How do you choose the best WLAN security certification for your career goals?

1 CWSP: Certified Wireless Security Professional

The CWSP is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your knowledge and skills in securing wireless LANs. It covers topics such as wireless security policies, encryption, authentication, monitoring, troubleshooting, and compliance. The CWSP is part of the CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professional) program, which also offers certifications in wireless analysis, design, and administration. To earn the CWSP, you need to pass the CWSP-206 exam and have a valid CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) certification. The CWSP is ideal for network engineers, administrators, security professionals, and consultants who want to demonstrate their expertise in WLAN security.

2 CCNP Wireless: Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless

The CCNP Wireless is a vendor-specific certification that focuses on Cisco wireless technologies and solutions. It covers topics such as wireless design, implementation, operation, security, and troubleshooting. The CCNP Wireless requires you to pass four exams: 300-425 ENWLSD (Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks), 300-430 ENWLSI (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks), 300-435 ENAUTO (Automating Cisco Enterprise Solutions), and 300-410 ENARSI (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services). The CCNP Wireless is ideal for network professionals who want to advance their career in Cisco wireless environments and work on complex wireless projects.

3 SANS GAWN: GIAC Assessing and Auditing Wireless Networks

The GAWN is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your ability to conduct wireless network audits and assessments. It covers topics such as wireless protocols, attacks, tools, penetration testing, and reporting. The GAWN is part of the SANS (System Administration, Networking, and Security) Institute, which also offers certifications in various cybersecurity domains. To earn the GAWN, you need to pass the GAWN-318 exam and have a working knowledge of wireless networking and security. The GAWN is ideal for network auditors, pentesters, security analysts, and consultants who want to prove their skills in wireless network auditing and assessment.

4 CompTIA Security+: CompTIA Security+

The Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including wireless security. It covers topics such as threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, cryptography, identity and access management, network security, and security operations. The Security+ requires you to pass the SY0-601 exam and have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security. The Security+ is ideal for network professionals who want to gain a solid foundation in cybersecurity and wireless security.

5 EC-Council CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker

The CEH is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your skills and knowledge in ethical hacking and penetration testing, including wireless hacking. It covers topics such as information security, network scanning, enumeration, system hacking, malware, sniffing, social engineering, denial of service, session hijacking, web application hacking, SQL injection, cryptography, and wireless hacking. The CEH requires you to pass the CEH v11 exam and have at least two years of experience in information security or an equivalent education. The CEH is ideal for network professionals who want to learn how to hack wireless networks and systems ethically and legally.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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