Top Four Unknown Cybersecurity Certs📜
Stand out...
Everyone and their Mums has the CompTIA Security+, so what are the best certifications you haven’t heard of?
These beginner friendly certs can help you stand out and land that Cybersecurity job.
Certifications - love them or hate them - are one of the best tools to:
Keep yourself accountable
Provide a dedicated learning path
Get your foot in the door
They also demonstrate to employers and recruiters that you’re invested in learning new technologies. While not everyone agrees with their value, I think they can set you apart in a competitive field.
Here are my top picks for lesser known beginner Cybersecurity certifications:
1. Tines Core Certification
The Tines Core Certification teaches you how to build “stories” in Tines - a security automation tool. If you’re new to Tines, it’s a platform that allows you to automate manual processes in Cybersecurity.
Why does this matter? Because automation adds immense value to any company, simplifying workflows and saving time.
With Tines, you’ll learn to use eight core action types:
HTTP Request
Webhook
Send Email
AI Integration
Receive Email
Event Transformation
Trigger
Send-to-Story (nested workflows)
The key takeaway? This certification isn’t just about mastering Tines. It’s about building foundational knowledge in areas like HTTP requests and Webhooks- skills that are 100% needed for your Cybersecurity.
2. Burp Suite Certified Practitioner
If you’re considering a career in Cybersecurity, understanding web application security is non-negotiable tbh. Burp Suite is one of the biggest players in this space, and their Certified Practitioner program offers a hands-on approach to learning.
The labs included in the certification are incredible (probably the best labs i’ve used in this space) They teach you the tool while also helping you think like an ethical hacker.
By taking this certification, you’ll:
Learn the latest vulnerability classes and how to exploit them.
Gain deep knowledge of Burp Suite Professional.
Prove your hacking skills to employers and the community.
This isn’t just a cert, it’s a structured roadmap for web app security.
Quick Tip: If you’re interested in a complete breakdown of foundational certifications in Cloud and Security, check out my resource, TechOneTwenty.
3. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
For those already in an entry-level position, the GSEC certification is a fantastic next step. It helps build upon basic knowledge and provides a clear path to explore advanced areas of Cybersecurity.
Here’s what you’ll cover:
Defense in depth, access control, and password management
Cryptography: concepts, algorithms, and applications
Cloud security (AWS and Azure)
Incident handling, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing
Fundamentals of Linux and Windows security
SIEM, critical controls, and exploit mitigation
Unlike certifications that rehash basics like the CIA Triad or OSI Model, the GSEC builds on those fundamentals, making it ideal for beginners with a bit of experience.
This cert is particularly valuable for discovering where you might want to focus in Cybersecurity.
4. AWS Solutions Architect Associate
Most beginners gravitate toward the AWS Cloud Practitioner (CCP), but I’m here to tell you to skip it and go straight for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate.
The CCP is designed for product managers or scrum leads who need a high-level overview of cloud services - not for those looking to dive deep into cloud security.
The Solutions Architect Associate is far more practical for aspiring cloud security engineers. It’s a bigger green flag on your CV and provides real-world skills you’ll use daily in the job.
I remember…
When I first started in Cybersecurity, I didn’t even know half the roles that existed. Certifications like these not only help you stand out to employers but also give you insights into different areas of the industry. From there, you can decide what excites you the most.
Thanks for reading! My goal for 2025 is to hit 5000 readers here:
Thank you for reading: Keep it secure, keep it light-hearted!
WJPearce - CyberBrew