15 New And Emerging IT Certifications For 2017

Gaining An Edge Around Cloud, Security And Analytics

Vendors and third-party organizations have in recent months come up with many different ways for solution providers to demonstrate their expertise around cloud computing, cybersecurity, and big data and analytics.

Other technology areas with multiple new certifications as of late include networking and apps and mobility, according to Cary, N.C.-based business training and certification provider Global Knowledge.

Microsoft leads the way with five new certifications as part of a plan to align end-user and channel credentials. The plan also shifts from mandatory re-certification every two to three years to elective re-certification every year.

IBM has three new certifications as part of a revamping of its partner program that ushers in new technical and sales competency standards. Avaya and Google have each rolled out two new certifications to cover emerging technology skills.

Here are 15 new and emerging certifications.

For more on tech certifications, check out CRN's past roundups here.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Productivity

The MCSE: Productivity certification is centered around key day-to-day Microsoft products such as Office 365, SharePoint, Exchange and Skype for Business, Global Knowledge said.

It validates that technicians have the skills needed to move their company to the cloud, increase user productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss, and improve data security for their organization, according to Microsoft. Earning the MCSE: Productivity certification qualifies certificate-holders for positions in network and computer systems administration.

The first step toward the MCSE: Productivity certification is earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate credential for Office 365 or Windows Server 2012. From there, prospects must pass an exam around Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016, Skype for Business 2015, SharePoint Server 2013 or Microsoft Exchange Server 2013.

IBM Certified Solutions Advisor – SoftLayer v1

The new IBM Certified Solutions Advisor – SoftLayer v1 is targeted at cloud and SoftLayer Sellers, who must demonstrate mastery of SoftLayer's data, storage, networking and security capabilities.

IBM's new partner program benchmarks cloud competencies with tests that align directly with the SoftLayer certifications and their respective training pathways, according to Global Knowledge. The advisor certification focuses on the sales side.

People seeking this certificate should have knowledge of SoftLayer capabilities in an e-commerce context, the ability to leverage SoftLayer differentiators, and the ability to analyze workload needs and make architecture choices, IBM said.

They also should understand what SoftLayer has available from a compute, storage and network, security, monitoring and management perspective, the company said.

Avaya Certified Integration Specialist

The ACIS credential certifies that a candidate has the basic-to-intermediate technical proficiency necessary to integrate and implement Avaya offerings.

Qualified candidates typically have at least two years of experience with relevant technologies, according to Avaya, and up to one year of experience with integrating and installing Avaya solutions.

People seeking this certificate should be able to install software and core and complex multiproduct solutions, and perform bootstrapping for administration, basic troubleshooting for operational validation, and basic validation of initial configuration of the system.

The ACIS credential is valid for two years, according to Avaya.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Mobility

The MCSE: Mobility certification targets skills in the Windows Client and Enterprise Mobility suite, Global Knowledge said, and validates that technicians have the skills needed to manage devices in a bring-your-own-device setting.

Earning the MCSE: Mobility certification qualifies certificate-holders for a career path ranging from traditional desktop support technician to enterprise management of BYOD products and apps, according to Microsoft.

The first step toward the MCSE: Mobility credential is earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: Windows 10 certificate. From there, prospects must pass an exam in deploying Windows desktop and enterprise applications, administering the system center configuration manager, or managing devices in the enterprise.

The certification never expires, but technicians can re-certify each year by passing an additional exam from a corresponding list of electives.

IBM Certified Designer – IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11

The IBM Certified Designer – IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11 is responsible for building advanced reports, active reports and dashboards using relational data and/or uploaded files, IBM said, as well as enhancing, customizing and managing professional reports.

Market adoption of IBM Cognos Analytics has been slow since it was released at the end of 2015, but Global Knowledge said it expects adoption to increase, resulting in higher demand for skills validation.

People seeking this certificate should have project-related experience authoring complex reports and dashboards, IBM said, and be able to participate in project implementations. They should also know database concepts and SQL, Javascript, how to visually present data, and how to use a modern web, according to IBM.

Google Certified Professional – Cloud Architect

The Google Cloud Architect certification was developed to meet the demand from businesses that are moving to the cloud and seeking to hire or fill existing skills gaps with proficient technical professionals, according to Global Knowledge.

Achieving this certification demonstrates the ability to design, develop and manage a secure, scalable and reliable cloud architecture that will enable businesses to use Google Cloud Platform technologies, Global Knowledge said.

A Google Cloud Architect has demonstrated his or her ability to design a secure and compliant cloud solution architecture, manage implementation of cloud architects, analyze and optimize technical and business processes, and ensure solution and operations reliability, according to Google.

The exam needed to earn this certification has no prerequisites, Google said.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics

The MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification spotlights Microsoft data products and services that are both on-premise and cloud-based, Global Knowledge said.

It requires prospects to demonstrate broad skill sets in SQL administration, building enterprise-scale data solutions, and leveraging business intelligence data, according to Microsoft. Earning the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification qualifies certificate-holders for jobs such as database analyst, database designer or business intelligence analyst.

The first step toward the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification is earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate in SQL Server 2012/2014 or SQL 2016 Database Administration, Database Development or BI Development.

From there, prospects need to pass an exam in designed cloud data platform solutions, big data analytics solutions, Microsoft SQL Server databases, business intelligence solutions or implementing data models and reports.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst

The new CompTIA CSA+ certification is an intermediate-level credential that validates risk analysis and threat detection skills, bridging the gap between CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, according to Global Knowledge.

As attackers have learned to evade traditional signature-based solutions such as firewalls, an analytics-based approach within the IT security industry is increasingly important, according to CompTIA. The behavioral analytics skills covered by CSA+ identify and combat malware and advanced persistent threats.

Certificate-holders will be able to configure and use threat detection tools, perform data analysis and interpret the results to identify vulnerabilities, threats and risks to an organization, CompTIA said. CSA+ has a technical, hands-on focus, CompTIA said, and people seeking the certificate should have at least three to four years of hands-on information security experience.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification focuses on Windows Server and Microsoft Azure, Global Knowledge said. It validates that participants have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center, according to Microsoft, with expertise in cloud technologies, identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage and networking.

Earning the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification qualifies individuals for jobs such as cloud administrator, cloud architect, computer support specialist and information security analyst.

The first step toward the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification is earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate in Windows Server 2016, Cloud Platform, Linux on Azure, or Windows Server 2012.

From there, prospects must pass an exam focused on Microsoft Azure, cloud data platforms, big data analytics, Windows Server 2016, server infrastructure or the private cloud.

Cisco Certified Network Associate Cyber Ops

The CCNA Cyber Ops certificate prepares professionals to begin a career working with associate-level cybersecurity analysts within security operations centers, according to Global Knowledge. This certification will give employees the fundamental knowledge needed to prepare for more advanced cybersecurity operations jobs, according to Cisco.

Participants will gain a basic understanding of how a SOC team detects and responds to security incidents, Cisco said. They also will better understand how organizations are dealing with cybercrime, cyberespionage, insider threats, advanced persistent threats and regulatory requirements.

The CCNA Cyber Ops certificate is recommended for professionals with one to three years experience, Cisco said, and is valid for three years.

Avaya Certified Solutions Specialist

The ACSS credential certifies that a candidate has the advanced technical proficiency necessary to install, configure, administer, maintain and troubleshoot support for Avaya solutions.

Qualified candidates typically have at least four years of experience with relevant technologies, according to Avaya, and up to two years of experience with supporting Avaya solutions.

People seeking this certificate should be able to demonstrate knowledge of architecture components, features and functions, perform acceptance testing, interpret how a call flows within a complex solutions architecture, commission/register the product, maintain and troubleshoot the integration between products, and analyze data from diagram and logs and resolve the issue, Avaya said.

The ACSS credential is valid for two years, according to Avaya.

IBM Certified Solutions Architect – SoftLayer v1

An IBM Certified Solution Architect - SoftLayer V1 is a person who can analyze, design, architect and demonstrate IBM SoftLayer infrastructure based upon workload requirements from a client, according to IBM.

People seeking this certification should be able to provide a customer with a logical diagram foundation to meet their requirements, and architect a comprehensive solution that utilizes the IBM offerings and skills required.

They also should know industry cloud computing principles, IBM SoftLayer, the various types of clouds and as-a-service offerings, and how to design, implement and customize a comprehensive solution based on logical diagrams.

EC-Council Certified Network Defender

The new CND credential developed by the EC-Council, the certification body that created and owns the acclaimed Certified Ethnical Hack certification, enables network administrators and engineers to gain and validate the skills needed to build a secure, resilient network, according to Global Knowledge.

CND is a vendor-neutral, lab-intensive program based on a job-task analysis and cybersecurity education framework presented by the National Initiative of Cybersecurity Education, according to the EC-Council. The course has been mapped to responsibilities at the Department of Defense for systems/network administrators.

The course covers the protect, detect and respond approach to network security, the EC-Council said. It contains hands-on labs that will provide network administrators with real-world expertise on network security technologies and operations.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: App Builder

The MCSD: App Builder certification is intended for those interested in the future of the web and mobile app development, Global Knowledge said, and validates that technicians have the skills needed to build modern mobile and/or web applications and services.

Earnings the MCSD: App Builder qualifies certificate-seekers for a position as an application developer.

The first step toward the MCSD: App Builder is earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate in Web Applications or Universal Windows Platform. From there, prospects must pass an exam focused on Microsoft Azure, the Universal Windows Platform, SharePoint Server 2013 or Microsoft Visual Studio.

The certification never expires, but technicians can re-certify each year by passing an additional exam from a corresponding list of electives.

Google Certified Professional – Data Engineer

Google envisions the data engineer as a key role to help forward-thinking organizations modernize the way they use data and infrastructure to enable efficient decision-making and effective business transformation, according to Global Knowledge.

Certified Google Data Engineers have demonstrated expertise using the Google Cloud Platform to design, build, maintain and troubleshoot data processing systems with a focus on security, reliability, fault-tolerance, fidelity and efficiency, Global Knowledge said.

The Data Engineer also analyzes data to gain insight into business outcomes, builds statistical models to support decision-making, and creates machine-learning models to automate and simplify key business processes, according to Google.

The exam needed to earn this certified has no prerequisites and is good for two years, Google said.