Software developers are in high demand, especially if they have special certifications. This year alone, companies are expected to spend approximately $517 billion collectively on enterprise applications, and software developers are a large part of that. However, as a software developer, it can be difficult to know which certifications will be most valuable in future positions or even in your current role. To make your decision easier, we’ve broken down some of the best certifications for software developers.
With the rise in remote work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more organizations are undertaking digital business transformations, fueling the need for software developers. When deciding on software development certifications, keep these trends in mind to ensure you’re making valuable choices.
Digital business transformation often requires that organizations move much of their data and software to the cloud. In 2021 alone, public cloud spending is expected to grow to $332.3 billion, a 23.1 percent increase from 2020. Gartner also estimates that public cloud spending will grow to almost $400 billion by the end of 2022. This emphasis on cloud migrations proves how valuable cloud-related certifications will be for software developers over the coming years.
Ransomware attacks are becoming more common, promoted in part by ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) subscriptions that make the harmful software more widely available. Large, news-worthy ransomware attacks seem to be happening almost weekly, and government entities are urging businesses to take the matter seriously. We expect to see security spending skyrocket in the coming months and the need for security-focused developers along with it.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing at a rapid rate, especially as businesses discover different ways they can use it to optimize their operations and reduce costs. In fact, 86 percent of CEOs note that AI is commonplace in their office technology. With so many organizations implementing software and tools that use AI, having developers that know how to operate and manipulate it is essential for success. Consider AI-focused certifications to learn how to customize these platforms.
While there are hundreds of different software certifications available to new and experienced developers, consider looking at options that fall into the following categories.
Cybercrime isn’t going away anytime soon, especially as a single breach costs businesses an average of $200,000. With the potential of such a large payday and low likelihood of getting caught, there’s very little incentive for current cybercriminals to stop. Instead, businesses have to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars for security software to keep from falling victim to the next big attack. Those companies and vendors will need software developers with security expertise to build intelligent platforms to combat emerging threats, which developers can get from security certifications.
When companies move applications to the cloud, the applications won’t just automatically work like they did on-premises. Businesses need software developers to refactor the applications to run on the cloud. Or, they need to buy a cloud-native version. Additionally, many vendors offer cloud-based software suites for large organizations that are highly customizable instead of working straight out of the box. Enterprises that purchase the suite need a developer with cloud expertise to help them format it for their business needs. Cloud-based certifications provide this expertise.
Data and management certifications allow developers to help companies build and customize organized databases and data visualizations for better company insights. Even though data is hugely important to businesses, only 14 percent of organizations allow a majority of their employees to access it. As that number grows, organizations will need software developers to help them create and manage data applications to keep the information secure and organized.
If you’re considering a software developer certification to increase your marketability, these are the best.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is often touted as one of the best security certifications in the world, but it can also be difficult to achieve. It covers eight topics of security knowledge:
To be eligible for the CISSP examination, candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience in direct, full-time security work in at least two of the above domains. As such, it’s best for people who are already experienced in the cybersecurity field. However, a candidate can reduce that requirement by one year if they have a four-year degree or a master’s degree in Information Security, or if they have other related certifications. To earn the certification, the candidate must receive a passing score in all eight of the domains.
Take the CISSP Preparation Course
Catching cybercriminals often requires the same skill sets as hacking, which led to the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. Professionals with a minimum of two years of experience in tech security can apply to take the exam. Those without experience can attend a training course offered by the certifying body, EC-Council, to be eligible for certification. The exam itself is administered over four hours and covers the following topics:
Many security job postings require or prefer a CEH certification, making those who hold one extremely marketable in the industry.
Take the Certified Hacker Practice Test
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is similar to CISSP certification in that they both require several years of experience in the tech security field. However, CISM is generally geared towards individuals who are or want to be managers because it looks at security from a business perspective rather than just a technical one. The test covers four main areas:
Like the CISSP certification, CISM also requires a minimum of five years of full-time experience in information security. These five years need to have been obtained over the last decade to count towards the total. The CISM certification also requires three years of management experience in at least three of the aforementioned areas. However, some lower-level certifications or education can replace some of the required time. One thing to note is that you don’t have to have all of the experience complete before you can take the test. You can take the test, and as long as you gain the needed experience within the next five years, you can then apply for the certification.
Take the CISM Practice Test
AWS offers two different levels of certification for Certified Solutions Architects: associate and professional. Both levels validate that you know how to:
The professional certification also confirms your ability to:
The associate certification is meant for solutions architects with at least one year of experience with AWS, and the professional certification is meant for solutions architects with two or more years. Amazon currently holds most of the market share for public cloud services, so these certifications are a good option if you want to work in the cloud space.
Take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Practice Test
Also read: Compare Top Cloud Computing Providers
Another leader in the public cloud space, most companies who don’t go with AWS choose Microsoft Azure for their cloud needs. The Microsoft Azure certification requires you to pass two separate exams to be considered an expert: one on architect design and one on architect technologies. The exams measure your ability to:
Microsoft expects candidates for their certification to have expert knowledge of several areas of IT operations, including security, networking, governance, and business continuity as well as expert-level skills in Azure administration. However, they don’t require years of experience.
Take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Practice Test
Offered by the same governing body that administers the CISSP certification, the Certified Cloud Security Professional certification denotes you as having advanced technical skills in designing, managing, and securing cloud applications. It’s a good option for information security leaders who are responsible in their organizations for applying best practices to cloud security design and operations. The exam covers the following six areas:
Like the CISSP, earning the CCSP certification requires candidates to have at least five years of experience in information technology. Three of those years need to be in information security, and one year must be in one of the six domains listed above. However, if you already possess your CISSP certification, those credentials can replace the experience requirements.
Take the CCSP Practice Test
Getting a Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification requires two separate exams. One is on data management, and the other is an information systems core exam based on the area you’d like to specialize in. Certified Data Professionals can specialize in several different areas, including:
The area you specialize in will depend on where your experience already lies and what your career goals are. Additionally, there are different levels of certification based on the number of years of experience you have. Educational achievements can replace some of the required years.
MySQL is a very popular open source database that helps businesses organize and structure their data to make it more accessible. Obtaining an Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator (CMDBA) certification verifies your ability to use Oracle’s platform and MySQL in conjunction to effectively create and manage relational databases and applications. The examination covers:
There are no strict prerequisites, but Oracle does offer training courses to help prepare you for the exam.
Take the Oracle Database Practice Test
For those who prefer overseeing and managing projects rather than actually developing the software, consider a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Considered the gold standard of project management certifications, a PMP verifies your expertise in leading and directing teams and projects. The PMP certification exam covers three key methods of project management:
The exam also ensures that you are knowledgeable about:
To be eligible for the PMP exam, you must have a four-year degree, 36 months of experience leading projects, and 35 hours of project management training or education or CAPM certification. Alternatively, if you don’t have a four-year degree, you can substitute a high school diploma or associate’s degree, but you must have 60 months of experience leading projects along with 35 hours of training.
Take the PMP Practice Test
Read next: Best Practices for Application Security
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