSECURITY SALES TRACK
CompTIA Security+
Validates the technical credibility needed to sell security solutions to enterprise buyers.
View cert guide →| Certification | Provider | Cost | Study Time | Difficulty | Best For | Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA | $404 | 6–10 wks | Intermediate | All technical roles | +$8K–$15K | |
| ISC2 | Free | 4–6 wks | Beginner | GRC, compliance, first cert | +$5K–$10K | |
| CompTIA | $404 | 8–12 wks | Intermediate | SOC Analyst, Blue Team | +$10K–$18K | |
| CompTIA | $404 | 8–12 wks | Intermediate | Pen Tester, Offensive roles | +$10K–$20K | |
| EC-Council | $1,199 | 8–12 wks | Intermediate | DoD roles, Ethical Hacking | +$8K–$16K | |
| ISC2 | $749 | 16–24 wks | Advanced | Security Manager, Architect | +$20K–$40K | |
| ISACA | $575 | 12–16 wks | Advanced | GRC Manager, Compliance Lead | +$15K–$25K | |
| OffSec | $1,599 | 12–24 wks | Expert | Pen Tester (respected signal) | +$20K–$35K | |
| ISC2 | $599 | 12–16 wks | Advanced | Cloud Security Architect | +$15K–$30K | |
| Amazon | $300 | 8–12 wks | Advanced | Cloud Security Engineer | +$12K–$22K | |
| Microsoft | $165 | 6–10 wks | Advanced | Azure Security Engineer | +$10K–$20K |
Salary impact estimates based on BLS OES 2024 data and industry surveys. Verify current exam pricing at official certifying body websites before purchasing.
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