News from Mile High Research March 1, 2010Click on chart for larger view
Here's some good news on In Demand IT skills. Researchers from Mile High Research announced today that data from a recent benchmark study shows steady growth in new job postings for a group of 45 In Demand IT Credentials.
“We have seen a 6.8% average weekly growth in internet job postings that specify our In Demand IT Credentials for jobs posted in the United States. A January 5th baseline of 4,003 job postings have grown to more than 6,300 job postings specifying those credentials as of March 1st. IT Professionals who hold one or more of these credentials have skills that are the most in demand by recruiters and hiring managers in the USA today.” - Denny Schall, Chief Learning Officer at Mile High Research.
Top 10 In Demand IT Credentials

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Top 10 Summary
Certifications from Microsoft, International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2, Cisco, CompTIA and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), make the top 10 list of IT Credentials In-Demand for jobs posted since the beginning of this year. The benchmarking study was conducted by Mile High Research as part of a research project assessing the value of IT certification products. Over 45 IT credentials from 10 IT vendors and industry associations were included in the study. Mile High researchers did a mashed-up of the credentials with job postings from an internet job board and tracked new USA based job postings specifying the credentials weekly from January 5th. Our researcher captured, analyzed and ranked these credentials to produce a group of "In Demand IT Credentials".
The job posting numbers represent the average weekly number of job postings where one or more certification credentials were specified as minimum or preferred credentials on internet job posting.
"These IT Vendors and Industry Associations have obviously make a connection between their certifications and employers – that connection is value." - Denny Schall, Chief Learning Officer - Mile High Research.The Top 10 In Demand IT Credentials
# 1 Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Vendor – Microsoft Learning
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification shows clients and employers that you are skilled in designing, implementing, and administering infrastructures for business solutions based on Microsoft 2000 Windows Server and other Windows server platforms. Implementation responsibilities include installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network systems.
The enduring strength of Windows Server 2000 and 2003 in the market suggests that demand for related expertise will continue for many years to come. IT Professionals looking to certify on newer Microsoft technology should consider Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional credential (MCITP) ranked #13 and #14 in our survey.
Top 3 MCSE Hiring Cities
Washington, DC
Houston, TX
Chicago, IL
Top 3 MCSE Hiring Companies
Robert Half International Inc
Dell Computer Corp.
CyberCoders
More MCSE info here
# 2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Vendor - (ISC)²
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an independent information security certification governed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, commonly known as (ISC)². As of October 10, 2008, (ISC)² has reported certifying 61,763 information security professionals in 133 countries. In June, 2004, the CISSP program earned the ANSI ISO/IEC Standard 17024:2003 accreditation, the first IT certification to have done so. It is formally approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in both their Information Assurance Technical (IAT) and Managerial (IAM) categories. The CISSP has been adopted as a baseline for the U.S. National Security Agency's ISSEP program.
Top 3 CISSP Hiring Cities
Washington, DC
New York, NY
Atlanta, GA
Top 3 CISSP Hiring Companies
Northrop Grumman
CSC
Deloitte & Touche
More info here
# 3 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
Vendor – Cisco Systems
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®) validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size route and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. CCNA curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, access control lists (ACLs).
Top 3 CCNA Hiring Cities
Houston, TX
Washington, DC
San Jose, CA
Top 3 CCNA Hiring Companies
Robert Half International Inc
Northrop Grumman
CSC
More info here
# 4 Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®)
Vendor – Cisco Systems
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®) validates the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions. The CCNP certification is appropriate for those with at least one year of networking experience who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Those who achieve CCNP have demonstrated the skills required in enterprise roles such as network technician, support engineer, systems engineer or network engineer.
Top 3 CCNP Hiring Cities
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Houston, TX
Top 3 CCNP Hiring Companies
Robert Half International Inc
Teksystems
CyberCoders
More info here
# 5 CompTIA A+
Vendor – CompTIA
The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.
CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. More than 700,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the program’s inception in 1993.
Top 3 A+ Hiring Cities
Washington, DC
Arlington, VA
Dallas, TX
Top 3 A+ Hiring Companies
Robert Half International Inc
Excell Data
Dell Computer Corp.
More info here
# 6 Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE®)
Vendor – Cisco Systems
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is accepted worldwide as the most prestigious networking certification in the industry. Network Engineers holding an active Cisco CCIE certification are recognized for their expert network engineering skills and mastery of Cisco products and solutions. The CCIE community has established a reputation of leading the networking industry in deep technical networking knowledge and are deployed into the most technically challenging network assignments.
The program continually updates and revises its testing tools and methodologies to ensure unparalleled program quality, relevance and value. Through a rigorous written exam and a performance based lab, the CCIE program sets the standard for internetworking expertise.
Cisco introduced the CCIE certification in 1993 to assist the industry in distinguishing the top echelon of internetworking experts worldwide. Today , CCIE certification holders represent less than 3% of all certified Cisco professionals and less than 1% of the networking professionals worldwide.
Top 3 CCIE Hiring Cities
San Jose, CA
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Top 3 CCIE Hiring Companies
Teksystems
CyberCoders
Bradsby Group
More info here
# 7 Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Vendor - Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is ISACA’s cornerstone certification. The CISA certification has been earned by more than 70,000 professionals since inception and is for the IS audit, control, assurance and/or security professionals who wish to set themselves apart from their peers. Since 1978, the CISA certification has been renowned as the globally recognized achievement for those who control, monitor and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.
Top 3 CISA Hiring Cities
Mc Lean, VA
Washington, DC
Atlanta, GA
Top 3 CISA Hiring Companies
Deloitte & Touche
MBA IT Consulting Services, Inc.
Sapphire Technologies
More info here
# 8 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Vendor - Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is a unique management focused certification that has been earned by over 10,000 professionals since its introduction in 2003. Unlike other security certifications, CISM is for the individual who manages, designs, oversees and assesses an enterprise's information security program. CISM defines the core competencies and international performance standards that those who have information security management responsibilities must master.
Top 3 CISM Hiring Cities
Washington, DC
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Top 3 CISM Hiring Companies
MBA IT Consulting Services, Inc.
IBM
GNS, Inc.
More info here
# 9 Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Vendor – Microsoft Learning
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification helps validate your ability to manage and troubleshoot network environments in the Windows operating system. It reflects a unique set of skills required to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as systems administrator, network administrator, information systems administrator, network operations analyst, network technician, and technical support specialist.
The enduring strength of Windows Server in the market suggests that demand for related IT expertise will continue for many years. IT Professionals looking to certify on newer Microsoft technology should consider Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional credential (MCITP) ranked #13 and #14 in our survey.
Top 3 MCSA Hiring Cities
San Diego, CA
Washington, DC
Aberdeen, MD
Top 3 MCSA Hiring Companies
Robert Half International Inc
ACS, a Xerox Company
Technisource
More info here
#10 CompTIA Security+
Vendor – CompTIA
The CompTIA Security+ certification designates knowledgeable professionals in the field of security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. Security threats are increasing in number and severity, and the gap between the need for security professionals and qualified IT personnel is the largest of any IT specialty, according to a 2008 CompTIA study. Even in a troubled economy, most businesses plan to maintain or increase their investment in security.
CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that proves competency in system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security. Major organizations that employ CompTIA Security+ certified staff include Booz Allen Hamilton, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Motorola, Symantec, Telstra, Hitachi, Ricoh, Lockheed Martin, Unisys, Hilton Hotels Corp., General Mills, the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.
Top 3 Security+ Hiring Cities
Arlington, VA
Washington, DC
Fort Belvoir, VA
Top 3 Security+ Hiring Companies
Northrop Grumman
Information Management Group
CACI International, Inc.
More info here
Mile High Research benchmark information
The benchmark study is part of a research project assessing the value of IT certification products from IT vendors and industry associations. The project is producing rich qualitative and quantitative information that will be used to create reports, provide strategic insights and actionable intelligence to the IT certification community.
“This study is different from those produced by other researchers as it assesses value from the perspective of the IT job hunter, recruiter and hiring manager.” - Denny Schall, Chief Learning Officer at Mile High Research.Hiring managers specify the minimum skills and experience level required to be considered for employment opportunities on their teams. They can specify a skill level and in some cases an experience level by aligning to an IT credential they know will validate the skills needed and provide immediate applicability and productivity to their teams. IT vendors and industry associations that provide relevant and respected certification programs are valued and specified by hiring managers
Recruiters can use the IT credential to validate and assess candidates capabilities. A valued benchmarking tool to screen candidates and then focus their recruiting efforts on attitude and aptitude. Recruiters who specify IT credentials on job descriptions, take the unknown and uncertainty out of skill evaluation and submit candidates with a proven level of technical proficiency to hiring managers.
Benchmark Scope
A complete list of the IT credentials included within the study are shown below. A study summary including full credential rankings, trends, insights by vendor and related job posting data (company and location) is available for purchase from Mile High Research. Contact our research staff at 5280research@gmail.com for details.
Copyright Notice
Copyright 2010 Mile High Research. Reproduction is forbidden unless authorized. All rights reserved.

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5 comments:
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