Top 7 IT Certifications Worth Getting This Year

Competition has always been stiff in the IT industry. To get a job, you need to stand out from dozens of other applicants who have the same education, work experience, and other qualifications you have. Having the right certifications can give you a leg up as you work your way up in the field of IT.

Whether you are starting a career, aiming for advancement, or deciding on your area of expertise, these certificates can have a huge impact on your job search or getting the promotion you are aiming for.

IT certifications are clear, tangible statements of your skills and proficiency that employers can use to decide whether to hire or promote you accordingly or not. Because of this, they can give you the edge you need.

Some companies also have a list of certifications applicants need to qualify for a job or career advancement. Having these certificates at the time of your application will, therefore, increase your chances of getting hired or promoted faster.

But which IT certifications should you consider getting this year? Below are seven that are in high demand and come with the best-earning potentials and opportunities for advancement:

1- Cisco Certifications:

If you are starting on your career path in IT, a Cisco certification can help you stand out from the competition.

As one of the largest providers of different IT products and services, completing a CCNA training course in Dubai proves you have the knowledge and relevant skills in routing and switching, security, cyber ops, collaboration, and other areas.

A Cisco Certified Network Associate certification is an excellent stepping stone for a career in networking. It demonstrates your expertise in managing IT networks, handling core technologies, and enhancing infrastructures, among others.

Another Cisco certificate worth getting is the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification, which was previously known as CCNP Routing and Switching. It is recommended for professionals with at least three years of experience in implementing enterprise networking solutions.

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Acquiring this certificate shows your capability in planning, implementing, verifying, and troubleshooting local and wide-area enterprise networks.

2- Certified Ethical Hacker Certification:

Cyber security is a popular field that is constantly evolving. The demand for skilled cyber professionals continues to grow, with employers looking for candidates with higher levels of skill and ability.

The C|EH v10 Certified Ethical Hacker certification can help you stand out if you want to build a career in ethical hacking. It is widely used as a hiring standard by the biggest companies, government agencies, and educational institutions.

Completing a C|EH v10 course, which is the current iteration, can show employers you know the tools and techniques used by cybersecurity professionals and hackers to break into any IT networks or systems.

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Certification proves you know the basics and can think outside the box to scan, test, hack, and secure computer systems and networks.

3- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM):

If you are interested in IT security, a CISM certificate can give you the leverage you need to be an information security manager.

A CISM certification establishes your expertise in designing and engineering security protocols. Moreover, it is proof that you can manage a company’s IT security.

This certification is suitable for IT professionals with several years of experience in designing and managing an enterprise IT security program. Acquiring it takes you a step closer to holding a leadership position in information security and risk management.

4- Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL):

ITIL is the most popular and widely used framework for information technology management for over 30 years now. It covers the established best practices for providing organizations various IT solutions, including operations, capacity management, and incident management.

A professional certified in ITIL aims to implement all these while controlling or reducing IT costs and balancing the relevant resources.

For newbies, the ITIL Foundation certification is the first or entry-level exam that you should take. It covers the basics of ITIL 4 and is designed for professionals who want to gain a rudimentary understanding of the IT service management framework.

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5- Citrix Certified Associate – Networking (CCA-N):

If you are in the field of network and systems administration, you should have the CCA-N certification on your portfolio.

The CCA-N certificate demonstrates your proficiency in implementing and managing Citrix ADC. The course will train you to handle traffic management, content switching, load balancing, and SSL offloading.

Additionally, the program will teach you how to use Citrix ADC and Citrix Getaway to manage remote desktops and access applications and data. The certification will also confirm your ability to handle disaster recovery and troubleshooting issues.

6- Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect:

Since Google is associated with nearly everything in IT, getting certified by this well-known brand can give you the edge you are looking for.

The Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification is proof that you can design, develop, and manage Google’s cloud architecture using Google Cloud Platform or GCP technologies.

By taking up the right training program, you will be able to develop and master a variety of cloud skills. These abilities are in demand right now since many organizations are looking for IT professionals that can operate and manage dynamic, secure, and profitable cloud infrastructures.

7- Project Management Professional (PMP):

For those aiming to be a manager or to hold a higher executive-level position, obtaining a PMP certification is a must.

Developed and administered by the Project Management Institute or PMI, the PMP certification is one of the most recognized qualifications companies look for. With this certificate, you demonstrate your proficiency in managing projects and all involved teams.

To get the certification, you have to show your proficiency in a project’s five standard main areas or life cycles: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing.

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Before taking up a PMP certification exam, you need to ensure you have completed at least 35 hours of related training. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you also need 4,500 hours of project management experience. If you are an undergraduate, the requirement is 7,500 hours.

Before taking up any course, consider your current qualifications and experiences as well as your career plan. Moreover, make sure you choose the right training institute to help you with preparing for the certification exam so that you can get the certificate you need in one try.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Jerrin Samuel is the Executive Director at Regional Educational Institute (REI) in Abu Dhabi. Since 1995, REI has been at the forefront of education by delivering quality corporate training courses in the UAE, helping many businesses and organizations achieve greater productivity and higher customer satisfaction levels.