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Understanding Certifications

Computer certification programs are setting the standards for the Information Technology (IT) industry worldwide. Although most careers in the IT and communications fields are lucrative and lead to rapid advancement, you can move ahead even more rapidly if you have been certified. In fact, you often can earn a salary increase of 20% or more once you become certified. Nowadays, having a degree in computer science just isn't enough. Companies are demanding that their IT professionals be certified as a way to measure their skills as well as to guarantee that they can perform their jobs successfully. In short, certification will help a computer professional get a good job and stay competitive in what is now a highly demanding IT environment.

Technology alone cannot protect an organization’s assets or increase its profitability. People are the key to a successful organization, and employers demand qualified information technology staff to provide the highest standard of performance for their customers, employees, shareholders and partners. There are two main categories of information technology certifications: vendor-neutral and vendor-specific. Vendor-neutral certifications, such as CompTIA’s A+ and ISC(2)’s CISSP® (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), encompass a broad scope of knowledge and are not tied to any specific technology vendor or product. Vendor-specific certifications, such as Microsoft’s MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) and Cisco’s CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), are offered by technology vendors covering knowledge and content specific to their products, solutions, and best practices. Both kinds of certifications play an extremely important role in the market, fulfilling specific knowledge and learning requirements, and demonstrating predetermined acceptable levels of competency and experience.

Benefits of certification to the Professional include:

Ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of information technology
Validates the person’s commitment to the profession
Offers a career differentiator, enhanced credibility and marketability
Provides access to valuable resources, such as continuing education, peer networking and idea exchange

Benefits of certification for the Organization include:

Establishes a standard of best practices for the organization
Provides the organization with staff that have demonstrated a broad knowledge in information technology and sound professional judgment
Provides access to a network of global industry and subject matter experts
Provides comfort to employer as to the individual’s knowledge, skills, abilities and experience