The 15 Best IT Certifications for Modern Tech Professionals

The AI, IT and cybersecurity industries are enjoying some of the fastest growth rates right now. According to Entrepreneur, they rank among the top 5 fastest-growing industries of 2024, meaning that if you’re considering pursuing a job in one of these fields, you should have plenty of options.

At the same time, however, this means you’ll also have a lot of competition to face. To stand out to prospective employers, consider pursuing a highly regarded certification in addition to your work experience and university degree.

Here are some of the top IT certifications you can pursue, chosen for the credibility of the issuing bodies, the breadth of the materials, and their high return on investment.

Why you should consider IT certification

There are many benefits to acquiring certification, the main ones being:

It builds your skills and knowledge

To get certified, you’ll have to invest time and effort in learning new things. This can have a beneficial effect on your confidence as a professional. Indeed, the more skills and knowledge you acquire, the more faith you’ll have in your ability — and that can positively impact your job satisfaction, allowing you to pursue and negotiate better terms of employment.

It makes you more employable

According to Forbes, over 100,000 college graduates earned their bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences in 2022. The same source also states that nearly 5 million people in the country work in computer occupations.

With these numbers in mind, it’s clear to see that additional certifications can help you stand out from the crowd and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

It increases your earning potential

Although certifications alone don’t guarantee job offers and raises, the more confident and knowledgeable you are, the better your chances of doing a great job, impressing your employers and negotiating better benefits or remuneration for yourself.

Top 15 IT certifications to consider

The following IT certifications can help you build your credibility and advance your career. Consider the direction of the professional path you want to carve for yourself, and select the course that suits your goals and budget!

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

This course by Microsoft consists of three sections: cloud concept, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance.

It covers foundational-level cloud computing concepts, gives an overview of various Azure services, and provides you with guidance on deploying your first-ever services for free.

The exam, which you can take for just under $100, is considered low difficulty. So, if you’re looking to pursue a career in Azure, this is the place to start!

2. CompTIA IT Fundamentals

One of the most popular IT certifications for beginners, the CompTIA ITF assesses your aptitude and interest in IT. In other words, it’s a pre-career certification that tells you if you have what it takes to get a job in the industry.

If you’re still a student or working in a different field and considering a career change, this is the right certification for you. It will teach you skills like setting up your own computer and build your knowledge of IT terminologies, programming concepts, databases, security and more.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate

The CCNA certification validates your knowledge of a range of IT industry fundamentals, such as IP services, automation, security and networking fundamentals. There are different ways you can prepare for the exam, including guided learning and self-study.

Though there are no formal prerequisites for sitting the exam, having some previous working experience with implementing Cisco solutions can be beneficial. Once earned, this certification can help you stand out to potential employers and enjoy exciting new job prospects.

4. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

This certification helps you develop a thorough understanding of AWS Cloud services and terminology, even if you have no prior experience with IT or cloud computing.

The exam is offered in various languages including English, Japanese and Spanish, and comprises 65 multiple choice and multiple response questions. It can be taken online or in person at a Pearson VUE test center.

5. CCNP Enterprise

The CCNP Enterprise certification requires you to pass two exams: a core exam, which tests your knowledge on subjects like dual-stack architecture, network assurance and security, plus a concentration exam of your choice. The latter could be on a topic like network design or automation.

As there are no formal prerequisites for this certification, it is designed for IT professionals looking to advance their careers as well as individuals looking to change directions and break into the IT field.

6. Certified Ethical Hacker

EC-Council’s CEH certification allows you to kickstart your career in cybersecurity more easily. It familiarizes you with commercial-grade hacking tools and methods, and allows you to build your skill set through hands-on, challenge-based labs.

To get certified, you have to complete your training, which typically lasts around five days. Then, you need to pass two exams: one that assesses your knowledge, and one that assesses your practical skills and abilities.

EC-Council offers three course kits for you to choose from according to your learning requirements. For example, the CEH Elite kit allows for unlimited retakes on the exams and greater access to an ethical hacking video library.

7. GIAC Information Security Fundamentals

Issued by certification body GIAC (short for Global Information Assurance Certification), the Information Security Fundamentals test comprises around 75 questions in a web-based proctored exam.

It covers a range of areas including cyber security terminology, computer networks fundamentals, incident response and basic cryptographic principles.

So, if you have little experience with information security, this certification will get you up to speed while also making your résumé stand out to prospective employers.

8. Google Cloud Digital Leader

This course will teach you the capabilities of Google Cloud products, and how organizations can benefit from utilizing them. More specifically, the Cloud Digital Leader exam will test your knowledge in areas such as digital transformation, data transformation, scaling and security — all in relation to Google’s core cloud services.

The online proctored test can be taken from a remote location as well as a test center near you, and is available in English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese and French.

9. Google IT Support Professional

This professional certificate by Google helps you gain in-demand skills and knowledge, whether you’re new to the field or looking to take the next step in your career. Some of the topics you’ll explore include networking, security, operating systems, troubleshooting and customer care.

The course, which is self-paced and available through Coursera, comprises quizzes, assignments and hands-on projects. It’s also available in more than 10 languages, including English, French and Spanish.

10. Certified ScrumMaster

Created by Scrum Alliance, the Certified ScrumMaster course is an introductory course, ideal for anyone who wants to develop the skills for agile project management.

Being one of the most widely implemented frameworks in the tech and IT sectors, working knowledge of scrum will allow you to better adapt to the ever-changing industry landscape or unlock exciting new job opportunities when you are ready to.

Once you have completed your training, you’ll need to successfully complete a test with 50 multiple-choice questions to get your certification.

11. Certified Information Systems Security Professional

The CISSP certification is offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (also known as ISC2), which has been dubbed the world’s largest IT security organization. As such, credentials and certifications issued by this body are highly valuable.

The exam will certify that you possess the knowledge and abilities to lead businesses’ IT security programs. Some domains it tests you on include security and risk management, security architecture and engineering, and software development security.

12. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized certification that can enhance your employability when you’re pursuing a career in IT security.

It helps you develop baseline cybersecurity skills, familiarizes you with the latest industry trends, and tests your ability to apply what you learn to real-life scenarios with performance-based questions on the exam.

Some of the topics you’ll touch upon include security architecture, security operations and threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations.

13. Information Technology Infrastructure Library 4

PeopleCert’s ITIL 4 Foundation certification was created for IT service management professionals who want to grow their careers. The exam is available in more than 10 languages, including Spanish and French, and tests your knowledge in a range of topics, like service management concepts and components.

There are different ways to prepare for the exam, depending on how you learn best. For example, you can download and study the official resources on your own, sign up for a self-paced eLearning course, or work with a trainer.

14. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

This certification allows you to build your knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts as well as related Microsoft Azure services. Before you take the exam, you can either sign up for instructor-led training (virtually or in person) or prepare through self-paced study.

The courseware will help you build an understanding of common AI workloads, principles for responsible AI, and machine learning concepts.

15. Systems Security Certified Practitioner

The SSCP certification by ISC2 is ideal for people whose job requires them to ensure the operational security of their company’s critical assets. This includes roles like network security engineers, systems administrators, security analysts and practice managers.

If you’re interested in earning this certification, you can take a live online course on a part-time or full-time schedule, study the materials on your own through self-paced eLearning, or take in-person exam preparation lessons.

How to choose the right IT certification

When it comes to professional qualifications, there is no one size fits all. Here are five things to consider when selecting a certification course:

• Determine your career goals. Having a clear sense of direction and an action plan can ensure that you pick the most relevant certification(s) in relation to your aspirations.
• Determine your budget. Besides the initial cost of getting certified, there will also be the cost of renewal to maintain active certification. It’s worth looking into renewal fees and how long each credential is valid for when narrowing down your options.
• Determine how much time you have to invest. Different courses will have different durations, so consider your schedule and pick one that you can realistically complete.
• Consider the return on your investment. Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on certification may seem counterintuitive, but it could be more than worth it if it allows you to target a higher salary grade.
• Consider the issuing body’s authority. The more highly regarded an organization is, the more weight your certification could carry.

FAQs about IT certifications

Need more clarifications on IT credentials? We’ve got them!

Q: What is the best IT certification to get?

This will really depend on your career goals and how far along you are in your career path. For example, if you’re only getting started or looking to change direction, then a broader, less in-depth course might suit you better than a comprehensive, specialized one.

Q: Will a certification land me a job?

Although certifications can help you stand out when looking for a job, they’re still just one piece of the puzzle. No one degree, certification or professional connection can land you the role you dream of on its own; your employability will depend on different factors working together.

Q: Do I have to get certified?

Unless a job description specifically lists a credential in the requirements, being certified won’t be considered essential. However, it’s still an excellent way of showing companies that your skills and knowledge are up to date, which is vital in the rapidly evolving field of IT. Certifications can only be good for your career!

Final thoughts

So, there we have it! These are some of the best IT certifications to get in 2024, whether you’re completely new to the field, or you have some experience under your belt and are interested in advancing your career further.

Although not generally a requirement, certifications from credible organizations can vouch for your knowledge and commitment to your craft, bringing you a step closer to landing some of the best-paying jobs in IT.

Can you think of any other certifications that could benefit entry-level or experienced IT professionals? Let us know in the comments section below!

This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published on June 1, 2018.