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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