A career in information technology (IT) is an excellent choice as the tech industry keeps growing in our modern, digital age.
You can be confident of exciting job opportunities as there always seems to be a gap between demand and the number of skilled IT professionals available. Certifications within the field can help candidates validate their skills and is a great way of showcasing their expertise to current and prospective employers.
Read on for our guide to some of the best certifications in the industry.
We’ve identified 10 top certifications you can be looking at for 2021 and beyond:
1. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
With the rise of cloud security as a mainstay of modern organisations, the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is worth pursuing. There is currently a lot of demand and little supply in the market for skilled cloud architects, and by gaining a CCSP, you can gain credibility and recognition as an authority figure on cloud security.
The CCSP will teach you:
- How to be proficient with google cloud technologies
- Design, develop and manage scalable and secure cloud solutions
- Security & compliance
2. Certified ethical hacker
Use your skills to find and prevent vulnerabilities in an organisation IT system.
Those training for an ethical hacker certificate will learn how to:
- Identify security weaknesses across networks and systems
- Use the knowledge found to protect the company against malicious threats better
- Keep discoveries confidential - ethical hackers must agree to and respect their non-disclosure agreement
- Erase all traces of the hack after checking the system for the vulnerability (thus preventing malicious hackers from entering the system through the identified loopholes)
3. Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project management professionals are an essential part of all organisations. A PMP is a vital role in ensuring projects are planned and executed correctly within the IT industry.
When qualifying for a PMP certification, you will learn skills to put you at the top of your profession, including:
- The five project management processes
- Time and cost management
- Risk assessment
- Quality control
- Effective stakeholder, client and team communication techniques.
4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
This is a fantastic certification for entry-level IT employment. Perfect for anyone just starting out in their it career.
Get yourself certified in any or all the following:
- Bi reporting
- Office 365
- Database development
- Web applications
- Windows server
- Windows 10… and several other Microsoft products and services.
5. Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification
Choose the level based on your own level of industry experience.
You can learn a range of skills, including:
- Business analytics
- Data analytics and design
- Data governance
- Data integration and interoperability
- Data warehousing
- Enterprise data architecture
6. VMware certified professional
Get certified in your skills and knowledge when it comes to VMware.
Learn how to:
- Implement, manage, and troubleshoot vSphere v6 Infrastructures
- Help organisations design and develop both traditional computing infrastructures and virtual infrastructures
7. Cisco Certified Internetwork expert (CCIE)
There are several Cisco certifications. Once you’ve mastered the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), test your knowledge with the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
Specialty areas include:
- Enterprise infrastructure
- Enterprise wireless
- Data centre
- Security
- Service provider and collaboration.
8. Digital marketing certifications
Digital marketing is fast becoming a fundamental part of many business strategies. No longer seen as a luxury or an add-on, digital marketing operations are crucial in the digital age.
Learn skills in a range of complementary areas:
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Social media
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
- Conversion optimisation
- Web analytics
- Content marketing
- Email and mobile marketing
9. Network engineer certifications
Network engineers are responsible for network design and managing computer hardware components and operating systems.
To certify as a network engineer, you need to be able to:
- Understand and advise on computer hardware components and operating systems
- Evaluate and alleviate risk
- Analyse and select technologies
- Choose a suitable network design
- Resolve it problems
Networking certifications could be in the form of:
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
• CompTIA network+
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
10. AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast becoming an integral part of the business in the digital age. And therefore, forging a career in an AI role is a smart move. Being able to understand and manage AI within an organisation is an exciting career move.
Two popular certifications are the artificial intelligence engineer certification program and the professional certificate program in machine learning.
Key areas you will study when certifying will include:
- Machine learning
- AI strategy
- Key applications
- Neural networks
- Learning how to organise and manage successful AI application projects while avoiding pitfalls associated with these new technologies
- Grasp the technical aspects of AI so that you can communicate effectively with management and stakeholders
- Understand parametric and non-parametric algorithms, clustering, dimensionality reduction, among other important topics.
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