• The U.S. job market has almost 600,000 openings requesting cybersecurity-related skills. 
• Employers are struggling to fill these openings due to a general cyber-skill shortage, with many openings remaining vacant each year. 
• When evaluating prospective information-security candidates, employers should look for certifications as an important measure of excellence and commitment to quality.
• This article is for business owners looking to hire cybersecurity experts, or for individuals interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career. 

Cybersecurity is one of the most crucial areas for ensuring a business’s success and longevity. With cyberattacks growing in sophistication, it’s essential for business owners to protect their companies by hiring qualified cybersecurity experts to manage this aspect of their business. The best candidates will have a certification in information security and cybersecurity. This guide breaks down the top certifications and other guidance you’ll need to make the right hire for your company. It’s also a great primer for individuals who are embarking on a cybersecurity career.

Best information security and cybersecurity certifications

When evaluating prospective InfoSec candidates, employers frequently look to certification as an important measure of excellence and commitment to quality. We examined five InfoSec certifications we consider to be leaders in the field of information security today.

This year’s list includes entry-level credentials, such as Security+, as well as more advanced certifications, like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). According to CyberSeek, more employers are seeking CISA, CISM and CISSP certification holders than there are credential holders, which makes these credentials a welcome addition to any certification portfolio.

Absent from our list of the top five is SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC). Although this certification is still a very worthy credential, the job board numbers for CISA were so solid that it merited a spot in the top five. Farther down in this guide, we offer some additional certification options because the field of information security is both wide and varied.

1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker

The CEH (ANSI) certification is an intermediate-level credential offered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It’s a must-have for IT professionals who are pursuing careers in white hat hacking and certifies their competence in the five phases of ethical hacking: reconnaissance, enumeration, gaining of access, access maintenance and track covering. 

CEH credential holders possess skills and knowledge of hacking practices in areas such as footprinting and reconnaissance, network scanning, enumeration, system hacking, Trojans, worms and viruses, sniffers, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, session hijacking, web server hacking, wireless networks and web applications, SQL injection, cryptography, penetration testing, IDS evasion, firewalls and honeypots. CEH V11 provides a remapping of the course to the NIST/NICE framework’s Protect and Defend (PR) job role category, as well as an additional focus on emerging threats in cloud, OT and IT security, such as fileless malware.

To obtain a CEH (ANSI) certification, candidates must pass one exam. A comprehensive five-day CEH training course is recommended, with the test presented at the course’s conclusion. Candidates may self-study for the test but must submit documentation of at least two years of work experience in information security with employer verification. Self-study candidates must also pay an additional $100 application fee. Education may be substituted for experience, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Candidates who complete any EC-Council-approved training (including with the iClass platform, academic institutions or an accredited training center) do not need to submit an application prior to attempting the exam.

Because technology in the field of hacking changes almost daily, CEH credential holders are required to obtain 120 continuing-education credits for each three-year cycle.

Once a candidate obtains the CEH (ANSI) designation, a logical progression on the EC-Council certification ladder is the CEH (Practical) credential. The CEH (Practical) designation targets the application of CEH skills to real-world security audit challenges and related scenarios. To obtain the credential, candidates must pass a rigorous six-hour practical examination. Conducted on live virtual machines, candidates are presented 20 scenarios with questions designed to validate a candidate’s ability to perform tasks such as vulnerability analysis, identification of threat vectors, web app and system hacking, OS detection, network scanning, packet sniffing, steganography and virus identification. Candidates who pass both the CEH (ANSI) and the CEH (Practical) exams earn the CEH (Master) designation.

CEH facts and figures

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training

While EC-Council offers both instructor-led and online training for its CEH certification, IT professionals have plenty of other options for self-study materials, including video training, practice exams and books.

Pluralsight currently offers an ethical-hacking learning path geared toward the 312-50 exam. With a monthly subscription, you get access to all of these courses, plus everything else in Pluralsight’s training library. Through Pluralsight’s learning path, students can prepare for all of the domains covered in the CEH exam.  

CyberVista offers a practice test for the CEH 312-50 certification that includes several sets of exam-like questions, custom quizzes, flash cards and more. An test prep subscription for 180 days costs $149 and gives candidates access to online study materials, as well as the ability to get the materials for offline study. Backed by its “pass guarantee,” CyberVista is so confident its practice test will prepare you for the CEH test that the company will refund its VCE test costs if you don’t pass.

FYI: Besides certifications in information security and cybersecurity, the best IT certifications cover areas such as disaster recovery, virtualization and telecommunications.

2. CISM: Certified Information Security Manager

The CISM certification is a top credential for IT professionals who are responsible for managing, developing and overseeing information security systems in enterprise-level applications or for developing organizational security best practices. The CISM credential was introduced to security professionals in 2003 by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

ISACA’s organizational goals are specifically geared toward IT professionals who are interested in the highest-quality standards with respect to the auditing, control and security of information systems. The CISM credential targets the needs of IT security professionals with enterprise-level security management responsibilities. Credential holders possess advanced and proven skills in security risk management, program development and management, governance, and incident management and response.

Holders of the CISM credential, which is designed for experienced security professionals, must agree to ISACA’s code of ethics, pass a comprehensive examination, possess at least five years of experience in information security management, comply with the organization’s continuing education policy and submit a written application. Some combinations of education and experience may be substituted for the full experience requirement.

The CISM credential is valid for three years, and credential holders must pay an annual maintenance fee of $45 (ISACA members) or $85 (nonmembers). Credential holders are also required to obtain a minimum of 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credits over the three-year term to maintain the credential. At least 20 CPE credits must be earned every year.

CISM facts and figures

Other ISACA certification program elements

In addition to CISM, ISACA offers numerous certifications for those interested in information security and best practices. Other credentials worth considering include the following:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The CISA designation was created for professionals working with information systems auditing, control or security and is popular enough with employers to earn it a place on the leaderboard. The CGEIT credential targets IT professionals working in enterprise IT management, governance, strategic alignment, value delivery, and risk and resource performance management. IT professionals who are seeking careers in all aspects of risk management will find that the CRISC credential nicely meets their needs.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) training

Pluralsight offers a CISM learning path containing five courses and 17 hours of instruction. The courses cover the domains addressed in the exam, but the learning path is aimed at the CISM job practice areas. 

CyberVista offers a CISM online training course in both live and on-demand formats. The course includes more than 16 hours of training videos, supplementary lessons, custom quizzes, practice test questions and access to experts through the instructor. As with other CyberVista courses, the CISM training course comes with a “pass guarantee.” 

Did you know?: According to CyberSeek, there are enough workers to fill only 68% of the cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. A cybersecurity certification is an important way to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to succeed in these job roles.

3. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA’s Security+ is a well-respected, vendor-neutral security certification. Security+ credential holders are recognized as possessing superior technical skills, broad knowledge and expertise in multiple security-related disciplines.

Although Security+ is an entry-level certification, the ideal candidates possess at least two years of experience working in network security and should consider first obtaining the Network+ certification. IT pros who obtain this certification have expertise in areas such as threat management, cryptography, identity management, security systems, security risk identification and mitigation, network access control, and security infrastructure. The CompTIA Security+ credential is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet Directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. In addition, the Security+ credential complies with the standards for ISO 17024.

The Security+ credential requires a single exam, currently priced at $381. (Discounts may apply to employees of CompTIA member companies and full-time students.) Training is available but not required.

IT professionals who earned the Security+ certification prior to Jan. 1, 2011, remain certified for life. Those who certify after that date must renew the certification every three years to stay current. To renew, candidates must obtain 50 continuing-education units (CEUs) or complete the CertMaster CE online course prior to the expiration of the three-year period. CEUs can be obtained by engaging in activities such as teaching, blogging, publishing articles or whitepapers, and participating in professional conferences and similar activities.

CompTIA Security+ facts and figures

CompTIA Security+ training

You’ll find several companies offering online training, instructor-led and self-study courses, practice exams and books to help you prepare for and pass the Security+ exam.

Pluralsight offers a Security+ learning path as a part of its monthly subscription plan for the latest SY0-601 exam. Split into six sections, the training series is more than 24 hours long and covers attacks, threats and vulnerabilities; architecture and design; implementation of secure solutions; operations and incident response; and governance, risk and compliance.

CyberVista offers a Security+ practice test so you can test your security knowledge before attempting the SY0-601 exam. The test comes with a 180-day access period and includes multiple sets of test questions, key concept flash cards, access to InstructorLink experts, a performance tracker and more. As with CyberVista’s other offerings, this practice test comes with a “pass guarantee.”

4. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is an advanced-level certification for IT pros who are serious about careers in information security. Offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)2 (pronounced “ISC squared”), this vendor-neutral credential is recognized worldwide for its standards of excellence.

CISSP credential holders are decision-makers who possess the expert knowledge and technical skills necessary to develop, guide and manage security standards, policies and procedures within their organizations. The CISSP certification continues to be highly sought after by IT professionals and is well recognized by IT organizations. It is a regular fixture on most-wanted and must-have security certification surveys.

CISSP is designed for experienced security professionals. A minimum of five years of experience in at least two of (ISC)2’s eight common body of knowledge (CBK) domains, or four years of experience in at least two of (ISC)2’s CBK domains and a college degree or an approved credential, is required for this certification. The CBK domains are security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communications and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.

(ISC)2 also offers three CISSP concentrations targeting specific areas of interest in IT security:

• Architecture (CISSP-ISSAP)
• Engineering (CISSP-ISSEP)
• Management (CISSP-ISSMP)

Each CISSP concentration test is $599, and credential seekers must currently possess a valid CISSP.

An annual fee of $125 is required to maintain the CISSP credential. Recertification is required every three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 40 CPE credits each year, for a total of 120 CPE credits within the three-year cycle.

CISSP facts and figures 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) training

Given the popularity of the CISSP certification, there is no shortage of available training options. These include classroom-based training offered by (ISC)2, as well as online video courses, practice exams and books from third-party companies.

Pluralsight’s CISSP learning path includes 12 courses and 25 hours of e-learning covering the security concepts required for the certification exam. Available for a low monthly fee, the CISSP courses are part of a subscription plan that gives IT professionals access to Pluralsight’s complete library of video training courses.

When you’re ready to test your security knowledge, you can take a simulated test that mimics the format and content of the real CISSP exam. Udemy offers CISSP practice tests to help you prepare for this challenging exam.

5. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor

ISACA’s globally recognized CISA certification is the gold standard for IT workers seeking to practice in information security, audit control and assurance. Ideal candidates can identify and assess organizational threats and vulnerabilities, assess compliance, and provide guidance and organizational security controls. CISA-certified professionals demonstrate knowledge and skill across the CISA job practice areas of auditing, governance and management, acquisition, development and implementation, maintenance and service management, and asset protection.

To earn the CISA certification, candidates must pass one exam, submit an application, agree to the code of professional ethics, agree to the CPE requirements and agree to the organization’s information systems auditing standards. In addition, candidates must possess at least five years of experience working with information systems. Some substitutions for education and experience with auditing are permitted.

To maintain the CISA certification, candidates must earn 120 CPE credits over a three-year period, with a minimum of 20 CPE credits earned annually. Candidates must also pay an annual maintenance fee ($45 for members; $85 for nonmembers).

CISA facts and figures

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) training

Training opportunities for the CISA certification are plentiful. Udemy offers more than 160 CISA-related courses, lectures, practice exams, question sets and more. On Pluralsight, you’ll find 12 courses with 27 hours of information systems auditor training covering all CISA job practice domains for the CISA job practice areas.

Beyond the top 5: More cybersecurity certifications

In addition to these must-have credentials, many other certifications are available to fit the career needs of any IT professional interested in information security. Business owners should consider employing workers with these credentials as well.

• The SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification remains an excellent entry-level credential for IT professionals seeking to demonstrate that they not only understand information security terminology and concepts but also possess the skills and technical expertise necessary to occupy “hands-on” security roles.
• If you find incident response and investigation intriguing, check out the Logical Operations CyberSec First Responder (CFR) certification. This ANSI-accredited and U.S. DoD-8570-compliant credential recognizes security professionals who can design secure IT environments, perform threat analysis, and respond appropriately and effectively to cyberattacks. Logical Operations also offers other certifications, including Master Mobile Application Developer (MMAD), Certified Virtualization Professional (CVP), Cyber Secure Coder and CloudMASTER.
• The associate-level Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification is aimed at analysts in security operations centers at large companies and organizations. Candidates who qualify through Cisco’s global scholarship program may receive free training, mentoring and testing to help them achieve a range of entry-level to expert certifications that the company offers. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), which launched in 2017, is a vendor-neutral certification designed for professionals with three to four years of security and behavioral analytics experience.
• The Identity Management Institute offers several credentials for identity and access management, data protection, identity protection, identity governance and more. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), which focuses on privacy, has a small but growing number of certifications as well.
• The SECO-Institute, in cooperation with the Security Academy Netherlands and APMG, is behind the Cyber Security & Governance Certification Program; SECO-Institute certifications aren’t well known in the United States, but their popularity is growing. 
• It also may be worth your time to browse the Chartered Institute of Information Security accreditations, the U.K. equivalent of the U.S. DoD 8570 certifications and the corresponding 8140 framework.

Also, consider these five entry-level cybersecurity certifications for more options.

Tip: Before you decide to purchase training for a certification or an test voucher, see if your employer will cover the cost. Employers may cover all or part of the cost if you have a continuing education or training allowance, or if the certification is in line with your current or potential job duties.

Information security and cybersecurity jobs

According to CyberSeek, the number of cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. stands at almost 598,000, with about 1.05 million cybersecurity professionals employed in today’s workforce. Projections continue to be robust: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 33% growth in information security analyst positions between 2020 and 2030; in comparison, the average rate of growth for all occupations is about 8%.

Security-related job roles include information security specialist, security analyst, network security administrator, system administrator (with security as a responsibility) and security engineer, as well as specialized roles, like malware engineer, intrusion analyst and penetration tester.

Average salaries for information security certified and security engineers – two of the most common job roles – vary depending on the source. For example, SimplyHired reports about $74,000 for specialist positions, whereas Glassdoor‘s national average is about $108,000. For security engineers, SimplyHired reports almost $112,000, while Glassdoor’s average is more than $111,000, with salaries on the high end reported at $261,000. Note that these numbers frequently change as the sources regularly update their data. [Meet the man who kept Microsoft safe and secure for more than a decade.]

Our informal job board survey from April 2022 reports the number of job posts nationwide in which our featured certifications were mentioned on a given day. This should deliver you an idea of the relative popularity of each certification.

Job board search results (in alphabetical order by cybersecurity certification)

Did you know?: Cybersecurity matters even when you’re traveling. Find out how to keep your computer secure when you’re on the road for business or pleasure.

The importance of hiring information security and cybersecurity professionals

According to Risk Based Security‘s 2021 Year End Data Breach Quickview Report, there were 4,145 publicly disclosed breaches throughout 2021, containing over 22 billion records. This is the second-highest number of breached records, after an all-time high the year before. The U.S. was particularly affected, with the number of breaches increasing 10% compared with the previous year. More than 80% of the records exposed throughout 2021 were due to human error, highlighting an ever-increasing need for cybersecurity education, as well as for highly skilled and trained cybersecurity professionals. [Learn how to recover from a data breach.]

If you’re serious about advancing your career in the IT field and are interested in specializing in security, certification is a great choice. It’s an effective way to validate your skills and show a current or prospective employer that you’re qualified and properly trained. If you’re a business owner, hiring certified professionals and skilled IT managers can help prevent cyberattacks and provide confidence that your company’s security is in the right hands. In the meantime, review our quick cybersecurity tips to Excellerate your company’s protection.

Jeremy Bender contributed to the writing and research in this article.

• CISSP certification is highly sought-after in the IT industry; it requires passing an test and meeting an extensive qualification list.
• A fully accredited CISSP can earn between $120,552 and $135,510 in the U.S. and $92,639 to $123,490 globally. 
• Alternate ways to meet CISSP certification requirements include becoming an (ISC)²  Associate, applying for CompTIA certifications, and becoming an SSCP.
• This article is for IT professionals considering pursuing CISSP certification.

As all facets of society rely more on technology, information security has become paramount. With information readily available online, businesses must do everything possible to prevent data breaches and cyberattacks while safeguarding critical systems and data. 

With so much at risk, businesses need qualified people to manage their information systems. CISSP certification indicates professional excellence, assuring hiring managers that candidates have the in-demand career skills necessary to manage IT security.

We’ll explore what it takes to become a CISSP when navigating your career path in the IT industry.

What is a CISSP?

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. It’s a globally recognized certification offered by the International System Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)². CISSP is considered one of the best infosec and cybersecurity certifications around. 

Individuals seek CISSP certification to answer the call for experienced, highly capable IT professionals who can effectively manage an enterprise’s cybersecurity by applying IT security-related concepts and theories.

After passing the certification test (which usually takes around six hours), CISSPs can take on various job titles, including the following: 

• Security Manager
• Security Analyst
• Chief Information Security Officer

No matter the job title, a CISSP always focuses on upholding a top-notch IT security system.

Did you know?: Earning the best IT certifications, including CISSP certification, is an excellent career advancement asset that validates your skills and knowledge.

How much does a CISSP make?

There are relatively few CISSPs in the industry, so those who pass the certification test and meet the requirements are well-compensated.

Reports differ regarding how much CISSPs earn. For example, the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report said CISSPs are the third-highest earners in the IT industry worldwide while ranking fifth in the North America Region.

An (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce study shows that the global average security manager’s salary is $92,639. Below are the figures for different regions based on the latest available information.

On the other hand, according to the Certification Magazine-Salary Survey 75 report, average salaries are as follows:

The average global salaries from (ISC)² and CertMag differ; CertMag’s values combined U.S. and non-U.S. salaries. Additionally, while CertMag’s values were based on a study of only 55 respondents, (ISC)²’s statistics are derived from an industry-wide study and may be more representative of real averages.

Tip: A CISSP certification is an excellent springboard into an information security career and a path toward helping to prevent network security threats and vulnerabilities via unified threat management.

What experience do you need to become a CISSP?

Despite the increasing demand for CISSPs, the (ISC)² imposes strict qualifications to ensure that only the most capable and experienced professionals earn the title. The industry is lucrative, but the requirements CISSPs must fulfill are extensive.

First, CISSP applicants must have at least five years of valid working experience relevant to the IT security field. The (ISC)² requires that work experience falls under the eight domains of the (ISC)² CISSP CBK:

• Domain 1. Security and Risk Management
• Domain 2. Asset Security
• Domain 3. Security Architecture and Engineering
• Domain 4. Communication and Network Security
• Domain 5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Domain 6. Security Assessment and Testing
• Domain 7. Security Operations
• Domain 8. Software Development Security

Additionally, to satisfy these domains, the (ISC)² requires experience in any of the following positions:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Security
• IT Director/Manager
• Security Systems Engineer
• Security Analyst
• Security Manager
• Security Auditor
• Security Architect
• Security Consultant
• Network Architect

Work experience can come from full-time employment, part-time employment, or an internship. (Requirements may vary depending on your employment terms.)

• Full-time employment. For full-time employees aiming to become CISSPs, work experience only qualifies as full time if you’ve worked a minimum of 35 hours per week for four weeks, accrued monthly.
• Part-time working experience. If your work hours fell between 20-34 hours weekly, your experience will qualify as part-time. Your experience will be computed as follows:
  • Every 1,040 hours of part-time work rendered are equivalent to half a year’s worth of full-time experience.
• Every 2,080 hours of part-time work will be equivalent to one year of full-time work experience.
• Internships. If your only relevant experience involves an internship program, the (ISC)² will accept it if you have certification from the organization that validates your internship. The consortium will accept qualified paid and unpaid internships as working experience.
• Other work experience options. According to the (ISC)², you can also satisfy a year’s worth of necessary experience if you:
  • Hold a four-year college degree (or regional equivalent).
  • Have an advanced degree in information security from the U.S. National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE).
  • Have any other approved credentials as outlined by the (ISC)².

Did you know?: The CISSP certification is considered an evergreen IT certification; it demonstrates excellent longevity, desirability, popularity, and compensation.

What does the CISSP test entail?

Work experience is only part of what you need to become a CISSP. To be certified, you’ll also need to prepare for and pass the CISSP exam, which costs $699 and requires a minimum score of 700 out of 1,000 points.

Besides passing the certification exam, you must also undergo an endorsement process to become a CISSP. You can do this by subscribing to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics. The endorsement form must be completed within nine months after passing the test to fully certify your status as a CISSP.

What are other paths toward achieving the CISSP title?

Not everyone meets CISSP certification requirements – in fact, very few do. However, there are ways to bypass or fast-track your way into the industry. 

1. Become an (ISC)² Associate to help meet CISSP requirements.

One of the biggest challenges to becoming a CISSP is acquiring the relevant qualifying experience. However, you can remedy your lack of experience by applying for a job as an (ISC)² Associate.

Becoming an (ISC)² Associate helps you fast-track your cybersecurity career. Additionally, because you’ll work closely with the consortium, you can learn more about the industry and grow as a cybersecurity expert.

2. Get CompTIA certifications to help your cybersecurity career.

You can also jump-start your cybersecurity career by looking into certifications offered by CompTIA. CompTIA helps IT professionals acquire specific certifications to fortify their credentials. Some certifications you can apply for include the entry-level A+, Security+, and Network+ certifications. 

Key takeaway: Entry-level cybersecurity certifications can help jump-start your cybersecurity career by verifying your skills and knowledge and getting your resume noticed.

3. SSCP certification can help you meet CISSP requirements.

Another way to meet the required CISSP qualifications if you have relevant but insufficient work experience is to work on your credential as a Systems Security Certified Professional or SSCP, also under the (ISC)².

Following this path will help you prepare for CISSP certification. It’s like a walk-through toward fulfilling your primary goal with the added perk of gaining an extensive understanding and mastery of the job ahead of time.

Should you pursue a career as a CISSP?

Becoming a CISSP is challenging, and the necessary qualifications require extensive time and effort. However, compared to almost any other employment type – even in the IT sector – CISSP certification is profitable and affords many opportunities. 

If you have what it takes to become a CISSP – drive, credentials, time, and money – and feel confident, you should consider taking the exam. The CISSP job market has high demand across all industries and organizations. Aside from its considerable earning opportunities, you can become an indispensable asset for any company because of your IT security expertise.

To earn educator certification in Texas or another state, candidates must complete certain steps at their institution and apply with the appropriate state agency.

To become certified in one of the Baylor educator preparation programs, a Baylor student must first be officially accepted into the program.

• In the School of Education program for undergraduates, this process typically occurs during the sophomore year, before the student may begin the Teaching Associate experience.
• For graduate students, different timelines apply to those seeking certifications, so please check with the Office of Professional Practice or the applicable graduate program director for guidance.
• Different timelines also apply to students in academic programs that are housed outside of the School of Education, so students should check with the appropriate program director.

The Office of Professional Practice in the School of Education handles the TEA educator certification process for all Baylor students.

Important Documents and Process Descriptions:

Jessica Hazelrigg is a Senior Information Security Instructor for the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at The University of Texas San Antonio. She began with the CIAS in 2017 and brings nearly 20 years of cybersecurity and intelligence experience to the organization.

Ms. Hazelrigg also serves as the Director of the Platform Threat Defense team for USAA, responsible for boundary defense (web and email security), endpoint security, public cloud security (AWS, GCP, Azure), and PKI services.

Ms. Hazelrigg previously led the Cyber Security Infrastructure team, responsible for establishing and maintaining hardening standards throughout the life cycle of platform technologies. The CSI team was also charged with hardening privileged access and managing the PKI infrastructure for USAA. Prior service at USAA includes serving as a lead security analyst on the Cyber Threat Operations Center (CTOC) team. Her responsibilities included improving threat detection and analysis capabilities to ensure the highest levels of protection at USAA. She was a key contributor in identifying new security solutions and data feeds, developing requirements for implementation, and operationalizing tools, techniques, and procedures. Ms. Hazelrigg was instrumental in formalizing the CTOC hunting program and moving the CTOC to a more proactive mindset. She also has six years of experience conducting incident response.

Prior to USAA, Ms. Hazelrigg served as an intelligence analyst in the US Army (1st Information Operations Command (Land)), and later at the Counterintelligence Field Activity. She supported various other intelligence missions over the course of her 11 years in the Intelligence Community.

Ms. Hazelrigg has a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science from University of Maryland University College, and a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Capitol Technology University. She holds the GCIH, GCIA, and GMON certifications, and is a member of the GIAC Advisory Board.

She presents regularly at cybersecurity conferences and professional groups, to include DerbyCon, Texas Cyber Summit, CyberTexas Conference, DHS ATTEs, ISACA, ISC2, ISSA, and the Military Cyber Professionals Organization.

A certified PEO is a type of PEO that has met strict requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They have gone through a rigorous accreditation process that confirms they operate in a legal and ethical manner. In addition, they’ve passed a comprehensive background check and financial audit to verify they are of the highest levels of integrity.

If you decide to partner with a certified PEO, you’ll enter a co-employment relationship. This means you’ll maintain control of your organizational structure and the day-to-day tasks of your workers. Your certified PEO will step in and take care of the duties outlined in your co-employment contract. These often include providing employee benefits and handling functions such as payroll and tax remittance. All PEOs can offer benefits such as healthcare plans, retirement savings and other popular services.

Who Can Benefit From a Certified PEO?

There are a number of reasons you might want to consider a certified PEO. If you’re in an industry that must adhere to heavy compliance regulations, such as construction, a CPEO can be invaluable.

This is particularly true if you don’t have any experienced payroll and human resources personnel in-house. A certified PEO can help you stay compliant and offer access to attractive benefits that attract and retain top talent. In addition, if your business is growing quickly or has plans to do so, a CPEO can allow you to focus on running your business while knowing your employees are receiving the support they need.

CPEO vs. PEO

Professional employer organizations (PEOs) are designed to take on payroll, HR and benefits administration functions for small businesses. Employees are paid under the PEO’s employer identification number (EIN), rather than the EIN of the business that partnered with them. PEOs also handle tax reporting.

A CPEO is a PEO that has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service. Certified PEOs have met extensive financial and experience requirements and chosen to complete a certification process that proves they’re stable and responsible. Additionally, they’re held liable for all employment taxes on behalf of the businesses they partner with. You can outsource payroll taxes to a CPEO without worrying about being penalized for any errors.

NORWALK — As Karina Mendez clutches her 15-month-old son on her lap, she described him as a "miracle baby."

Mendez was told she could never have a baby and was delighted when she found herself pregnant with Samuel in 2020.

Manama, Nov. 9 (BNA): Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa hailed the achievement of Bahrain Airport for receiving the highest rating in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award 2022 by the Airport Council International (ACI) in the field of customer service.

The MOI undersecretary said that this achievement reflects the efficiency of the staff and the implementation of highest standards at work and the services provided. he also stressed the importance of the specialized courses and international experiences.

F.A.E

Nov. 15—The Family Drug Court specialized docket, part of the Ashtabula County Juvenile Court, has been re-certified by the Ohio Supreme Court, according to a press release.

The re-certification process involved an application, site visit, and a review of program literature, according to the release.

On Monday, Court Administrator Andrew Misiak said staff submitted the re-certification information in August.

The specialized docket was first certified in 2017, then re-certified again in 2019 and again this year, he said.

"So it's every three years from here on out," Misiak said.

Misiak said court staff are happy that the docket has been re-certified. "It's a great program," he said.

The program is for parents who have children in the court and children's service system, Misiak said.

"It's kind of like almost your last chance, before you lose your kids, in some regards," he said. "So this really gets people what they need to do to get back on track."

There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio Courts, including ones that deal with drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, and human trafficking, according to the press release.

"Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society," Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor said in the press release. "Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars."

State standards create uniform practices for specialized dockets across the state, according to the press release.

"We are proud that The Ohio Supreme Court has recently re-certified our county's Juvenile Court Family Drug Court Specialized Docket," Judge Albert Camplese said in the release. "Re-certification is validation of the time and efforts of so many persons and agencies. Over the past five years, we have witnessed so much success—participants and living a healthier lifestyle, they have attained stability and employment, they are remaining abstinent, and most importantly, families are being reunified. Our program is truly flourishing and the citizens of Ashtabula County are reaping the benefits."