What Networking Certifications Are Worth Paying Attention to in 2022. Is Cisco Among Them?

IT certification is not only one of the most convenient ways to prove your advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies in a certain technological field, but also it is a working tool to advance your career in a crowded labor market. In terms of starting a career, it is not necessary to have a four-year degree in information technology when applying for jobs now, as a formal certificate is often sufficient.

What’s more, these days, with technology advancing at lightning speed and the need for skilled human resources are growing by the day. And with the pandemic forcing many organizations and enterprises to change business models and move to distributed or remote operations, the need for network and related infrastructure professionals is undeniable.

So, if your career goals are related to networking technology, what you need to consider are the following points:

• Official certificates give you an advantage. This does not mean that a person who has completed 4 years of college has less competence than a candidate with a certificate. However, having an official certification from a recognized certifying body tells you that the specialist has narrow technical skills and knowledge, and is more focused on his or her professional field. Moreover, the qualification also indicates motivation, commitment, and a desire to develop, which is also important to employers.
• Specialization matters. Even in the field of networking, there are many areas that a motivated professional can pursue. Thus, your aspirations may be in virtualized networks, routing, wireless networks, or network security. At the same time, it is possible to specialize in the technologies and networking products of a particular vendor, which will certainly make your resume stand out from the rest.
• Certification allows you to stay relevant. This is one of the main problems of the IT sphere. Due to the rapid development of information technology, the knowledge acquired in college can become obsolete. Thus, many employers are interested in the accreditation of their team members. Moreover, official certificates are often valid for 2-3 years, which requires their owners to engage in self-development and be interested in the latest trends to pass the recertification procedure.

In other words, you can’t deny the benefits available after obtaining networking accreditation. The challenge for most candidates is which vendor to choose and where to start. And this article offers a number of networking certifications that are definitely worth your attention in 2022.

1. Cisco CCIE. When it comes to networking technology, Cisco comes to mind as a leading provider of communications hardware and networking software, as well as high-tech products and services. Therefore, it’s no surprise that interested candidates can take tiered qualification paths as regards DevNet, Data Center, Manufacturing, CyberOps, Collaboration, Security, and Service Provider.

The primary goal of most applicants is Expert level certifications, known as CCIE. These prestigious accreditations confirm how professionals are leaders in their chosen field and have advanced knowledge. However, it is not easy to get one, as you have to pass 2 official exams, the qualifying and laboratory ones, to prove your expertise.

Regarding the innovations, a lab evaluation will be added to the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert accreditation in May 2022. Cisco is positioning this designation as something unique, given its special approach to assessing competencies related to automation, secure automation tools, and programmability.

2. VMware Certified Design Expert. VMware is the leader in virtualization and cloud computing technology, which is becoming more and more in demand among companies. Therefore, recruiters and employers respect the VMware certification and its advanced level known as VCDX (VMware Certified Design Expert). This certificate is available in technical areas such as cloud management and automation, network virtualization, desktop and mobility, and data center virtualization. In any case, obtaining this accreditation is not an easy process, as the certification exam consists of two parts – a pass and a defense in the form of a 45-minute presentation.

At the same time, VMware is different in that it updates its certification program and related exams. For example, the VMware Cloud on AWS Master Specialist (5V0-11.21) test, which results in the VMware Master Specialist – VMware Cloud on AWS 2021 qualification, became available in the summer of 2021. VMware also offers many options for extending or renewing an existing qualification.

3. AWS Certified: SAP on AWS – Specialty. AWS is not only a renowned provider of cloud computing platforms and API interfaces but also a developer of comprehensive accreditation paths. Thus, specialists in the areas of virtualization and automation, SDN, cloud computing, or cloud networking can prove their expertise at such levels as Fundamental, Associate, and Professional. In addition, a number of qualifications in narrower areas including data analytics and databases are offered.

The program is also growing, with already announced AWS Certified: SAP on AWS – Speciality certification, which covers SAP workload management skills as well as their deployment on AWS. As early as Nov. 22, 2021, a beta test will be available for candidates to demonstrate their knowledge. At the same time, the standard exam is expected to be released in Q2 2022.

Conclusion

As you understand, the range of certifications related to IT networks is constantly changing to cover the most current technological advances. With this comes updates of test content and mandatory re-certification procedure after a few years. But it speaks to an additional advantage for certified specialists, as it helps them stay in demand in the labor market. It is enough to decide on specialization or a particular networking technology and confirm your expertise in your chosen professional field. As a result, a formal industry certificate is key to your career success in 2022.