In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated while organizations struggle to find qualified professionals who can bridge the gap between technical security expertise and strategic project management. According to the latest data on CyberSeek (March 2025), there are 457,398 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S., proving the talent gap persists. If you’re an aspiring project manager looking to break into the lucrative cybersecurity field, or if you’re already managing IT projects and want to enhance your security credentials, this guide will reveal the Best 5 Cyber Security Certifications for IT Project Management in 2025.
The intersection of project management and cybersecurity offers exceptional opportunities, with cybersecurity project managers earning an average salary of $157,867 per year in the United States, significantly higher than traditional project management roles. By the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll understand which certifications provide the best return on investment, align with current market demands, and position you for success in this high-growth field.
Why Cybersecurity Certifications Matter for IT Project Managers
The modern IT project manager operates in an environment where security considerations are paramount to project success. According to Fortinet’s 2024 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Research report, 91% of business leaders say they prefer to hire candidates with certifications, with many companies even willing to pay for their employees to obtain a cybersecurity certification. This preference extends beyond pure cybersecurity roles to project management positions that involve IT infrastructure, software development, and digital transformation initiatives.
For aspiring project managers, cybersecurity certifications serve multiple purposes. First, they demonstrate your understanding of security principles that are now integral to every IT project. Second, they validate your ability to assess and mitigate security risks during project planning and execution phases. Third, they significantly enhance your marketability in a competitive job market where the best project management certifications can make the difference between landing your dream role or being overlooked.
The term “certification” in this context refers to a formal credential that validates your knowledge and skills in specific cybersecurity domains through rigorous examination and experience requirements. Unlike simple training courses, these certifications are recognized industry-wide as proof of professional competency.
The Top 5 Cybersecurity Certifications for IT Project Managers
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP is the most requested certification in cybersecurity job listings and widely recognized as the gold standard for experienced professionals. For IT project managers, this certification provides comprehensive coverage of eight security domains including risk management, asset security, and security architecture – all crucial areas for managing security-conscious projects.
Key Benefits for Project Managers:
- Validates expertise in risk management and security governance
- Demonstrates leadership capabilities in enterprise security programs
- Opens doors to senior-level positions combining security and project management
Requirements: Five or more years of cumulative work experience in at least two of eight cybersecurity domains, with a four-year degree in computer science satisfying one year of the work requirement.
Investment: $749 exam fee with $125 annual maintenance fee.
2. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level security certification that validates the core skills needed in any cybersecurity role. This certification is perfect for aspiring project managers who are new to cybersecurity or those transitioning from traditional project management roles into IT security projects.
Key Benefits for Project Managers:
- Provides foundational security knowledge essential for all IT projects
- Industry-standard entry point recognized by government and private sector
- No experience prerequisites make it accessible for career changers
Coverage Areas: Network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, application security, and identity management.
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISM certification is specifically designed for professionals who manage information security programs, making it highly relevant for project managers overseeing security initiatives. This certification focuses on information security management and governance, covering risk management, development of security programs, and incident management.
Key Benefits for Project Managers:
- Emphasizes management and governance over technical implementation
- Aligns perfectly with project management methodologies and frameworks
- Recognized globally for information security leadership roles
Requirements: Three or more years in IT risk management or information security.
4. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
The CRISC is unique in that it is focused exclusively on risk management, continuous risk monitoring, and governance and control best practices. For IT project managers, this certification provides specialized knowledge in areas that are becoming increasingly important as organizations face growing cybersecurity threats.
Key Benefits for Project Managers:
- Directly applicable to project risk management processes
- Valuable for various project management roles across different industries
- Combines well with traditional project management certifications like PMP
Target Audience: IT and business professionals at the operational or management level, with CRISC job opportunities being quite dynamic, either on its own or as part of another specialism such as Project Management.
5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The CCSP is a global credential that represents the highest standard for cloud security expertise, co-created by ISC2 and Cloud Security Alliance. With cloud adoption accelerating across all industries, this certification is invaluable for project managers working on cloud migration, digital transformation, or cloud-native development projects.
Key Benefits for Project Managers:
- Addresses the fastest-growing area in IT project management
- Combines cloud architecture knowledge with security best practices
- High demand in the market as organizations move to cloud-first strategies
Coverage Areas: Cloud platform and infrastructure security, cloud security operations, and legal, risk, and compliance in cloud environments.
Strategic Approach to Certification Selection and Career Planning
When choosing the right cybersecurity certification for your project management career, consider your current experience level, target roles, and long-term career goals. Entry-level professionals should start with CompTIA Security+ to build foundational knowledge before progressing to more advanced certifications like CISSP or CISM.
The certification journey should align with your project management development. If you’re already working toward PMP certification, consider how cybersecurity certifications can complement your existing credentials. Many professionals find that combining project management certifications with cybersecurity credentials creates a unique value proposition that employers highly value.
Remember that some employers will help pay for your certification, with 40 percent of respondents in an (ISC)² survey indicating that their organization covered the cost of their courses, exam, and fees. This makes it worthwhile to discuss certification plans with your current employer as part of your professional development.
The cybersecurity field offers exceptional opportunities for project managers who are willing to invest in specialized knowledge and credentials. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the cybersecurity industry for positions such as security analyst is 33 percent, which is much higher than average, and the Project Management Institute reports that demand for project management professionals is set to increase by 64 percent from 2025 to 2035.
By pursuing the right cybersecurity certifications, you’re not just enhancing your technical knowledge – you’re positioning yourself at the intersection of two high-demand fields. Whether you choose to start with an entry-level certification like CompTIA Security+ or pursue advanced credentials like CISSP, each step forward in your certification journey brings you closer to commanding higher salaries and more strategic roles in IT project management.
Ready to accelerate your project management career with cybersecurity expertise? Start building your knowledge foundation today by exploring comprehensive training resources. For structured learning paths and expert guidance, check out my educational content on PMPwithRay where I break down complex project management concepts into digestible lessons. You can also enhance your skills through my specialized courses on Udemy, including my comprehensive PMP Certification Exam 35 PDU Training that provides the foundation you need for advanced certifications in cybersecurity project management.