Cybersecurity Skill Path vs. Certification Path: How to Combine Both for Maximum Impact

Cybersecurity professionals will face two primary career growth strategies during their career: developing practical skills through on-the-job work or pursuing formal certifications. While both approaches have value, relying on just one can limit career progression.

The key to maximizing proficiency in cybersecurity is blending both hands-on skills with certifications to stand out to employers and continuously evolve in the field. Hiring managers look for specific technical skills and on-the-job experience for highly qualified candidates. However, hands-on certifications also play a significant role, especially when looking through a resume. Certifications like OSCP, Certified Red Team Operator (CRTO), and eJPT require real-world application of security concepts and problem-solving.

In my experience, I would not have gotten a foot in the door for offensive security roles without my OSCP certification. Certifications like OSCP demand grit, technical proficiency, and the ability to write a professional report. These skills go beyond knowledge-based exams, which often only focus on memorization. Practical certifications complement on-the-job experience. 

Defining Skill Path vs. Certification Path

Skill Path

The skill path focuses on practical, hands-on experience. This includes real-world problem-solving, continuous project work, and security testing exercises. Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, such as picoCTF, developed by Carnegie Mellon University, provide excellent opportunities for learning offensive and defensive security techniques. Bug bounty programs, open-source security projects, and home labs contribute to real-world exposure and skill development.

Practical experience helps cybersecurity professionals develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting skills. Real-world experience allows professionals to interact with live systems, troubleshoot security vulnerabilities, and work through complex attack scenarios. Hands-on skill-building ensures that professionals can respond to real-world threats effectively.

Certification Path

The certification path involves earning industry-recognized credentials that validate knowledge and expertise. Certifications such as Security+, CISSP, and AWS Cloud Practitioner help professionals advance their careers by proving their technical competence and meeting hiring qualifications. Certifications with hands-on components hold more value for technical roles than multiple-choice exams assessing theoretical knowledge.

Many hiring managers use certifications as a benchmark to screen candidates, making them an essential part of the hiring process. According to a 2022 study, 90% of hiring leaders preferred candidates with certifications, up from 81% in 2021. Additionally, 72% of leaders reported that hiring certified professionals increased security and awareness within their organizations. This demonstrates that while hands-on skills are essential, certifications are necessary in hiring decisions.

Why Both Matter

Credibility and Proof

Before becoming a police officer, I had to go through the police academy, as did my classmates. At the academy's conclusion, we had to have achieved a minimum baseline of knowledge and skills to become police officers. This is also true for certifications that provide external validation of skills, giving employers confidence in a candidate’s expertise. 

Many organizations require certifications for compliance reasons or as hiring prerequisites. However, relying solely on certifications without hands-on experience can create gaps in real-world problem-solving ability. The most competitive candidates have both.

Hands-on skills, on the other hand, demonstrate practical ability. A certification may show that someone understands SQL injection conceptually, but real-world experience with penetration testing or secure coding shows that they can identify, exploit, and remediate the vulnerability. Employers prefer candidates who can both talk about security and implement it effectively.

Adaptability

Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, with new threats emerging almost daily. Hands-on skill development keeps professionals up-to-date with the latest attack techniques, defense mechanisms, and security challenges. By engaging in real-world simulations, labs, and live incident response scenarios, cybersecurity professionals develop the ability to adapt quickly to new threats and technologies.

Certifications provide external validation of skills, giving employers confidence in a candidate’s expertise. Studies show that certified professionals can receive up to 70% more job interviews than non-certified candidates, making certifications a powerful tool for career advancement. While certifications alone are not enough, combining them with hands-on experience significantly improves employability and credibility in the industry.

Building a Skill Path

Start with the Fundamentals

Developing hands-on skills begins with a strong foundation in networking, system administration, and scripting. These areas provide the necessary background to understand how systems interact and how security vulnerabilities emerge. Advanced security concepts can be challenging to understand without a strong foundation.

Engage in Practical Labs and Challenges

Hands-on labs, CTFs, and security research help build technical proficiency. Platforms like Cybrary provide interactive lab environments to develop practical cybersecurity skills. These labs offer exposure to real-world attack scenarios, teaching students how to think like an attacker while reinforcing defensive techniques. Participation in bug bounty programs, security research projects, and home lab setups enhances real-world problem-solving abilities. Mentorship and collaboration with seasoned professionals can also accelerate learning and provide industry insights.

Gain Real-World Exposure

Professionals should continuously evaluate their skill levels to identify areas for improvemen, as reflection is key to career growth. Professionals should regularly assess their progress and determine whether they need deeper specialization in areas such as cloud security, forensics, or threat intelligence. For example, if someone primarily works in network security but notices an increasing demand for cloud security expertise, they might pursue AWS Security Specialty or Azure certifications while gaining hands-on experience with cloud security labs. Professionals can remain competitive and adaptable by setting milestones and adjusting learning paths based on industry trends.

Choosing the Right Certifications

Align Credentials with Career Goals

Choosing certifications should be based on career objectives. For entry-level professionals, Security+ provides a strong foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts. OSCP is a top choice for penetration testers, requiring hands-on exploitation skills and report writing. CISSP is ideal for leadership or consulting roles, focusing on security governance, risk management, and security architecture. For cloud security, certifications like AWS Security Specialty or Azure Security Engineer are crucial for securing cloud environments.

Use Study Resources for Readiness

To prepare for certifications, candidates should use a combination of official study guides, practice tests, and community forums. Resources like Cybrary's certification prep courses provide structured learning paths with hands-on labs that reinforce exam concepts. Engaging in discussion forums and study groups can help clarify complex topics and improve understanding.

Prioritize Hands-On Certifications

Hands-on certifications like OSCP, eJPT, and GXPN require candidates to demonstrate their ability to solve real-world security challenges. These certifications go beyond theoretical knowledge, requiring candidates to perform security assessments, exploit vulnerabilities, and document their findings in professional reports. Employers value these certifications because they prove practical competency.

Understand Certification Maintenance and Renewal

Many certifications require continuing education credits or renewal exams to maintain their validity. CISSP, for example, requires ongoing professional education (CPE) credits, while AWS and Azure certifications must be renewed periodically. Staying current with certification requirements ensures ongoing relevance and credibility in the cybersecurity field. However, you should know that renewals are often expensive, especially when a professional earns multiple certifications.

Strategies for Combining Skill and Certification Paths

Complementary Learning

Pairing hands-on labs or projects with certification study materials reinforces theoretical concepts with real-world applications. By practicing in a lab environment while studying for certifications, professionals can solidify their understanding of security concepts and gain practical experience that mirrors real-world scenarios.

Structured Roadmap

Creating a personal development plan integrating certifications with practical skill-building helps ensure meaningful growth. Rather than simply collecting certifications, this structured approach allows professionals to apply what they learn and develop real expertise.

For example, someone specializing in cloud security might start with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner to build a solid understanding of cloud fundamentals. Once they grasp core concepts, they can move on to the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate to deepen their knowledge of cloud architecture, security controls, and best practices. At the same time, hands-on experience is essential. They can practice by working with AWS IAM policies, configuring network security settings, and testing cloud-based attack scenarios in a lab environment.

This approach ensures that knowledge is reinforced through certification and practical application, leading to well-rounded professional development.

Employer Support

Many employers offer professional development budgets that can be used for certifications and hands-on training. Seeking roles that encourage skill-building and certification attainment can provide long-term career benefits. Leveraging employer resources ensures continuous learning and professional growth while reducing personal financial costs.

Benefits of a Holistic Approach

Stronger Job Readiness

Applying knowledge gained from certifications in real-world projects solidifies understanding. Employers seek candidates who can demonstrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills, as this combination assures them that they can execute security tasks effectively.

Competitive Advantage

Employers often prefer candidates with the credential “stamp of approval” and concrete, demonstrable abilities. In addition to helping candidates land jobs, cybersecurity certifications can lead to 10-25% salary premiums, particularly in specialized areas like cloud security and penetration testing. This highlights the financial benefits of earning certifications, especially when paired with substantial practical experience.

Accelerated Career Growth

Blending hands-on learning with certifications positions professionals for leadership or advanced technical roles sooner. Cybersecurity professionals who strategize and execute security measures are in high demand.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Over-Reliance on Certifications Alone

Collecting certifications without hands-on experience may result in skill gaps. Employers expect professionals to apply their knowledge in practical settings, so it’s essential to balance both.

Neglecting Renewal Requirements

Certifications have expiration dates and continuing education requirements. Staying up to date ensures ongoing relevance and credibility in the cybersecurity industry. Many professionals lose certification status due to neglecting renewal cycles.

Burnout from Overcommitting

Taking on too many certifications and hands-on projects simultaneously can lead to burnout. Pacing out exam attempts and lab work ensures a balanced, sustainable learning approach. Setting realistic goals and focusing on incremental skill growth is more effective than rushing through multiple certifications without practical reinforcement.

Conclusion

Blending hands-on skill development with targeted certifications creates a powerful pair in cybersecurity. Professionals who combine real-world experience with industry-recognized credentials position themselves as adaptable and highly valuable in the job market. Employers want candidates who can understand and apply security concepts in real-world situations, troubleshoot vulnerabilities, and implement adequate security measures.

Certifications validate expertise and open career opportunities, but they should be complemented by practical experience. Engaging in penetration testing exercises, cloud security labs, threat hunting, and CTF challenges ensures cybersecurity professionals are prepared to handle evolving threats. A balanced approach that includes skill development and certification prepares individuals for technical roles and leadership opportunities.

Cybersecurity professionals who combine real-world experience with industry-recognized credentials position themselves as adaptable and highly valuable in the job market. With cybersecurity job growth projected to increase 33% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, certifications and hands-on experience will continue to be crucial for standing out in a competitive job market.

Check out Cybrary's hands-on courses to build real-world expertise and gain valuable certifications. Whether you want to strengthen your technical skills, gain experience through labs, or prepare for major certifications, Cybrary provides the tools and training to help you succeed. Take the next step in your cybersecurity career today!