Top 10 Production Support Analyst Certifications

Certifications are an important indicator of a production support analyst's ability and experience. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the field. Furthermore, certifications provide proof of competency and can help differentiate an applicant from other job seekers. In addition, certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries. Finally, certifications can help keep production support analysts up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, ensuring they remain competitive in their field.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most important certifications for Production Support Analysts and discuss how they can enhance a Production Support Analyst's career.

What are Production Support Analyst Certifications?

Production support analyst certification is an industry-standard credential that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in production support. This certification requires candidates to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of production support and its associated processes, as well as the ability to apply these skills in a professional setting.

The certification program provides training and hands-on experience in identifying and understanding common issues related to system performance, stability, scalability, and other aspects of production support. Candidates must also demonstrate their knowledge of troubleshooting techniques, security protocols, release management processes, and best practices for change management.

By becoming certified in production support, individuals can gain credibility among employers and peers while expanding their career opportunities. Certification is also beneficial for those already working in the field by providing them with up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and technology advancements. Additionally, certified professionals are better equipped to handle challenging tasks with confidence and efficiency. Finally, having a production support analyst certification can help an individual stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions.

Pro Tip: When considering a production support analyst certification, make sure to research the requirements and benefits of each program carefully. Understand what type of experience and knowledge is required, as well as the specific topics and skills that will be covered. Additionally, look for certifications that are accredited by industry organizations or recognized by employers.

Related: What does a Production Support Analyst do?

Top 10 Production Support Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Production Support Analysts today.

1. ITIL Foundation

ITIL Foundation is a certification program that provides an understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and how it can be used to improve IT services. It is designed for those who want to gain an understanding of IT service management best practices and how they can be applied in their organization.

The ITIL Foundation certification is a two-day course, usually held over two consecutive days. The course covers the fundamentals of ITIL, including its core concepts, processes, and functions. It also covers the five stages of the service lifecycle: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, and Continual Service Improvement.

In order to get certified in ITIL Foundation, you must take an accredited training course from an accredited training provider. After completing the course, you must pass a multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 65%. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500 - $1,500 USD.

Once you have passed your exam and received your certificate, you will become a Certified ITIL Foundation Professional. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to design, implement, and manage complex IT infrastructures. The MCSE certification validates an individual’s ability to use Microsoft technologies to build and maintain business solutions.

It typically takes two or three months of study and practice to prepare for the MCSE certification exams. Depending on your experience level, you may need more or less time. It is recommended that you take advantage of online resources such as Microsoft’s official training courses, practice tests, and study guides.

To get the MCSE certification, you must pass one or more exams depending on your chosen specialization. You can find a list of available exams on Microsoft’s website. Once you have passed all required exams, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft.

The cost of the MCSE certification varies depending on where you take the exam and how many exams you need to pass. Each exam costs around $165 USD, so if you need to pass multiple exams it can add up quickly. Additionally, some organizations may require additional fees for proctoring or other services related to taking the exam.

3. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-leading IT certification program that validates the skills of IT professionals. It covers a wide range of topics related to computer hardware, software, and networking, and is designed to ensure that individuals have the necessary skills to support and maintain computers.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. The 220-901 exam focuses on PC hardware, mobile device hardware, laptops, printers, operating systems, and basic networking. The 220-902 exam covers installing and configuring operating systems such as Windows, iOS, Android, Apple OS X, Linux and configuring common features (such as network connectivity and email) for mobile operating systems.

It typically takes around four months to complete the CompTIA A+ certification program depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week. To get certified you need to pass both the 220-901 and 220-902 exams with a score of at least 750 out of 900 points per exam.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking it costs around $200 USD for each exam plus any additional fees associated with taking them (e.g., proctoring fees).

4. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ Certification is an industry-recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking technologies. It is designed to ensure that network professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate, and configure basic network infrastructure.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ exam. This includes studying for the exam, taking practice tests, and attending any relevant courses or seminars. The exam itself consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get CompTIA Network+ certified, you will need to pass the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-007). To register for the exam you can visit the CompTIA website or contact a local testing center.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an advanced certification offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual's knowledge in the field of information security.

The CISSP certification requires individuals to have a minimum of five years of experience in two or more domains from the 10 domains outlined by ISC2. The domains are: Access Control, Telecommunications and Network Security, Information Security Governance and Risk Management, Software Development Security, Cryptography, Security Architecture and Design, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning, Legal Regulations and Compliance, Operations Security, and Physical (Environmental) Security.

In order to get the CISSP certification, individuals must pass the CISSP exam which consists of 250 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes around six hours to complete. Those who pass can become certified for three years before needing to renew their credentials.

The cost for taking the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $699 - $999 USD.

6. Certified Novell Administrator (CNA)

Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) is a certification that recognizes an individual’s ability to manage and maintain Novell networks. It is designed for professionals who are responsible for managing, configuring, and troubleshooting Novell products such as NetWare, GroupWise, ZENworks, and eDirectory.

It typically takes about 3 months of study time to prepare for the CNA exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To obtain the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the CNA exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125 - $200 USD.

7. Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) is a certification program offered by Microsoft that validates the technical expertise of IT professionals. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in using Microsoft technologies.

To become an MCP, you must pass one or more exams that measure your ability to use and configure Microsoft products and services. The exams are available online or at authorized testing centers. Depending on the exam you take, it can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to complete.

The cost of an exam varies depending on the type of exam taken and the country in which it is taken. Generally, exams cost between $100-$200 USD per exam, but discounts may be available for students or those with a valid educational institution ID.

In order to get certified as an MCP, you must first register for an exam through the Microsoft Learning website and then schedule a time to take the exam at a nearby testing center or online. After passing the exam, you will receive your official MCP certificate from Microsoft within 8-10 weeks.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program from Red Hat that validates the skills of system administrators in the Linux operating system. It certifies an individual's ability to perform essential system administration tasks such as installation, configuration, and management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

The RHCSA exam takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. The exam consists of performance-based items that require candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in areas such as system installation, configuration, management and troubleshooting.

To get the RHCSA certification, you must pass the RHCSA Exam (EX200). You can take this exam at any authorized Red Hat Training Partner or at a Pearson VUE testing center.

The cost of taking the RHCSA Exam is $400 USD. This fee covers the cost of taking the exam and getting your certification once you have passed it.

9. Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP)

The Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification offered by Oracle that recognizes the skills and knowledge of experienced database administrators. It is designed to demonstrate mastery of the core concepts and technologies used in administering an Oracle Database. This certification is a valuable asset for professionals who are looking to advance their career, as it demonstrates expertise in the field of database administration.

To become an Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP), you must first complete two exams: 1Z0-071: Oracle Database 12c SQL and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c Administration. Both exams must be taken within 18 months of each other and passed with a score of at least 70%. After passing both exams, applicants must submit proof of experience working with an Oracle Database for at least six months before they can be awarded the OCP credential.

The cost for taking the two exams varies depending on your region, but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exams or obtaining study materials.

Once you have completed all requirements, you will receive your OCP certification from Oracle. This certification is valid for three years after which time you will need to recertify in order to maintain your credential.

10. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, deploying, and managing applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. This certification demonstrates that an individual has the technical expertise to design, build, deploy, and manage applications on AWS.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as architecture design, security, scalability, and cost optimization. The exam takes approximately 80 minutes to complete and costs $150 USD.

To get this certification you must have experience with AWS services and have a good understanding of the AWS platform. You should also be familiar with core services such as EC2, S3, VPCs, ELBs, etc. Additionally, you should have hands-on experience in designing solutions on the AWS platform.

Once you are ready to take the exam you can register for it online at aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-associate/. The cost of taking the exam is $150 USD.

Do You Really Need a Production Support Analyst Certificate?

No, you do not need a production support analyst certificate to be successful in this field. However, having a certification can help differentiate you from other job seekers and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. It can also open up more opportunities for advancement and higher pay.

Certification is a great way to show employers that you have taken the initiative to learn new skills and gain knowledge that may not be covered in traditional education. It also demonstrates that you are committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

The key is to make sure any certification you pursue is relevant to the work you want to do as a production support analyst. Be sure to research what certifications are available, their requirements, and how they will benefit your career goals before investing your time or money into obtaining one.

Related: Production Support Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Production Support Analyst Certifications

1. What are Production Support Analyst Certifications?

Answer: Production Support Analyst certifications are professional qualifications that demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of production support analysis. These certifications are awarded by a variety of organizations, such as Microsoft, Oracle, and CompTIA.

2. How do I become certified as a Production Support Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as a Production Support Analyst, you must complete a certification program offered by one of the many organizations offering these certifications. You may also need to pass an exam to demonstrate your proficiency in the relevant topics.

3. What topics are covered in Production Support Analyst Certifications?

Answer: The topics covered in Production Support Analyst Certifications vary depending on the organization offering them, but generally include software development, system architecture, database design and administration, system monitoring and maintenance, project management, customer service and technical support skills.

4. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as a Production Support Analyst?

Answer: Yes - most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least two years of experience working in the field before they can apply for certification. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have specific educational qualifications or training courses completed prior to applying for certification.

5. How long is a Production Support Analyst Certification valid for?

Answer: Most certifying organizations offer certifications that are valid for two years from the date of issue. After this period has elapsed, individuals must reapply for their certification if they wish to maintain it.