An IT certification is a certificate that indicates a specialist’s competency in a certain area of technology. Certifications are often followed by some tests, schooling, or study. But the difference is that; they are also vendor-specific.
IT Certifications offer validation for those pursuing a career in the IT industry. Those who have received one or more IT certifications tend to stand out from the crowd and are considered more likely to succeed in their positions.
The top IT certification in demand in 2021 are as follows:
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Professional Assessment is intended for people who play the role of a solution architect with two or more years of hands-on experience in AWS management and operating systems.
Abilities Verified by the Certification:
- Build and deploy highly usable, fault-tolerant, and secure dynamically scalable applications on AWS
- Choose suitable AWS providers to develop and execute an application based on precise specifications
- Complex, multi-tier systems move to AWS
- Plan and execute flexible enterprise-wide operations on AWS
- Implement methods for cost-control
Average annual salary (according to PayScale): $113,000
2. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Specialist (CCSP) certification validates the requisite expertise and skills in cloud security design, deployment, engineering, processes, controls, and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
The Accredited Cloud Security Specialist (CCSP) credential is designed for experienced IT practitioners with at least five years of business experience, with three of those years in information security and one year in one of the six areas of the CCSP.
The credential builds off of (ISC)²’s Certified Information Management Security Specialist (CISSP) and CSA’s Certificate of Cloud Security Expertise (CCSK).
The six CSSP domains include:
- cloud data security;
- architecture and design;
- operations;
- infrastructure security;
- application security; and
- compliance
Average annual salary: $118,559
3. Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
The credential offered by the ISACA Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) is intended to prove that you have the expertise to handle the increasing complexities of data privacy and protection.
It is a professional qualification focused on the expertise that tests the ability to “implement privacy by design, resulting in platforms for privacy technology and products that build trust and advance data privacy.”
To apply for the exam, you will need at least five years of experience in privacy security and design. And if you are either CISA, CRISC, CISM, CGEIT, or CSX-P certified, the requirement for 2 years of experience will be waived.
Average annual salary: No details yet, as this is a relatively new certification
4. Certified Data Professional (CDP)
Accessible from the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), the Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification provides multiple learning routes.
CDP candidates may select from many areas, including business analytics, data analytics, and design, data policy, data integration and interoperability, data processing, data storage, corporate data infrastructure, IT management and information systems, and more.
At different tiers, the CDP is given, beginning with the foundation and going on to partner, mastery, principal, and finishing at the final stage of executive management.
Average annual salary: $45,000
5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, given by the EC-Council, shows your ability to identify flaws in computer networks and to avoid hacking. As an ethical hacker, you will create stronger security mechanisms to deter potential threats. You are someone who uses the same talents, tactics, and expertise as a malicious hacker.
Ethical hackers have to identify vulnerabilities in the networks and processes of the enterprise, and then use that information to defend the business from future attacks.
Average annual salary: $81,000
6. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The qualification of the ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) concerns information security governance, a subject that is a rising issue for organizations worldwide.
The credential is intended for IT practitioners who work with or handle IT security and who wish to show their skills in information security governance, risk management of information, production and management of information security systems, and event management of information security.
Experience in IS or IT protection is recommended, and the credential is targeted at those employed in IT who have an eye on the management road.
Average annual salary: $126,525
7. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential given by the (ISC)² shows your expertise and abilities with IT security and information assurance. The qualification includes areas such as organizational structure, compliance and risk control, asset security, identity, and access management (IAM) security processes, security evaluation and testing, and design and engineering of security.
In two or three of the eight domains included in the (ISC)2 CISSP Standard Body of Information, you would require at least five years of combined, paying job experience (CBK).
Average annual salary: $114,293
8. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
In Cisco’s scheme, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is the highest level of certification that can be obtained. In specialist areas, including enterprise infrastructure, enterprise wireless, data center, defense, service provider, and partnership, expert-level certifications are offered.
You would have achieved the highest degree of Cisco qualification currently available if you have completed the CCIE test. It is recommended to have at least five to seven years of experience in the qualification subject before you can receive your expert-level certification.
Average annual salary: $126,000
9. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is offered in many specializations, including defense, wireless, routing, and switching, industrial, IoT, data center, cyber operations, collaboration, and cloud. Network basics, network access, IP compatibility, IP facilities, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability are included in the review.
To pass the test, you will require at least one year of experience dealing with Cisco goods and services, basic IP addressing skills, and a good understanding of network fundamentals.
Average annual salary: $78,000
10. Cisco Certified Professional Network Professional (CCNP)
The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) credential would be the next step in your Cisco certification path. With CCNP you can opt to be accredited in business, data center, defense, service provider, partnership, CyberOps, or DevNet.
To go on to the final specialist stage of qualification, you would need to pass an exam at the CCNP level. In whatever qualification path you select, it is recommended to have at least three to five years of experience.
Average annual salary: $95,000
11. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect
The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential is intended for technology experts in charge of educating customers and developing reliable business cloud solutions. When it comes to installing and configuring networks, integrating workloads and protections, and designing and deploying applications, the expert-level exam covers your ability and expertise.
The exam also addresses subjects such as the architecture of a solution for a data platform, business sustainability and policy for infrastructure, and how to build for the cloud. You would need to know how to assess workload demands, develop strategies for data systems, build a plan for business continuity, and design rollout, migration, and integration.
Average annual salary: $119,412
12. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
The MCSA credential is meant for entry-level tech employees, but you can find these certifications useful for improving your resume if you’re just starting with your IT profession. However, please notice that Microsoft is revamping its credential scheme, and role-based certifications are being given way by the MCSA.
For topics such as BI reporting, Office 365, database creation, web apps, Windows Server, Windows 10, and many other Microsoft products and services, Microsoft provides several Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certifications.
Average annual salary: $75,000
13. Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator (CMDBA)
The MySQL Database Administration (CMDBA) certification is provided by Oracle University to database managers who want to demonstrate their abilities by increasing efficiency, incorporating business processes, and handling business processes and records.
The credential helps you to “prove your ability to provide current and future employers with reliability and performance” and to learn “in-demand skills to scale database applications and integrate your company.” Expert, specialist, and developer are the certification paths.
To earn your credential, you will need to pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the MySQL Database Administrator Accredited Technical Test.
Average annual salary: $88,873
14. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP certification is offered by the Institute of Project Management and is aimed at specialized practitioners in project management. The credential includes project management fundamentals, covering the five key phases of the life cycle of a project: initiation, preparation, implementation, tracking, and control, and termination.
You will require at least a four-year degree and three years of project management training, 4,500 hours of project leadership and directing, and 35 hours of project management preparation to take the test. You would require five years of experience, 7,500 hours of managing projects, and 35 hours of project management instruction if you have a secondary degree.
Average annual salary: $106,000
15. Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer
The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer certification comes under the Salesforce certification track for architects. Under the Certified Systems Architect qualification path, this certification test is given as a specialty you may take. It is designed for IT professionals responsible for evaluating the architecture landscape and specifications of the organization and certifies the ability to incorporate Salesforce platform management solutions.
Average annual salary: $91,000