In this era of digital technology, the need for protection is essential to avoid scams, cyberattacks, malware, and more. Cybersecurity has always been in constant development to combat these digital attacks; and we should arm ourselves with the necessary certifications to ensure we're on top of our game.
This article aims to outline the basics of cybersecurity, and list the 5 must-have cyber security certifications to have. First off, there are two main categories, which will be briefly explained below:
These are for professionals working in the field to get trained on some of the latest tools and software to detect, prevent, and combat against cyber threats. Think of them as training certifications for new or updated security certifications.
These certifications are to aid students in the cybersecurity field as well as shed light on the current and foreseeable problems, solutions, and innovations which will give them a head start into their careers. Most students who create a portfolio with academic certifications tend to get ‘reserved’ for work, even before graduating!
Some companies use particular products, and so they might require their professional cybersecurity staff to be certified accordingly. Examples of professional certifications include:
Most aspiring professionals would start by obtaining the relevant academic requirements. Most cyber security vacancies require a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology.
One should start their career from there, as well as pick up a few academic cyber security certifications to bolster their chances of getting a job as soon as they graduate. Increasingly, associate’s and bachelor’s cybersecurity programs are offering professional certification preparation as part of the course load.
For example, Hossein Sarrafzadeh, a professor of cybersecurity and department chair of the cybersecurity department at Saint Bonaventure University, had this to say during a recent expert interview with Cybersecurity Guide:
“We’ve embedded a lot of industry certification materials into our curriculum…Students are encouraged to pursue industry certification, and get industry certified while doing their academic work.”
The right industry cybersecurity certifications will open up doors in a plethora of fields such as banks, network providers, schools and universities, airlines, security consultancy firms, and almost any large organisation or corporation with a database.
The aforementioned industry certifications serve as an indicator to potential employers that one is capable to fulfil the various roles and responsibilities related to the vacancy. Some of the duties which a cybersecurity professional would be tasked with include:
There's a vast multitude of cybersecurity certification courses available to prospective cybersecurity professionals, and it can quite quickly become overwhelming to anyone just looking to get started in the field! But fret not, we have compiled a list of our top 5 suggested cybersecurity certification must-haves.
This may sound like a job straight out of 'Mission Impossible', but we can assure you that it's a very real profession with a very real demand worldwide! As implied in the title, this certification essentially teaches one to think and act like a hacker, with the goal of teaching hacking techniques such as identifying vulnerabilities and weak points, as well as initiating actions to prevent, correct, and protect the system from potential illegal hacking threats.
Other skills include scanning networks, viruses and worms, session hijacking, penetration testing, trojans and backdoors, SQL injection, evading firewalls, and cryptography. This certification is mainly beneficial to security professionals, site administrators, auditors and anyone in the network security sphere.
You can sign up for Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) certification here.
While this is still an entry-level certification, it does require five years of work experience before one can obtain it and is best suited for professionals who prefer a more hand-on security role. Among the many technical skills associated with the GIAC Security Essentials certification include identifying and preventing wireless attacks, access controls, authentication, DNS, cryptography fundamentals, critical public infrastructure, network mapping and network protocols.
Holders of the GIAC Security Essentials certification are required to renew their certification every four years as to ensure the aforementioned skills are still intact and, more importantly, up to date and keeping up with the advances of technology and security threats.
You can sign up for GIAC Security Essentials certification here.
CISM is among the top credentials for cybersecurity professionals in organisation security practice development. With credibility also comes the catch of having five years of cybersecurity experience before being eligible for the certification. However, one can also use a combination of education and experience as a substitute for this requirement. CISM covers security risk management, program development and management, governance, incident management and response, among other skills.
Much like the previous certification, CISM is valid for 3 years and holders have to pay an annual maintenance fee for the certification.
You can sign up for Certified Information Security Manager certification here.
Comp TIA Security+ is a general level certification and is a minimum requirement and preference of the cybersecurity industry. It takes two years to complete the certification and is a must-have for those interested in having a career in the cybersecurity field.
Some of the skills covered in Comp TIA Security+ include network threats and defense techniques, effective security policies, network and host-based security practices, disaster recovery, encryption standards and products.
You can sign up for Comp TIA Security+ here.
Similar to Comp TIA Security+, many organisations and corporations consider Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to be an essential requirement in the field of cybersecurity. Skills covered in Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) include access control, cryptography, telecommunications, networking.
Three to five years of prior cybersecurity experience is required to obtain this certification, but once completed, it serves as one of the best knowledge assets to have in cybersecurity.
You can sign up for Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) here.
Choosing the right certification can be tricky, but a good rule of thumb is to decide beforehand the kind of industry one wants to work in as well as one’s existing skillset. While all these certifications will almost certainly expand one’s current skillset, it is also important to select a certification in which one’s established skills can be utilised and further improved upon.
Another consideration should also be one’s own personal interest in the various aspects of cybersecurity as it can act as a guide to the right certification for each individual.
Most cybersecurity professionals work regular office hours, five days a week.
Entry-level cybersecurity professionals earn around S$27k a year, while senior cybersecurity professionals earn up to S$335k a year.
There's currently not enough supply to match this demand for such a wide range of cybersecurity staff in Singapore. According to a study by CyberSecurity Ventures, there will be a deficit of 3.5 million cyber security professionals in the world and with Singapore already reporting a shortage of cyber security talents.
With the easy access to education and certifications the good pay and work culture, and the demand from organisations, the answer is a resounding YES! Cybersecurity would be an excellent career field to pursue for many individuals.
The certifications recommended above are a great way to expand one’s abilities and qualifications, but it goes without saying that if an individual wants to become of the best cybersecurity professionals in the field, these five certifications are a must have. They should serve as a stepping stone for further development in the field of cybersecurity.
Much like how technology is rapidly improving every single moment, the potential cybersecurity threats are also evolving just as quickly. Therefore, to be an elite cybersecurity professional, one must constantly be improving their existing skillset in order to be able to protect against all manner of digital attacks.
The Python certification is a kind of training course that helps you master the concepts of the programming language.
This type of certification lets your employer know that you’ve been through intense and in-depth learning, which in turn, allows them to provide you with an opportunity to work with a Python-related programme.
You might be thinking, ‘Why would an employer give a chance to someone with a Python certification, and not with an IT degree?” Well, that’s because you’ll be working on real-world projects and case studies as part of the overall certification courses!
It doesn’t matter if you’re from software engineering, web scraping and automation, web development, data science, or machine learning; you would know that the Python language is one of the most relevant and important languages in the programming industries.
Being one of the most functional programming languages, this is only second to JavaScript when it comes to popularity among all the coders. Due to its versatility and a vast set of frameworks that come with it, mastering this language will definitely help develop your programmer skill sets and land you high-paying jobs.
There are a few places where you can get this coveted certificate, namely, Microsoft and Python Institute. While most of us know just how big of a name Microsoft and its credentials are, let’s move on to Python Institute.
Aside from Microsoft, the Python Institute is probably one of the best places for you to get your certification. In collaboration with Pearson VUE, and set up by Open Education and Development Group (OpenEDG), they promise a range of courses and certifications that equip programmers with various skill sets and concepts regarding the language.
Think of PCEP certification as the first step to building your credentials! This entry-level course helps learners to gain all the fundamental knowledge one needs before proceeding to an intermediate level course.
The details of the exam are as below:
The PCAP certification helps learners to be familiarised with the Python language in general, before proceeding to an advanced programming course and being a competent coder/developer.
Following this course, candidates are able to build confidence in using the language, and help them understand the fundamental notions and techniques employed for object-oriented programming.
The details of the exam are as below:
The PCPP certification is considered the highest level course offered by the Python Institute. This certification is split into two, namely PCPP-1 and PCPP-2. As learners go through these courses, they’ll be able to accomplish programming tasks related to advanced-level coding using the Python language.
Upon completing PCPP1, the learner will be proven to have the credential equivalent of an advanced Python developer worldwide.
The details of the exam are as below:
Individuals certified with a PCPP2 are considered to have acquired the highest level of expertise in the language and are recognised as professional programmers/developers.
With the credentials of a PCPP2 certificate, the candidates are expected to be able to automate processes using Python and create tools, systems, and frameworks using Python and related technologies.
The details of the exam are as below:
As suggested by the name, the Microsoft Python Certification Exam (also known as Microsoft Technology Associate 98-381: Introduction to Programming Using Python) is issued by one of the largest tech companies in the world. Upon the completion of this course, learners will also be awarded the Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA) credential.
The MTA 98-391 is recognised worldwide by professional programmers and companies, as the course covers the general purpose of Python programming language, and related technologies.
The details of the exam are as below:
Now that we’ve covered the available courses in full detail, we’ve compiled the key information into a handy table below for your easy reference too!
It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice, an associate, or even an expert in the field of programming; we understand that it can be nerve-wracking when we’re to sit for an examination. And that’s completely normal! Who wouldn’t be nervous to sit for a final?
No worries, we’re here to give you some tips and tricks. For starters, there are tonnes of books out there that are good for learning Python, even when you have no prior experience using the language, namely, ‘Starting Out with Python’, ‘Python for Everybody’, and ‘Learn Python the Hard Way’. And in case there’s any term that’s hard to understand, there’ll always be videos on YouTube to guide you through the problems.
There are also many practice tests online, where they prep you with the most important and hot questions for these Python certifications. Doing them is crucial because you’ll probably come across some similar ones, and you get to apply the concepts multiple times before going for the actual exam!
Having good credentials by owning the Python certificate is definitely crucial to becoming a successful programmer/developer. However, even though you’re now fluent in the language, it’s still important to have some experience in the related field.
This is why you should make use of your time and skills acquired from this certification to create a project portfolio. Showing what you’ve learned and how you applied these skills to a project will impress employers of your ability as a capable programmer/developer!
To learn something new or to advance an already existing skill has never been as easy as it has been in the last few years. E-learning has taken the world by storm and has become the preferred method of learning regardless of age.
There is no doubt that the rise in popularity of e-learning is due to convenience, simplicity, being budget-friendly, and a fun way to learn. There's so much control given to the student, in terms of the topic, type of lessons and resources, schedule and pace of learning. These are also contributing factors to keeping learners highly motivated, with the bonus of it being time flexible.
To stay at the top of their game, and be able to participate in every opportunity possible, professionals need to keep their skills set sharp to compete and stay desirable in the talent pool.
E-learning works just as well for professionals as it does for anyone else. The fact that it is convenient means that any online learning course can be made to fit into the busy schedules of the most desirable professional. The simplicity aspect of it is in regards to the quick and almost intuitive way to learn that won’t frustrate even those that are inexperienced with e-learning.
The content and resources are readily available at a budget-friendly price. Professionals at any point in their careers will be able to join an e-learning platform or online course because of this financial accessibility. The fact that e-learning can be fun and just as interactive is a bonus that will help professionals navigate resources to gain new skills.
All of these benefits to e-learning also make it easier for employers that want to help their team to level up their skills for the betterment of the company. Instead of dealing with the difficulty of managing training schedules, employers can opt to get their employees memberships to e-learning platforms or access certain courses.
Both professionals and their employers only stand to grow and go further with e-learning.
Staying relevant is key in an industry that is continuously developing. Tech professionals need to ensure that they stay desirable in the market by keeping their skill set up-to-date on the newest, most preferable and beneficial skills. These skills and the ability to keep learning will help build credibility and value throughout their career.
It’s no secret that keeping skills up-to-date can be challenging to do, especially when you’re a tech professional. It is almost impossible for a single working tech professional to keep up with the fast-moving changes that happen in the international tech world.
There is an obvious gap in the pace that tech is moving and the number of skilled workers that can fill those positions. Trying to learn everything might not be the best way to land those roles. The best course of action is to narrow down, pick an area of tech expertise that is of interest to you, and develop skills to that accordingly. There is less pressure placed on tech talent this way but still spotlights them as desirable for their skills in their tech field of expertise.
There’s nowhere else that understands the importance of e-learning, industry news and peer discussions to a tech career like the career developing platform GRIT Community. Created to provide a safe space for professionals to converse with peers and develop deeper insights into the on-going issues that the tech industry-related faces. It is free to join and supports tech and digital professionals with an array of career developing resources.
The GRIT Community membership offers free skills gap analysis to help professionals pinpoint what skills are needed to advance their careers further in the direction they want. It’s an essential tool that can provide professionals in tech with a better understanding of what skills are required in order to move up the career ladder. Members also receive a detailed and personalised report with the specific steps to developing those skills.
By far the most beneficial tool and resource offered by the GRIT Community is GRIT Smarts. Members of the GRIT Community can also opt for a 2-week free trial. This is an e-learning platform that houses over +100,000 industry-focused online courses and resources for only $6.00USD/month (1-year minimum), one of the most affordable e-learning platforms available right now.
Choose as many from over 20 content pillars of topics that are tailored to your learning interests. This way you can find what’s relevant to you from the thousands of courses and resources available.
Gain a head start before everyone else with insights into the digital transformation for tech leaders or business strategy for the post-pandemic economy. Dive deep into everything content marketing and SEO with CreativeLive or learn to code python with the Microsoft team.
To make things even easier, courses are bundled up into specific areas of skill development, such as business development and innovation, software engineering and finance to name a few. In each area of skill development, the courses navigate you from the basics to the expert and industry level skills. Difficulty levels for all courses will vary, so it’s best to work your way up with a specific content creator that speaks to your learning style.
You also earn rewards as you complete each area of skill development in any topic and gain confidence in your newly developed skills. These rewards come in terms of badges to mark your progress along your e-learning journey.
Tech professionals of all levels now have the opportunity to fill in their skill set with simple-to-navigate and convenient e-learning courses. Career advancement has never been easier!
ScrumMaster Certification is an emerging and trending certification that can be useful for many different careers such as Product Owner, Product Manager, Technical Lead, and many more. There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right ScrumMaster certificate, such as your career path or job role. This post will help you understand what ScrumMaster certifications are available, how they shape skill sets and the benefits of each one!
A Scrum Master is a role that acts as a "servant leader" to the larger team. They are expected to help create an environment of trust, honesty, and transparency within their teams through facilitation, coaching, collaboration skills, as well as conflict resolution tools and techniques. As well as being nimble enough to adapt to changes in technology or work environments quickly.
Scrum master certification allows professionals within technology and project management roles a way into furthering their education without having to spend years in school studying human behaviour and conflict resolution skills. The educational programs provide hands-on experience with real world scenarios where students learn necessary facilitation tools and techniques used by industry experts every day. Additionally, the classes cover information on managing remote teams/employees and how to adapt and apply changes in technology.
There are several ScrumMaster certification options available, which can be confusing for those entering the field or wanting to advance their careers. This post will help you understand what Scrum Master certifications are available and how they shape skill sets in order to make an informed decision when choosing a ScrumMaster certificate that is right for your career path.
There are five reputable providers of Scrum Master certifications available:
This certification is aimed at professionals that want to learn the requirements of a Scrum Master and how they can apply it in their current roles. In order to receive this certification, you must complete a course with one of the many Scrum Alliance certified instructors. The class is highly interactive and provides real world examples on how teams can integrate Scrum into their work environment.
The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certificate program is designed for experienced Agile practitioners who are already familiar with concepts such as agile practices, product backlogs, iterations and scrum ceremonies. This program will provide you with tools and techniques necessary for managing complex projects using Scrum in real-world environments where business needs often change rapidly or do not exist until just prior to launch. Additionally this course provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of a Product Owner when working on agile teams along with having extensive knowledge around team dynamics. This is an excellent course for those who are looking to advance their careers with the focus of becoming Scrum Masters.
This certification focuses on preparing professionals to be effective product owners and team members in a business environment where they will work closely with project managers, leadership teams and executive stakeholders. The program provides scrum masters extensive training around techniques that can help them successfully manage multiple projects within fast-paced organisations or multi-disciplinary teams which may include developers, UX designers, testers and more. This class offers deep coverage into topics such as scaling agile software development practices across large enterprises while teaching students how to apply lean thinking principles when working on complex products/projects using Agile methodologies and Scrum.
The PMI-ACP® certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) certifies individuals in their knowledge and application of agile principles, practices and values when working on projects/initiatives. The program focuses on Agile frameworks and Scrum methodologies while providing students with extensive training around topics such as understanding how teams operate within an agile environment, managing priorities effectively using backlogs along with gaining insight into team dynamics which are essential for being successful in any role or career path involving Agile development. This course provides in depth guidance regarding how to build effective partnerships between business stakeholders and cross functional teams composed of product owners, scrum masters etc., so they can all contribute to the success of your Agile project.
SAFe certification is designed for experienced project managers who are seeking to improve their existing knowledge of Agile. This course will provide you with advanced concepts required to support complex projects using SAFe framework along with gaining an understanding about how Lean-Agile principles can help organisations achieve maximum efficiency within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Subjects covered include managing portfolios, teams and releases while teaching students how to reduce waste and manage risks throughout the project life cycle.
Obtaining scrum knowledge can help you effectively manage big teams across several departments, better manage product deliverability, and increate employee morale.
A certification can help you get a promotion or a better job. Some jobs mandate Scrum certification; others are simply more marketable with it. The IT field is highly competitive, and having a formal qualification proves that you have the skills employers want. When applying for jobs, especially in larger companies, it is expected that you will have some form of formal training. The Certified Scrum Master credential recognises your employees' confidence in you to lead an agile team effectively.
CSM jobs are in demand, and the CSM certification is one of the fastest-growing IT certifications available. If you're already working as a Scrum Master or planning to take that direction, then this certification can help advance your career – and it's also an excellent choice for those who are just starting out in the industry. Having achieved Scrum Master certification opens up doors to more senior roles such as Sr. Scrum Associate, Scrum Master, Sr. Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Scrum Trainer, Agile Leader and others.
In addition to earning a credential, those who earn Scrum certifications will grow in the following ways:
There are several benefits that an organisation receives when they hire a Scrum Master. The three major ones are:
The Scrum Master certification is a great way to increase your knowledge and skills if you are in the product and development role. Earning this credential will allow you to take on more senior roles within organisations that are looking for someone with these qualifications. Scrum Master certification can help you get a promotion or a better job. This certification proves that you can lead an agile team effectively by producing effective products. The Certified Scrum Master credential recognises your employees' confidence in you to lead an agile team effectively.
Google Cloud Certification certifies that the holder has deep knowledge of Google cloud products and technologies. It's a professional certificate for individuals who want to take their careers in different directions as well as product-specific certificates which certify an individual's proficiency with one Google product or technology. The benefits depend on the type of certification you receive, but generally speaking, they include improving your salary potential by increasing your marketability and providing opportunities for advancement within your field.
The Google Cloud Platform, as the name implies, is a Google-developed product that has aided in the transformation and progress of the world. For enterprises of all sizes throughout the world, Google Cloud provides security, simplicity, dependability, and scale.
It's used by some of the biggest names in technology, including Netflix, GoPro and Spotify. Google Cloud Platform offers a lot more than just GCP certification. The platform itself is highly beneficial for companies because it provides them with the tools needed to run their businesses online, without worrying about maintaining servers or data centres which means that they can focus on what matters most – their business.
Google Cloud certification is a great step in the right direction for those that are interested in building their careers and expertise working with GCP products and services. The Google Cloud Platform offers many benefits to companies, but it also has several advantages for IT professionals who want to make a career out of helping businesses use cloud technology to reach their maximum potential.
Google Cloud certification is the top option for those that want to become a part of GCP. It's also beneficial for companies because they can find candidates who have experience and knowledge working with GCP products and services. If you're interested in boosting your career or gaining valuable skills, Google Cloud certification may very well be a great place to start.
The Google Certification levels are as follows:
Currently, only the Cloud Digital Leader is Foundational. This accreditation identifies and examines Google Cloud core products and services' various capabilities, as well as how they can be utilised to meet organisational objectives. A Cloud Digital Leader understands fundamental cloud ideas and can apply cloud computing knowledge to a variety of applications.
The Cloud Engineer certificate is a course that qualifies you as an Associate. Cloud Engineers install, maintain, and troubleshoot software solutions for businesses. They use Google Cloud Console and the command line to perform basic platform-based operations on Google Cloud. For those going on to pursue Professional certifications, this is the ideal place to get started.
It covers all these aspects:
Each Professional level credential is relevant to a certain complex function and role. It assesses advanced skills in design, implementation, and management of Google Cloud. It's recommended to have 3+ years of industry experience, including 1+ years on Google Cloud.
The available certificates are available for the following roles:
Start with the foundational Cloud Digital Leader certificate. This is the ideal location to start since it covers the fundamental skillsets for creating, monitoring, and maintaining Google Cloud projects. It's also possible to take Associate Cloud Engineer certificates next since it'll help prepare you for Professional levels. You can always return to the Foundational certs if you need a refresher.
Once you are ready to move up in your career or down a specific career path, it's time to take the Professional certifications. After gaining an understanding of several technology areas, you can choose to focus on a select few with the professional certificate. For example, if you're interested in machine learning and data analytics, go for Machine Learning Engineer Professional; or if you're into DevOps, then the Cloud DevOps Engineer Professional is outstanding. This is a great way to build your expertise and use the cloud for its full advantage.
Google provides more information on certification here.
Google Cloud certification offers many benefits to those pursuing certifications, including:
Google Cloud certification is a great option for anyone interested in building their career or gaining valuable knowledge working within the Google Cloud Platform. The benefits of obtaining this certification are numerous and it'll open up new opportunities that can help you to build your future with GCP products and services. While some may not see the value in obtaining a GCP certification, it's one of the most beneficial certifications available on the market today because of what it can do for your career. Get started on your journey today and begin searching for the Google Cloud certification that's right for you.
Microsoft Azure Certification is like an advanced technical degree in cloud technology that you can earn by passing several different exams. Like college degrees, Microsoft Azure Certification comes with perks; but this time they aren't just financial benefits – they're job-related.
Microsoft Azure certifications are essential for those interested in working in the cloud sector. They provide a wide range of opportunities for employment. The Microsoft Azure certifications give cloud administrator, developer, security engineer, AI engineer, data engineer, solutions architect, and DevOps engineers assurance in their jobs.
In this highly competitive field, obtaining a Microsoft Azure certification can help to create job security. Employers are always looking for cloud engineers to help build their systems or create new ones that'll run better on Azure. The certification can be used as a test of knowledge, allowing employees who have it to rise above the rest. Cloud computing has a number of advantages for the holder of this certificate because many organisations are transferring their operations to the cloud.
Your certifications demonstrate your abilities as a Microsoft Azure certified expert. Because there's a huge need for cloud computing experts, you may expect to get higher pay packages across the world.
With demonstrated experience in Azure, you can be a key asset to the company's success. The Azure certifications help you reap the benefits of a successful Azure cloud computing environment.
The input (Microsoft Azure Certifications) will help you with your knowledge and skills in the IT Industry. The Azure certification will give you the skills to design, implement and manage cloud-enabled solutions. With this level of expertise in Microsoft's product suite it is easy to see why employers are willing to pay more for Azure certified professionals. A list of sectors, and the certification's benefits for each one is provided below.
An organisation can use Microsoft Azure cloud solutions to offer subscribers a world-class experience. In the entertainment industry, you'll be able to provide personalised content to subscribers in a timely manner. This can help prevent angry messages from fans when there's a delay in stream time.
Microsoft Azure can help companies to get more out of existing resources by providing better management, scalability, and reliability of data center resources.
An organisation can create intelligent applications across industries with an artificial intelligence cloud platform powered by Azure AI. Get a head start by building and training intelligent models through a vast library of algorithms, data sets, and tools.
Microsoft Azure cloud services can help companies modernise the manufacturing process from planning to production. Companies will have access to computing power for IoT devices as well as predictive analytics so that they can improve quality control and build products customised for their customers.
Eliminate the boundaries of brick and mortar with an intelligent, mobile-first retail experience powered by Azure IoT platforms. The company can get ahead of the curve in building the future of commerce by engaging with consumers both online and offline.
Gain a customer-driven view into operations to provide customers with a safe and secure experience. You can also gain real-time insights into the markets to help give customers confidence that they are using the best available information when making decisions.
Drive healthcare forward by building intelligent solutions for patient care, increasing operational efficiency, and enhancing clinical decision-making. Microsoft Azure can help your organisation manage the ever-growing volume of data from a variety of sources via powerful tools for big data analytics and machine learning when developing healthcare solutions.
The following 12 Microsoft Azure certifications are divided into three levels (Fundamentals, Associate, and Expert) and include 14 exams:
This credential verifies the basic understanding of Azure cloud services. This is a great resource for non-technical individual interested in learning how to use cloud technologies such as sales, procurement, and marketing.
Cost: $99
In order to obtain this certification, you must have a fundamental grasp of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This certificate will test user knowledge on AI workloads and considerations, identify features of common AI workloads, and guiding principles for responsible AI.
Cost: $99
Candidates who wish to acquire this new credential should have an understanding of core data concepts such as relational or non-relational data in the context of Microsoft Azure architecture. This certificate will cover the following data analytics topics: batch and streaming data, and core ideas of data analysis, relational Azure data services such as comparing PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS delivery models. Candidates will learn to execute basic management functions for relational data, such as provisioning and deploying relational data services, and describing query techniques for data using SQL language.
Cost: $99
This test will evaluate the knowledge and skills of candidates in Azure compute, storage, virtual networking, and monitoring the Azure environment. A Microsoft Azure Administrator is a subject-matter expert (SME) who is in charge of setting up an organisation's cloud infrastructure using Azure Active Directory, role-based access control (RBAC), and subscriptions and governance such as customising Azure policies and resources.
Cost: $165
Successful candidates will demonstrate skills for designing, creating and implementing applications on Azure. Knowledge of cloud technologies such as data storage and connections, Azure SDKs, debugging, monitoring, and performance tuning. This certificate is focused on Microsoft Azure development using a variety of tools including implementation of IaaS services such as provisioning of VMs, creation of RM templates, and implementation of Azure functions Develop solutions for Cosmos DB storage and blob storage Implementation of Azure security, and role-based access (RBAC).
Cost: $165
Candidates who pass this exam will demonstrate knowledge of designing, deploying and monitoring cloud infrastructure securely. The area tested includes monitoring and analytics, implementing secure identities, configuring Azure security solutions such as encryption and threat protection, which includes Configure MS AD for workloads, Azure AD privileged identity management, and Azure tenant security. Candidates will be asked questions on their understanding of how to use Azure monitor and log analytics, deal with security alerts, and set up security policies.
Cost: $165
Candidates who obtain this certification will demonstrate the ability to ingest data from a variety of sources and create, develop, test machine learning models. Candidates must be able to use Azure Machine Learning Services such as creating experiments using Studio & Web services APIs. This certificate covers how to use data modelling and data transformation, as well as how to create a solution for machine learning.
Cost: $165
This exam is intended for data scientists who wish to gain knowledge of Microsoft Azure and apply their skills in the cloud. It covers general Azure machine learning approaches in training, evaluation, and deployment of models that are used to solve business problems. The candidate will be tested on their knowledge of how to create and setup Azure data science Environments, assess deployment environment restrictions, evaluate and propose tools to satisfy system demands.
Cost: $165
To be a certified Azure Data Engineer, you must pass two tests: DP-200 and DP-201.
This exam assesses your ability to create and manage data solutions that include provisioning of data storage services, batch data processing, streaming, security standards, data retention regulations, and accessing external data sources. Candidates must have the skills to set up and manage Azure SQL Databases, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Stream Analytics, and Blob storage services.
This exam assesses your skills in designing data solutions that are scalable, reliable and secure. The areas covered include choosing the right technology for storing, processing, analysing large volumes of data to improve customer experience. Candidates will be assessed on their capacity to develop relational and non-relational cloud data stores, real-time and batch processing solutions, and allocate computing resources. Knowledge of design security solutions such as encryption, auditing, and data privacy is required.
Cost: $165 each
This is a role-based Azure certification exam that would be perfect for individuals who want to manage cloud-based database systems. The information associated with this exam are administering and managing relational databases on cloud and on-premises developed on Azure data services and SQL Server. This certificate assesses your ability to Plan and put in place data platform resources such as create database solutions for popular platforms, as well as customise deployment templates.
Establish a secure database environment, including Azure AD authentication and security for data at rest and data transit. A candidate must be good at finding problems in the system, doing maintenance activities when needed, and setting up resources so that it runs smoothly. Finally, perform backups and assess queries, index design, and database tables. Planning and implementing High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) strategies for continuous services.
Cost: $165
You must pass two tests to become an Azure Certified Solutions Architect: AZ-303 and AZ-304.
This exam is for architects who are responsible for designing and implementing solutions that use Azure services, including web apps, virtual machines, SQL databases, and business networks. Candidates who wish to achieve this credential should be experienced in deploying cloud resources on Microsoft Azure, such as compute, storage, networking, and security. This certificate assesses your competence in deploying Azure AD, infrastructure monitoring, storage accounts, and virtual networking.
The Exam is designed to evaluate candidates' abilities to gather requirements, optimise consumption strategy, and construct auditing and monitoring procedures. The certification also assesses candidates' abilities to plan authentication, authorisation, and identity management. It also covers design compute, storage, networking, and monitoring solutions. Design deployment, migration, and API integration tactics are all covered.
Cost: $165 each
This exam tests your skills in building, deploying, and managing cloud services. Candidates are tested on their ability to implement DevOps practices including Continuous Integration (CI), Automated testing of code repos, Implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure tools
Cost: $165 each
When deciding which certification to get, you should first think about what your career goals are and what skills it'll take to get there. For example, if you want to work in technical management, you might want to get certified as a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer Microsoft Specialist for Azure Solutions Architect and Azure DevOps Engineer. This will demonstrate that you have the necessary skills for this position and show that you're knowledgeable about both Windows and Azure skills.
There are plenty of ways to become more valuable with this certification. You'll learn about some of the ways to do this on the Microsoft website. They include skills that'll help you manage, deploy, and monitor your Azure solutions. Here are some of the skills that you'll learn after receiving the certification:
With the Azure certifications offered, you'll not only be able to develop and deploy cloud solutions but also manage your cloud services. This certification can increase your value in the job market and enable you to tend to many different kinds of projects. From managing web apps to developing and deploying cloud services, you'll be able to handle it all with your Azure certifications. You have to put in some time and effort, but the knowledge and experience you gain from getting a certification is more than worth it!
Microsoft Azure certifications are an excellent method to demonstrate expertise and place and significance in a variety of industries. This is because Microsoft is not a career path, but rather a tool used to help individuals progress in their professions. By opting for one or more of these certifications, you can show employers that you have the necessary qualifications to be successful on their team. With the right cert, you can also increase your salary and demand a higher position at work. There are benefits to every career path in the tech industry that this certification will help you achieve.
Google Marketing Platform combines Google Analytics 360 Suite and DoubleClick into a single platform. Google has made it clear that its mission is to provide a seamless and consistent marketing experience. It also offers free marketing tools for small businesses and advanced solutions for enterprises.
Marketers and businesses may monitor activity across all media platforms, deduplicate conversions, establish audiences, produce ad trackers, and host creatives using Google Marketing Platform.
The platform features seven key elements, which includes Analytics, Data Studio, Optimize, Surveys, Tag Manager, Display & Video 360 and Search Ads 360.
The integration of DoubleClick and Google Analytics 360 emphasises the need for analytics and ad campaigns to work in tandem. This means that marketers can manage, analyse and optimise their campaigns all in one place. Users get an integrated suite of tools that will provide your company with the insights needed to drive business decisions from data across multiple channels.
Google marketing platform is a powerful tool that can be customised to meet the needs of any business. For example, Google Marketing Platform integrates with Salesforce Marketing Cloud for better analytics and reporting capabilities – which in turn provide insights into how your campaigns are doing or could potentially improve them if needed. These updated solutions for data management, compatibility and exchange allow you to interact with your company's information in any way that works best – all from a single interface.
This program offers resources to help users make the most of Google Marketing Platform. Now, as before, partners must satisfy strict criteria.
Google Marketing Platform Partners are an integral part of the Google platform. They can design, build and maintain a successful account with their diverse array tools – Analytics 360° for data analysis; Campaign Manager 360° which helps you plan out your strategies down to every detail; Data Studio where customers get all kinds information about how people respond online in real-time from survey results or cookie clicks and even Tag manager is on deck.
The Cross Device functionality allows you to see people's journeys on your site. You can see how many times they used the website and where they are in the conversion funnel on their different devices.
For example, a user might see an ad for your product on their mobile phone. They then learn more about it on their tablet and finally make the purchase for your product from their desktop. Cross Device on Analytics will help you see the order that people typically use to view your site.
The Search Ads 360 Certification assesses basic skills in setting up Search campaigns on multiple search engines, including goals, targeting, and bid strategies; troubleshooting issues; analysing the effectiveness; and optimising campaigns for improved performance.
The Campaign Manager Certification examines planning, executing, reporting, and troubleshooting reservation purchases across partners. This metric looks at how well your site is optimised for mobile devices. It also examines ad tag delivery, measurement, and troubleshooting methods to determine whether they are effective.
The Google Web Design and Creative certification covers rich media creative setup with Google's Web Design and Creative tools to create HTML5 and dynamic creatives. For example, creatives can be created using HTML5 formats. It also covers the integration of creative creatives with DoubleClick Studio 360, campaign management through the Google Web Designer interface, and basic performance analysis. It also evaluates how to preview, QA, and publish creatives to Campaign Manager, as well as evaluating the results of those activities.
The Display & Video 360 certification test programmatic and direct deal campaign creation, including inventory allocation, goals, budgets, targeting, and creatives. The certification also covers crucial troubleshooting, performance, and optimisation tasks and procedures.
This certification was created to recognise Analytics professionals that have demonstrated their ability to work with and employ the concepts, approaches, and tools that are addressed in this course. It is available to any individual who has completed this certification. This comprises planning and principles, as well as implementation and data collection, configuration and administration, conversion and attribution, and reports, metrics, and dimensions.
The recommended order for getting Google Marketing Platform Certification:
Thus, it's good to start with a more basic qualification and work your way up. For example, working towards an individual qualification first, then a certification for each of the different ad platforms (search, display, and video).
This certification is definitely worth it! Google Analytics Individual Qualification and the Campaign Manager Certification are hands down necessary for any serious digital marketer. These certifications will give you a strong foundation in understanding Google Marketing Platform.
Your career will benefit from these certifications because they will provide you with a greater understanding of how data collection and analysis play into your campaigns. It is crucial that marketers understand the value of this when creating an effective campaign management strategy. Thanks to Google Analytics, marketers are able to give their marketing strategy the data that it needs.
In fact, Google's own research shows that companies who invest in digital marketing training see up to 11% increase in revenue from their online efforts. So if you have the skills and knowledge of Google Marketing Platform under your belt then not only will you be valuable but also much more likely to get a raise.
After educating yourself on Google's certification, we need to know which are the best certifications for a successful career in tech & digital marketing. A few examples are the Individual Qualification for Google Analytics, Campaign Manager certification, Display & Video 360 certification, and Creative certification.
The Individual Qualification for Google Analytics is geared towards those who are interested in learning how to effectively manage all aspects of SEM campaigns.
The Campaign Manager certification focuses on managing digital marketing campaigns across the search, display and video ad platforms.
Search Ads 360 certification is designed for users who want to learn about setting up Search campaigns across different search engines, assigning goals, targeting, and bid strategies, troubleshooting issues, analysing the impact, and refining campaigns for optimal performance. Appropriate for those interested in working as a paid search manager.
Display & Video 360 certification covers programmatic campaign creation including inventory allocation, goals, budgets, targeting (including remarketing), ad formats, delivery methods and optimisations.
The Creative certification is designed for users who want to learn how to create rich media ads in different ad formats including display video creative, native advertising creatives with advanced targeting strategies, interactive digital pre-rolls & post rolls, rich card content creation for multiple devices/engagement types (including AMP), product ads, and auto-ads.
It basically depends on what you are already doing in your career, which of the certifications would be most beneficial to have.
Google Marketing Platform Partners consists of three categories:
The advantages of being certified and becoming a partner
You'll also receive a number of emotional returns such as:
Getting Google Marketing Platform certification is an investment in your future. It will allow you to be more knowledgeable about digital marketing, whether it is across search, display and video ad platforms or creating rich media ads of different formats on various devices. You will also become more motivated as a result of having this certification as it proves that you are capable of being a digital marketing professional. So if this sounds like the right move for you then why wait? Get started today with one of these certifications and become a partner with Google Marketing Platform.
With Microsoft being one of the most used technology providers across multiple industries, it's a no-brainer to take a look at the technology solutions provided by Microsoft, and how you can help companies maximise the potential of these solutions.
To get ahead in your career and stand out from the competition, you can consider earning Microsoft Certifications that will give you more credibility in the IT sector.
Microsoft's certification has changed over the past few years, from being connected to specific products to aligning it with common job roles. Microsoft certification is a process of testing IT professionals knowledge and experience in specific set skills. This certification can be obtained in a variety of ways such as through self-study, vendor training and online courses.
According to the survey done by Pearson VUE, earning certifications makes one more credible, more valuable, and more sought after as a candidate. The enhanced skill set developed by obtaining Microsoft Certification can put you on the radar of organisations that rely heavily on Microsoft technology. Simply put, you'll be in a better position to get your dream role!
There are five primary technologies for which Microsoft certifications are classified. These are:
Next, there are three different kinds of certifications that you may pursue for each of these technologies:
Whatever way you look at it, the Fundamentals certification can help you launch a successful profession. If your goal is to pursue a career in computing, the fundamental abilities are essential. There are nine primary fundamental certifications:
Microsoft is now providing role-based solutions that link IT education to IT department roles. This has two major advantages for businesses and you as an individual.
First, it provides a slew of new employees for the sector, who have been trained using the most recent technology in areas where it's required.
Second, it allows employees to quickly obtain the skills and platforms that are aligned with real job openings rather than spending months learning things that may or may not be applicable.
The role-based certifications validate the technical skills you would need in one of nine different job roles. They correspond to three different levels of experience, beginning with beginner, intermediate or expert. Individual can also further enhance their technical knowledge by obtaining a speciality certification in line with their job-role/employment function.
Administrators implement, monitor and maintain Microsoft Solutions. This certification path has three levels: Fundamental, associate, and expert. Types of sought after certificates include:
Microsoft AI engineers use cognitive services, machine learning and knowledge mining to develop new applications. This certification path has three levels: Fundamental, associate and expert. The certificate is:
Data engineers are in charge of designing data services and ensuring that they protect the privacy of our data. This certification path has fundamental, associate and expert levels. Certificate is:
Data scientists always consider the business problem they are trying to solve and use machine-learning techniques in order to create, evaluate, and optimise models. This certification path has fundamental, associate and expert levels. Certificate are:
Developers are in charge of design, build, test and maintain solutions. The certification level ranges from fundamental to expert. Types of sought after certificates include:
A DevOps engineer is someone who combines people, processes and technologies into a product or service that meets the needs of both end users and managers. There are three certification levels: Fundamental, associate and expert. The certificate is:
Functional consultants leverage Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to anticipate needs of customers. They can take the fundamental, associate, or expert level certification exam. Types of sought after certificates include:
An IT Security Professional is responsible for following the best security practices to protect both the interior and exterior of an organisation or company. Types of sought after certificates include:
Solutions architects are experts in four areas of IT, namely compute, network, storage, and security. Types of sought after certificates include:
Before attempting the specialty certification, it's strongly advisable that you obtain an Associate or Expert certification. There are just three specialty certifications available:
The cost per exam for the Associate and Expert levels of Microsoft certification is $165.
Microsoft partners with multiple exam delivery providers in different regions to administer its certification exams for candidates of different region. Here are the key considerations:
The good news about getting certified through self-study is that you don't need any previous experience with programming languages because it can be learned as you go. The downside is that this can take a really long time and it will cost more in the end if you don't already have any experience with programming languages or digital design.
Certification through vendor training means that someone else is going to teach you everything about Microsoft certification, from the basics to advanced areas of study). This option may be good for people who want guidance on how they should learn these skills but do not know where to start. It also has the advantage of being flexible so changes are made based on your individual needs which makes it easier for some people.
The final way to get certified by Microsoft is online courses; however there are some disadvantages to this option. For one, it will be less expensive than the other two options but you may not have access to a tutor so it's more difficult in terms of finding help when needed. It also means that you won't learn from someone who knows what they are talking about and can offer advice on how to actually become certified by Microsoft.
Microsoft Certification is the way to go if you want to be successful in any field related to Microsoft. It helps you get your foot through the door and into a new industry that you could have been interested in. This certification will get you started on the right foot and will provide all of the skills that are necessary for a successful career.
Google Analytics is perhaps one of the more common and widely-used analytics software in the industry. One would require exceptional knowledge and experience in order to make full use of the analytics platform. You can always opt to hire an agency to figure out for you, or you can simply dedicate some time for you or your team to get certified.
The Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) covers basic and advanced topics of Google Analytics such as: Planning, principles, implementation, data collection, configuration, and administration. It also includes conversion and attribution along with reports, metrics and dimensions.
A certification in Google Analytics can help out marketers, digital marketers, internet marketing specialists, developers, and webmasters. The Google Analytics course covers everything from basic principles of statistics to advanced topics like attribution modelling and real-time data analysis. If you're interested in any of those types of jobs then a Google Analytics Certification is a certification that will help you to be more valuable in the digital marketing field.
Google Partners is a support network for digital marketers and agencies. If you want to take the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ), sign up as a partner.
You’ll need an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and the GAIQ exam to pass. Google's own guidance and courses are a great place to start if you've never used Google Analytics or have only minimal experience using the software. In preparation for the Google IQ exam, you’ll need to cover all of the following:
In addition, if you want to thoroughly learn and understand a subject, you’ll probably need to explore beyond the course content. Google Analytics has plenty of resources available free online for all users, plus there are other methods you can turn to for guidance like below:
The GAIQ exam is made up of individual modules. You can take the module step by step, until you have completed all of the modules. The website states that you have 90 minutes to take the exam.
There are 70 questions, and they consist of multiple choice and true/false. The timer starts the instant you begin, there's no pausing allowed, with a passing score of 80% or higher.
If you didn't manage to pass the exam, you're required to wait seven days before attempting it again.
The Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) is a one-time certification with no recurring fees, so the short answer is yes, it's worth getting. The GAIQ will help you stand out as a marketer to your employer and can provide skills that will boost your income over time (higher rates). It can also be valuable to people such as marketers, developers (including software engineers), project managers or data scientists to excel in data analytics and digital marketing.
In conclusion, it's worth getting your Google Analytics Certification because it opens up many opportunities to you. It'll help you to have a better understanding of google analytics and all the methods that there are. Overall, if you're interested in getting your Google Analytics Certification, go for it! It's not hard at all and is well worth it!
Are you a project manager looking to take your career to the next level? Then getting the PMP certification is one of the best things that you can do. This article will discuss what PMP is, and why it's beneficial for your career if you get certified. We'll also go over how much it costs to get certified as well as who should be interested in pursuing this certification.
In the world of project management, PMP certification is among one of the most coveted. It requires an extensive amount of education and experience to be able to successfully take on a leadership role in this field. The credential shows that you're ready for anything – from managing your own team, or directing large-scale projects across many departments simultaneously.
PMP stands for Project Management Professional, and it's a certification that shows your skills in project management. There are many jobs out there where you need to know how to manage projects effectively; so if you're looking to upgrade from being an employee into starting up your own business or managing other people's businesses then this certificate will definitely be worth it.
The PMP certification process is designed to help you work with all the necessary components that are in a project management setting. You'll learn how to handle communication, time and cost constraints as well as understanding what influences these three aspects when it comes to managing projects effectively. The course also covers building your own methodology for approaching any type of challenge.
The PMP certification is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The exam consists of 180 questions that must be completed in 230 minutes. It's composed of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank questions PMP do not reveal the passing rate for the PMP exam. The report card format for PMP only shows the target level for each domain: Above Target, Target, Below Target, and Needs Improvement. Based on previous records and updates from PMP in 2005, candidates will need a score of 61% or higher on each section to pass.
As of 2021, the exam fee is $555 for non-PMI (Project Management Institute) members and $405 for PMI members. A PMI membership is $129 annually or a new member paid an initial one-time fee of $10 to join PMI. There are plenty of online resources to prepare for this course. If you're considering taking this course, it's important to know what your goals are before deciding on a duration. The PMP certification is done over 120 hours of studying, which consists of learning general knowledge and skills about project management and specific content areas such as planning, executing, monitoring, controlling projects.
PMP Certificates can open many doors when it comes to career prospects. Individuals who hold these high level credentials are ideally positioned for success across multiple industries due their multifaceted skill set; from being able to lead projects themselves, all the way up through elevated managerial ranks like managers, CEOs etc., professionals with this certification really stand out among others holding traditional degrees where there's less demand on their specific expertise than someone whose focus has been solely around Project Managership.
A professional with project management training is best suited for the following roles:
Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your Project Management Professional certification.
To take the PMP exam, please make sure you have either one of the following:
In order to waive the training requirement, you must have CAPM certification.
To start your application to take the PMP exam, register with PMI and provide basic personal information like educational background and project experience.
Once you’ve been approved, you pay the fee for your assigned test and schedule a time for taking it. You can be notified by email when your eligibility has been confirmed or if there was an issue with your application.
To get ready for the exam, you can either enroll in a preparatory course or study on your own. Coursework should take anywhere from 60 hours to 120 hours depending on how frequently you study.
The exam can be taken near you in a testing facility or online. It takes about four hours to complete the exam.
The PMP certification has a three-year validity period. You'll need to spend 60 hours of professional development over that time frame to maintain it, or else you can take the exam again.
The answer to this question is subjective; some people may find that the price of getting certified as well as the time commitment are not valuable for their specific needs. However, there's no denying that if you're in a field where project management skills will be beneficial then this certificate is essential to your career.
The PMP certification process is designed to help you work with all of the necessary components that are in a project management setting. You'll learn how to handle communication, time and cost constraints as well as understanding what influences these three aspects when it comes to managing projects effectively. The course also covers building your own methodology for approaching any type of challenge.
To learn more, take a look at the following resources:
No matter what your decision may be, do remember that if you have the time and funds to spare, getting an additional certification never hurts, especially one that will not only level you up (professionally and personally) but will also propel you to a higher position and pay!