The global network security market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% between 2022 and 2030, as per a report by Acumen Research and Consulting. The market size is expected to reach USD 84,457 Million by 2030 at this rate. This growth is phenomenal, leading to a high demand for network professionals.
Many professionals are looking to be a part of this growth. Certifications assist individuals in entering and succeeding in the field.
Let us look at networking courses and which will be the best one to opt for in 2023.
Network certifications validate your ability and knowledge in the network field. Certifications can be both vendor-specific and vendor-neutral.
Certifications are not compulsory to get a job. However, they provide you with an edge during the recruitment process. According to Cisco,
Getting a network certification can be incredibly beneficial as it equips you with relevant skills and knowledge.
Let us discuss the top networking courses that can benefit you in 2023
Cisco Certified Network Associate certification is an associate-level certification widely popular in the industry. Cisco is a huge name in the networking industry, making this certification relevant and popular among aspiring network professionals.
The certification validates your skills in fundamental networking concepts. The course covers
Individuals with this certification know how to manage and optimize networks used today.
CCNA is valid for three years, and holders must renew their certification by giving a qualifying exam or earning 30 continuing education credits.
Skills covered: The exam covers the following topics.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this certification. However, Cisco recommends having at least a year or more experience working with them.
Number of exams: You must clear the 200-301 CCNA exam to get this certification.
Price: $300 or INR 25,000-30,000 (plus taxes)
Career options: With this certification, you can apply for roles like
It is also useful for IT support specialists, and senior network engineers.
CompTIA is an industry leader, and its certifications are valuable in the IT sector. CompTIA Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification that helps you start your IT career and validates the holders’ technical skills in developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting networks, regardless of the technology and vendor.
Candidates can access different training options and follow a self-paced learning model, live online, or custom training. The certification covers
Skills covered: Following skills are covered by this certification.
Prerequisite: There are no mandatory requirements, but CompTIA recommends candidates have CompTIA A+ certification and 9-12 months of experience in networking.
Number of exams: Candidates must take two exams to get this certification
The maximum number of questions in the exams is 90, and the length is 90 minutes
Price: $358
Career options: With the certification, you can be a
JNCIA-Junos is for networking professionals with intermediate networking knowledge and skills. It is an associate-level certification, compulsory for people who want advanced Juniper Networks certifications.
The certification validates your in-depth knowledge of Juniper Networks' core operating system. It is ideal for people who want to build a career in Juniper Networks and want to get the Enterprise Routing and Switching Certification or Service Provider Routing Switching Certification Tracks.
The certification is valid for three years.
Skills covered: The certification tests the following topics in the exam.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites.
Number of exams: Candidates have to pass the JNO-104 exam.
Price: $200
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification is an expert-level certification with multiple tracks. Many new tracks have been added over the past few years. Getting this certification requires much effort and hard work due to the expertise level, opening new doors for holders.
The certification is valid for three years and needs to be renewed.
Tracks included: CCIE covers the following tracks.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites. However, Cisco recommends having at least five to seven years of experience in the specific track fields.
Number of exams: For each track, candidates must clear qualifying and lab exams to get the certification.
Price: The cost of the qualifying exam is $450, and the cost of the lab exam is $1600.
Career options: CCIE is useful for
SolarWinds offers organizations solutions for
SolarWinds Certified Professional certification validates the holder’s knowledge and skills in using and maintaining the SolarWinds network.
Since the company frequently releases new technologies and products, holders must regularly attend training and events by maintaining a subscription. Failure to do this results in the certification expiring after three years.
Skills covered: SCP exam study guides include the following.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites. However, SolarWinds recommends:
Number of exams: One exam
Price: $200
AWS Advanced Networking Certification is a specialty-level certification that validates the holder’s knowledge in designing and maintaining network architecture for AWS services. The exam is available in four languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
The certification is ideal for experienced networking professionals with knowledge of scripting, architecting, advanced automation, and security with AWS solutions.
Skills covered: The certification tests your knowledge and skills in the following domains.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites, but AWS recommends that candidates should have:
Number of exams: AN-C01(65 questions and duration of 170 minutes)
Price: $300
Aruba Certified Mobility Associate validates the holder’s skills in configuring and designing Aruba Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) proving you have the fundamental knowledge of building the Aruba Mobile First Platform.
This associate-level certification is ideal for IT professionals who deploy network solutions based on Aruba technology and products. Aruba has four associate-level certifications, and an associate has to get at least three of these certifications.
The certification is valid for three years. To renew the certification, the candidate must clear any exam from these: the current exam or the Aruba Certified Mobility Professional exam.
Skills covered: The following skills are covered by this certification.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites. However, it is recommended to know Aruba Mobility Fundamentals.
Number of exams: Only one exam
Price: $230
This certification validates the holder’s expertise in designing and implementing Azure networking solutions. Individuals with this certification have the skills to maintain Azure networking solutions and manage hybrid networking, security, routing, and access to Azure services.
The certification prepares the holders to take on the role of Azure network engineers who collaborate with different IT professionals and deploy networking solutions by leveraging Azure resources and services.
Skills covered: The certification covers the following skills.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites.
Number of exams: AZ-700 exam
Price: $165
VCTA-NV is perfect for people interested in virtualization. The certification validates the holder's skills in the VMware NSX platform and navigating NSX graphical user interfaces. Associates know
The certification provides hands-on practice. Experienced professionals and beginners can do this to learn about virtualized infrastructure, networking, device management, and security.
Skills covered: Skills covered are as follows.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites.
Number of exams: One exam
Price: $125
The networking world is expanding and blooming with career opportunities. The above-mentioned courses on networking can help beginners get started with their networking careers. These certifications will allow them to expand their knowledge and skill set and remain relevant in an ever-changing industry.
Michael Warne is a tech blogger and IT Certification Trainer at Koenig Solutions. She has an experience of 5 years in the industry, and has worked for top-notch IT companies. She is an IT career consultant for students who pursue various types of IT certifications.