CIO Certifications To Advance Your Career

As a CIO in today's enterprise IT environment, you likely feel as if you need to be a jack of all trades, and a master of as many as possible.

Not only do you need to be a technology expert, you also need to act as an inspirer, innovator, market analyst, data scientist, and overall business manager. In order to be at the top of the game, you need insight into day-in, day-out functions, as well as a solid understanding of basic business operations. Oh, and did we mention that you also have to be an expert in your organization's prevailing technologies, up to speed on upcoming market trends and technologies, and able to judge what would suit your organization best?

Certifications are a way to prove your ability, even as you continue to make strategic decisions on the job. A certification could also be a differentiating factor for your career, as they are considered a mark of excellence and objective proof of credibility. A certification in any relevant domain, including analytics, compliance, or management skills, could improve your career advancement opportunities within your current organization -- or give you the extra boost you need to nail down a new job.

Many CIO certification programs have emerged in the past few years. Depending upon your capabilities and ambition the certifications we're featuring here could help you advance, and provide benefits to the organization you work for. This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, but rather a starting point for you to consider opportunities for continued education. After you've reviewed the options, let us know in the comments section below whether you've gone for any of these programs -- or if you've tried others that have helped your career.

Governance

Corporate governance helps organizations define standards for customs, policies, and rules for employees from the highest to the lowest levels. With solid governance skills, a CIO can increase accountability, transparency, and trust in an organization and prevent or control many problems.

Certified In The Governance Of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
Gives candidates the knowledge to discuss critical issues around governance and strategic alignment needed to serve as a C-suite IT executive. To apply for certification a candidate must have five or more years of experience in management, advisory, and/or assurance responsibilities relating to the governance of IT in an enterprise, including:

The candidate must also pass the CGEIT exam and agree to comply with the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics and the CGEIT Continuing Education Policy.

Certified In Risk And Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Designed for candidates who have an interest in business and technology risk management, as well as the development and execution of information systems (IS) controls.

Candidates must have at least three years of combined experience in professional-level risk management and control, with experience performing at least three of the following roles:

Enterprise IT Architect

Professionals with enterprise IT architect certifications lead the planning, design, deployment, and management of IT infrastructure to advance and implement business strategies. An enterprise architect uses IT architectural principles and practices to carry out the business, process, and technical modifications needed to accomplish an organization's goals.

The CITA certifications are offered by information architect professional association Iasa; more information about each can be found on Iasa's website.

Certified IT Architect Foundation (CITA-F)
Prepares entry-level candidates to begin a career in IT architecture. The certification requires a foundational knowledge of business, technology strategy, human dynamics, design, quality attributes, and IT environments.

Certified IT Architect Associate (CITA-A)
A specialization-based certification which indicates that individuals have a basic knowledge of enterprise architecture and intend to specialize in a specific area within information architecture. Most successful candidates have three to five years of experience in IT and have already taken an Iasa associate-level course.

Certified IT Architect Specialist (CITA-S)
CITA-S indicates that individuals are prepared to serve as information architects on small- to mid-sized projects or programs. Iasa recommends that candidates have five to eight years of experience as an architect in one of the following specializations: business, infrastructure, information, or software architecture.

CITA-P: Certified IT Architect Professional (CITA-P)
Considered by Iasa the highest-level certification in information architecture, it indicates that individuals are qualified to lead large, multimillion dollar projects and programs. Candidates must have at least 10 years of experience as a practicing architect in one of the following specializations: business, infrastructure, information, or software architecture.

Certified SOA Architect
Offered by SOA School, this is for professionals who have an understanding of the mechanics of service-oriented architecture via the physical design of SOAs, service-oriented solutions, and subsequent infrastructure. The ideal candidate is someone who has a solid understanding of service-oriented design models, as well as design principles and their effectiveness.

Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA)
Offered by the Open Group, this is designed for candidates with skills, experience, knowledge, and the ability to complete written applications and peer consultations. With this certification, professionals gain the title of Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA) in IT architecture, business architecture, and enterprise architecture. There are three levels in the certification:

The Open Group offers an interactive assessment tool to determine which level is right for each candidate.

Compliance

The increasing number of IT and non-IT regulations makes employees who can lead regulatory compliance very valuable to organizations. Certifications in compliance management give professionals experience in assessing regulations and implementing programs and procedures to ensure organizations stay in compliance with legal and industry rules.

Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)
Indicates that individuals have knowledge of relevant regulations and sufficient expertise in compliance processes to help organizations meet and maintain legal regulations. Candidates must have at least a year of experience in a compliance role with at least half of the job duties related to compliance and ethics and 1,500 hours of consecutive work in a compliance-related position within the last two years.

Certified Compliance & Ethics, Professional-International (CCEP-I)
Indicates an individual has knowledge of relevant international regulations and expertise in compliance processes sufficient to help organizations meet and maintain legal regulations. A candidate with interest in international compliance and ethics would be ideal for this certification. Candidates must have at least a year of experience in a compliance role with at least half of the job duties related to compliance and ethics, and 1,500 hours of consecutive work in a compliance-related position within the last two years.

Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)
Designed for those who want to manage regulatory compliance in the financial services industry. Candidates must have at least three years of US experience as a compliance professional, with chief responsibility for the full range of compliance functions; have filled compliance roles, including performing compliance reviews and managing strategies to help banks and other financial organizations comply with US federal laws and regulations; and have a minimum of 80 hours of compliance-related training within the last five years.

Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRMCP)
For professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and support regulatory compliance and enterprise-wide risk management. This certification helps promote best practices and global standards that align with business and controlling requirements around the world for professionals working for banks and financial organizations, consultants, vendors, service providers, auditors and legal counsels.

Certified Information Systems Risk and Compliance Professional (CISRCP)
For IT and information security managers, consultants, and professionals who seek the knowledge and skills to comprehend and provision compliance and enterprise risk management controls. This certification covers international standards, principles and best practices in IT risk management and IT security. It is ideal for professionals such as senior managers and directors who are responsible for risk and compliance management in IT.

Big Data and Analytics

Professionals with skills to perform analyses using today's analytics and big data tools and techniques are crucial for organizational competitiveness. Big data and analytics professionals can understand and use data to derive meaningful insights for organizations and leverage this information to make business decisions, reduce risks, and increase profitability.

EMC Data Science Associate
Indicates that a professional can provide guidance and expert opinions on a data-science team for big data projects. The certification covers deploying the data analytics lifecycle, redefining a business experiment as an analytics challenge, applying analytics techniques and tools to analyze big data and create statistical models, and selecting appropriate data visualizations. Candidates use tools such as R and RStudio, MapReduce/Hadoop, in-database analytics, and Windows and MADlib functions to understand how advanced analytics can create competitive advantage.

Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) Certifications
Enables professionals to demonstrate their solution-implementation capabilities with Oracle Business Intelligence Suite. It covers skills including installation, building the BI Server metadata repository, building BI dashboards, constructing ad hoc queries, defining security settings, and configuring and managing cache files. This certification is oriented towards members of the Oracle Partner Network involved in selling and implementing Oracle Business Intelligence technology.

SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling Credential
Designed for professionals who use SAS/STAT software to conduct and interpret complex statistical data analysis. The ideal candidate has skills in analysis of variance, linear and logistic regression, preparing inputs for predictive models, and measuring model performance.

Project Management

Project management is relevant to professionals across job categories and industries. It requires skills in planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
For novice project practitioners who want to demonstrate their commitment to project management, and to improve their ability to manage larger projects and earn additional responsibility. Candidates must have a high school diploma or global equivalent, as well as at least 1,500 hours of experience managing projects or 23 hours of project management education before sitting for the certification exam.

Project Management Professional (PMP)
Demonstrates a person's competence in leading and directing project teams. The ideal candidate is an experienced project manager looking to solidify skills, stand out to employers, and maximize earning potential. Candidates must have an associate's degree and five or more years of project management experience, including 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education. Alternatively a candidate may have a bachelor's degree and three or more years of project management experience, including 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
Designed for candidates who are portfolio managers and want to demonstrate their ability to manage a portfolio of projects and programs. It recognizes skills in organizational strategy and setting objectives. Candidates must have an associate degree or its global equivalent and at least seven years (including 10,500 hours) of portfolio management experience in the past 15 consecutive years. Alternatively, a candidate can have a bachelor's degree with at least four years and 6,000 hours of portfolio management experience within the past 15 consecutive years. Candidates with either set of prerequisite skills must also have at least eight years (96 months) of professional business experience.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
For candidates who are active or new users of agile practices and want to show their commitment to this rapidly growing approach to project management. Candidates must have at least 2,000 hours of experience working on project teams within the last five years and an active project management professional (PMP) or program management professional (PgMP) certification. In addition, candidates must have agile-specific experience: 1,500 hours of experience working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies within the last three years and at least 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
For individuals with expertise in project scheduling, a critical skill for the success of project teams. Candidates should have an associate degree and 5,000-plus hours of project scheduling experience and 40 hours of project scheduling education, or a bachelor's degree and 3,500-plus hours of project scheduling experience and 30 hours of project scheduling education.

Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Program managers looking to increase their visibility and value to an organization can use this certification to validate their ability to manage multiple complex projects and align results to organizational goals. Candidates must have an associate degree plus four years (6,000 hours) of project management experience and seven years (10,500 hours) of program management experience. Candidates may also have a bachelor's degree plus four years (6,000 hours) of project management experience and four years (6,000 hours) of program management experience.

Conclusion

The roles of top-level IT executives have been transformed from merely overseeing projects and progress to managing teams and making strategic decisions. To ensure IT leaders are ready, many organizations encourage them to gain certifications in governance, compliance, project management, and other areas. If you're a CIO or other IT leader, you may find that these certifications give you the ability to make rapid decisions, offer groundbreaking new ideas, and advance your career over the long term.

Conclusion

The roles of top-level IT executives have been transformed from merely overseeing projects and progress to managing teams and making strategic decisions. To ensure IT leaders are ready, many organizations encourage them to gain certifications in governance, compliance, project management, and other areas. If you're a CIO or other IT leader, you may find that these certifications give you the ability to make rapid decisions, offer groundbreaking new ideas, and advance your career over the long term.