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IT security certifications are the core credentials for measuring the cybersecurity capabilities of individuals and enterprises, as well as a key threshold for entering the security field and undertaking compliance projects. This guide compiles mainstream global and authoritative domestic certification systems, elaborating on them from the dimensions of certification positioning, entry requirements, and professional value. It also attaches Shenzhen’s examination and training resources to help with precise selection.
I. Mainstream International IT Security Certifications (Globally Recognized)
These certifications focus on international security standards and general technical capabilities, suitable for practitioners in foreign-funded enterprises and multinational corporations or those planning to carry out international business, with global recognition.
1. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Issued by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium ((ISC)²), it is the 'gold standard certification' in the global security field, focusing on security management and strategic planning capabilities.
Core Positioning: A must-have for senior security management positions, covering eight knowledge domains including security risk management, asset security, and network security.
Entry Requirements: 5 years of relevant work experience (covering at least 2 of the eight domains) required; candidates without experience can pass the exam first and obtain the official certification after completing the required experience within 5 years.
Exam Difficulty: High. The exam includes multiple-choice questions and scenario analysis questions with extensive and in-depth knowledge points, with a global pass rate of about 40%.
Professional Value: Qualifies holders for positions such as CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and Security Architect, with an average annual salary of RMB 450,000-800,000 in China. Preferred by international enterprises such as Microsoft and AWS.
2. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
Issued by Offensive Security, it is the 'practical benchmark certification' in the penetration testing field, focusing on assessing the hands-on capabilities of vulnerability discovery and exploitation.
Core Positioning: A core credential for entry to advanced penetration testing, focusing on hands-on operations rather than theoretical memorization.
Entry Requirements: No educational background or work experience required; basic cybersecurity knowledge is recommended.
Exam Difficulty: Very high. It is a 24-hour time-limited practical exam, requiring candidates to independently compromise 10 target systems (including AD domain targets), with a passing score of 70 or above.
Professional Value: A core reference for enterprises recruiting Penetration Testing Engineers, suitable for technical positions in security service providers and enterprise security teams.
3. CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
Issued by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), it focuses on the field of information systems audit, control and compliance.
Core Positioning: A must-have for audit and compliance positions, suitable for industries with high data compliance requirements such as finance, government and state-owned enterprises.
Entry Requirements: No pre-requisite educational background required; 5 years of relevant work experience is needed for certification. Educational background can be used for exemption (undergraduate degree for 2 years exemption, undergraduate/master’s degree in information system-related majors for 3 years exemption, college diploma for 1 year exemption).
Exam Difficulty: Moderate. A 4-hour computer-based exam with 150 multiple-choice questions, a full score of 800 and a passing score of 450. Chinese exam is supported.
Professional Value: Qualifies holders for positions such as Information Systems Auditor and Compliance Consultant, with extremely high recognition by global financial institutions.
4. PMP (Project Management Professional)
Issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), it is not an exclusive security certification but a core credential for security project management, suitable for managers in the security field.
Entry Requirements: 4,500 hours of project management experience plus 35 hours of project management training required.
Professional Value: A must-have for Security Project Managers and Project Leaders, enhancing capabilities in project planning and implementation.
II. Authoritative Domestic IT Security Certifications (Policy-Driven & Compliance-Mandatory)
These certifications align with domestic cybersecurity regulations (e.g., Classified Protection 2.0, Data Security Law), serving as a 'hard threshold' for recruitment and project bidding in government, state-owned enterprises and financial institutions. They are issued under the guidance of national authoritative institutions.
1. CISP (Certified Information Security Professional)
Issued by the China Information Security Evaluation Center (CNIS), it is the 'top certification' in China’s security field, with three directions: CISE (Certified Information Security Engineer), CISO (Certified Information Security Officer), and CISA (Certified Information System Auditor).
Core Positioning: A mandatory requirement for domestic compliance; government and enterprise project bidding explicitly requires the team to hold a certain number of CISP certificates.
Entry Requirements: 1 year of work experience for master’s degree or above, 2 years for bachelor’s degree, and 4 years for college diploma.
Exam Difficulty: Moderate. The exam includes multiple-choice questions and subjective questions, with a full score of 100 and a passing score of 70, and a pass rate of about 60%.
Professional Value: Suitable for positions such as Information Security Engineer and Classified Protection Evaluator, with an average annual salary of RMB 180,000-350,000 in China. It is the 'professional pass' in China’s security field.
2. NISP (National Information Security Personnel Certification)
Issued by the China Information Security Evaluation Center, known as the 'Campus Version of CISP', it is an entry-level security certification suitable for beginners and college students.
Core Positioning: An entry credential for the security field, helping to quickly establish a basic security knowledge system.
Entry Requirements: Chinese citizens aged 16 and above, including college students or in-service personnel with insufficient work experience.
Exam Difficulty: Low. A computer-based exam with multiple-choice questions and subjective questions, focusing on basic theories.
Professional Value: A bonus item for interviewing entry-level security positions (e.g., Security Operation and Maintenance Assistant); passing NISP Level 2 allows direct application for the CISP certificate (no re-examination required).
3. Specialized Technical Certifications (CISP-PTE/IRE/DSG)
All issued by the China Information Security Evaluation Center, these certifications focus on specific security technical directions and accurately match the needs of segmented positions.
|
Certification Name |
Core Direction |
Exam Features |
Suitable Positions |
|
CISP-PTE |
Penetration Testing |
20 multiple-choice questions (20 points) + practical questions (80 points), passing score of 70 |
Penetration Testing Engineer, Security Testing Engineer |
|
CISP-IRE |
Incident Response & Emergency |
Computer-based exam with multiple-choice and practical questions, focusing on incident handling capabilities |
Incident Response Engineer, SOC Analyst |
|
CISP-DSG |
Data Security Governance |
High difficulty, covering data compliance, risk assessment, etc. |
Data Security Consultant, Compliance Manager |
4. National Cybersecurity Service Certification (Enterprise-Level)
Jointly promoted by four ministries and commissions including the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, it is a qualification certification for cybersecurity service institutions, covering core service categories such as testing and evaluation, security operation and maintenance, and classified protection evaluation.
Core Value: A must-have qualification for enterprises to undertake government and enterprise cybersecurity service projects; certification results are widely recognized by the government and the industry.
Certification Requirements: Institutions must have corresponding professional capabilities, pass the review of officially recognized certification bodies, and the whole process is traceable.
III. Shenzhen Local Examination and Training Resources
Authoritative examination locations and training institutions are compiled based on local needs for convenient nearby exam preparation.
1. Official Examination Centers
ISACA Shenzhen Test Centers (for CISA/CISSP exams):
Shenzhen Marais Information Technology Co., Ltd.: Room 2C-2D, 2/F, North Block, China Electronics Lighting Building, No.10 Keji South 12th Road, Nanshan District
ATA Shenzhen International Test Center: Room 401, No.616, Bagua 2nd Road, Futian District
CISP/PTE Exam Training Center: Shenzhen Network Security Computer Network Security Training Center, Address: 7/F, West Block, Building 4, SEG Science and Technology Park, North Huaqiang Road, Futian District, Contact Number: 0755-25635263
Sangfor Certification Test Center: Shenzhen Authorized Certification Center (reservation required through Sangfor Industrial Education Center)
2. Recommended High-Quality Training Institutions
Saihu Academy: Provides training for CISP, CISP-PTE, Sangfor certification, etc., including practical courses and exam tutoring.
Zhongpei Weiye: An ISACA authorized training institution, focusing on international certification training such as CISA and CISSP, and providing consulting services for work experience exemption.
Shenzhen Network Security Computer Network Security Training Center: A well-established local institution, focusing on CISP series certification training to meet domestic compliance requirements.
IV. Certification Selection Suggestions (Matched by Professional Scenarios)
Employment in domestic government/state-owned enterprises/finance: Prioritize CISP (to meet compliance requirements) with supporting classified protection training; choose CISA for audit careers and CISP-PTE for penetration testing.
Foreign-funded enterprises/international business: First choose CISSP (for management positions) or OSCP (for technical positions), and supplement with CISA to enhance compliance competitiveness.
Beginners/college students: Start with NISP, and apply for CISP after 1-2 years of work experience; for technical career paths, prepare for OSCP at the same time.
Security project management: The combination of PMP and CISP, balancing project management capabilities and professional security background.
Enterprise service institutions: Prioritize applying for the National Cybersecurity Service Certification (enterprise-level), and equip the team with personal certifications such as CISP and CISP-PTE.
V. Notes
For international certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISA), register through officially authorized institutions to avoid invalid scores caused by irregular channels.
Domestic certifications (e.g., CISP) are valid for 1 year and require annual review with the provision of continuing education certificates and work performance materials.
For practical certifications (e.g., OSCP, CISP-PTE), accumulate hands-on experience in advance and conduct training with simulated shooting ranges.
Enterprises applying for cybersecurity service certification must ensure the authenticity and traceability of materials; false materials will result in qualification revocation and inclusion in the blacklist.
