In our digital economy, job candidates’ skills and education are what can help them get ahead. But in your journey to building your career in the energy and IT industries, how do you know which certificates and skills will lead to the best opportunities? The answer is that there are many, but there’s a common theme around IT, innovation. Staying ahead of a rapidly evolving industry is the number one skill needed by IT experts. Differentiating your IT resume takes a forward-looking perspective. This article will highlight the top skills and certifications IT experts can have.
General IT Certifications
General IT certificates such as the Linux Professional Institute certification (LPIC-Level 3), the EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) certification, the CompTIA Server+ certification, and the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer certification have shown to increase the value of an employee to an employer. As an IT professional, it’s worth having at least one certification to show your level of expertise in the industry. This makes you more desirable to employers and makes you more capable of making a substantive impact within the industry.
CompTIA A+ is a foundational IT certificate. It’s all about hardware, technical support, and troubleshooting. It also covers best practices in security, networking, operational procedures, mobile devices, and various operating systems. Microsoft offers a selection of entry-level certifications covering various subjects, including Windows OS fundamentals, software development fundamentals, database fundamentals, Windows Server administration fundamentals, and many others.
Data Security Skills and Certifications
Cybersecurity has quickly become a necessary line item for all businesses working in the modern world. Because of that investment, companies are looking for the talent that will help protect them from the dangers of cybercrime. More businesses are looking to expand their security offerings and internal processes, and in turn, that is driving up the value of security certifications.
The three security certifications that employers are most keen to hire talent with include:
- GIAC Enterprise Defender (GCED)
- GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst (GCFW)
- EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
According to a Foote Partners LLC survey, employers are willing to boost pay for these certifications by up to 50 percent of their previous offerings in the past year alone.
ISACA Certifications
A professional organization devoted to IT security and governance, ISACA manages five global certification programs.
- Certified information systems auditor: According to ISACA, the CISA is its cornerstone certification. As the name indicates, this exam is aimed at information systems (IS) professionals who monitor, control, and assess a company’s IT or business systems. This certificate requires five years of professional experience in the field.
- Certified information security manager: The leading credential for information security managers, the CISM is designed for people who design, build and manage information security programs. To qualify, you must have at least five years of IS experience and three years as a security manager.
- Certified in risk and information systems control: The CRISC (pronounced SEE-risk) accredits professionals and project managers responsible for information security and its overall impact on the enterprise. It covers risk identification, risk assessment, risk response and mitigation, and risk control monitoring and reporting.
- Certified in enterprise IT governance: The CGEIT demonstrates your understanding of enterprise IT governance principles and practices. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in IT, commanding some of the highest salaries.
- Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX): In a time of constantly evolving cybersecurity threats, the CSX certification demonstrates that you are up to date on the most current security standards and risks.
Project Management Skills and Certification
IT needs strong project managers, and there are many different programs to get you there. The PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) Program Management Professional (PgMP), Certified Cyber Forensics Professional (CCFP), Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CRCE), GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java (GSSP-JAVA), and Six Sigma Master Black Belt certifications are all well-regarded programs that can result in significant salary increases.
If you’re looking for more information, contact the staffing team at ESGI today!
