--- title: "The IT Certifications I Normally Ignore — And The 10 I Would Actually Recommend" date: "2026-06-16" summary: "A CIO’s pragmatic view on which IT certifications are genuinely worth your time, money and effort in 2026." canonical: "https://thepragmaticcio.net/articles/the-it-certifications-i-normally-ignore-and-the-10-i-would-actually-recommend/" tags: "ITCareers, Certifications, CloudComputing, Cybersecurity, ProjectManagement, TechnologyLeadership" --- # The IT Certifications I Normally Ignore — And The 10 I Would Actually Recommend A CIO’s pragmatic view on which IT certifications are genuinely worth your time, money and effort in 2026. ![The IT Certifications I Normally Ignore](it-certs.png "And The 10 I Would Actually Recommend") Every year, IT professionals ask the same question: “Which certification should I get next?” Before I answer that, I should probably confess something. I’ve spent nearly three decades in technology. I’ve built networks, data centres, cloud platforms, security operations, global teams, and transformation programmes. I’ve worked in aerospace, defence, retail, manufacturing, satellite communications and industrial technology. And despite all of that, I’ve never been particularly interested in certifications. In fact, for much of my career, I viewed many of them as little more than expensive memory tests. Apart from ITIL, I’ve largely built my career through practical experience rather than collecting badges. To some extent, I still hold that view today. If I had to choose between a candidate with ten certifications and a candidate with ten years of relevant hands-on experience, I’d take the experience every time. So why write an article about certifications? Because while many certifications are overrated, some genuinely help people get interviews, move into new disciplines, validate expertise, and accelerate their careers. The trick is knowing which ones are worth your time and money. ## The Biggest Certification Mistake I See The biggest mistake is pursuing a certification without a career objective. People see a popular certification on LinkedIn, hear someone talking about six-figure salaries, or read an article promising career success and immediately reach for their credit card. The better question is: “What role am I trying to get next?” Once you know the answer, the certification path becomes much clearer. With that in mind, here are the certifications I believe still offer genuine value in 2026. --- ## 1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Cloud computing is no longer optional knowledge. Whether you’re in infrastructure, security, applications, architecture, or management, understanding cloud fundamentals has become increasingly important. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification covers cloud concepts, AWS services, security fundamentals, pricing models, and architectural principles. The examination currently costs approximately $100 USD (£75 GBP / €88 EUR). Professionals holding this certification report average salaries around $85,866 USD (£64,400 GBP / €75,600 EUR) annually. This certification won’t make you a cloud architect, but it does provide an excellent foundation for anyone entering cloud computing. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/1GyJ3m) --- ## 2. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Cloud adoption continues to accelerate, and so does demand for cloud security expertise. The CCSP certification focuses on cloud architecture, governance, risk management, compliance, and security design. The examination currently costs approximately $599 USD (£449 GBP / €527 EUR). Professionals with CCSP certification earn average salaries of approximately $122,000 USD (£91,500 GBP / €107,400 EUR). If cybersecurity is your chosen path, this remains one of the most respected certifications available. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/xJrYav) --- ## 3. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) Everyone talks about AI. Far fewer people talk about the data that powers it. The Certified Data Management Professional certification focuses on data governance, analytics, architecture, warehousing, integration, and information management. The examination currently costs approximately $395 USD (£296 GBP / €348 EUR). Professionals holding the certification report average earnings of approximately $118,445 USD (£88,800 GBP / €104,300 EUR). As organisations increasingly realise that poor data creates poor AI outcomes, data expertise is becoming more valuable than ever. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/bkPYBv) --- ## 4. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) CISA has been around for decades and continues to carry significant weight. It validates expertise in governance, risk management, auditing, compliance, and control frameworks. The examination costs approximately $575 USD (£431 GBP / €506 EUR) for ISACA members and $760 USD (£570 GBP / €669 EUR) for non-members. Average salaries sit around $109,713 USD (£82,300 GBP / €96,600 EUR). If you’re interested in governance, cybersecurity leadership, compliance, or risk management, CISA remains a strong investment. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/R0Z7rN) --- ## 5. CompTIA A+ Many experienced professionals look down on CompTIA A+. I don’t. Every career starts somewhere. CompTIA A+ covers hardware, operating systems, networking fundamentals, troubleshooting, and technical support. The two required examinations currently cost approximately $492 USD (£369 GBP / €433 EUR). Professionals holding A+ certification report average salaries of approximately $41,659 USD (£31,200 GBP / €36,700 EUR). For someone trying to break into IT, this remains one of the strongest entry points available. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/qWmYKY) and [here](https://trk.udemy.com/jRQY7P) --- ## 6. CompTIA Cloud+ Unlike AWS and Azure certifications, Cloud+ takes a vendor-neutral approach. It focuses on cloud infrastructure, operations, security, deployment, optimisation, and troubleshooting across multiple environments. The examination currently costs approximately $369 USD (£277 GBP / €325 EUR). Professionals holding Cloud+ certification report average salaries around $128,365 USD (£96,300 GBP / €113,000 EUR). For organisations operating hybrid and multi-cloud environments, vendor-neutral expertise can be extremely valuable. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/eneY0O) --- ## 7. CompTIA Security+ Security is no longer the responsibility of a dedicated security team. Every technology professional needs a solid understanding of security fundamentals. Security+ covers threats, vulnerabilities, identity management, risk management, cryptography, and security architecture. The examination currently costs approximately $404 USD (£303 GBP / €356 EUR). Professionals with Security+ certification report average salaries around $55,353 USD (£41,500 GBP / €48,700 EUR). For those entering cybersecurity, it remains one of the strongest starting points available. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/X4G7eX) --- ## 8. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Microsoft Azure remains one of the dominant cloud platforms within the enterprise market. The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification validates expertise across networking, identity, security, governance, storage, business continuity, and cloud architecture. The examination currently costs approximately $165 USD (£124 GBP / €145 EUR). Professionals holding this certification report average salaries of approximately $146,601 USD (£110,000 GBP / €129,000 EUR). If you’re serious about enterprise cloud architecture, this certification deserves consideration. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/n4PYQA) --- ## 9. Project Management Professional (PMP) Technology projects rarely fail because of technology. They fail because of poor planning, unclear requirements, weak stakeholder management, inadequate governance, or ineffective execution. The PMP certification focuses on project leadership, delivery, risk management, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, and governance. The examination costs approximately $425 USD (£319 GBP / €374 EUR) for PMI members and $675 USD (£506 GBP / €594 EUR) for non-members. Professionals holding PMP certification report average salaries around $122,388 USD (£91,800 GBP / €107,800 EUR). If leadership is your destination, project management skills will serve you well throughout your career. **Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/oNRo09) --- ## 10. AWS Professional Certifications AWS offers a range of advanced certifications covering architecture, security, DevOps, networking, machine learning, and engineering disciplines. Most professional-level examinations currently cost approximately $300 USD (£225 GBP / €264 EUR). Professionals holding advanced AWS certifications report average salaries around $122,422 USD (£91,800 GBP / €107,800 EUR). These certifications require considerably more experience than Cloud Practitioner but can significantly strengthen your credibility in cloud-focused roles. **Example Training Resources:** [Link here](https://trk.udemy.com/m4jYmM) and many more options on there --- ## What I Would Do If I Were Starting Again Today If I were entering IT from scratch: - CompTIA A+ - Security+ - AWS Cloud Practitioner If I wanted to move into cloud: - AWS Cloud Practitioner - AWS Professional Certifications - Azure Solutions Architect Expert If I wanted to move into cybersecurity: - Security+ - CISA - CCSP If I wanted to move into technology leadership: - PMP - CISA Not because these are the easiest certifications. Because they align with skills that organisations continue to need. --- ## A Quick Word About AI Certifications You may have noticed something missing. AI certifications. That omission is deliberate. Today, there is no AI certification that carries the same industry recognition as PMP, CISA, CCSP, or the major cloud certifications. The AI market is simply moving too quickly. Right now, practical experience building, deploying, governing, and using AI solutions carries significantly more weight than most AI certificates. That may change in the future. For now, experience wins. --- ## Final Thoughts If you remember only one thing from this article, remember this: Certifications may help you get an interview. Experience gets you hired. Results get you promoted. Certifications are tools. Nothing more. Choose them carefully, align them with your career goals, and they’ll serve you well. Collect them for the sake of collecting them, and you’ll simply end up with a lighter wallet and a busier LinkedIn profile. --- *Salary figures are indicative and sourced from publicly available salary data. Actual compensation varies based on geography, industry, experience, and role.* *Disclosure: Some links within this article may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, The Pragmatic CIO may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.*