Security threats loom over every industry, public or private, high-tech or not. Data breaches have become a difficult reality for all sectors, from healthcare to retail to financial services, and keeping hackers away from sensitive information means working hard to get ahead of increasingly sophisticated cyber-criminals. As such, qualified cyber security professionals at all levels are high in demand.

In the fast-paced world of Information and Computer Security, certifications are one of the best and most accessible ways to improve your knowledge and experience so that you can advance professionally. While certifications are undeniably valuable to anyone working in the cyber security landscape, not all credentials are created equal, and you’ll need to do your research before paying up for a boot camp with a poor reputation or a certification that doesn’t match up with your career goals. To help you out, we’ve listed some of the best options out there for security pros at all levels.