Top 10 It Cert In 2006

[polyfuze_4336 0]

#10: Linux Professional Institute Certification, Level 2 (LPIC 2)

Vendor: Linux Professional Institute

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 10

Buzz Score (out of 10): 5

Total: 15

When you’re a community-driven, non-profit certification program, it’s often hard to get noticed, especially when certification is all you do. There is no corporate marketing budget you can dip into, no company products to piggy-back your promotions on. Add in LPI’s goal of keeping its exams affordable -- they cost $100 U.S., when not discounted further at special testing events -- and it’s no wonder that this program doesn’t (yet?) have the name recognition of Red Hat or even CompTIA’s Linux+.

But it’s getting there. By relying on community involvement and the reputation of its exams, the profile of LPI continues to grow -- particularly for its Level 2 certification, the only major offering for mid-level Linux administrators looking to earn a truly vendor-neutral title.

LPIC 2’s sophomore appearance on this list particularly pleased our Linux columnist, Emmett Dulaney. While several of our contributors placed the title on their personal top 10 lists for 2006, Dulaney put it firmly at No. 2, citing the title’s marketability: “As the Linux matures in the marketplace and continues to gain acceptance, the need to have higher-level, vendor-neutral skills becomes more important than ever.”

As you’ll see later in this list, the vendor-specific Linux skills aren’t hurting either. But for now, let’s move on to No. 9…

#9: Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Vendor: (ISC)2

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 13

Buzz Score (out of 10): 4

Total: 17

(ISC)’s flagship title, the CISSP, was a staple on this list until two years ago, when so many of you earned it simply took the title out of the running for this list of up-and-comers. Those who sent us hate mail back then can take some solace that the program’s lower-level SSCP title has found its way onto this list, debuting at No. 9.

While SSCP is, of course, often widely seen as a stepping stone to the CISSP, it’s also beginning to earn a reputation in its own right. Like its big brother, the SSCP is a vendor-neutral security title. It comes with its own experience requirement (one year, instead of the CISSP’s five) and even focuses on the same body of knowledge (seven areas, instead of the CISSP’s 10).

Contributing Editor Greg Neilson was pleased to see this title make the cut this year because it fills a niche for the industry. “There are so many wanting to move into security and are looking for a program that will both structure their learning and provide a validation of their security skills,” he commented.

Contributing Editor Andy Barkl agreed, saying that the title “deserves to climb the ranks,” because its ability to stand on its own as well as lead candidates to the CISSP pinnacle.

#8: MCSE: Security

Vendor: Microsoft

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 12

Buzz Score (out of 10): 6

Total: 18

This title debuted on last year’s 2005 Hot Cert list No. 2, and while many of you obtained the title last year, enough of you still plan to get it in 2006 that it was able to hang on for another year, coming in at No. 8.

In fact, with its combination of Windows networking and security, the title would probably be poised to become an industry staple -- if not for Microsoft’s recent announcement that it will completely revamp its certification program over the next few years. And while the company has said it won’t retire or discontinue any of its current certifications, candidates will find it hard to justify the cost of an eight-exam title when its next-generation replacement (most likely featuring less exams) is just around the corner.

Despite the uncertainty, thanks to your reader interest score and continued buzz, MCSE: Security should continue strong through at least 2006. Three of our four contributors agree, placing it somewhere on their personal top 10 lists, with its highest placement coming on Barkl’s at No. 4.

#7 Cisco Certified Network Professional

Vendor: Cisco

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 12

Buzz Score (out of 10): 7

Total: 19

If you’re looking for perpetual hotness, it’s hard to beat the CCNP. After a few years on this list, most title rise to the level of the truly established credentials, such as Microsoft’s MCSE and CompTIA’s A+. But no matter how many of you achieve this title, every year more of you line up, making this one of only two titles that we’ve called a Hot Cert for all five years we’ve done this list.

And the CCNP shows no sign of slowing down. “Cisco certifications are extremely popular,” commented Barkl, who said that the mid-level title is right for those who don’t want to rise to the CCIE level.

Dulaney agrees that the future is getting brighter for the CCNP, calling it a “doorway to many positions…It has now become what the CCNA once was.”

#6: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

Vendor: Cisco

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 11

Buzz Score (out of 10): 9

Total: 20

Okay, don’t freak out. We know this was our No. 1 title last year. And we also know that this title probably the most respected certification in the world thanks to its grueling, day-long lab exam that tests candidates’ hands-on skills with Cisco hardware at the highest levels.

And no, the title’s reputation isn’t sinking. Quite the opposite: Its buzz is stronger than ever, and all of contributors once again placed the CCIE on their personal top 10 lists, with two putting it at No. 1.

So why did it end up at No. 6? It all comes down to the reader score. This year, slightly less of you said that you plan to achieve the title in the next 12 months -- perhaps the reality of exactly how difficult that goal is has set in for some. Also, more of you reported already being CCIEs than even before. While the increase is only a handful, the two factors combined are enough to keep the title “hot,” just not hot enough to take first place again.

Even with this explanation, we know some of you will still be very disappointed with this ranking. At least it leaves some suspense for the 2006: What will be No. 1? Just five more to go, so let’s move on to our next entry -- two actually, as there’s a tie at position No. 4 (read note at start of article if you’re wondering why there’s no No. 5).

#4 (TIE): Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), Project Management Professional (PMP)

Vendors: Cisco, Project Management Institute

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 13, 14

Buzz Score (out of 10): 8, 7

Total: 21

Up and Coming...

Every year, a few titles just miss this list. To give them their due, here's the top five runners-up for 2006:

Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional: SQL

Check Point Certified Security Expert

Planet3 Certified Wireless Security Professional

Sun Certified Java Developer

GIAC (SANS) Intrusion Analyst

Since we’re already on a Cisco roll, let’s continue with the CCSP -- the company’s mid-level security title. It’s no surprise to find this title so high our list for 2006, as it combines two of the hottest certification areas today: Cisco and security.

CertCities.com contributor and CCIE Scott Morris placed the CCSP at No. 4 on his personal top 10 list, citing the popularity of security plus the title’s role as a stepping stone to the security track of the CCIE.

Dulaney thinks this is the title for 2006, placing it at No. 1 on his personal list. As he puts it, “You can’t go wrong with security and Cisco.”

PMI’s PMP title also made a strong showing this year, rising from its debut stop at No. 10 last year, thanks in part to even stronger buzz for this industry-neutral title within the IT community. Our contributors like it as well. The title placed at No. 4 on Neilson’s personal top 10 list for 2006, and Barkl placed it at No. 5. “There’s always a need for those who understand project management,” he said.

Dulaney agrees, saying there’s a lot to like about this title, which he placed at No. 8 on his personal list. “The recent updates to this certification have kept it current,” he commented. “[it’s] useful for administrators, engineers -- just about anyone.”

#3: Microsoft Certified Architect

Vendor: Microsoft

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 15

Buzz Score (out of 10): 7

Total: 22

It wasn’t a surprise when Microsoft announced its architect certification earlier this year; rumors that the title was coming had been swirling for a while. What did surprise many was the format: Instead of a hands-on lab exam, Redmond went with a peer-review format modeled after professional board certifications, along with an estimated $10,000 price tag.

As you can probably tell from the cost, one of Microsoft’s stated goals with the MCA is to keep it relatively exclusive. Even so, enough of you say that you’re up to this challenge (and presumably, have an employer willing to pick up the cost) that the credential scored well enough to debut at No. 3 on our list while still in beta format. (Look for public registration to open in January.)

Neilson is particularly bullish on the title, putting it at No. 1 on his top 10 list. “Those with a long-term Microsoft architectural background…will seriously be considering the new MCA program,” he commented.

#2: Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist: SQL & .NET

Vendor: Microsoft

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 18

Buzz Score (out of 10): 5

Total: 23

While the MCA represents a new top-level addition to the Microsoft program, the MCTS will be the first step, requiring between one and three exams to earn a variety of specialties.

So far, only the SQL and .NET tracks have been officially announced (they’re currently in beta), so those are the only specialties we asked you about. Even with this limitation, the title scored extremely well on our survey, earning it a No. 2 debut. Interest in this title (along with the higher level Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional, which just missed the cut this year) should only continue to rise as the expected Windows server tracks are released during the next few years.

But back to the SQL and .NET focus of the MCTS right now. As Greg Neilson points out, the acronym doesn’t yet roll off the tongue, but the timing is right: “With the launch of the new SQL Server 2005, there will be a great deal of people wanting to upgrade their database skills.”

Neilson put the title at No. 3 on his personal top 10 hot list for 2006, while Barkl placed it at No. 9. “The pool of Microsoft SQL and .NET developers is gaining interest,” he remarked. “Microsoft wants to make sure their programs remain ‘fresh.’”

About the only problem this certification currently faces is a lack of name recognition in the industry -- one that, for a company like Microsoft, won’t be a problem for much longer.

And our prediction for the No. 1 hottest certification for 2006 is…

#1: Red Hat Certified Engineer

Vendor: Red Hat

Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 17

Buzz Score (out of 10): 8

Total: 25

If you’re looking for yet another sign that Linux is becoming a real player, then you’ve got it. While Linux certifications have regularly made our Hot Cert list over the past few years -- in fact, the RCHE has appeared on this list since we started it for 2002 -- this is the first time one has ever taken the top spot. Quite a feat, especially when you consider that the vast majority of CertCities.com’s readers are Windows professionals.

So how did this Linux title break through to No. 1? Having a stellar reputation never hurts, and Red Hat is well known for the quality of its RHCE lab exam, which tests candidates’ hands-on skills with Red Hat Enterprise. “It’s a truly challenging certification,” commented Dulaney. “It carries a lot more respect than others in the market.”

But the title wouldn’t go anywhere unless its skills were seen as marketable. And according to Morris, high-level Linux skills may be more marketable than some might think. “These days…it seems that demand for a great Linux person outstrips the demand for general Microsoft administration skills,” commented Morris. “Not that Microsoft is going anyplace, but serious Linux networking is more [rare]. While [this is] not my personal area of interest, I highly recommend that others look at it with keen interest.”

[BraDeRz 0]

MCDBA plak mcm ne?

Edited January 28, 2006 by BraDeRz

[polyfuze_4336 0]

MCDBA tak masuk ranking..but that doesnt mean benda tu tak ada value..just that cert yg kat atas tu yg org tgh cari sekarang nie...

ko keje database admin ke?

[BraDeRz 0]

x lah..ingat nak ambik dlm 5/6 tahun akan datang...

[polyfuze_4336 0]

MCDBA = tak berbaloi

reason..job scope sempit kalau ko amik MCDBA..unless ko bebetui berminat nk jadi DBA..lagpun DBA nyer keja tak interesting la..

[bryan 0]

SAP punyer cert plak?

Pun tak tersenarai langsung..

[polyfuze_4336 0]

kalau ko perasan kat atas nie kebanyakkan cert utk network engineer and system engineer with the exception of PMP..so mostly orang yang vote and bagi komen adalah dari kalangan SE and NE..bukan dari kalangan system developer or system analyst..SAP is a very good company and have reputable certification..jangan risau kalau ko nak go for SAP..amatlah dialu2kan..but the market is a bit saturated with SAP programmer etc..

[Punish 0]

kalau MLVK plak camne..??

cmmt sket..??

GTG

Edited February 7, 2006 by Punish

[polyfuze_4336 0]

kalau MLVK plak camne..??

cmmt sket..??

GTG

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aiyoo..MLVK tu bukan professional certificate...menda tu tak valid pun kat luar negara and tak melambangkan tahap skill and kemahiran dalam bidang IT pun..

no offense

[sekailain 0]

akum polyfuze...

ehmn semua sijil tu leh ambik ker kat malaysia? ambik kat ner ? berpaer kostnter beraper lamer tempoh dan kena ader basic prasyarat per per ker?

[sekailain 0]

ko ni bias ke microsoft jerk, java punyer cert takder ker?

[polyfuze_4336 0]

akum  polyfuze...

ehmn semua sijil tu leh ambik ker kat malaysia? ambik kat ner ? berpaer kostnter beraper lamer tempoh dan kena ader basic prasyarat per per ker?

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w'salam,

yup sume sijil tu bole amik kat malaysia tapi untuk cisco certified internetworking expert kena amik kat cisco certfied centre..im not sure whether ada cisco centre nie ada kat malaysia ke tidak...ko bole amik certyang lain ni kat company yang certified by vue testing centre atau prometric testing centre...

kalau ko nak tengok listing tempat-tempat yang ko bole amik kat malaysia nie..ko bole check www.vue.com or www.2test.com..kast sini ada list tempat2 yang ko bole amik cert nie

cost?cost nie tgk sijil ape yang ko nak amik la..die depend pada vendor nak charge bape...kalau ko amik cisco about RM600 per test,microsoft about Rm300,Comptia about RM600 ,HP about RM468..so depend la kat vendor nak charge bape per test.....

tempoh apa yang ko refer nie?tempoh test ke?kalau tempoh test lebih kuang 2-3 jam..tapi kalau ada lab test tu lebih kuang 8 jam...

kalau tempoh valid cert sebelum kena renew lebih kurang 2-3 tahun (depend pada vendor)

prasyarat?ada duit n bole membaca dalam english..thats all

tapi ade certain cert ko kena amik dari bawah..tak leh langkau2..

ko bole post question about specific cert yang ko minat kat cni..pastu aku try jawab...

gud luck

[Punish 0]

CCnA Mana..??

GTG

[polyfuze_4336 0]

ko ni bias ke microsoft jerk, java punyer cert takder ker?

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bukan aku yang compile list of top 10 cert tu...the list is based on trend in IT industry...so bukan suke2 je org compile list tu..bias?sapa yang bias?kalau ko rasa java patut masuk dlm list tapi org lain rasa tak patut masuk..takkan nak masukkan java gak?kalau java masuk tapi tak layak..baru bias...

and by the way...you should read the whole article at certcities.com,ko baca la comment dorang and opinion dorang regarding java,sap,oracle..instead dari cakap orang bias..do some research first okay..

thanks

[polyfuze_4336 0]

CCnA Mana..??

GTG

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ccna is entry level cert,so tak banyak sangat orang yg buh ccna dalam wishlist n company yang pandang tinggi pada bebdak yang ada ccna..except for the entry level position...

pastu dari tanye soklan2 pendek mcm ccna mana....baik ko buh nape ko rase ccna patut ada dalam list tu...nampak sangat tak baca sampai abih artikel tu

[sekailain 0]

bukan aku yang compile list of top 10 cert tu...the list is based on trend in IT industry...so bukan suke2 je org compile list tu..bias?sapa yang bias?kalau ko rasa java patut masuk dlm list tapi org lain rasa tak patut masuk..takkan nak masukkan java gak?kalau java masuk tapi tak layak..baru bias...

and by the way...you should read the whole article at certcities.com,ko baca la comment dorang and opinion dorang regarding java,sap,oracle..instead dari cakap orang bias..do some research first okay..

thanks

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muhahah hehehe sorry berburuk sangka kat ko .....sajer jer test ko ahaks..

aku nak tanyer pasal list tu per beza reader interest score ngan buzz score ?

dan satu lagi kalu aku amcik yang no 1 tu linux nyer ... beraper lamer silibus dier buleh habis, beraper ongkosnyer dan kalu ambik tu buleh [coklat ubat batuk] kernel tak? kalu aku tak pernah jumpa linux sebelum nie buleh ambik tak?

[polyfuze_4336 0]

muhahah  hehehe sorry berburuk sangka kat ko .....sajer jer test ko ahaks..

aku nak tanyer pasal list tu per beza reader interest score ngan buzz score ?

dan satu lagi kalu aku amcik yang no 1 tu linux nyer ... beraper lamer silibus dier buleh habis, beraper ongkosnyer dan kalu ambik tu buleh [coklat ubat batuk] kernel tak? kalu aku tak pernah jumpa linux sebelum nie buleh ambik tak?

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Reader Interest

Also realize that we do base it on some actual research. We start with our annual reader survey, on which we present more than 70 certifications and ask you to tell us which ones you hold and which ones you plan to get within the next 12 months. Positive differences are then converted to a 1 to 20 scale (20 being best), resulting in a “reader interest” score.

Buzz ScoreNext comes the buzz score: What are people saying about particular certs? What is the title’s reputation? What recognitions have they received? How well known are the titles in the marketplace? What do our contributors (who submit personal Hot Cert top 10 lists for scoring) think of the titles? We combine all this into a “buzz” score. Add this to the reader interest score and our top 10 picks for the next year emerge.

ko bole contact emel ni for more info [email protected], pastu RHCE is a tough exam,kalau tak pernah tengok linux..it's not advisable to take the exam,sbb ada lab exam yang dah ramai orang fail even experienced administrator/engineer..baik ko amik step by step,amik linux+ by compTIA dulu,pastu amik LPIC dulu..bile dah settle baru amuk RHCE..

hope that helps

[sekailain 0]

pastu RHCE is a tough exam,kalau tak pernah tengok linux..it's not advisable to take the exam,sbb ada lab exam yang dah ramai orang fail even experienced administrator/engineer..baik ko amik step by step,amik linux+ by compTIA dulu,pastu amik LPIC dulu..bile dah settle baru amuk RHCE..

hope that helps

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gulp , wahahaha , sampai begotu gamaknyer....ribut jugak ek

leh mintak favour ko skali lagi tak ? tolong list kan course dari a - z tuk course tersebut,. maksud aku adakah ini dah komplete step level tuk belajar linux...?

1. linux+by compTIA

2.LPIC

3.RHCE..

agaknyerlaa kalu ambik semua nih berapaer tahun boleh khatam?

[Punish 0]

maap ya abang polyfuze_0411..

saya baru nak blaja...so solly la pasal soalan2 bodo2 camtuh ok..

GTG

Edited February 8, 2006 by Punish

[polyfuze_4336 0]

gulp , wahahaha , sampai begotu gamaknyer....ribut jugak ek

leh mintak favour ko skali lagi tak ? tolong list kan course dari a - z tuk course tersebut,. maksud aku adakah ini dah komplete step  level  tuk belajar linux...?

1. linux+by compTIA

2.LPIC

3.RHCE..

agaknyerlaa kalu ambik semua nih berapaer tahun boleh khatam?

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ni bukan step untuk belajar linux la...its the other way around...ko belajar linux pastu bile dah konpiden baru ko amik test nie..cert nie bukan step2 untuk belajar something..menda nie just to prove ko nie competent dalam menda yg ko buat..ada paham?

kalau ko nak aim for RHCE..baik ko amik linux+ sbb menda nih lebih senang nak lulus compare dengan yang lain tue..tapi kalau ko dah ade experience ngan linux..bole la amik RHCE terus..

1. Linux+ ni neutral is not vendor biased..

2. LPIC ni cert yang dikuarkan oleh Linux professional Institute

3 RHCE is vendor based, dikuarkan oleh Red Hat Inc

selalu orang yang amik RHCE pastu pass ialah org yg ada 5-7 years experience dlm linux..and dorang mengadap tetiap ari menda nih..kalau takat sekali-sekala takyah amik pun takpe..

berapa lama nak abis?hmm bergantung la kat ko...but do remember learning is a life long process..takkan abis..bile ko dah ada RHCE..ko bole amik RHCA lak..so menda nie takkan abis

aku dah 1 tahun dah study for professional cert,dah dapat mcse ngan cisco,sekarang nie baru amik HP AIS, bulan depan dapat,pastu ada lak SE,pastu ada MASE lak..sampai bebile pun takkan abis.. tapi seronok bile study dapat cert..at least ko bole tahu level ko kat mana..and bile ko bgtau sumtin it is based on fact..bukan main teka2 jerr

thanks

[polyfuze_4336 0]

maap ya abang polyfuze_0411..

saya baru nak blaja...so solly la pasal soalan2 bodo2 camtuh ok..

GTG

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itu bukan soklan bodo la..n takde sapa marah pun..tapi lenkali tanye tue..biar la panjang sket..nampak la sket kesungguhan nak belajar..semua org kat cni baru nak belajar..

[sekailain 0]

aku dah 1 tahun dah study for professional cert,dah dapat mcse ngan cisco,sekarang nie baru amik HP AIS, bulan depan dapat,pastu ada lak SE,pastu ada MASE lak..sampai bebile pun takkan abis.. tapi seronok bile study dapat cert..

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kayer nyer ko , maner ko ambik duit nak belajer sesemua tu ? bagi la tip ... course ni semua aku rase beriban riban gak

[polyfuze_4336 0]

kayer nyer ko , maner ko ambik duit nak belajer sesemua tu ? bagi la tip ... course ni semua aku rase beriban riban gak

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masa aku belajar mcse +ccna dulu..mak aku la yang support ,masa tue aku tgh study,so mana nak cari duit, cost for taking mcse +ccna inclusive of exam is RM8200 ++ ,pastu masa amik hewlett packet integration specialist nyer cert, company yang suport for training, untuk exam lak hewlett packard yang support,so basically aku tak kayer..aku just dapat banyak peluang yang org lain bagi...and ade certain things like unix and linux,security aku belajar sendiri,by books,by trial n error..pastu aku nak amik linux nyer exam nie taun ni gak...tips ape ko nak?tip belajar ke?just baca sume menda yg ko mampu pasai menda yg nak ditest tue...pastu praktis.........

thanks

ko ni dah keje or still study?

[sekailain 0]

thanks

ko ni dah keje or still study?

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muahaha aku baru keje...... gaji ciput nak ambik sijil2 tu. ko raser kan sijil aper paling bernilai berbaloi kalu aku ambik ngan eonomi yang kukuh macam aku ni

[polyfuze_4336 0]

muahaha aku baru keje...... gaji ciput nak ambik sijil2 tu. ko raser kan  sijil aper paling bernilai berbaloi kalu aku ambik ngan eonomi yang kukuh macam aku ni

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keje ko mainly watpe?keje ngan router n switches?linux or windows?security ke?cite la sket keje ko watpe?repair komputer ke?kalau ko bole bagi detail sket..bole la aku tolong recommend kan cert yang sesuai...

thanks