Best IT certifications: Learn how to upskill for the role you want

As management teams everywhere begin acknowledging the IT and security departments’ core significance to business continuity and profitability, positions in the field become increasingly competitive. 

Those who want to go far in this industry can’t simply wait for their companies to upskill them. Instead, they have to take initiative and find the path they want to pursue. To help go-getter IT professionals with this undertaking, we’ve compiled a list of nine certifications that can give you an advantage. Let’s review them!

#1 Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer

Professional data engineers design, build, deploy, manage, and secure anything relating to data processing systems—including how to make them usable for colleagues and clients. This role also entails choosing services and tools that support their company in meeting regulatory requirements.

Recommended experience: Google  shares that applicants for this role should have “3+ years of industry experience, including 1+ years designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud.”

Exam cost: $200

How long before it expires? Two years.

#2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

This role is all about combining security and technology. Once you earn your CISSP certificate, you can do practically anything in the IT realm—from installing patches to managing cybersecurity teams. CISSPs are qualified in security engineering and architecture, securing software development, risk management, access management, network security, asset security, security testing, and security operations.

Recommended experience: Five years of working full time in two or more of the eight areas of this certification. There’s flexibility for part time workers as long as they work 20-34 hours a week. People who choose this option will need to count their work hours: Every 1,040 work hours count as 6 months of full-time work.

Exam cost: $749

How long before it expires? Three years.

#3 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

This advanced certificate for cybersecurity and IT professions can prove you’re capable enough to manage enterprise InfoSec programs. It’s therefore extremely useful for IT professionals who want to grow into an IT leadership position.

Recommended experience: Five years in information security jobs in the decade before applying. You also need at least three years in management roles in at least three of the main topics the exam covers.

Exam cost: $575 for ISACA (Information System Audit and Control Association) members. Non-members pay $760. 

Note: ISACA is the nonprofit providing this certificate. Their membership fee is $145, and they charge annual dues of $135. That said, it’s probably not worth your while to join if you’re only interested in the discount. You can learn more about ISACA here.

How long before it expires? Three years.

#4 AWS Certified Security Specialty

This certificate proves your skills in security solution creation and implementation in the AWS cloud. It also demonstrates your expertise in AWS-based data classifications, protection mechanisms and secure internet protocols, among others.

Recommended experience: AWS recommends “five years of IT security experience in designing and implementing security solutions, and two or more years of hands-on experience in securing AWS workloads.”

Exam cost: $300

How long before it expires? Three years.

#5 Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

CISA certification demonstrates your capability to bring a risk-based strategy to auditing and managing business and IT systems. It also proves you’re up-to-date on the latest technology, as the exam makes sure to include topics like blockchain and AI.

Recommended experience: Five or more years working in information system auditing, control, or security.

Exam cost: $575 for ISACA members or $760 for non-members. See our section about CISM for more on ISACA and whether you should become a member there.

How long before it expires? According to ISACA, “maintaining your CISA requires earning a minimum of 20 CPEs [Continuing Professional Education hours] annually and a total of 120 CPEs over a 3 year period.”

#6 AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Want to position yourself as a cloud network expert? Getting this certificate will help. It’s for individuals who can design, create and manage Amazon Web Services (AWS) based services. Earning it means you have mastered designing high performing, secure, resilient, and cost effective architectures.

Gaining this certification will support you in a variety of roles, including cloud security architect, network engineer, cloud data engineer, and machine learning engineer.

Recommended experience: According to AWS, individuals pursuing certification should have spent 1-3 years “designing cloud solutions that use AWS services.” The organization “does not require deep hands-on coding experience, although familiarity with basic programming concepts would be an advantage.”

Exam cost: $150

How long before it expires? Three years.

#7 AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

This is the next and highest level in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect certification. According to AWS, “this credential helps certified individuals showcase advanced knowledge and skills in providing complex solutions to complex problems, optimizing security, cost and performance, and automating manual processes.” 

Recommended experience: At least two years designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.

Exam cost: $300

How long before it expires? Three years.

#8 Google Professional Cloud Architect

Google does a good job of summarizing the qualifications associated with this certificate: “With a thorough understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud, [Google professional cloud architects] design, develop and manage robust, secure, scalable, highly available and dynamic solutions to drive business objectives.” 

Succeeding at this exam means you can verify your company’s operations remain reliable. It also means you can plan and implement—and then manage—cloud solution architectures, as well as optimize processes in your organization in order to lead it toward security and compliance.

Recommended experience: At least three years in the industry. At least one of these years needs to include solution design and management with Google Cloud.

Exam cost: $200

How long before it expires? Two years.

#9 Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

This certificate showcases your experience designing and implementing “cloud security architecture, user and device security, network security, assurance, and more,” explains Cisco.

Recommended experience: Three to five years of security solution implementation experience.

Exam cost: $300-400.

How long before it expires? Three years.

Become the leader of your professional journey

Earning any of these certificates is an accomplishment. It can also act as a benchmark in where you want to take your career. To find the best certificate for you, evaluate your current skill sets and where you would like to end up. Then, seek out the certification that fits your experience.

Although getting certified takes time and energy, it’s worth it: Fortinet found that 9 out of 10 companies prefer to hire cybersecurity professionals with certifications, and 89% would pay for employees to get one. Even if your company falls in the latter category, don’t wait for them to make you an offer. Instead, ask them about it. Any time is a good time to advance your career, but enquiring about certification when you accept a new role or are negotiating for a raise is an especially prime moment. If your company says no, remember that investing in yourself always pays off.

Atera is proud of the role it plays in helping IT professionals advance their careers.  Our AI-powered all-in-one IT management platform is transforming IT management by empowering IT teams to slash SLA times, efficiently manage and protect infrastructure, improve service quality, and drive organizational growth. To learn more, you can read about our product or request a demo.