If you're considering an IT career, you might be wondering what the best IT certifications are. The best IT certificates are focused on a particular area, and achieving one shows you've done additional study and expertise in that field. Each one requires a certain element of study, and you'll need to pass an examination to get the certificate. IT professionals need to be updated with the latest technology and receive ongoing training to ensure their relevance.
Certifications as a tech entry-level worker
CompTIA A+ is one of the best entry-level tech certifications available today. The exam covers networking concepts, operations, tools, security, and more. This certification proves your skills in troubleshooting and installing operating systems and software. The certification costs $338 and is valid for three-years. To keep it current, you must take 30 hours of continuing education every three years. The exam includes 90 questions.
High-level certs
IT certifications can validate candidates' IT skills and experiences and make them more competitive to employers. These credentials strengthen a candidate’s resume and establish them as an expert in their area. Robert Half found that the following certifications are most valuable in this field:
CompTIA
CompTIA certifications will help you get into the IT profession. CompTIA certifications don't target any particular vendor platform or product. CompTIA certifications are extremely theoretical so you can easily learn them without having to do any actual work. CompTIA certifications are stackable. This means you can get multiple certifications without needing to learn a new system.
Cisco
CCIE is Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert. This certification recognizes those who possess advanced technical skills and are knowledgeable about Cisco's products, solutions, as well as services. CCIEs may choose to specialize in one of the following four areas: Collaboration, Data Center Routing and switching, Routing, and Security. The CCDE identifies experts in infrastructure design and management for enterprise networks. The certification requires skills in writing and lab work. More information is available about the CCIE tracks.
VMware
A course is the best way to get a VMware certification. However, a video-based course can be a great option. These courses are led by VMware experts and provide detailed coverage of the certification exam objectives. These courses provide valuable insight into VMware products and help you to identify gaps in your knowledge and skills. You will also have continuous access for 180 days to these courses. VMware video-based certificates provide a detailed review of the exam objectives as well as enough practice in a lab to ensure you pass.
FAQ
What is the best way to learn IT online?
Yes, absolutely! There are many online courses you can take. They usually last less than one week and are therefore not comparable to regular college classes.
This means that you can fit the program around your schedule. Most times, you can complete the entire program in a few days.
It is possible to complete the course from anywhere you are. All you need to do is have a computer or tablet with internet access.
Online courses are popular for two reasons. First, many full-time students still want to continue their education. It's nearly impossible to decide which subject you want to study, given the number of options available.
What should I be looking for when selecting a cyber-security course?
There are many options for cyber security training, from part-time to full-time. When choosing which cyber security course to enroll in, what should you be looking for? Here are some things you need to keep in mind:
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What level of certification would you like to achieve? Some courses grant certificates upon successful completion. Other courses offer diplomas or degree options. Although certificates are usually easier to obtain than degrees, diplomas or degrees are generally more prestigious.
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How many months/weeks do you have to complete the course. The majority of courses last between 6-12 weeks. However, some may take longer.
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Are you more comfortable with face-to-face or distance learning? Face-to face courses are great for getting acquainted with other students but can be very expensive. Distance learning allows students to learn at their own pace, and they can save money by not having to travel.
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Are you looking for a career change or just a refresher? Career changers who already hold a job in another field may find that a short course is enough to refresh their knowledge and help them gain new skills. Others may simply seek a refresher before applying for a new role.
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Is it accredited? Accreditation ensures that a course is reliable and trustworthy. Accreditation ensures you won’t waste your money and time on courses that don’t deliver the results that you are looking for.
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Does the course include internships or placements? Internships will allow you to use the information you have gained in class and gain practical experience working with IT professionals. You will have the opportunity to work with cybersecurity professionals and gain valuable experience.
Is cybersecurity a lot of math?
It's an integral part our business and we know that it won't go away soon. However, technology is constantly changing and we need to be able to keep up.
That means finding ways to make sure that the systems we use every single day are secure without worrying too much about the technical details.
It is also important to keep our costs under control. We are always trying to find ways to improve our management of these issues.
If we do it wrong, we could miss opportunities, lose revenue, harm our customers, and even endanger lives. This is why it's important to make sure we are spending our time wisely.
Therefore, we must be mindful that we are not focusing too much on cybersecurity.
This is why we have a dedicated team that focuses on this problem. They are called "cybersecurity specialists" because they know exactly what to do and how to make those changes happen.
What is the best way to study for cyber security certification
Professionals working in the IT sector consider cyber security certifications essential. CompTIA Security+ (1) Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – Security(2) and Cisco CCNA Security Certification(3) are the most well-known courses. These courses are all accepted by employers and can be used as a foundation. There are many options, such as Oracle Certified Professional – Java SE 7 Programer (4), IBM Information Systems Security Foundation (5) and SANS GIAC (6).
The decision is yours. But make sure that you understand what you're doing.
Statistics
- The number of IT certifications available on the job market is growing rapidly. According to an analysis conducted by CertifyIT, there were more than 2,000 different IT certifications available in 2017,
- The top five companies hiring the most IT professionals are Amazon, Google, IBM, Intel, and Facebook (itnews.co).
- Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs, with companies looking to fill their ranks with specialists in cloud computing, collating and management of business information, and cybersecurity (bls.gov).
- The top five countries contributing to the growth of the global IT industry are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany (comptia.com).
- The IT occupation with the highest annual median salary is that of computer and information research scientists at $122,840, followed by computer network architects ($112,690), software developers ($107,510), information security analysts ($99,730), and database administrators ($93,750) (bls.gov).
- The median annual salary of computer and information technology jobs in the US is $88,240, well above the national average of $39,810 (bls.gov).
External Links
How To
How can you become a Cyber Security Expert
Cybersecurity has been one of the fastest growing areas in today's economy. Cybersecurity experts are vital to ensure companies are protected from online threats.
There are two types for cybersecurity professionals:
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Penetration testers-A penetration tester uses advanced hacking techniques and methods to detect vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure.
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Network administrators - Anetwork administrator manages network devices by configuring firewalls, routers, switches, VMs, and servers.
You will need to learn both these areas to become a cybersecurity expert. These are some ways to become a cybersecurity expert.
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Understanding network architecture and design is the first step to becoming a cybersecurity expert. Learn about TCP/IP protocols. Also, learn about wireless networks, VPNs, VoIP, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies.
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Learn computer systems and their applications. Next, you will need to learn programming languages like C++, Python PHP, ASP.NET and JavaScript. Learn about operating systems, such as Linux (Windows Server 2012 R2), Unix, Mac OS X (OS X), and iOS. The final step is to understand enterprise software applications, web services and mobile apps.
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Make your own tools: You now know how to program and use various computer systems. Use those tools to test, monitor, and secure an organization's computers and networks.
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Get certified: To earn the title of a cybersecurity expert, you should get certified. Find professional organizations on LinkedIn offering certification programs. Some examples are Certified Ethical Hacker / CEH, CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner / CAP, and SANS Institute GIAC.
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You can build a portfolio once you have the technical knowledge and experience. This will help you land a job in cybersecurity. You may also be a freelancer.
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Join industry associations. Joining industry associations can help you connect with cybersecurity experts and make valuable connections. Join the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, for example.
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Find opportunities: Finally, look for opportunities within and outside of your company. There are many IT service providers and IT consultants that offer cybersecurity jobs.
This post can help you start your journey to cybersecurity expertise. Good luck!