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Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

November 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

Certifications are essential to meet the requirements for government employment, and service contracts associated with government and military entities By Tom Kennedy Back in the day, say a half-dozen years ago, work experience was valued more than certifications in the IT space. The “been-there-done-that” details on resumes and job applications were golden, both for military […]

Should I Get an IT Certification?

August 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ranks in IT? While having a degree and experience are essential factors in your career growth, numerous changes in technology have made it crucial to have an IT certification. The IT industry has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. Changes in the business […]

Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

November 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

Should I Get an IT Certification?

August 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

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Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

November 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

Certifications are essential to meet the requirements for government employment, and service contracts associated with government and military entities

By Tom Kennedy

Back in the day, say a half-dozen years ago, work experience was valued more than certifications in the IT space. The “been-there-done-that” details on resumes and job applications were golden, both for military veterans as well as for corporate IT people looking to advance their respective careers.

ComputerMinds.Com CEO Prabath Boteju

While experience still carries strength-of-candidacy today, there is one new truism: a lack of certification is a show-stopper. Shifting needs and requirements have elevated IT certifications in the collective minds of IT employers.

“Certifications are essential to meet the requirements for government employment, and service contracts associated with government and military entities,” says Prabath Boteju, founder of IT training company ComputerMinds.Com.

This wisdom is consistent with a recent survey by the University of Phoenix and the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). The study highlights the importance of cybersecurity certification programs aligned with military job roles and occupations.

“Of the 256 IT employers who were polled, 86% said that industry certifications aligned to cyber-affiliated U.S. military job roles and occupations play an important role when hiring candidates. In fact, almost half (48%) agreed they are either very important or absolutely essential and 84% consider them to be the ‘gold standard’ when hiring.” (Source)

In other words, career advancement, whether you are in the military, transitioning from the military, or are a civilian seeking a corporate IT position, may be stifled without proper certifications.

Here’s why.

Military organizations and U.S. government contractors are required to abide by credential requirements mandated in recent years. With the exponential growth in cybersecurity threats starting in the early 2000s, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) established the Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) in 2006. Its aim is to apply appropriate risk management safeguards to information systems within the federal government.

All DoD Information Assurance (IA) jobs are defined as either “Management” (Information Assurance Management, or IAM) or “Technical” (Information Assurance Technical, or IAT) Level I, II, or III.

DoD Directive 8570 was established to provide guidance and procedures for the training, certification, and management of all government employees who perform IA functions in their official assigned duties. It means that military service members, contractors, and government employees alike, are required to have an approved certification for their specific job classification. Almost all Defense-related organizations are required to comply with DoD 8570. Examples include cybersecurity workers in the Navy and workers performing DoD work with defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics IT (GDIT).

So, if you’ve been on the hunt for cybersecurity jobs, it’s likely you’ve seen job descriptions with DoD 8570 or 8140 compliance requirements. DoD 8140 is an extension of policies that confirmed the importance of popular IT certifications like A+, Network+, Security+, and CISSP. It also added new cybersecurity certifications including CASP, CMC ISC2, and CEH.

These DoD directives have helped military members gain valuable IT experience as they transition to civilian careers. Armed with military clearance and certifications, former Cybersecurity Workforce members have a formidable head start in the civilian world in the competition for IT roles. Meanwhile, men and women without military experience must continue their education and certification efforts, or be left behind.

Suffice it to say that this escalated focus on cybersecurity certifications and advanced training has created high demand for certified individuals.

“The good news is that cybersecurity certifications are supported by government programs for military veterans and for corporate sector employees, alike,” notes Boteju of ComputerMinds.Com.

“We exist to help people navigate what’s possible with their careers and the best pathway to capitalize on that potential, including the available funding options.”

“Certification, hands-on training, and career advice will prepare you for a career in the IT field of your choice. We offer comprehensive programs designed to prepare career-changers to make the leap. We also offer standalone courses to help IT professionals add new certifications quickly.”

In an upcoming article related to this topic, we will lay out some of the important certification resources available to IT-career-minded students as they map out career pathways.

About ComputerMinds.Com

Based in the Dallas Fort Worth metro area, ComputerMinds.Com specializes in cybersecurity training, project management, and logistics and supply chain management, to prepare students for prosperous careers in these growing industries. ComputerMinds.Com offers a broad range of certifications and hands-on career training, including CompTIA and Microsoft IT courses.

Should I Get an IT Certification?

August 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Main Blog /by Tom Kennedy

Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ranks in IT?

While having a degree and experience are essential factors in your career growth, numerous changes in technology have made it crucial to have an IT certification. The IT industry has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. Changes in the business industry and consumer demands have made technology the lifeblood that determines the success of any business.

What is IT Certification?

This refers to a formal attestation that demonstrates professional competency in specific areas of technology. This requires rigorous assessment, education, and review and is often vendor-specific. By creating a niche for themselves in the IT world, IT certification opens up huge opportunities that wait to be tapped into. Like any other career, the IT world requires that you understand its rudiments and skills alignment to the desired career path. An IT certificate acts as an independent endorsement, supporting the fact that you have the required skills to perform tasks assigned to you.

Types of IT Certification

Cybersecurity certification

In the US, Cyberattacks are the fastest growing crime. Last month, a major hack at Twitter resulted in fraudulent messages being sent from a wide variety of celebrity accounts asking for Bitcoin deposits. It was an unprecedented attack on privacy, trust and security.

Interviewed on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” segment, Robert Herjavec of The Herjavec Group said the Twitter breach underscores his belief we are living in the “golden Age of Cyber Security and hackers.” The Herjavec Group — a provider cybersecurity products and services to enterprise organizations.

Other companies such as Facebook, Uber, and Panera Bread, have reported crimes involving breach of customer information in recent years.

In this environment, businesses are focusing on hiring professionals with cybersecurity certifications. Some of our critical programs at ComputerMinds.Com include cybersecurity administrator programs as well as a cybersecurity specialist.

Certification in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Through a Logistics and Supply Chain Management program, a student can build on their critical and analytical skills required to understand crucial changes in the marketplace. Some key considerations in this program include identification and management of market segments, inventory control, and planning.

IT Project Management

This program is designed to help students understand project methodologies and management processes. A Certification in IT Project Management enhances your communication skills with key stakeholders. A student also develops competence in planning and monitoring, enforcement of policies and procedures as well as enforcing systems.

Network Administration

This is a comprehensive course whose course outline has such topics as network design, troubleshooting network failures, configuration, and management. Students certified in network administration can pursue careers in military network operation support centers, network data centers, or the government.

Why you Need an IT Certification

Increased credibility

An IT Certification acts as a testament or stamp to your proficiency and skills in a particular area. It serves as an external validation that you can perform responsibilities assigned at your workplace. Where your achieved college degree is in an unrelated field with that of your career, an IT certification acts as a support of proficiency in that area. Earning one or more certifications serves as an indication of motivation and dedication to professional development.

Marketability

An IT Certification gives you an advantage over other candidates without certification, increasing your chances of getting a job. A certificate indicates to your employer that you are dedicated to a particular career path giving you an edge over other candidates. With stiff competition in the IT industry, a certification will be the reason that attracts the hiring managers for a second look at your resume. According to a survey carried by HR.com, all the respondents agreed that industry certifications were crucial in the hiring process.

Promotions and career advancement

An IT Certification provides you with the visibility required for your career advancement or promotion. Employees with IT certifications are considered as assets to the organization with their certificates being viewed as a commitment towards fulfilling company functions. As a reward, these employees have numerous opportunities for promotions or career advancement.

A study carried out by the Computerworld, indicates that 40% of successful IT professionals attributed their success to IT Certifications that proved to be most beneficial to their upward mobility. Increasing your education through IT Certifications reduces your chances of stagnation in your career.

Increased earning potential

While deriving satisfaction from our jobs, we would not mind a few extra dollars in the bank. An IT Certification gives you additional salary negotiating power. Employers expect professional employees to have a certification and pay significantly less for those who do not have. Moving up your IT career will require you not to schmooz up to clients but to have the necessary training to prove to your employer that you deserve a higher paying position.

Be sure to contact us at ComputerMinds.Com for further information on how you can grow your IT career or visit us at Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

Should I Get an IT Certification?

Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

Should I Get an IT Certification?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Why Certifications Matter in Today’s Cybersecurity Job Market

Certifications are essential to meet the requirements for government employment, and service contracts associated with government and military entities

Should I Get an IT Certification?

What is IT Certification?

Types of IT Certification

IT Project Management

Network Administration

Why you Need an IT Certification

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