Up-to-Date: Earning the Certs the Market Demands

  By Eric Vanderburg —

Some common CCNA professions are local area network/wireless area network (LAN/WAN) technicians, network analysts or network support specialists. CCNAs with more experience might be suited for a position as a network engineer specializing in network device configuration and troubleshooting.

This usually requires a bit more knowledge in Ethernet, transmission control protocol (TCP), IP, frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), bridges, routers, hubs and experience with the logical and physical functional, operational and technical architecture of large, complex information systems.

CISSP

The CISSP certification is well-known in the security industry as a valuable credential.
Corporate interest in security and the demand for security practitioners have grown dramatically over the last few years in industries across the board.

Government and law enforcement agencies frequently hire CISSPs, however, their opportunities are not restricted to government jobs — CISSPs can make a home in many corporate IT departments and policy groups.

The CISSP is divided into the following domains: access control, application security, business-continuity and disaster-recovery planning, cryptography, information security and risk management, legal, regulations, compliance and investigations, operations security, physical security, security architecture and design, telecommunication and network security.

The International Information Systems Security Certifications Consortium [(ISC)2], the CISSP certification body, has done such a good job promoting the CISSP, the domains often are used in other security texts to distinguish security zones.

There are three possible CISSP specializations: Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) and Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP). Each specialization allows CISSPs to further concentrate on their respective job roles.

CISSP candidates must have four years of professional information security experience or three years’ experience combined with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in information security. Additionally, professional experience must be validated by a current CISSP. Candidates must then pass the CISSP exam with a score of 700 or better.

Once the CISSP is obtained, continuing education credits must be earned for renewal. These credits are earned by taking or teaching information security classes, volunteering services or publishing in information security.

Some common positions CISSPs might have are information security specialist, information assurance engineer, computer forensics specialist and technical security engineer.

CISSPs often are called upon to design and manage an organization’s security infrastructure. This includes selecting hardware such as firewalls, intrusion-detection systems and access control devices, server hardening and risk analysis, as well as staying up to date on security vulnerabilities or the latest exploit. If you are interested in working in the government sector, a security clearance is highly recommended.

Sun Certifications

The last area seeing large growth is Java. There is a huge demand in IT for Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) experience, but most employers do not explicitly list a Sun certification as a requirement. Still, a Sun Java certification will highlight both your interest in Java and your dedication to the language.

The Sun Java certification program begins with its entry-level Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA) and culminates with the Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA) certification.

In between are the Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) and four specializations: Java developer, Web component developer, Web services developer and mobile application developer.

As individuals follow the course of Sun’s certification track, they will gain a wider range of experience and a deeper understanding of application development and enterprise architecture.

The world of Java can open up a variety of career opportunities, including software development, programming, systems analysis, software engineering and architecture. The role of a Java developer is essentially a software engineer.

Sun Java certifications can help you get your foot in the door to a very rewarding position. These credentials are also very useful in moving up in a position you already hold.

Making In-Demand Certs Work for You

The best advice for IT professionals is to find a place in IT where you are happy and then work on gaining credentials and experience within that area. Market demand changes quickly, and no employer wants an employee who jumps ship to chase the latest technology.

Resumes with a scattered, unfocused set of certifications and experience give human resources the impression that you lack loyalty and direction. This is why it is best to obtain certifications that are in line with your career objectives.

Introduced here were certifications suited for network administrators, technicians, database administrators, security professionals, programmers and managers. It is likely you fit into one of those categories.

If so, now is the time to step up and get certified. As a job seeker, you can significantly demonstrate your worth and career commitment by taking steps to validate learned skills and experiences with a certification.

Eric Vanderburg is the senior network engineer at JurInnov Ltd. and an adjunct professor of computer information systems at Lorain County Community College. He can be reached at editor@certmag.com.