10 Must-Have Certifications for IT Support Professionals

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The next most important cert is the CISSP certification. Granted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, CISSP remains one of the most respected and sought-after cybersecurity certifications.

The CISSP provides training in critical areas, including security and risk management, identity and access management, security operations, and software development security. It also validates the knowledge, skills, and experience of senior cybersecurity managers, ITSM, and technical desk professionals. CISSP was one of the original certifications included in the DoD Directive 8570.1m (now updated to the DoDM 8140.03), which was implemented to ensure cybersecurity professionals developed a baseline understanding of fundamental cybersecurity principles and practices. It remains the dominant certification used/obtained for those in numerous cybersecurity positions.

As of 2024, more than 165,000 professionals worldwide hold CISSP designations. Additionally, anyone who successfully obtains this prestigious certification becomes a member of (ISC)², the world’s largest nonprofit association of cybersecurity professionals. (ISC)² offers many added benefits, including access to exclusive professional development courses, industry events, and more.

How do you gain the CISSP certification?

The process for gaining the CISSP certification requires both an exam and an experience component:

• Complete five years of cumulative, paid work experience. The professional must first gain sufficient experience in cybersecurity and IT security management.

• Obtain an endorsement. These experience requirements must be verified by others in the industry who hold CISSP.

• Pass the exam. The professional must complete the CISSP exam, which is about six hours long.

Once the CISSP certification is obtained, the professional must continue to accumulate experience and continuing professional education credits (CPEs) every year.

3. IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

The ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) offers a range of certifications based on difficulty, from entry-level to expert. It is described as “the most widely accepted approach to IT service management (ITSM) in the world.”

Developed by the Cabinet Office, this IT support cert is based on ITIL 4, a widely accepted ITSM framework that has recently been adapted to align with agile/DevOps concepts. It provides students with training on the key concepts of IT and digital services. This includes foundational concepts such as how modern organizations operate, how value streams can improve agility, which behavioral principles lead to stronger results, and other integral service management terms. There are currently more than 2,000,000 ITIL-certified professionals worldwide.

How do you obtain ITIL certifications?

ITIL certifications are obtained through a set of exams, each difference in difficulty administering a different cert. Those who are new to ITIL must start with the ITIL Foundation module, an entry-level certification. There are no prerequisites to taking the exam, but exam administrators recommend taking any of the ITIL training courses available on the website as preparation. The cost of taking the exam can range from around $600 USD to $2,200 USD, based on the study materials used and whether portions can be taken online.

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

The CCNA training course and exam teach networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. Obtaining the CCNA validates that you have the professional expertise and skills to manage and optimize today's most advanced networks. The certification offers a range of courses covering cyber ops, collaboration, data center, security, and other topics. IT and ITSM professionals say these courses are critical for those utilizing Cisco products.

Once you’ve completed the CCNA certification, you can take a variety of additional certifications with further specialization at the professional and then expert level. These advanced IT support desk certifications typically require completion of a core and at least one concentration exam.

How do you obtain the CCNA certification?

To become CCNA certified, an IT support professional must gain a passing grade on the 200-301 CCNA exam, which tests knowledge and skills relative to network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. There are no formal prerequisites for the exam, but it is recommended that you have one or more years of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions. The cost of the CCNA exam is around $300 USD.

5. CompTIA A+

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level IT certification that validates key skills in hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, troubleshooting, virtualization/cloud computing, security, and operational procedures. It is largely considered to be the starting point for IT professionals, helping to improve their help desk abilities and learn the fundamentals of IT support, including how to install, maintain, and configure PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and printers, and how to leverage remote support tools to do so.

Many ITSM professionals believe CompTIA A+ to be the most impactful cert, pointing to it as providing key foundational knowledge that will become the basis for subsequent training.

How do you obtain the CompTIA A+?

The CompTIA A+ is an exam-based certification. IT professionals are required to pass two exams, Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102), that review virtualization, hardware, network, and mobile device efficiency. Each of these exams requires a voucher that costs around $260 USD. It is strongly recommended that administrators have a minimum of 9-12 months of experience before working towards this certification.

6. CompTIA Network+

The CompTIA Network+ certification is an intermediate-level certification that focuses on troubleshooting network issues within IT software, including how to diagnose inconsistent or faulty connections, how to maintain a network, and how to prevent outages and overflow consequences.

How do you obtain the CompTIA Network+?

The CompTIA Network+ certification is an exam-based cert. The exam costs approximately $370 USD. Prerequisites include the CompTIA A+ certification and a recommended 9-12 months of networking experience.

Much like CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ is not vendor-specific, but focuses on the knowledge and skills required to design and implement functional networks. In addition to the networking foundation, the holder of the certification is expected to have the skills needed to configure, manage, and maintain network devices, such as switches and routers to segment network traffic and create flexible and adaptable networks. -- Mike Hewens, Senior Manager, Technical Support, BeyondTrust

Additional CompTIA certifications

While CompTIA A+ is the highest recommended CompTIA certification for entry-level IT support professionals, more advanced or specialized CompTIA certifications may also include:

Entry-level

• CompTIA ITF+ certification – While the CompTIA A+ certification is designed for entry-level IT professionals, those requiring more foundational knowledge about the IT support profession may also benefit from the CompTIA ITF+ certification. IT Fundamentals (ITF+) is an introduction to foundational technology knowledge and skills, establishing an IT education framework by focusing on essential IT skills and knowledge. The CompTIAF+ certification is obtained by writing the FC0-U61 exam. There are no requisites or experience hours required. The cost of the exam is approximately $140 USD.

• CompTIA CySA+ certification – CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is for cyber professionals who are responsible for threat detection, analysis, and incident response. It validates an IT professional's ability to perform data-driven security assessments, interpret trends, identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, and perform other vulnerability management processes. CySA+ places a strong emphasis on the critical cross-funtional communication skills necessary for effective security analysis and compliance.

Intermediate

• CompTIA Security+ certification – The CompTIA Security+ certification is a global certification validating the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions. It focuses on preparing candidates to combat emerging threats and take proactive action in preventing the next cyberattack. Security+ is compliant with ISO 17024 standards and is approved by the US DoD to meet directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. To obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, IT professionals need to pass the Security+ exam and the prerequisite CompTIA Network+ exam, and they need to have a recommended two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus. The cost of taking the exam is around $400 USD.

Advanced

• CompTIA Linux+ – The CompTIA Linux+ certification is internationally recognized for validating the baseline competencies that are required for Linux administrators to secure the enterprise, power the cloud and keep systems running. It is the only job-focused Linux certification covering the latest foundational skills demanded by hiring managers. To obtain the CompTIA Linux+ certification, IT support professionals must complete the CompTIA Linux+ exam. Prerequisites include CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications, along with 12 months of Linux admin experience. The cost of the exam is around $370 USD.

• CompTIA Server+ – The CompTIA Server+ certification is a global certification for ITSM professionals who install, manage, and troubleshoot servers in data centers, as well as on-premises and hybrid environments. It ensures that they have the technical knowledge and skills required to utilize remote support tools to support and secure server hardware and software. It is the only certification that supports administrator-level work in any environment, as it is not restricted to a single platform. To obtain the CompTIA Server+ certification, IT support professionals must complete the CompTIA Server+ exam. Prerequisites include CompTIA A+ certification and a recommended 18 to 24 months of IT experience. The cost of the exam is around $370 USD.

• CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, or CASP+) – An advanced cybersecurity certification for security architects and senior security engineers with at least 10 years of experience who are responsible for leading and improving an enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness. SecurityX demonstrates a security practitioner’s proficiency in designing, building, and implementing secure solutions across complex environments while addressing governance, risk, and compliance needs.

7. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification

Cloud computing is currently one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand technologies, with Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure leading the market. This makes  Azure Certification a considerable commodity for IT and remote support professionals who want to advance or stay relevant in their field. There are several Microsoft Azure role-based certifications available, but Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is the best starting point for launching your certification journey. The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification validates an IT support professional’s basic knowledge of cloud services and cloud computing concepts, models, and services.

How do you obtain Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification?

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is an exam-based certification requiring completion of the AZ-900 exam. There are no prerequisites for the exam, but the Azure training resources and practice exams are strongly recommended to prepare for the exam. The exam costs around $100 USD.

Other Popular Azure certifications

Following the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification, popular additional certifications include:

• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals

• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals

• Role-based options such as certifications for the Azure Administrator Associate, Data Engineer Associate, and more.

8. AWS Certification

AWS certifications have become more popular as organizations around the world enter a more cloud-centric work environment. AWS certifications are important because they help validate an ITSM or their team’s technical skills, but they also give certified individuals the knowledge and skill to drive the future of their organization and bring in more clients.

How do you get AWS certified?

There are currently twelve available AWS certs, ranging from foundational- to professional-level. The best certification to start with is the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, followed by an associate-level or specialty certification exam (the  AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification is the most popular).

The Top AWS certifications include:

• AWS Certified AI Practitioner – Foundational

• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

• AWS Certified Developer – Associate

• AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate

• AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate

• Advanced Networking – Specialty

• Machine Learning – Specialty

• Security – Specialty

After gaining the recommended two years of prior AWS Cloud experience, professionals can also obtain advanced Professional-level certifications.

It is strongly recommended that technical IT support professionals take advantage of both the free AWS tier and the many exam preparation courses and practice questions that are available before taking the exam.

9. VMware certification

VMware Certifications test and validate the critical skills required to integrate and manage the vSphere technology driving the infrastructure of many organizations. VMware offers multiple certification levels, ranging from associate to design expert, and certifications are organized into multiple technology areas with levels for those new to the industry as well as experts in the field.

How do you get VMware Certified?

VMware certification is another exam-based certification. Once you have decided on the certification and certification track, simply register for the desired exam.

Focus areas for VMware certifications include:

• Data Center Virtualization

• Network Virtualization

• Cloud Management and Automation

• End-User Computing

• Security

• Application Modernization

10. Google IT Support Professional Certificate

The Google IT Support Certificate is a good place to start for individuals who are looking to begin a career in technical IT support or an IT support help desk. The certification course provides the skills needed for an introductory-level job in IT support. There are no prerequisite qualifications or experience hours. The training program focuses on troubleshooting and customer care, networking, operating systems, system administration, security, and AI usage for boosting productivity.

How do you obtain your Google IT Support Professional certification?

To get Google IT Support certified, the online training program and exams must be completed. Costs of the program and exam may vary. There are no prerequisites for obtaining this IT support certification.

Other Key Google Certifications Include:

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate – Prepares individuals for a career as a cybersecurity analyst by providing training in the identification of common risks, threats, vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques. It also helps prepare individuals for the CompTIA Security+ exam and offers a dual credential when combined with the certification.

Google IT Support Professional Certification certifies holders can perform day-to-day IT support tasks, including computer assembly, wireless networking, installing programs, and customer service. Google IT Support Professional Certification allows for entry-level skills without the added cost and time of acquiring a collegiate degree. -- Mike Hewens, Senior Manager, Technical Support, BeyondTrust

This blog was updated on July 4, 2025 to include the most current and relevant certifications for IT support professionals.