Roles within the computer science industry that may require certification include systems engineer, security manager, network administrator, software developer, and project manager.
Because these high-paying roles involve using technical expertise to manage and protect essential operations and sensitive data, employers value — and often require — proven credentials. Computer science certifications ask candidates to pass one or more tests. In preparing to pass these credentialing exams, professionals gain and practice certain skills.
Many professionals value the process of preparing for these tests since they gain knowledge they can apply in their jobs and use to advance their careers.
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level. Certification candidates should know the difference between certifications and select the right one for them.
Professionals who work with a particular product, platform, or practice may need a vendor-specific certification to validate their expertise. Vendor-neutral certification serves those who want to change jobs, or who seek the flexibility to work in their area of expertise regardless of the specific tools their employer uses. Computer technology companies offer professional certifications to train and encourage people to use their software, products, platforms, and processes.
For example, Microsoft offers certifications for software developers and database managers who use Microsoft products.
Similarly, Cisco provides certifications for network engineers and architects who create and manage networks using Cisco infrastructure products. Companies using the products of a vendor like Microsoft or Cisco may demand their employees hold vendor-specific credentials. Vendor-specific certification works to validate your skills or qualify you for a more advanced position or higher salary. In contrast, vendor-neutral certifications remain a valuable asset, regardless of which software your employer uses, or where you work.
Professional and nonprofit organizations serving the computer technology industry also offer certifications. However, these organizations do not sell or promote specific vendors and their products.
Professionals earning these vendor-neutral certifications can use them in their roles, regardless of who employs them or what specific technology products or platforms their companies use.
For example, CompTIA offers a variety of vendor-neutral certifications for systems administrators, security managers, support specialists, and network administrators. Employers value these credentials, regardless of the specific technologies they use for their businesses.
Vendor-neutral certifications enable IT professionals to advance in their careers and change jobs as desired, rather than remain locked into a specific product or employer. Before investing in a computer science certification, make sure it meets your professional goals. First, conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Add up the cost of the required training materials and exams, and ask yourself if you can earn more or qualify for a better job by spending this money and putting in the time needed to obtain the credential.
Consider whether the certification will help you gain skills you need for a promotion. Examine the topics you will master during exam preparation: Will learning more about these topics help you on the job?
Think about how the certification process relates to your current role, and whether it would help you move into another position.
Also consider whether you need a vendor-specific or vendor-neutral credential. Entry-level computer science certifications typically do not require prerequisites, though credentialing agencies may recommend candidates possess some applicable work experience. Certifications intended for experienced professionals may require several years of relevant work experience, specific coursework, or prior certifications.
Most computer science certifications require candidates to pass one or more exams, allow them to prepare for these exams on their own terms. Credentialing organizations offer training materials such as textbooks, labs, and study guides, and provide training courses in a variety of formats, including online self-study courses and instructor-led online and in-person courses.
Flexible offerings enable candidates to select the course of study that fits their experience level, schedule, location, budget, and learning preferences. The duration of a certification course may vary, but typically spans months. According to CIO. Information technology is a highly dynamic and ever-changing field, however. As the industry evolves, new types or sets of certifications continue to crop up, while once-desirable credentials fall out of favor.
Or request information from schools today. The test is 90 minutes long, and includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, simulations and decision trees. The test covers the following topics:. Cisco still dominates the realm of networking. This desirable credential requires an unusually extensive and costly testing process, which requires candidates to show mastery of Cisco switch and router planning, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Each test is 2 hours long and covers a number of topics:. From security to networks to program development, IT work consists of projects which require planning and oversight. A Project Management Professional PMP certification on your resume shows that, as an IT professional, you have not only technical skill, but managerial expertise as well.
The list of best paying credentials include several by Microsoft and Cisco. IEEE certifications are appropriate for those who work in applications development and have knowledge of the software lifecycle.
A number of companies list IEEE credentials as preferred or required. There are two levels of certification: associate and professional. In order to take the Certified Software Development Professional exam, a person will need some work experience, either two years or four years, depending on their educational level.
Cisco is a big name in systems software engineering. Cisco certifications are typically comprehensive; they often require candidates to pass several exams. There are entry-level certifications, associate certifications, and professional certifications which require more advanced knowledge. There are also expert level certifications, which bring a rigorous hands-on component into the testing process. The expert certifications, unlike the professional ones, do not have formal prerequisite requirements — but candidates should be aware that a lot of experience is typically required to pass the lab exam!
CISMs must also pay an annual maintenance fee. Domain areas include include information security governance, information risk management, information security program development and management, and information security incident management. The online review course includes 12 hours of online content, including videos, interactive activities, and downloadable workbooks. Course content explores the four domain areas covered on the exam while emphasizing identification of information technology risks, managerial and strategic aspects of risk control, and techniques for risk monitoring and reporting.
ISACA also provides onsite review courses, downloadable study materials, a terminology list, and detailed information on job practice areas. Maintaining Certification and Renewal To maintain the CRISC credential, learners must submit documentation proving continuing education requirements annually or every three years.
Three-year renewal requires continuing education hours, while one-year renewal requires 20 hours. Individuals must also submit an annual certification maintenance fee. Prerequisites Applicants need at least five years of full-time experience working within two of the eight CISSP areas of emphasis. Emphasis areas include security and risk management, asset security, communication and network security, and security assessment and testing.
Learners can complete a classroom-based or online instructor-led program, an online self-paced course, or onsite study. Self-study materials include practice tests, flash cards, and a comprehensive study guide. Maintaining Certification and Renewal CISSP professionals must submit documentation from continuing education hours each year, as well as an annual maintenance fee. Certifications and renewals last for three years. Credential holders receive automatic renewal as long as they meet annual requirements.
Prerequisites There are no prerequisite courses or credentials for the CEH exam. Learners who do not complete the training program offered by EC-Council need at least two years of experience working in information security to take the exam. How to Prepare EC-Council offers a training program for the exam. The training program includes 20 comprehensive modules that explore attack technologies used by hackers. Modules include social engineering, vulnerability analysis, and cryptography. Students can complete the course through self study, a live online training, in person, or as a Masterclass.
The training lasts five days. Holders need hours of continuing education during that period. Students can earn continuing education hours through online and in-person activities, such as conferences, webinars, and research. The certification also trains professionals to implement, install, and configure secure network and wireless security systems. Learners can participate in e-learning courses by completing performance-based questions through interactive and self-paced exercises.
Virtual labs allow learners to gain insight into the subject matter while reinforcing practical aspects of the exam. Additional exam readiness and study guide options accompany an instructor-led training that learners can complete online, either individually or in a group.
Learners can also access interactive videos and in-classroom trainings. After three years, the certification automatically renews. Students can meet continuing education requirements through online courses offered by CompTIA, higher certifications, or comparable field-specific activities. Top Online Programs Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level. Collapse All Expand All.
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