Top 5 Networking Certifications: Do You Want to Boost Your Career Potential in 2020?

Networking skills are some of the most in-demand ones in the job market today. The professionals who want to grow their career in 2020 must surely consider earning a networking certification to validate their knowledge. With the certificate in this area, you can easily set yourself apart in the marketplace. There are many technologies and skills that can be explored in the world of modern networks. However, there is no need to despair. There are enough platforms where you can get these tools and skills to function optimally in your job role.

In addition to gaining skills and experience in networking, it is very critical that you validate your expertise. The only way you can do this is by adding a certification to your resume. Unfortunately, with the number of credentials to choose from, it can be a bit challenging to choose a specific option to consider. You don’t have to worry though. We have identified the top networking certificates that you can pursue to land a decent job. If you want to obtain one in 2020, you can explore any of the 5 best networking certifications highlighted in this post.

1. Cisco CCIE Enterprise

The CCIE credentials are highly valued and well recognized in the domain of networking, especially after the recent changes to the Cisco certification program. Now, all in all, the certificates that are available under this path include CCIE Collaboration, CCIE Data Center, CCIE Enterprise Wireless, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Security, CCIE Service Provider, and CCIE Wireless. But the Enterprise branch receives the most attention from all of them. For this reason, both CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure and CCIE Enterprise Wireless immediately become part of the top 5 networking certifications. Without a doubt, they are the prestigious credentials that any professional can add to his/her resume.

There are numerous opportunities that are open to the specialists with Cisco CCIE. To obtain one of them, Cisco recommends that the candidates have at least 5 years of work experience. In addition to this, they have to take a written exam and a lab test. The exam score is valid for eighteen months, which means you have to take your lab test before the expiration of the validity. In case you don’t pass the exam, you must retake it within three years. Since you can take another try only after a 12-month period, you will have only 3 attempts for a retake. After that, it is required to pass both the written exam and the lab test again. As for the structure, the exam comes with about 90-110 questions with the time limit of 120 minutes and the fee of $450. The price for the lab test is $1,600.

2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

The CCNP path is also part of the top networking certifications to pursue for a great career prospect. Cisco Certified Network Professional is one of the most important tracks and it comes in different domains, including Enterprise, Collaboration, Service Provider, Data Center, and Security. To earn any of these professional-level certificates, your only requirement is to master all the required topics. You can also have more than 3 years of experience in implementing enterprise networking solutions but it is not a strict prerequisite. The most popular credential in this pathway is CCNP Enterprise and it requires two different exams: a core one and a concentration one. Each test costs $300 every time you sit for it. With this professional-level certification, you can significantly boost your career potential in the IT industry.

3. CompTIA Network+

As you can see, our list contains not only the Cisco certificates; there are also other vendors with the sought-after credentials. Thus, CompTIA has something to offer you – Network+. It is an entry-level certification designed for those individuals who are just starting out in the industry. CompTIA Network+ is vendor‑neutral and it is a great foundation for many other advanced certificates. Since it is from the Entry level, there are no prerequisites for it. However, CompTIA recommends that the applicants have at least 9 to 12 months of work experience. Please note that you have to pass one exam that is made up of about 90 questions with the time duration of 90 minutes. It costs $329.

4. Wireshark Certified Network Analyst (WCNA)

In 2019, WCNA has become one of the top industry certifications within more than 90 organizations of the world. It’s not a surprise because it validates the knowledge and skills required by many companies. They include protocol TCP/IP network communications, sniffing & analysis, network troubleshooting, network security, and Wireshark functionality. To obtain this sought-after credential, the candidates are required to pass one exam. There are no prerequisites for it but you have to explore its topics. The test is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions and the time allocated for its completion is 120 minutes. To take it, the examinees are expected to pay $299. Please note that the certificate is valid for three years, and to maintain it, you have to earn a total of 20 CPE credits every year.

5. SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP)

This is the latest addition to the list of the top 5 networking certifications. SolarWinds offers a wide range of products, solutions, and tools to enhance business performance and manage real‑world problems in an effective way. The vendor also offers solutions in six different areas, which include system management, security, network management, Cloud, database management, and IT help desk. Currently, there is only one credential offered by SolarWinds and that is SolarWinds Certified Professional or SCP. This certificate is designed to certify the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the professionals in using the network management or system management product portfolio of SolarWinds. As for the exam, it consists of 75 questions and the time duration allowed for its completion is 90 minutes. You need to pay the fee of $200, and there seems to be no prerequisites so far.

Conclusion

Now you know the 5 best networking certifications that can boost your career potential in 2020. Although it requires hard work to earn any of them, the reward at the end of the day will definitely worth the investment. So, don’t lose the opportunity to obtain the credential from the list.