Top 10 IT certifications
IT industry analyst and TechRepublic blogger Erik Eckel, has discussed 10 IT certifications that are bound to serve IT professionals in good stead. Eckel points out that this is a general list, and by no means a guideline on must-have qualifications. Successful IT professionals will more than likely find themselves with a combination of the following qualifications.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional
The MCITP certification is a new-generation offering from Microsoft and is likely to become highly sought after. According to Microsoft’s statistics there are currently just over 55 000 individuals with the MCITP certificate globally.
The certificate certifies numerous specialised job roles, such as database developer, database administrator, enterprise messaging administrator, and server administrator. By offering a certification that pertains to particular job roles, rather than application or platform specific roles, the MCITP will undoubtedly become a valuable qualification.
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
The MCTS accreditation focuses on specific applications on specific platforms. An individual will become a certified specialist in areas such as SQL Server business intelligence, database creation, or SQL server administration. There is a lengthy list of specific accreditations.
Once mainstream support for the corresponding platform has been discontinued, the certification is discontinued along with it. This does not mean the accreditation becomes redundant, but rather that it may become more valuable, as a specialist in a particular area is now a limited commodity.
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
The MCPD credential is aimed at developers who wish to prove their ability to program and maintain software using Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5. There are three certification routes available: ASP.NET Developer 3.5; Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5; and Windows Developer 3.5.
The course is quite extensive and candidates must take a number of exams. The qualifications will be retired at the same time as support for the platforms. This will supposedly add to the value of the qualification, as development and support for the legacy systems will still be sought after.
CompTIA’s Security+
In an industry that relies heavily on data protection and system security on just about every level, the vendor neutral Security+ accreditation is quite relevant. A 2008 CompTIA survey indicated that IT security was the specialty most lacking qualified individuals.
Whilst this accreditation is by no means the top IT security qualification, it will be of benefit to anyone who possesses it. Employers will likely view Security+ as an augmentation to IT qualifications and skills, as it proves the individual is educated and qualified in general systems security principles.
CompTIA’s A+
The A+ certificate is still as relevant as ever, and most entrants into the IT profession who begin as technicians and helpdesk personnel will have this credential. Computer troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and problem diagnosis are common occurrences in any organisation.
Employers tend to lean in favour of applicants with the A+ certificate, as it proves they have support expertise, and probably won’t let any desktop troubleshooting issues affect productivity. The A+ certificate is constantly updated in order to remain relevant.
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Whilst the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) offering is the most highly accredited Cisco networking qualification, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) may prove a generally more realistic and plausible certification. Many small to medium sized companies operating Cisco equipment will not have the money or workload available to justify a full time CCIE qualified employee, and outsourcing is also an expensive option.
An IT professional with a few years of experience and a CCNA under their belt will become an extremely attractive option for full-time employment. The CCNA qualified individual may fulfill multiple roles, with network administration being one of them as and when required. This is bound to secure a respectable salary.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Both of these accreditations are still valuable for a number of reasons. They prove that the holder is capable of undertaking a long and extensive course of technical studies. They also tend to indicate that the individual has had a lengthy involvement in the IT profession, as a number of holders have accreditation in older platforms such as Windows 2000 and Server 2003.
Although these certificates will be replaced by the new-generation of Microsoft certifications, they will still retain worth. Employers know the value of experience across multiple platforms, which often translates into swift problem solving skills.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
The CISSP is a vendor neutral security qualification that requires a prerequisite certification from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The CISSP is an internationally recognised certificate that proves the holder’s prowess with operational and physical security, as well as the legal elements that come with data security services.
CompTIA’s Linux+
Linux based systems are continually making progress in the IT sector. Many companies may prefer the cheaper and customisable server and client features offered by the OS. The Linux+ accreditation aims to formalise Linux knowledge and skills, and provide a valuable asset to attach to a resume.
Get Certified
Hopefully, armed with this list, anyone beginning their career in IT can design the path they will take. Established professionals will do equally well to keep up to date with the latest trends in certification, and a refresher course for even the most established IT professional shouldn’t be out of the question.
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