Top 10 Information Technology Manager Certifications

Certifications for an information technology manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and proficiency in specific areas. Employers often require certifications to verify that potential managers have an understanding of the latest technologies and the ability to apply them to their organization. Certifications also serve as a validation of experience and expertise, helping employers determine if a candidate is qualified for the position. Finally, certifications can provide a competitive edge over other candidates who do not have the same qualifications or experience.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Information Technology Managers and explain how they can contribute to an information technology manager's career.

What are Information Technology Manager Certifications?

Information technology manager certification is a designation that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and experience in managing teams and projects within the information technology (IT) sector. This certification can be obtained through completing an accredited program or course, passing an exam, and meeting certain other requirements related to experience and/or education. Professionals with this certification can demonstrate their expertise in IT management to employers, clients, and other stakeholders.

The benefits of obtaining IT manager certification include:

• Improved job prospects – Achieving this qualification will demonstrate your commitment to the profession and give you a competitive edge when applying for roles in the IT sector.
• Increased credibility – Having the certification will make you stand out from other applicants who don’t have it, as employers will know that you are knowledgeable about IT management principles and practices.
• Greater confidence – Knowing that you have achieved a recognized qualification will give you more confidence when taking on new challenges or working with difficult situations.
• Networking opportunities – As part of achieving the certification, you will come into contact with fellow professionals who may be able to provide advice or help further your career.

Overall, obtaining an IT manager certification is beneficial for those who wish to pursue a career in this field as it provides them with recognition of their expertise and helps them to stand out from the competition.

Pro Tip: Obtaining an Information Technology Manager Certification can help you increase your marketability and job prospects as a manager in the IT field. It also demonstrates to potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the role. Consider researching certifications offered by organizations such as CompTIA, ISACA, and PMI for more information on how to become certified.

Related: What does an Information Technology Manager do?

Top 10 Information Technology Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Information Technology Managers today.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an internationally-recognized certification in the field of information security. It is a vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining a secure IT infrastructure. The CISSP is administered by (ISC)², an international non-profit organization that specializes in information security education and certifications.

It typically takes about 6 to 12 months to prepare for the CISSP exam depending on your experience and background. To become certified, you must pass a rigorous exam that tests your knowledge of eight domains of information security: Access Control; Cryptography; Network Security; Security Architecture & Design; Security Engineering; Telecommunications & Network Security; Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning; and Legal, Regulations, Compliance & Investigations.

To get the CISSP certification, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by (ISC)². These include having at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains listed above or four years of experience with a college degree. Once you have met these requirements, you can register for the exam through (ISC)²’s website and pay the associated fee ($699). After passing the exam and meeting any additional requirements as outlined by (ISC)², you will be awarded your CISSP certification.

The cost to take the CISSP exam varies depending on where you are located but generally ranges from $699 to $1,399 USD for members of (ISC)² or non-members respectively.

2. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international professional association focused on IT governance. The CRISC certification is designed to recognize professionals who have the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, control and monitor enterprise IT risks. It is aimed at IT professionals who are responsible for managing risk within their organizations.

The CRISC certification requires applicants to pass four exams. The exams cover topics such as IT risk identification, assessment and management; information systems control design and implementation; business continuity planning; and incident response management. Each exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CRISC certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in IT risk management or related fields. They must also have a minimum of one year of experience in two of the four domains covered by the exams.

The cost of the CRISC certification varies depending on where you take the exams. In the United States, it typically costs between $500 and $1,000 for all four exams combined.

In addition to passing all four exams, applicants must also meet certain continuing education requirements in order to maintain their certifications. This includes completing 40 hours of continuing education every three years.

3. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead Scrum teams. The CSM program is based on the principles and practices of the Agile software development methodology known as Scrum.

The CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum in software development projects. To become certified, individuals must attend a two-day training course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). During the course, participants learn about the fundamentals of Scrum, including roles, ceremonies, artifacts, and other key concepts. After completing the course, they must pass an online assessment to receive their certification.

The cost of attending a CSM training course varies depending on location and provider. Generally speaking, courses range from $1,000 to $2,000 per person. In addition to the cost of attending the course itself, there is also an annual membership fee of $100 required for those who wish to maintain their certification status with the Scrum Alliance.

Overall, it takes approximately two days to complete a Certified ScrumMaster training course and obtain certification. Once certified, individuals are expected to maintain their knowledge through ongoing education and experience in order to remain certified with the Scrum Alliance.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized credential for project managers and demonstrates their commitment to excellence in project management. The PMP certification is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience in leading and directing projects.

It typically takes around two to three months to prepare for the PMP exam. This includes studying the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), taking practice exams, and attending training courses or workshops.

To get the PMP certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by PMI. These include having a minimum of four years of project management experience with 7500 hours leading and directing projects, as well as 35 hours of formal education in project management. You must also pass the PMP exam which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

The cost of getting the PMP certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 USD while for non-members it costs $555 USD.

5. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an internationally recognized certification program that provides a comprehensive overview of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to help IT professionals understand the principles, processes, and best practices associated with IT service management. The certification covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement, and more.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around 20 hours to complete and requires passing an exam at the end. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To get certified, you will need to purchase an official ITIL Foundation course from an accredited provider or take a self-study course online.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider and type of course you choose. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$1,000 USD for a full course package including the exam fee.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in cloud security. It is administered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).

The CCSP is the highest-level of cloud security certification available, and it requires a deep understanding of cloud security concepts, technologies, architectures, and operations. To obtain the CCSP credential, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as cloud architecture and design, data protection, identity and access management, risk management, compliance and audit controls.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the exam. Preparation involves reading relevant books and articles on cloud security topics, taking practice exams, attending webinars or other training sessions related to cloud security topics, and studying for the actual exam.

To get the CCSP credential you must first apply with ISC2. You will need to provide proof of your work experience in information systems security or related fields. Once you are approved by ISC2 you can register for the exam online or at a testing center near you. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $500-$600 USD.

7. Certified Network Professional (CNP)

Certified Network Professional (CNP) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Network Professionals (IANP). It is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of expertise in network engineering, design, and administration. The CNP certification is intended for individuals who are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer networks.

The CNP certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that covers topics such as network architecture, security, routing protocols, switching technologies, virtualization technologies, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To obtain the CNP certification, applicants must first register with IANP and pay an exam fee of $399 USD. Once registered, applicants can schedule their exam at any authorized testing center or take it online through IANP's secure online proctoring service. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CNP certificate within 4-6 weeks.

In addition to the exam fee, there may be additional fees associated with taking the test at an authorized testing center or using IANP's proctoring service. Applicants should check with their local testing centers or IANP for more information on these fees before registering for the exam.

8. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's expertise in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The MCSE certification validates the skills needed to work with Windows Server, Windows Client, Network Infrastructure, System Center, Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, Messaging, Collaboration, Business Intelligence and Data Platform.

The length of time it takes to get an MCSE certification depends on your experience level and the number of exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to two years for someone with no prior experience or certifications to complete all of the required exams.

To get an MCSE certification you must pass one or more exams that are associated with the technology tracks that make up the MCSE certification. Each exam typically costs around $150 USD. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctoring fees.

In total, getting an MCSE certification can cost anywhere from $450-$1800 USD depending on how many exams you need to take and any additional fees associated with taking them.

9. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-leading IT certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of entry-level IT professionals. It covers a wide range of topics, including installation and configuration of PCs, mobile devices, laptops, operating systems, printers, networks, security and troubleshooting. The CompTIA A+ certification is recognized by most major technology vendors worldwide.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the CompTIA A+ certification. To get certified you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). You can take these exams at any authorized CompTIA testing center or online through Pearson VUE.

The cost for the CompTIA A+ exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD per exam.

10. Google Cloud Platform Certification

Google Cloud Platform Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge to use Google Cloud Platform products and services. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, develop, manage, and maintain applications on the Google Cloud Platform.

The certification process typically takes between 4-6 weeks depending on the individual's prior experience. The process involves completing a series of online courses, passing an exam, and submitting a project for review.

To get certified, one must first create a Google account and then register for the certification program. Once registered, they can access the online courses and begin studying for the exam. After completing all of the courses, they will be able to take the exam which consists of multiple choice questions. If they pass with a score of 70% or higher, they will receive their certification.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which level of certification you are seeking (Associate or Professional). The Associate level costs $99 USD while the Professional level costs $149 USD.

Do You Really Need a Information Technology Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what you want to do with the certificate. If you are looking to become an Information Technology Manager, then yes, a certificate is necessary. The certificate will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the role. It will also help prove that you have the qualifications and experience needed for the job.

However, if you are simply looking for a way to increase your knowledge of information technology management, then a certificate may not be necessary. You can still increase your knowledge without having a certificate by attending conferences, taking online classes, or reading books on the subject matter.

In conclusion, if you are interested in becoming an Information Technology Manager then it is highly recommended that you pursue a certificate. However, if your goal is simply to increase your knowledge of information technology management then pursuing a certificate may not be necessary.

Related: Information Technology Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Information Technology Manager Certifications

1. What certifications are available for IT Managers?

Answer: Common certifications for IT Managers include Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Project Management Professional (PMP).

2. What is the cost of obtaining an IT Manager certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining an IT Manager certification varies depending on the type of certification, but typically ranges from $200 to $2,000.

3. How long does it take to obtain an IT Manager certification?

Answer: The length of time required to obtain an IT Manager certification depends on the type of certification and the individual's study habits, but typically takes between six months and one year.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as an IT Manager?

Answer: Benefits of becoming certified as an IT Manager include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, improved credibility, and greater job satisfaction.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an IT Manager certification?

Answer: Prerequisites vary depending on the type of certification; however, most require some combination of experience in information technology management and passing a written exam.