Businesses are looking for employees who have the right capabilities to guard their workplaces against threats. People with the appropriate credentials can help their employers avoid expensive and time-consuming data breaches, which could result in fines or lost revenue.

Many IT professionals use certification programs to validate their knowledge and advance in their careers. But with so many options available, it can be hard to determine which is the most appropriate. The good news is that more modern vendor-neutral board portals alternatives have come out that can provide a solid foundation for professionals to begin their careers in this area.

Cloud-specific components are now available in some of the most well-known security certificates, such as ISC2’s Certified Information Systems Security Professional and ISACA’s Certified Auditor. These add-ons are not as comprehensive as a separate certificate for cloud security that has been specifically designed to work with the latest tools and technology.

One such option is EC Council’s Certified Secure Cloud Engineer. The program focuses primarily on securing cloud-based infrastructure. This includes assessing the impact cloud technologies and security threats have on practices and designing a secure architecture and cloud-based services, and establishing an incident-response strategy.

Another great option is CompTIA’s Cloud+, which covers information security in the cloud with greater depth than other options that are vendor-specific. CompTIA Cloud+ is also an excellent base for professionals who want to move on to an additional specialized certification in this area. The EXIN Certified Integration Secure Cloud Services credential, which combines three different programs into one excellent example. It provides a comprehensive background for professionals looking to become T-shaped.