Cybersecurity certifications: which do job ads name?

Job-ad data: October 2026 · Editor: · Updated

OSCP is the most named: 73% of penetration tester job ads in the United States.

Cybersecurity: our 10 articles in this field, each with a one-line summary.

Cybersecurity: the certifications job ads name most in the United States
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Cybersecurity: the certifications job ads name most in the United States. Share of job ads that name each item. Source: Adzuna job ads, October 2026.
ItemRoleAdsShare of ads
OSCPPenetration tester21773%
CISSPCybersecurity analyst8,1104.2%
CISMCybersecurity analyst8,1101.7%
CompTIA CySA+Cybersecurity analyst8,1101.5%
eJPTPenetration tester2171%
CompTIA Security+Cybersecurity analyst8,1101.4%
CEHCybersecurity analyst8,11081 of 8,110
CompTIA SecurityX (CASP+)Cybersecurity analyst8,11048 of 8,110
SSCPCybersecurity analyst8,11046 of 8,110
CRISCCybersecurity analyst8,11031 of 8,110

Which certificates do employers name for your job?

Instant answer from October 2026 job ads. No email needed.

Country

Certificates named

  1. CISSP4.2%
  2. CompTIA2.0%
  3. CISM1.7%
  4. CompTIA CySA+1.5%
  5. CompTIA Security+1.4%

Skills asked for

  1. SIEM5.1%
  2. Splunk1.2%

Source: Adzuna job ads, October 2026.

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The most-named certification for each role, by country
OSCP reaches its highest share in the United States (73%).
Show the numbers
The most-named certification for each role, by country. Share of job ads that name each item. Source: Adzuna job ads, October 2026.
ItemUnited StatesUnited KingdomIndiaBrazil
Cybersecurity analyst: CISSP4.2%12%18%4 ads
SOC analyst: CompTIA CySA+15%–––
Penetration tester: OSCP73%–––
Cybersecurity: certifications by experience level
3 of 14 placed certifications need no work experience; CompTIA SecurityX (CASP+) asks for the most (10 years of work experience).
Show the numbers
Cybersecurity: certifications by experience level. Source: vendor requirements in our fact files, checked October 3, 2026.
LevelCertificationExperienceNamed first
EntryISC2 CCno work experience required–
EntryGoogle Cybersecurityno work experience required–
EntryIBM Cybersecurity Analystbeginner course (vendor)–
AssociateSSCPrequired: 1 year of work experience–
ProfessionalCompTIA Security+recommended: 2 years of work experience–
ProfessionalCEHrequired: 2 years of work experience–
ProfessionalCRISCrequired: 3 years of work experience–
ProfessionalCompTIA PenTest+recommended: 3 years of work experience–
ExpertCISSPrequired: 4 years of work experience on the shortest route (4–5 years, depending on the route)–
ExpertCompTIA CySA+recommended: 4 years of work experience–
ExpertCISMrequired: 5 years of work experience–
ExpertCISArequired: 5 years of work experience–
ExpertISO 27001 Lead Implementer / Auditorrequired: 5 years of work experience–
ExpertCompTIA SecurityX (CASP+)recommended: 10 years of work experience–