Businesses of all sizes need to concern themselves with the security of their IT assets, and with IT security becoming more critical and more complicated, the right certification under your belt could make the difference in getting the job you want ... or not. According to Joe Iovinelli, CEO of SmartSource, a provider of IT technical staffing solutions, IT security certifications are in very high demand right now, but his clients are often specific about which certifications they want workers to have. Attaining key certifications is one way for IT professionals to stand out from others who are competing for the same jobs. With security, in particular, employers want to know that the person they’re hiring has the right skills for the job. Here are the top seven IT security certifications currently in demand, in ascending order.
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Cisco Firewall Specialist
Cisco’s only certification to make it onto the list is the Cisco Firewall Specialist. Originally retired in November 2008, Cisco is bringing the specialist certification back because of demand for IT professionals with specific security knowledge.
Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)
With the Check Point Certified Security Expert designation, you will have proven your expertise in maximizing the performance of Check Point blade technology. Passing the exam will require extensive knowledge in deploying and managing data loss prevention, applying advanced troubleshooting techniques, remotely managing corporate security gateways, and configuring and testing VPNs in clustered environments (among other skills).
Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
The Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) certification will prove you have the skills to deploy and manage Check Point blades. IT professionals with the CCSA designation are able to secure communications that go out across the public Internet, defend against network threats, configure security policies, and protect email and messaging content.
RSA Certified Instructor (RSA/CI)
The RSA Certified Instructor (RSA/CI) certification is for those who wish to teach about specific products. The certification requires an RSA Certified Systems Engineer (RSA/CSE) designation and classes and workshops related to the product they wish to teach.
RSA Certified Administrator (RSA/CA)
Designed for IT professionals who manage RSA SecurID and RSA Authentication Manager, the RSA Certified Administrator (RSA/CA) certification is typically held by people who work in help desk, call center, support and security administrator roles. Passing the exam requires knowledge of the two products it covers, familiarity with the Authentication Manager database and common configurations, and the ability to trouble specific SecurID issues.
RSA Certified Systems Engineer (RSA/CSE)
The RSA Certified Systems Engineer (RSA/CSE) certification requires the IT professional to have general knowledge of SecurID products, as well as the ability to design, install, support and troubleshoot solutions based on SecurID. The certification is common to individuals in technical support, sales support and technical implementation roles at reseller organizations and at companies that use SecurID products.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
ISC2’s Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) credential was designed for network and systems administrators who implement policies, standards and procedures on a variety of hardware and software. The vendor-neutral SSCP certification shows that the individual possessing it is knowledgeable in standards and ethics involved in an information security job role.
Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
The most requested security certification is ISC2’s Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), which is a credential for information security professionals with at least five years of experience and the ability to demonstrate their expertise in developing policies, standards and procedures. The exam requires knowledge and professional experience in at least areas of information security, making it a certification for professionals with broader professional experience.
Intel Technology Provider Program
Intel Technology Provider Program (ITP) helps resellers better understand Intel products which power the technology they sell, and enables value-add services such as remote manageability or anti-theft tracking. Learn More
WindowsForDevices.com
WindowsForDevices.com is the comprehensive news site covering Windows embedded technologies. Visitors get news, technical white papers, opinion columns and extensive directories covering the products and companies in the marketplace. Click Here
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