We’re halfway through the year and it’s that time when we start to sum up some of the best IT certifications in 2017. Some of the most popular IT certifications cover subjects such as security, project management and networking. Here at ITonlinelearning we’ve summed up the best certifications of the year so far, so that you don’t have to waste any time hunting for certifications that best suit you.

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

*Average Salary: £64,000

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) (View online CISM course) is one of the most sought after certifications to date for professional IT personnel. This certification is for those who wish to manage, develop and oversee information security systems.

CISM is part of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA®) and is one of the highest paying IT certifications. CISM promotes international security practises and is widely accepted as the global standard of excellence and achievement in information security. Obtaining this certification is sure to add enormous value to any CV.

• (ISC)2 CISSP

*Average Salary: £62,500

One of the fastest growing industries today is Information Security. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (View online CISSP course) is not only seen as a measure of excellence, but also as a worldwide benchmark of accomplishment in the security field. This certification is for those who wish to design, engineer, implement and run an information security program.

With a global shortage of skilled security professionals, there are numerous jobs available that request specifically CISSP candidates. This is great news for those who wish to head into this industry and are considering such an elite credential.

This course is for those who already have some working experience in the field of information security and wish to progress to a senior level. It’s for those who wish to acquire an understanding of threats that organisations may face regarding new technologies, security regulations, security standards and security best practices.

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

*Average Salary: £62,500

Awarded by ISACA®, this certification is for those who wish to ensure that an organisation’s IT and business systems are monitored, managed and protected.
Today Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) (View online CISA course) is considered to be the global standard as far as certifications and knowledge of IT and information systems are concerned.

This certification is for those with an interest in information systems auditing, control and security. The CISA certification is considered to be a way of demonstrating to employers that candidates have the knowledge and skills to assess vulnerabilities and implement technology controls in an enterprise environment.

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

*Average Salary: £57,500

Project Management Professional (PMP) (View online PMP course) is a Project Management qualification developed by the PMI®. Gaining the PMP certification validates that you have the necessary skills, experience and training to take on complex and large projects.

As one of the most globally recognised credential, this certification is for those who wish to pursue a career in project management or wish to validate their existing knowledge and skills with a recognised credential.

Among survey respondents to PMI’s Earning Power Salary Survey, those with a PMP certification garner a higher salary (20% higher on average) than those without a PMP certification.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

*Average Salary:£55,000

According to the EC-council, “A Certified Ethical Hacker is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system(s).”

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is for those who wish to pursue a career in Ethical Hacking. This certification prepares students to be able to identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities within a business’ network.

With a growing need for certified IT professionals in the realm of security, this certification will continue to gain popularity.

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching

*Average Salary: £50,000

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) (View online CCNP course) Routing and Switching certification is for those network professionals who wish to work on complex networks as well as work with specialists on advanced security, voice wireless and video solutions.

As this course is a follow up on the CCNA certification, CCNP is for those IT professionals with at least one years worth of network experience. For those that are ready to take their networking career to the next level, this is one the most popular networking certifications to date.

• CompTIA Security+

*Average Salary: £50,000

As a vendor neutral certification, CompTIA Security+ (View online Security+ course) is one of the most well-known IT security certifications. For those who have completed the CompTIA Network+ certification, the CompTIA Security+ is the follow up credential.

CompTIA Security+ covers the essential principles for network security and risk management. It is a certification that teaches students to secure networks, to detect and deal with security threats and how to identify vulnerabilities.

The CompTIA Security+ certification is considered to be the benchmark as far as best practices in the IT security field is concerned. As an industry supported credential, this certification provides substantial earning potential and career advancement opportunities.

• Microsoft MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

*Average Salary: £40,000

One of Microsoft’s latest certification additions is this MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. Since March 2017, this certification has replaced MCSE Server Infrastructure Solutions Expert and MCSE Private Cloud.

According to Microsoft, “This certification validates that you have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data centre, with expertise in cloud technologies, identity management, systems management, virtualisation, storage, and networking.”

For those who seek to be proficient in the realm of Microsoft technologies, this MCSE certification should definitely be considered.

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching

*Average Salary: £40,000

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) (View online CCNA course) is an associate level certification for those who are interested in working with networks. This certification enables students to work with routed and switched networks.

The CCNA course covers the installation, configuration, operation and troubleshooting of medium-sized networks as well as teaching the fundamentals of working with WAN (Wide Area Networks), wireless concepts and network security.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is on the most popular associate-level certifications in computer networking. One of the reasons for it’s popularity is that it ensures that students stay relevant by obtaining skill sets that are needed for next generation technologies. This CCNA course is clearly a must-have for entry-level network technicians.

• Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2016

*Average Salary: £38,800

The Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2016 covers installing, upgrading, migration of servers, configuration of Nano Servers and managing of advanced AD DS infrastructure.

This certification is for those who are interested in positions such as network or computer systems administrator or as a computer network specialist. Candidates who complete this certification will be able to develop and manage a Windows server environment.

As a pre-requisite for MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, this course is the first step to becoming a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

*Average salary data courtesy of ITJobsWatch