Generalist certifications at the intermediate level are designed for professionals who already understand the basics of cybersecurity and are ready to expand their capabilities. These credentials focus on more technical and practical aspects of cybersecurity, such as system security, network operations, risk assessment, compliance frameworks, and advanced threat management. They are ideal for individuals who want to move beyond entry-level roles and into more specialized or leadership-focused positions within IT and security teams.

Unlike beginner certifications that often focus on awareness and foundational concepts, intermediate generalist certifications require stronger technical understanding, problem-solving ability, and often some hands-on experience. These certifications are either vendor-neutral or recognized across industries and sectors. Many also map to job roles defined by the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.

Completing one or more of these certifications can serve as a launchpad into security analyst, infrastructure security, or compliance positions—and can also act as prerequisites or strong foundations for advanced certifications like CISSP, CISM, or OSCP.