Cyber Security Diaries from StationX
Tune in to the StationX Cyber Security Diaries for your dose of cyber security knowledge and career guidance. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, our series provides valuable insights and inspiration to help you grow and excel in cyber security.
Cyber Security Diaries from StationX
Best Cybersecurity Certs That Get You Hired (2026) | EP 29
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The most recommended cybersecurity certification isn't even in the top five employers actually screen for. We track millions of job postings — and the data tells a very different story from the advice you find online.
In this video I give you the honest truth about 6 cybersecurity certifications: what each one actually gets you, what it doesn't, and which ones show up in real hiring filters. Then the part most videos skip — why 96% of people who collect certifications still don't get hired, and what the other 4% do differently.
I'm Nathan from StationX. I've been in cybersecurity for over 30 years, I hold three of the certs we cover, and I've helped over 500,000 students make this exact decision.
🎯 Free Certification Matchmaker — find the right cert for your situation in about 2 minutes:
www.stationx.net/certification-matchmaker
🔎 Check your role's AI-risk and hiring trends (free): www.jobzonerisk.com
🚀 Build all 6 elements with a job guarantee — StationX Master's Program:
www.stationx.net/membership
⏱️ Chapters
0:00 - Cybersecurity Certifications Employers Actually Want
0:37 - Security+ : The Entry-Level Starting Point
1:41 - CySA+ : The Underrated SOC Analyst Cert
2:53 - Why CEH Isn't Worth It
5:05 - OSCP: The Hands-On Pentesting Cert
6:55 - CISSP: The Senior-Level Salary Booster
8:15 - CompTIA SecAI+ : The Future of AI Security
9:42 - Why 96% With Certifications Don't Get Hired
10:45 - Practical Skills: Home Labs and CTFs
11:17 - Soft Skills Hiring Managers Rank Highest
11:34 - Support Network: Mentors and Accountability
11:55 - Professional Presence: Resume and LinkedIn
12:33 - How the 4% Land Cybersecurity Jobs
📋 The 6 certifications covered
• Security+ — entry-level, ATS-friendly, DoD 8570/8140 compliant
• CySA+ — the underrated SOC analyst cert that covers real job tasks
• CEH — why the data says skip it
• OSCP — fully hands-on pentesting, the cert managers respect
• CISSP — the senior-level salary booster (#1 most-requested, 82,000+ postings)
• CompTIA SecAI+ — brand new, and where the whole industry is heading
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