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1Hottest IT Skills and IT Certifications

What are the top IT skills and certifications sought out by employers, even in the midst of a devastating recession that has pushed unemployment to its highest level in decades? Foote Partners, a research firm specializing in employment matters, has compiled “Hot Lists” of the top Non-Certified IT Skills and the top IT Certifications. Better still, Foote Partners has broken it down further to specializations and listed the top paying skills and certifications in descending order. Where do you fit?

By Jessica Davis

2Hot List of Non-Certified IT Skills

1.Java EE, SE, ME2.Linux3.Virtualization4.Microsoft .NET5.NetWeaver (SAP) 6.Flex7.Business process management/modeling/improvement8.SAP SM (Service Management) 9.Security10.SAN (storage area networking)

3Hot List of IT Certifications

1.GIAC Certified Incident Handler2.EMC Proven Professional Technology Architect-Expert3.Citrix Certified Integration Architect4.HP/Master Accredited Systems Engineer5.Cisco Certified Security Professional6.CheckPoint Certified Master Architect7.GIAC Certified Forensics Analyst8.GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst9.EMC Proven Professional Implementation Engineer – Expert10.GIAC Certified Incident Manager

4Top paying Systems/Networking Skills

Virtualization Network security managementSAN (storage area networking) Infrastructure architectureSecurity (various, project-based) VOIP telephonyWireless network management (LANs, GSM)

5Top paying App Dev Tools and Platforms skills

NetWeaverRAD/Extreme Programming/Agile ProgrammingJava/J2EE, SE, MEOracle Developer SuiteBusiness Objects

6Top paying Web/eCommerce Development skills

Microsoft .NETAjaxMicrosoft Commerce ServerApache HTTP web serverDocumentumMicrosoft Identity Integration ServerOracle WorkflowWebsphere

7SAP/Enterprise Business Application Skills

SAP Financial AccountingSAP HCM (SAP HR) SAP ERP (multiple skills) SAP Solution ManagerNetWeaver BI (SAP BW) SAP Controlling (CO) Oracle Enterprise AppsSAP RetailSAP Netweaver Applications ServerSAP BW (BI) Accelerator

8Messaging and Communications Skills

Unified communications/messaging

9Database Skills

Oracle DB 8i, 9i, 10g, 11iMicrosoft SQL ServerDatabase managementMaster Data Management

Management, Process and Methodology SkillsBusiness process management, modeling, improvementProject managementCRM

10Applications Development and Programming Languages certifications

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) IBM Certified SOA Solution DesignerSun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java Platform

11Database certifications

Oracle DBA Administrator Certified Master (OCM) Teradata Certified Master

12Systems Administration and Engineering/NOS certifications

Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA) HP Master Accredited Systems Engineer (Master ASE) Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)

13Networking/Internetworking

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE, all variations) Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) EMC Proven Professional Technology Architect – ExpertSNIA Certified Storage Networking EpertSNIA Certified ArchitectCisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI) Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) Cisco IP Telephony Design SpecialistCWNP/Planet3 Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE)

14Security certifications

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) GIAC Security Expert (GSE)/Security Leadership (GSLC) Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP/ISSEP) Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP/ISSAP) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP/ISSMP) GIAC Secure Software Programmer (GSSP) GIAC Certified Forensics Analyst (GCFA) Check Point Certified Master Architect (CCMA) Cisco Certified Security Professional (CSP)

15Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) GIAC .NET (GNET) GIAC Auditing Wireless Networks (GAWN) GIAC Certified Incident Manager (GCIM) Security Certified Network Architect

16Architecture and Project Management

Master IT Certified Architect (ITAC/The Open Group) Project Management Professional (PMP)

17General/Beginner Training

Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+)