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One of the questions we get asked most often is: “Are IT Certifications worth it?” As with most questions of this nature, the answer is, "It depends!".
What is your motivation for becoming certified? Do you want to improve your chances of promotion or advancement? Increase your marketability? Would you just like to earn more money? Plain and simple.
If your primary goal is to earn a higher salary, there has never been a better time to do it. We've ranked the most lucrative certifications and what you need to do to get them.
It will come as no surprise that having the right combination of certifications to your name will validate your technical skills and knowledge. But, the most valuable certifications aren't cheap.
When viewing certifications as investments into your future career, you need to focus your attention on the ones that will benefit you the most. Naturally, therefore, you need certifications that will deliver considerable ROI.
Find out what IT Certifications you should be working toward.
Get The Skills. Get The Certifications. Get The Salary You Deserve.
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Ethical Hacking or penetration testing refers to the exploitation of an IT system with the permission of its owner to determine its vulnerabilities. It results in recommendations for preventive and corrective countermeasures to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) will show you how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and use the same knowledge and tools as those used by malicious hackers. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is globally recognised as the vendor-neutral qualification of choice for developing a senior career in penetration testing and Digital Forensics.
Annual Salary: Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) can earn up to £96,344 a year.
Entry Requirements: You are expected to have a minimum of 2 years working experience in IT networks and systems. While there are no prerequisite qualifications, Microsoft MCSE or CCNA equivalent knowledge is highly recommended.
Suitable For: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) will significantly benefit Security Officers, Auditors, Security Professionals, Site Administrators and anyone concerned about the integrity of network infrastructure. It is an ideal first qualification for building a career as a penetration testing or Digital Forensics Professional.
Cost: £1995 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £94,349)
Time: 5 Days To Become Certified
2. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognised, vendor-neutral certification trusted worldwide as a validation of IT Security expertise. It covers the principles and practices which are fundamental to IT Security in today's data-driven environment. CompTIA Security+ establishes the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs.
Annual Salary: CompTIA Security+ Certified Professionals can earn up to £91,386 a year.
Entry Requirements: It is recommended that you have at least 2 years of technical networking experience emphasising security. The CompTIA Network+ Certification is also recommended.
Suitable For:CompTIA Security+ is ideal for anyone looking for a career in IT Security or who want to improve IT Security skills.
Cost: £2595 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £88,791)
Time: 5 Days To Become Certified
(If you are interested in learning more you might enjoy our free CompTIA Security+ Quiz Questions and Answers).
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced certification that validates whether you have the knowledge and experience required to develop and manage an Enterprise Information Security (Infosec) Program. The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) examination covers four content areas: Information Security Management, Information Risk Management & Compliance, Information Security Program Development & Management and Information Security Incident Management.
Annual Salary: Certified Information Security Managers (CISM) can earn up to £90,640 a year.
Entry Requirements: There are no formal entry requirements for the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) training course and examination.
Suitable For: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is intended for Information Security Managers, Aspiring Managers or IT Consultants who support infosec program management
Cost: £2295 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £88,345)
Time: 4 Days To Become Certified
4. CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+ covers essential knowledge for network engineers and support staff, including what is needed to design, manage, and maintain wireless and wired networks. You will study emerging technologies, like mobile, cloud and virtualisation, and cover the five key areas of the CompTIA Network+ curriculum: Networking Concepts, Infrastructure, Network Operations, Network Security and Network Troubleshooting & Tools.
Annual Salary: CompTIA Network+ Certified Professionals can earn up to £88,753 a year.
Entry Requirements: A good basic knowledge of home networks and experience with Microsoft Windows environments is recommended.
Suitable For: CompTIA Network+ is for anybody looking for a career in networking or who want to enhance their current networking skills.
Cost: £2095 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £86,250)
Time: 5 Days To Become Certified
4. DevOps Foundation
DevOps Foundation provides a baseline understanding of key DevOps terminology to ensure everyone is talking the same language and highlights the benefits of DevOps to support organisational success. DevOps Foundation is designed for a broad audience, enabling those on the business side to understand micro-services and containers. In addition, those on the technical side will realise the business value of DevOps to reduce cost (15-25% overall IT cost reduction) with increased quality (50-70% reduction in change failure rate) and agility (up to 90% reduction in provision and deployment time) to support business objectives in support of digital transformation initiatives.
Annual Salary: DevOps Engineers can earn up to £75,347 a year.
Entry Requirements: Familiarity with IT terminology and related work experience are recommended for the DevOps Foundation training course and examination.
Suitable For: DevOps Foundation will be most beneficial to IT & Business Management, Developers, Operations, QA & Testing Professionals, Consultants, Engineers, Architects, Administrators, Integrators, Tool Providers and Stakeholders.
Cost: £895 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £74,452)
Time: 2 Days To Become Certified
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation will give you a broad understanding of ethical and sustainable human and artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence and robotics, how to build a machine learning toolbox and the management, role and responsibilities of humans and machines. In addition, it teaches you how AI can be used for business and engineering and its benefits to your company. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation proves that you can identify opportunities to apply AI solutions.
Annual Salary: AI Engineers can earn up to £52,149 a year.
Entry Requirements: There are no formal entry requirements for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation training course and examination.
Suitable For: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation is targeted towards Engineers, Scientists, Professional Research Managers, Chief Technical Officers, Chief Information Officers, Organisational Change Practitioners & Managers, Business Change Practitioners & Managers, Service Architects & Managers, Program & Planning Managers, Service Provider Portfolio Strategists & Leads, Process Architects & Managers, Business Strategists & Consultants, Web Developers.
Cost: £1095 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £51,054)
Time: 3 Days To Become Certified
6. IT Asset Management (ITAM) Foundation
IT Asset Management (ITAM) is one of the most essential elements for any business strategy. Understanding and utilising it, ITAM improves a business' cost control and risk reduction while increasing business value with IT assets. These assets include all aspects of hardware and software used within an organisation. The focus of IT Asset Management (ITAM) Foundation is to expand organisational workflow. This happens by defining the key roles within the ITAM disciplines across financial, contractual, and inventory departments while highlighting the culture changes that ensue for end-users in an IT environment.
Annual Salary: IT Asset Managers can earn up to £44,016 a year.
Entry Requirements: There are no formal entry requirements for the IT Asset Management (ITAM) Foundation training course and examination.
Suitable For: IT Asset Management (ITAM) Foundation should be attended by employees from several departments in your organisation. This includes Finance, IT and Management.
Cost: £995 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £43,021)
Time: 3 Days To Become Certified
7. ITIL® 4 Foundation
ITIL® 4 Foundation provides comprehensive first-level training for anyone who provides, supports, or delivers IT-enabled services in a modern digital organisation. It will teach you the fundamentals of the latest version of the most widely adopted guidance on IT Service Management (ITSM) globally. In addition, ITIL® 4 Foundation will introduce you to the Service Value System (SVS), which describes how all the components and activities of the organisation work together as a system to enable value creation. The ITIL® 4 Service Value System (SVS) supports many work approaches, such as Agile, DevOps and Lean, and traditional process and project management, with a flexible value-oriented operating model.
Annual Salary: IT Service Desk Analysts who hold the ITIL® 4 Foundation Certificate can earn up to £22,967 a year.
Entry Requirements: There are no formal entry requirements for the ITIL® 4 Foundation training course and examination.
Suitable For: ITIL® 4 Foundation is aimed at professionals working in IT with interest in IT Service Management (ITSM), those who wish to apply ITIL® Best Practice principles across the enterprise, and Project Managers.
Cost: £995 + VAT - Including Examination (ROI: £21,972)
Time: 3 Days To Become Certified
In Summary
All salaries in this article are the national average taken from https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/. The salaries are indicative and that there is no guarantee of earnings and salaries will vary from country to country, by industry and may be dependent on years of experience.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - Up To £96,344 Annually
CompTIA Security+ - Up To £91,386 Annually
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) - Up To £90,640 Annually
CompTIA Network+ - Up To £88,753 Annually
DevOps Foundation - Up To £75,347 Annually
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation - Up To £52,149 Annually
IT Asset Management (ITAM) Foundation - Up To £44,016 Annually
ITIL® 4 Foundation - Up To £22,967 Annually
Questions Answered In This Article:
1. What are the best IT certifications?
2. What are the top IT certifications for beginners?
3. What IT certifications are in demand right now?
4. What are the highest-paying IT certifications?
5. Which IT certifications pay well?
Before you go you might also like to read this post looing at the importance of the ITIL RACI matrix.
