Top 17 IT Certifications in Demand for 2023

Updated September 18, 2023

An IT team stares intently at a computer screen as one of the team members types on a keyboard.

Information technology (IT) can be a fast-paced and lucrative industry to work in. To stay competitive as a job candidate, it’s recommended that you stay current on the latest trends and proficiencies.

In this article, we look at 17 of the top IT certifications, what they teach and how to earn them.

Top IT certifications

Here's a list of 17 popular certifications you can earn to stay current in the IT industry:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Certified Data Professional (CDP)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
CompTIA certifications
Google Professional Cloud Architect
GIAC Security Essentials
ITIL 4 Foundation Level Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)
VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization 2023 (VCP-DCV 2023)

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification demonstrates your ability to create and use cloud initiatives and scalable systems on AWS. It is helpful for cloud solution architects, project managers, administrators and developers. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is recommended before seeking this credential.

Prerequisites	None; recommended one year of experience with AWS technology and basic programming concepts
Cost	$150
Duration	130 minutes
Number of questions	65
Passing score	720

2. Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

The CDPSE certification validates the technical skills and knowledge it takes to assess, build and implement comprehensive privacy solutions. Offered through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the credential acknowledges competent privacy technologists to build and implement solutions that mitigate risk and enhance efficiency.

Prerequisites	Three or more years of experience in data privacy governance, privacy architecture and/or data lifecycle work
Cost	$760 for nonmembers; $575 for members
Duration	3.5 hours
Number of questions	120
Passing score	450 or higher

3. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The CCSP certificate acknowledges advanced technical skills and knowledge to design, manage and secure data, applications and infrastructure in the cloud using best practices, policies and procedures established by the cybersecurity experts at the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².

Prerequisites	Five years of experience in the industry, with three years in IS and one year in one of the six CCSP domains.
Cost	$599
Duration	4 hours
Number of questions	150
Passing score	700/1000

4. Certified Data Professional (CDP)

The CDP is an update to the Certified Data Management Professional offered by the ICCP. Data professionals can specialize and be certified in several areas, including business analytics and data analytics, design, data governance, integration and management. Five levels of certification are offered: Foundation, Associate/Practitioner, Master/Expert, Principal and Executive.

Prerequisites	Prerequisites vary according to the certification level.
Cost	$240-$4,500
Duration	Foundation, two 60-minute exams; Associate and Master, three 90-minute exams; Principal, three 90-minute exams plus two-day mentoring workshop; Executive, four-day workshop with written assignment
Number of questions	Varies
Passing score	50%-70% depending on the level

5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH v12 certification focuses on the latest commercial-grade hacking tools, techniques and methodologies used by hackers and information security professionals to lawfully hack an organization. It is offered by EC-Council. In order to get this certification, you have to complete five days of training that includes 20 modules and over 200 hands-on labs with competition flags, pass two exams that test your knowledge and skills and complete objectives and missions that help you develop real-world experience.

Unlike most IT certifications, you have to apply to take the CEH. You’ll need to submit an exam eligibility form before purchasing an exam voucher.

Prerequisites	Approved CEH training or at least two years of security experience
Cost	CEH (ANSI), $850-$1,199; CEH (Practical), $550
Duration	CEH (ANSI), 4 hours; CEH (Practical), 6 hours
Number of questions	CEH (ANSI), 125 questions; CEH (Practical), 20 challenges
Passing score	CEH (ANSI), varies; CEH (Practical), 70%

6. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM certificate offered by the ISACA demonstrates the ability to create, implement and manage a company's security systems. It focuses on information security governance, program development and management, incident management and risk management. This certification is ideal for information systems professionals looking to further their knowledge and advance to management.

Prerequisites	Five or more years of experience in information security management
Cost	$760 for nonmembers; $575 for members
Duration	4 hours
Number of questions	150
Passing score	450 or higher

7. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

ISACA offers the CISA certification that demonstrates expertise in IS/IT auditing, control and security. It is recognized on a global level as the primary certification for information security audit control. If you work in IS auditing, security or control, this certification may be a good choice for you.

Prerequisites	Five or more years of experience in IS/IT audit, control, assurance or security
Cost	$760 for nonmembers; $575 for members
Duration	4 hours
Number of questions	150
Passing score	450 or higher

8. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP offered through (ISC)² acknowledges your ability to design, implement and manage an exquisite cybersecurity program. The credential is recommended for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives.

Prerequisites	Minimum of five years cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP
Cost	$749
Duration	4 hours
Number of questions	125-175
Passing score	7000/1000 points

9. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The CRISC certification, offered through ISACA, teaches risk management and the development and implementation of information systems controls. It validates experience in building a well-defined, agile risk-management program based on best practices to identify, analyze, evaluate, assess, prioritize and respond to risks. This enhances benefits realization and delivers optimal value to stakeholders.

Prerequisites	Three or more years of experience in IT risk management and IS control
Cost	$760 for nonmembers; $575 for members
Duration	4 hours
Number of questions	150
Passing score	450 or higher

10. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The CSM credential acknowledges that you foster an effective and productive working environment and can guide others in understanding Scrum values, principles and practices. Offered by ScrumAlliance, it teaches Scrum framework and understanding of team accountabilities, events and artifacts.

Prerequisites	No eligibility requirements; must complete multiday training
Cost	Starting at $400
Duration	1 hour
Number of questions	50
Passing score	74%

11. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

CCNP certifications focus on enterprise network technologies and allow professionals to choose a core specialty. Specialties include:

CCNP Enterprise,
CCNP Data Center
CCNP Security
CCNP Service Provider
CCNP Collaboration

Additional Cisco credentials are developed for cyber ops and dev net professionals. Each professional-level certification requires you to pass one core exam and one concentration exam.

Prerequisites	Recommended to have three to five years of experience in your chosen certification specialty
Cost	$400 for core exams; $300 for concentration exams
Duration	2 hours for core exams; 1.5 hours for concentration exams
Number of questions	Varies
Passing score	Varies

12. CompTIA certifications

CompTIA offers several credentials for IT specialists. Three certifications that are preferred by employers include the:

CompTIA A+: Two exams
CompTIA Cloud+: One exam
CompTIA Security+: One exam

They acknowledge foundational IT skills across a variety of devices and operating systems and skills to design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless services. The security credential provides best practices in IT network and operational security.

Prerequisites	Recommended to have nine to 12 months of hands-on experience for A+; CompTIA Network+ and Server+ and 2-3 years of experience in systems administration or networking for Cloud+; CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus for Security+
Cost	$246 for A+; $358 for Cloud+; $392 for Security+
Duration	90 minutes for each exam
Number of questions	90 each for A+; 90 for Cloud+; 90 max for Security+
Passing score	675-700 for A+; 750 for Cloud+ and Security+

13. Google Professional Cloud Architect

The Google Professional Cloud Architect certification certifies architects on the Google cloud platform. It acknowledges your ability to design, develop and manage resources on Google’s cloud architecture. Other Google-related certifications include the Professional Data Engineer certification.

Prerequisites	Recommended to have three or more years of industry experience including one or more years designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud
Cost	$200
Duration	2 hours
Number of questions	50-60
Passing score	Varies

14. GIAC Security Essentials

The GSEC certification from Global Information Assurance Certification is for anyone new to information security who has some background in information systems and networking as well as IT engineers and supervisors, security professionals, forensic analysts and auditors. Exam objectives include access control and password management, defense in depth, Linux fundamentals, network security devices and virtualization and cloud security.

Prerequisites	Practical work experience, related college-level course and affiliated training is recommended
Cost	$949; practice tests are available for purchase
Duration	4-5 hours
Number of questions	106-180
Passing score	73%

15. ITIL 4 Foundation Level Certification

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library 4 Foundation certification focuses on IT service management and implementing best practices for aligning IT efforts to business needs. Its concepts are vendor-neutral and address the processes, terminology and methods used in modern IT. It is for professionals at the start of their ITIL 4 journey or people looking to update their existing ITIL knowledge.

Prerequisites	None; exam prep recommended
Cost	Varies based on training provider
Duration	1 hour
Number of questions	40
Passing score	26/40 (65%)

16. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) focuses on three project management methodologies: predictive life cycle (waterfall), agile and a hybrid approach. Credentials acknowledge project leadership experience and expertise in several different approaches.

Prerequisites	Four-year degree, 36 months experience in leading projects and 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification; or a high school diploma or associate’s degree, 60 months leading projects and 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification
Cost	$555 for nonmembers; $405 for members
Duration	230 minutes
Number of questions	180
Passing score	No official answer; aim for 126/180 or 70%

17. VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2023 (VCP-DCV 2023)

VMware Certified Professional certifications are for IT professionals who install, configure, manage and optimize VMware solutions. The VCP-DCV certification and corresponding exam validate your skills to implement, manage and troubleshoot a vSphere infrastructure, using best practices to provide a powerful, flexible and secure foundation for business agility that can accelerate the transformation to cloud computing.

Prerequisites	Recommended to gain experience with vSphere 7.x; required training course if you do not hold any VCP certifications
Cost	$250
Duration	130 minutes
Number of questions	70
Passing score	300

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you choose the right IT certification?

You can choose the right IT certification by identifying your career goals. Research job descriptions related to positions you may want to apply for and evaluate which certifications employers prefer or require candidates to have. Pursuing these relevant certifications might make you a more competitive candidate and demonstrate your willingness to pursue professional development. Other tips for choosing the right certification include identifying your strengths and picking a program that aligns with your skill set or the abilities you want to improve.

Are IT certifications worth it?

Though IT certifications often require you to invest upfront costs and time, many candidates find it worthwhile to pursue them. Certification may help you improve your job prospects by allowing you to qualify for more positions. They can also supplement a lack of education, training or experience. Additionally, employers might be willing to pay higher salaries to IT employees with certification.

What's the easiest IT certification to get?

CompTIA A+ is one of the easiest IT certifications to get, with CompTIA claiming that it's the "industry standard for launching IT careers." It recommends candidates have nine to 12 months of experience, but the certification has no formal prerequisites.

Top 17 IT Certifications in Demand for 2023

Top IT certifications

Frequently asked questions

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