If you work in information technology, certifications can help set you apart from the competition and earn more money.

Which are the most valuable IT certifications in the current market? Read on to find the top four, as rated by CIO.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

As the title implies, this certification focuses on risk management in information systems. You will need experience and education in risk management, assessment, mitigation, response, monitoring, and reporting.


To receive a CRISC certification, IT professionals need to have demonstrated experience in a minimum of two of the four total topics that the certification covers. The experience must be at least three years in duration. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits need to be taken annually to maintain the certification.


The average salary for CRISC certification holders is $127,507.


Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM certification is centered on managerial-level IT security, and was specifically developed to demonstrate expertise in building, designing, and managing plans for enterprise security.

To receive CISM certification, IT professionals are required to have a minimum of five years in IT security, which is within a decade of the examination date or five years after passing the exam. CPEs are required for this certification, as well.


The average salary for CISM certification holders is $122,448.


AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the leading cloud platform in the industry. Amazon’s AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is meant for IT professionals who already have experience in the platform. It is targeted on how to design and to deploy scalable systems on AWS. Certification includes material on balancing cost-effectiveness with keeping the system secure, reliable, and high quality.

To receive this certification, professionals need to demonstrate a minimum of one year’s experience in designing systems on AWS, know a minimum of one high-level programming language, and have a good grasp on best practices in the development of applications based in AWS.


The average salary for this certification is $119,085.


Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification is accredited. It is also officially approved by the U.S. Department of Defense. It has also been accepted as a standard in the U.S. National Security Agency’s ISEEP program. CISSP certification is also acknowledged worldwide as a program intended to aid security personnel in establishing and maintaining best practices in IT security.

CISSP certification requires a minimum of five years of work experience in information security and a minimum of three years of experience in security management. The experience must have taken place within a decade of the exam or five years after passing the exam. IT professionals are required to have a minimum of five years of paid experience in at least two of the exam’s topics. The paid experience must be full time.


CPE credit are also needed to maintain the certification.

The average salary of people with CISSP certification is $118,179.

To learn more about the best IT certifications that will take your career to the next level, contact a staffing professional at Nesco Resource today.