Certifications are important. Through certification, candidates display their IT skills and knowledge to employers that they have the expertise to accomplish things in a professional manner.
When it comes to skills, you can acquire a new skill—which adds an extra layer of expertise to your resume—or you can upgrade a skill you already have.
No matter the reason, certification is the most acceptable method to accelerate and elevate your career, and most importantly, certification sets you apart from other candidates aiming for the same job.
Therefore, to help you find the best IT certification, we have come up with this list of in-demand IT certifications.
If you are just starting your career or want to build a powerful resume, the certifications below will help boost your career.
20 best IT certifications
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
- Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
- ASIS Certified Protection Professional Certification (CPP)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Implementing and Administering Cisco Networking Technologies (CISCO – CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- CompTIA (A+, Cloud+, Security+)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- IITIL 4 Leader: Digital & IT Strategy (DITS)
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Service Desk Analyst v8 (SDA)
- Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
- Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
- SAFe – Advanced Scrum Master Certification (SASM)
- VMware Certified Professional: Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)
1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
AWS Cloud Practitioner is a certification exam offered by Amazon Web Services. This training course is ideal for AWS newbies since it teaches the fundamentals of cloud computing and builds practical skills and theoretical knowledge through repetition and incremental learning.
Regardless of the non-technical role, this course is for all. This course's eligibility requirements are somewhat broad. If you are a bachelor with a 50% or higher average, you can participate in this course even if you have no prior programming experience or are new to the programming field.
The AWS cloud practitioner certification allows you to demonstrate your knowledge to companies looking for cloud experts to help them modernize their businesses. AWS training and certification also help build and validate your skills to get more out of the cloud.
2. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
CCSP is the most preferred certification to prove your expertise as a cloud security professional who can easily handle security challenges.
As a CCSP-certified professional, you have advanced technical skills and expertise to implement policies and procedures defined by the cybersecurity experts in designing, managing, and securing cloud data and infrastructure.
If you are an experienced IT professional working in risk and compliance, information security, governance, security engineering, IT auditing, or architecture.
In that case, this certificate can take your career to the next level. You can apply for cloud administrator, architect, and computing analyst positions, and there will be a massive spike in your salary.
This online exam tests your knowledge in the following six domains: cloud concepts, architecture and design, cloud data security, cloud platform and infrastructure security, cloud application security, cloud security operations, and legal, risk and compliance.
3. ISACA Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
CDPSE is a certification that assesses legal and technical aspects associated with creating and managing privacy programs and solutions.
It validates security professionals' ability to create data privacy products, manage data lifecycle and protection policies, and suggest their organization with reasonable data protection practices that enhance users' trust and privacy.
It also equips you with the skills to work in coordination with several departments within an organization. Industry professionals, like privacy advisors, engineers, consultants, managers, domain architects, and information security engineers, can apply for this certification.
You have to work very hard to get this certificate as it is not easy to clear this exam. The domains covered in this online exam are privacy governance, privacy architecture, and data life cycle.
All the international certifications project your skills at par with the industry standards and hence are not easy to crack. You need to undergo rigorous practice to pass such online exams.
4. ASIS Certified Protection Professional Certification (CPP)
ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) is recognized as a "gold standard" for security management professionals. This globally recognized certification showcases your professional excellence across several domains and distinguishes you from your competitors.
Organizations nowadays are looking forward to hiring security experts to protect their assets. But due to a lack of trained individuals, private corporations, organizations, government agencies, and many others constantly threaten the protection of tangible assets. So, you have a higher chance of getting hired as compared to non-CPP certificate holders.
This online exam tests your knowledge and skills across seven domains. These are security principles and practices, business principles and practices, investigations, personnel security, physical security, information security, and crisis management.
To be eligible for this exam, you must fulfill specific criteria. You must have seven years of security experience, out of which three years you should have spent in charge of a security function. There is a relaxation of two years if you hold a bachelor's degree.
Additional requirements include full-time employment history as a security professional without any case of criminal offense and abiding by the code of conduct and policies of ASIS certifications.
5. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
CEH certification validates a candidate's expertise in implementing ethical hacking techniques by analyzing network infrastructure to find security faults that can lead to system hacking by malicious hackers.
All these activities are carried out with the owner's permission, and these ethical hackers are also referred to as white-hat hackers.
You can earn this credential if you work as a security officer, security professional, auditor, site administrator, or in any field related to network infrastructure. It will help you land a high-paying job as an ethical hacker or security analyst.
EC-Council conducts two exams for this certification, and you can apply for anyone or both depending on the kind of qualification you want to gain.
Most of the jobs require only knowledge-based CEH certification. EC-Council CEH certification focuses on the following domains: background, analysis, security, tools and systems, methodology, regulation policy, and ethics.
Each domain is further divided into several subdomains. CEH is an intermediate to advanced level certification and caters to cybersecurity professionals who want to be ethical hackers.
6. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISM certification focuses on management-based security practices and involves designing, supervising, and assessing an organization's information security systems.
It equips you with the knowledge to implement security in your organization as per its business goals. There is a massive shortage of information security management professionals in the present scenario, so demand is at an all-time high.
You must take this globally acclaimed online exam if you are a security or IT manager, security systems auditor or engineer, IT consultant, chief compliance, or information security officer. Getting CISM certified makes you a sought-after candidate in India and abroad alike.
The domains covered in this online exam are information security governance, risk management, security program development and management, and security incident management.
7. ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Nowadays, cyber threats are experienced globally by organizations, and the need for skilled professionals who can handle them is being felt. CISSP is the most recognized certification that caters to the current requirements of the cyber security domain.
It boosts your cybersecurity career and increases your market value manifolds. It proves your expertise in designing, implementing, and supervising cybersecurity programs. This certificate best suits experienced professionals working as chief information security officers and IT and security managers, architects, consultants, auditors, analysts, and engineers.
But it is not necessary that if you are a cybersecurity professional, you should go for it. First, analyze your requirements and then decide. There are eight domains covered in this online exam: security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communications and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
8. Implementing and Administering Cisco Networking Technologies (CISCO – CCNA)
Cisco CCNA 200-301 is a single comprehensive exam covering a broad spectrum of fundamentals that utilizes the latest technologies, software development knowledge, and job roles. Under the new CCNA certification program, you will specialize at the CCNP level, not at the CCNA level.
The following certifications, namely: CCNA cloud, collaboration, data center, industrial, routing and switching, security, service provider, wireless, and CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate), are replaced by the new ones. There are no officially announced prerequisites for the online exam.
However, it is recommended to have an in-depth knowledge of exam topics, work experience of more than one year with computer networking and Cisco equipment, and a clear understanding of network fundamentals.
The new CCNA model comprises the following modules: network fundamentals, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, network access, and automation and programmability. The topics that have been removed are network fundamentals, LAN switching, routing, and WAN.
9. Cisco Certified: Network Professional (CCNP)
Cisco 350-401 ENCOR certification equips you with the knowledge to effectively configure, troubleshoot, and manage enterprise-level wired and wireless networks.
You will also be able to deploy security principles, programmability, and automation and use SD-Access and SD-WAN solutions to overlay network design within an enterprise network.
This certification will benefit you the most if you work as a mid-level network engineer, network support technician, network administrator, or help desk technician.
This online exam tests your knowledge about implementing core enterprise network technologies across the following domains: dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation.
10. CompTIA A+
IT professionals design THE CompTIA A+ exam to validate candidates' IT skills, which opens several doors to entry-level IT jobs. To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass two exams, Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). This certificate equips you with knowledge and skills to apply to projects in any organization.
You become knowledgeable about installing and upgrading operating systems and virtual machines, troubleshooting peripheral devices, setting up home and office networks, and implementing cybersecurity controls.
This certification helps you grab a job as a technical support specialist, service desk analyst, associate network engineer, data support technician, desktop support administrator, help desk technician, and end-user computing technician.
The domains covered in this online exam are hardware, networking, mobile devices, network, and hardware troubleshooting, security, windows operating system, other OS technologies, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
11. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
An Azure solutions architect collaborates with other developers, administrators, and other roles involved in implementing Azure solutions.
The eligible Candidates for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification are supposed to have competence in developing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including computing, network, storage, monitoring, and security.
The major responsibilities of this position involve offering guidance to stakeholders and translating business requirements into designs for secure, scalable, and reliable Azure solutions.
The Azure Solutions Architect Expert offers appropriate solutions and is familiar with Azure's fundamental ideas. The credential you've been given can help you advance in your job.
This certification necessitates in-depth knowledge and experience in areas such as networking, configuration management, identification, security, business continuity, recovery procedures, data platforms, and governance in IT operations.
12. IITIL 4 Leader: Digital & IT Strategy (DITS)
The module ITIL 4 Leader: Digital & IT Strategy (DITS) offers guidance about the ITIL concepts that help digital and IT people make strategic decisions in business by developing the right digital strategy according to the organization's goals.
The DITS module helps understand how to implement the digital strategy and how the strategy can influence the design, support, and delivery of projects and services to clients. Digital & IT Strategy knowledge is valuable for all the professionals of organizations.
Through this certification, the individuals can learn about developing a digital mission and vision, influencing operational superiority, and reacting to disruption in the digital world.
The ITIL 4 Leader: Digital & IT Strategy course is suitable for leaders eager to learn the necessary skills to triumph over digital disruption by using new and innovative technologies.
Individuals wanting to acquire the ITIL 4 Strategic Leader designation require the Digital & IT Strategy certification. This certification's guidance covers all the practices that help individuals learn the factors that help have a successful Digital & IT strategy.
Some of those factors include Portfolio Management, Architecture Management, Knowledge Management, Strategy Management, Risk Management, and many more.
13. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
GIAC GCIH is an intermediate-level credential that validates candidates' knowledge and skills to identify, respond, and solve computer security incidents.
To accomplish these tasks, you must possess a wide range of security skills. As a GCIH certification holder, you have the expertise to manage security incidents by analyzing various attacking techniques and creating a strategy to counter those attacks and respond instantly.
GCIH certification works best for incident handlers, system administrators, security architects, security practitioners, legal professionals, IT professionals dealing with corporate forensics, incident handling team leads, and security personnel. It is a highly-valued certificate by employers that can boost your career and provide an instant pay hike.
This online exam evaluates your expertise around the following topics incident handling and computer crime investigation, computer and network hacker exploits, and hacker tools (Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, and Netcat).
To appear for this exam, there are a few prerequisites. You must have basic knowledge of computer networking, security concepts, networking protocols, Windows OS and command line, and Linux.
14. Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMP certification is ranked one of the most prestigious global project management certifications. As a PMP certificate holder, you are considered a professional with mastery over the three core areas of project management: predictive, agile, and hybrid.
It also shows you possess business skills to achieve goals and enhance your organization's market value worldwide.
You can consider getting this certification if you are an onsite or off-site coordinator, quality assistant manager, PMO office representative, program manager, and manager. It will help you outshine your competitors and give you an unprecedented salary hike.
The domains covered in this online exam are people (soft skills to manage a team), process (technical aspects of project management), and business environment (executing projects in compliance with the organizational strategy).
15. Service Desk Analyst v8 (SDA)
Service Desk Analyst is a specialized certification through which candidates can gain skills of customer support and service certificates and competencies that are mandatory to thrive in the IT industry.
The qualification of Service Desk Analyst is for support analysts and IT employees with experience and skills in service desk management. The analysts who want to augment their knowledge and role in the IT and service sector must get Service Desk Analysts v8 certification, supporting their commitment to the organization.
Through the course, the individuals can understand the required competencies and skills to provide the best service desk knowledge to recognize customers' changing needs and wants in the digital era.
Service Desk Analyst qualification provides responsibilities and skills required to become a thriving service desk analyst. Some organizations arrange service desk analyst courses for their employees to make individuals learn about delivering the best services. SDA is a professional-level certification that Service Desk Institute develops.
It is a closed book examination that goes on for 60 minutes that contains 60 questions. For candidates to pass, 65% marks or 39 marks are mandatory. The online exam is available in only the English language. The pre-requisite of this certification is training via Accredited Training Organization.
16. Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
The possession of a Professional cloud DevOps Engineer advocates that the candidate can apply site reliability engineering principles to the related services.
This certification also validates your capabilities to optimize service performance, implications of service monitoring strategies, and management of service-related incidents.
Any organization from related domains always prefers professional Cloud DevOps engineers who can work efficiently and maintain the balance between service reliability and the delivery speed of services. This certification reflects your advanced and well-furnished skills.
There are no minimum qualifications to qualify for this certification, but if you have at least three years of experience in this domain and a basic understanding of Google cloud, you can get this certification quickly.
To get the professional cloud DevOps engineer certification, you must register for an exam that you can attempt online and offline. If you are intended to build infrastructure on the Google cloud platform, have a fundamental knowledge of IT architecture, virtual machines, networking, and containers, and have worked with DevOps principles, you can jump in.
The exam length is 2 hours, and the exam format would be multiple-choice and multiple-select based.
17. Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
Azure IoT Developers collaborate with designers, data analysts, and other teams in any organization to enable a successful business connection, including the Azure Digital Twins service installation.
Azure IoT Developers are responsible for installing physical devices, customizing and managing them utilizing cloud services, and managing and troubleshooting configurations throughout the life of the device.
Design specifications for IoT solutions, such as device topology, networking, diagnostics and surveillance, and security, are also implemented and monitored by Azure IoT Developers.
For the Azure IoT Edge element of the solution, these professionals create and deploy modules as well as set up device networking. They also implement ideas for data pipeline management solutions, such as supervising and data transformation, as they apply to IoT.
The Microsoft Certified Azure IoT Developer Specialty certificate will help you land a high-paying career. You must pass Exam AZ-220 (Microsoft Azure IoT Developer) to obtain this certification.
This exam assesses your abilities to build the infrastructure for an IoT solution, provision and manage devices, implement IoT Edge, process and manage data, monitor, debug, optimize IoT solutions, and apply security.
This exam consists of 40-60 questions in various formats and requires a $165 registration fee. Readily accessible content such as dumps and brain dumps during exam preparation may lead you astray with out-of-date data.
Hence, The suggested proxy exam is the best option for maintaining a strategic distance from such content and guaranteeing success.
18. Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
IAPP CIPM exam is a globally recognized standard for privacy program management. It equips you with knowledge about implementing data privacy regulations for your organization's day-to-day activities.
You will learn how to create a company vision, design and implement system frameworks, structure a data protection team, minimize risks, handle personal data effectively, and measure performance.
There is no one reason to become a CIPM certified professional. It enhances your leadership profile and helps you portray the role of a privacy leader within your organization.
You become aware of laws and practices about privacy and data protection and gain knowledge of essential tools to boost your company's privacy program and enhance its market value.
This online exam tests your expertise across the following topics privacy policy strategy development, law, and strategy alignment, creating and using tools, privacy by design and privacy cultures, incident response, and program monitoring, measurement, and analysis.
19. SAFe – Advanced Scrum Master Certification (SASM)
SAFe Advanced Scrum Master is an advanced-level certification specifically designed for experienced Scrum masters who want to showcase their expertise as a team and program facilitator in large organizations.
You gain practical knowledge to train Agile teams to enhance their company's business value. This certificate is best suited for existing scrum masters, Agile coaches, Agile program managers, Agile development managers and engineers, team leaders, project managers, would be Release Train engineers, and all individuals who handle the role and responsibilities of an Agile team facilitator in a SAFe or Agile environment.
There are a few prerequisites to taking this online exam. You should have one or more certifications to be eligible for this exam. These are SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certification, Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification, or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification.
You retake (second attempt) the exam immediately after the first attempt, wait for ten days for the third attempt, and 30 days for the fourth attempt. It is a next-level leadership certification program and can give an instant boost to your career.
20. VMware Certified Professional: Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)
The VCP-DCV abbreviation stands for VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization. The VCP-DCV certification is appropriate for people who wish to stay ahead of the curve with VMware.
It confirms a candidate's ability to set up, administer, and troubleshoot a vSphere V6.7 infrastructure employing best business practices to deliver a robust, adaptable, and secure foundation for business agility that can help to accelerate cloud computing transition.
Along with necessary training, the mandatory exam to get this certification is Professional VMware vSphere 7.x (2V0-21.20). This exam verifies that a person can set up, administer, and troubleshoot a VMware vSphere® 7 infrastructure, including VMware ESXiTM 7 and VMware vCenter Server® 7.
Architecture and Technologies, Products and Solutions, Planning and Designing, Installing, Configuring, Setup, Performance-tuning, Optimization and Upgrades, Troubleshooting and Repairing, and Administrative and Operational Tasks are the principal domains of the exam course outline.
The Final Words
As we said earlier, that certification adds considerable weight to your resume, so if you want certification in the topics mentioned above or any other, we at CBT Proxy provide such exams with a 100% pass guarantee. We have hundreds of IT certifications you can enroll with today.
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