The technical competencies needed to direct IT teams, projects, and processes were outlined by CIO in their article from November 4, 2021, titled “17 IT management certifications for IT leaders.” Security, data storage, software, hardware, networking, and IT management frameworks are among the IT knowledge areas.
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Top 10 Management Certifications for 2021
Why is IT management certification necessary?
Achieving certification is a fantastic way to advance your knowledge, dazzle potential employers, and differentiate yourself from the competition in today’s fiercely competitive world. The following are some factors that make IT management certification important and relevant:
Top 11 IT management certifications
IT managers must possess both the hard and soft skills necessary for successful management. The following 11 IT management certifications will demonstrate your IT management expertise:
1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
You must manage numerous projects as an IT manager with utmost responsibility and efficiency. The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides the CAPM certification. A management certification is the best way to increase your current role’s project management responsibilities or to add a project management skill set to your resume.
Before taking the certification exam, you must have completed 23 hours of project management training and have a secondary education.
Exam fee: $225 for members, $300 for non-members
Expiration: Every five years
2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
A PMP certification might be a better fit for your career path in IT management if you have progressed further in your career and have a solid foundation in project management. The PMP certification is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which is widely regarded as the top project management certification in the world. The PMP certification attests to your possession of the necessary project leadership abilities to define, plan, and successfully complete a project.
A four-year degree, 36 months of project management experience, and 35 hours of project management training or CAPM certification are required. If you have a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, 60 months of project management experience, 35 hours of project management training, or CAPM certification, you can also apply for the PMP certification.
Exam fee: $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members
Expiration: Three years
3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
A PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) would significantly advance your career if you have the expertise and experience working with the Agile framework. It covers agile development methodologies like test-driven development (TDD), Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and extreme programming (XP). This certification shows that you are capable of leading an agile team and formally acknowledges your proficiency with agile techniques.
Minimum requirements include a secondary education, 21 contact hours of training in agile methodologies, 12 months of experience in general project management within the previous five years, or current PMP certification, and eight months of experience working on agile projects within the previous three years.
Exam fee: $435 for members, $495 for non-members
Expiration: Three years
4. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
The Scrum Alliance offers the CSM certification, which attests to your ability to facilitate effective teamwork in scrum environments. It verifies your ability to direct the group, prevent hiccups, and coordinate with various teams and departments in order to keep the project on schedule.
Complete a live, online or in-person CSM course with a minimum of 14 hours of interactive instruction from a certified trainer as a requirement.
Exam Fee: Specific to the location and included in the course fee
Expiration: Two years
5. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
AXELOS, which promotes best practices for IT service management (ITSM), oversees the ITIL framework. The ITIL certifications are appropriate for managers at all levels and allow them to concentrate on successfully implementing business strategies and improving business processes. The ITIL certification has five levels, ranging from foundation to master.
There are different requirements for the higher levels of ITIL certification, though there are none for ITIL Foundation level.
Exam fee: Varies, depending on the levels and vendor
Expiration: Does not expire
6. Six Sigma
The Six Sigma certification provides you with the business resources, quality control expertise, and theoretical understanding you need to enhance your business operations. Within the Six Sigma methodology, there are four levels of achievement. You must advance to the master black belt, also known as executive leadership, from the position of yellow belt, which is at the bottom of the hierarchy. The chance to increase your value to a company increases along with your level of achievement.
For the Six Sigma Yellow Belt, there are no experience or education requirements; however, for higher levels of certification, there may be requirements.
Exam fee: Varies, depending on the levels and vendor
Expiration: Does not expire
7. TOGAF 9
TOGAF 9 is made to help you align IT goals with business goals and to certify your knowledge of enterprise architecture. The Open Group created this certification for managing enterprise architecture. The framework will assist you in showcasing your inter-functional team communication skills, defining business and IT goals, and removing process flaws throughout the entire organization.
Requirements: There are no prerequisites for TOGAF Part 1.
Exam fee: Varies by the vendor
Expiration: Does not expire
8. Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM)
The CITM certification gives you the abilities needed to work as a team leader, supervisor, or manager as an IT specialist. The best candidates for this certification are seasoned IT professionals who need to comprehend the fundamental skills and requirements for leading IT teams in a demanding environment.
Evidence of CITM training from a recognized EXIN training provider is necessary.
Exam fees: Varies
Expiration: Three years
9. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP, offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, is intended to demonstrate security expertise. With this certification, you can demonstrate your expertise in networked system vulnerabilities and implementation and management of security programs. High-level subjects like identity and access management, security operations, and software development security are covered.
Requirements: Cybersecurity foundations and experience
Exam fee: $599
Expiration: Three years
10. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The ISACA offers the CISM certification. It demonstrates your ability to oversee information security initiatives and develop into a valuable strategic asset for business leadership. Your knowledge of information security governance, risk and incident management, and the development and management of information security programs is recognized by the CISM. For IT/Information Security professionals who want to advance from team member to manager, this certification is ideal. In your interactions with stakeholders, peers, and regulators, the CISM certification can increase your credibility and confidence. IT specialists with CISM certification are in high demand because they can keep businesses safe and reduce risk.
For this certification, you must have at least five years of professional information security work experience.
Exam fee: $525 for ISACA members and $710 for non-members
Expiration: Three years
11. Information Technology Management and Leadership Professional (ITMLP)
The Information Technology Management and Leadership Institute (ITML) provides the ITMLP certification. It makes certain that IT managers and aspiring IT leaders provide the organization they work for with the necessary industry knowledge and skills. The certification offers challenging and useful study programs that give senior IT managers the well-rounded foundation they need to give their business a competitive IT advantage and advance their career aspirations.
Requirements: No pre-requisites
Exam fee: The three-day boot camp training for ITMLP certification includes the exam fees. The amount varies for different vendors.
Expiration: Not Applicable
FAQ
Are there any IT management certifications?
Information Technology Management and Leadership Professional (ITMLP) The IT Management and Leadership Institute offers the Information Technology Management and Leadership Professional (ITMLP) certification to certify your skills and abilities as an IT manager.
Which certification is best for IT industry?
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) …
- Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) …
- Certified Data Professional (CDP) …
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) …
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) …
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) …
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
What certification is best for managers?
- Certified in Management (CIM) designation. …
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) …
- Professional Certificate in Team Leadership. …
- CSP certification. …
- Salesforce Administrator Certification. …
- CompTIA Project+ Certification.
What is the most common IT certification?
ITIL. ITIL® Foundation is the most widely held certification in 2021. Understanding the ITIL framework and how it can be applied to improve IT service management is validated by the ITIL Foundation. In North America, service management professionals with ITIL certification make an average salary of $121,075 per year.
