Anyone looking to improve their career in Information Technology should consider pursuing mid-level IT certifications. These credentials can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning.
Earning certifications in Information Technology prove to recruiters and CIOs that candidates are both able and willing to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in the field. On average, college degree holders make more than those with certificates. However, many certificate holders earn more than those with Associate’s degrees. Some even earn more than those with Bachelor’s degrees. The median certificate holder makes more money than 40 percent of males with Associate’s degrees and 24 percent of men with Bachelor’s degrees.
Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, which is continuously recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority on educational quality since 1978, MyComputerCareer offers specialized educational programs. These include the Information Technology Security and Administration (ITSA), Cyber Security Specialist (CSS), Cyber Security Engineer (CSE), and the Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration and Cyber Security. As accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, MyComputerCareer also offers training for several IT certifications from leading organizations such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, EC-Council, and Linux.
In this article, we will discuss the best intermediate IT certifications available today that can help you take your career to the next level!
CompTIA Security+
Earning your CompTIA Security+ certification shows employers you have the skills and knowledge to secure their networks against hackers and malware. This intermediate-level certification is a great way to show you are committed to lifelong learning and keeping up with the latest security threats. To earn your Security+ accreditation, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as network security, compliance, operational security, risks and vulnerabilities, and access control and identity management.
There are no requirements for the Security+ certification. Still, CompTIA advises candidates to have two years of IT administration experience with a security focus and/or the Network+ certificate before sitting for the exam. Similar to Security+, Network+ has no prerequisites, but it’s advised to earn the A+ certification beforehand.
The Security+ certificate was explicitly designed for a security professional who has enough IT security knowledge, enough core technical information security experience, and a broad understanding of security issues. Security+ is the first certification as part of the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway, which covers seven distinct cybersecurity certifications and helps everyone advance their career in the field of IT security.
CompTIA CySA+
The CySA+ certification is CompTIA’s intermediate-level credential for IT security analysts. The CySA+ covers the most important aspects of cybersecurity, such as analyzing data, identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, and preventing or mitigating threats. Candidates for the CySA+ should have experience in network administration and security, and knowledge of at least one major Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) product.
Earning your CySA+ certification will help you stand out from other candidates with only entry-level certifications. In addition, the CySA+ can lead to higher-paying jobs and help you earn other mid-level or even upper-level IT security certifications. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in IT security, the CySA+ is a great follow-up to CompTIA Security+ cert.
There are no prerequisites for the CySA+, but CompTIA recommends candidates have at least three to four years of experience in IT administration with a focus on cybersecurity. The CySA+ certification is valid for three years and can be renewed through continuing education or retaking the exam.
CompTIA CASP+
The CASP+ certification is one of CompTIA’s most advanced security credentials. The CASP+ is designed for cybersecurity experts. Candidates should have ten years of experience in IT administration, five of which must be in cybersecurity. They should also be familiar with various operating systems, networking technologies, and cloud-based solutions.
The CASP+ exam covers a wide range of topics, such as risk management, incident response, research and analysis, and integration of computing devices into enterprise networks. Earning your CASP+ certification will prove you are an experienced cybersecurity professional who can handle the most complex security threats.
Similar to the CySA+, there are no prerequisites for the CASP+. However, candidates must pass a rigorous exam covering a wide range of topics. The CASP+ certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by retaking the exam or earning continuing education credits.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
The CCNP is a mid-level certification program offered by Cisco that covers a variety of networking topics, such as routing, switching, and network security. The CCNP is designed for network engineers who want to advance their careers and become experts in networking technologies.
The CCNP credential is for network professionals who have completed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program and are looking to advance their IT networking knowledge. This certification curriculum includes a number of courses on basic IT networking subjects. This certification program is designed for network specialists who must diagnose, install, and maintain networks with a size ranging from 100 to 500 nodes. This curriculum also teaches a wide range of network elements and protocols, including Route Redistribution, Access Lists, Ethernet, and AppleTalk.
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The CEH is a mid-level ethical hacking certification offered by EC-Council. The CEH credential prepares candidates to identify, assess, and mitigate network security threats. Candidates for the CEH should have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on network security.
The CEH exam covers a wide range of topics, such as Footprinting and Reconnaissance, Scanning Networks, System Hacking, Trojans and Backdoors, Viruses and Worms, Denial of Service Attacks, Social Engineering, Session Hijacking, Wireless Network Attacks, Sniffers, Web Application Vulnerabilities, SQL Injection, System Administration Misconfiguration, Identity Management Issues, and Cryptography.
The CEH credential is valid for three years and can be renewed by retaking the exam or earning continuing education credits. Earning your CEH certification will prove you are a skilled ethical hacker who understands how to identify and mitigate security threats.
Similar to other mid-level certifications, there are no prerequisites for the CEH certification. However, candidates must pass a rigorous exam that covers a wide range of topics. The CEH certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by retaking the exam or earning continuing education credits.
Conclusion
These are just some of the best mid-level IT certifications available today. When looking to advance your career in IT, it’s important to continually improve your skills and credentials. The certifications listed above will help you do just that and prove you are a skilled cybersecurity or networking professional.
MyComputerCareer helps candidates earn their IT certifications and advance their careers. We offer a variety of mid-level IT certifications, such as Security+, CASP+, and CEH, among others. Contact us today if you want to learn more about becoming certified in the world’s top organizations such as Microsoft, Linux, Cisco, CompTIA, or the EC-Council.