10 Hot IT Certifications
In conjunction with the release of their quarterly IT Skills and Certification Pay Index, the IT compensation experts at analyst firm Foote Partners released its most updated Hot List for IT Certifications. The rankings are based on Foote Partners’ analysis of pay trends and interviews within the industry that help project the certification demand in the next three to six months.
By Ericka Chickowski
No 1 Red Hat Certified Engineer
What it is: Shows competence in being able to configure networking services and security on Red Hat servers.How to get it: 3.5 hour hands-on examHow much: $799 exam only, $2,998 for exam and an intensive rapid-track 5-day course
No. 2 Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist
What it is: Validates the comprehensive set of skills and knowledge required to plan, design, implement, and operate the Cisco Unified Contact Center Express. How to get it: 1.25-hour written examHow much: $150
No. 3 GIAC Certified Incident Handler
What it is: Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage incidents, to understand common attack techniques and tools, and to defend against and respond to such attacks when they occur. How to get it: 4-hour written examHow much: $899
No 4 GIAC Security Audit Essentials
What it is: Shows a firm grasp of information security principles and issues and will be equipped to develop best practice audit checklists. How to get it: This certification is now retired by GIAC, once required a 4 hour exam
No. 5 Systems Security Certified Practitioner
What it is: Shows a proficiency in one or more of seven (ISC)² SSCP domains: access controls, cryptography, malicious code and ActivitySSCP, monitoring and analysis, risk response and recovery, and/or security operations and administration. How to get it: need one year experience, 3-hour written examHow much: $369
No. 6 Cisco Certified Design Expert
What it is: Attests to the holder’s ability to develop solutions which address planning, design, integration, optimization, operations, security and ongoing support focused at the infrastructure level for customer networks. How to get it: 7 years experience, 2 hour written exam, 8 hour practical examHow much: $350 qualification exam, plus $1,400 written exam
No 7 Red Hat Certified Technician
What it is: A foundational certificate that other Red Hat certs are built on, this one demonstrates basic proficiency in live Red Hat systems. How to get it: 2-hour hands-on examHow much: $399 exam only, $2,698 for 4.5 day class and exam
No 8 Sun Certified Programmer for Java
What it is: Demonstrates proficiency in the fundamentals of the Java programming language. How to get it: 3-hour written examHow much: $300 exam only, $2,300 for exam and 5-day class
No. 9 SAS Certified Advanced Programmer
What it is: Validates the ability of holders to program and manage data using SAS 9. How to get it: 2-hour written examHow much: $180 exam only, $2,480 for exam and classroom plus e-learning training package
No. 10 Check Point Certified Security Administrator
What it is: Demonstrates administrator’s ability to maintain day-to-day operation of Check Point security products. How to get it: 1.5-hour written examHow much: $200