The 15 most valuable IT certifications today
Average annual salary: $163,193
Google Cloud Associate – Cloud Engineer
The Google Cloud Associate – Cloud Engineer certification is an entry-level certification for cloud engineers working in the Google Cloud environment.
Average annual salary: $163,193
Google Cloud Associate – Cloud Engineer
The Google Cloud Associate – Cloud Engineer certification is an entry-level certification for cloud engineers working in the Google Cloud environment. The certification covers your knowledge and skills surrounding deploying, managing, maintaining, and securing cloud-based solutions in the enterprise. As an entry-level exam, there are no prerequisites to qualify, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months experience working with Google Cloud. Once you pass the associate-level certification, you can move up to the professional designation, which covers higher-level Google Cloud topics.
Average annual salary: $161,075
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is for solutions architects with one or more years of hands-on experience designing “available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS,” according to Amazon. The exam tests your knowledge of AWS application architecture and security, your ability to define a solution based on customer requirements, and how well you understand the best practices of AWS application implementation. It’s recommended to have hands-on experience with AWS services, knowledge of the best practices for building reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform, and an understanding of the AWS global infrastructure and related network technologies.
Average annual salary: $160,052
Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification is offered through the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)². The certification is accredited under the ANSI standard and it has been approved by the US Department of Defense as a requirement for certain IT roles. As a vendor-neutral certification, the CISSP exam certifies your ability to design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program. The exam covers eight main domains, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security. To qualify for the CISSP exam, you will need at least five or more years of work experience in IT and systems security.
Average annual salary: $156,699
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
The ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is designed for those responsible for auditing, controlling, monitoring, and assessing an organization’s IT and business systems. While working toward earning your CISA certification, you’ll learn everything you need to know about information systems auditing, the governance and management of IT, IS acquisitions and implementation, business and operations resilience, and the protection of IT assets. The exam covers your expertise in the information systems (IS) auditing process, your ability to report on compliance procedures and to access vulnerabilities. To qualify for the exam, you need five or more years of experience in IS or IT auditing, control, assurance, or security. To maintain your certification, you will need to need report at least 20 CPE hours annually; credentials expire after three years.
Average annual salary: $154,500
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty certification offered by Amazon validates your skills and knowledge in regard to designing and maintaining network architecture using AWS services. As an advanced certification, it’s designed for those who have at least five years of hands-on experience architecting and implementing network solutions in an enterprise environment. The certification covers topics such as AWS technology, AWS security and storage, advanced networking architectures and interconnectivity options, automation scripts and tools, routing architectures, CIDR and sub-netting, network security features, and more.
Average annual salary: $153,031
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification is best suited for those with two or more years of experience managing AWS environments. The exam covers your ability to implement and manage continuous delivery systems, automated security controls, governance processes and compliance validation on AWS. To pass the exam, you’ll need experience coding in one or more high-level programming language, as well as familiarity with automation, administering operating systems, and a strong understanding of development processes and methodologies.
Average annual salary: $150,546
BTA Certified Blockchain Security Professional (CBSP)
The BTA Certified Blockchain Security Professional certification focuses on your skills and knowledge around blockchain security, with a focus on 12 knowledge areas, which include fundamentals, consensus in the blockchain, advance blockchain security mechanisms, smart contract security, blockchain risk assessment, basic blockchain security, blockchain for business, securely implementing blockchains, network security, system security, smart contract, security, and security of alternative DLT architectures. It’s designed for blockchain architects and developers, application developers, blockchain system administrators, network security architects, cybersecurity experts, and IT professionals with cybersecurity experience. The CBSP certification validates that you have the right expertise to work with blockchain technology, and that you are able to identify security risks, implement best practices, and can stay on top of cyber-attack vectors on the blockchain.
Average annual salary: $129,185
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
In the past, Cisco offered several certifications under the Certified Network Associate certification scheme, but it has recently consolidated all CCNA certifications into one single CCNA certification. The new CCNA certification validates your skills and knowledge with network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. The CCNA certification is designed to cover a “broad range of fundamentals based on the latest technologies, software development skills and job roles.” It’s an entry-level certification designed to get you up to speed on the latest IT fundamentals to launch your career. It’s best suited to those interested in roles such as entry-level network engineer, help desk technician, network administrator, or network support technician.
Average annual salary: $128,651
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