Data storage professionals who are interested in advancing their careers can do so by obtaining data storage certifications. These certifications offer valuable skills that can help professionals move up the corporate ladder.
18,200 jobs in storage are expected to be created by 2028, according to Zippia.
A job that requires specific skills, such as a basic understanding of data storage, hardware, architecture, performance issues, capacity planning and other skills, requires an expert to educate themselves.
People who have earned certificates reported that their work was 73% more effective, 23% received a pay raise and 86% of hiring managers said it was a high-value tool.
Here are 10 most valuable certifications that professionals obsessed with data should consider in 2022.
Table of Contents
1. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Data Center
What you’ll learn: Networking, computer, storage network, automation and security.
What you’ll need: Five to seven years of experience in the design, deployment and operation of data center solutions.
How long it’ll take: Five-day training course plus three days of self-paced learning material and time for hands-on practice.
Where it will happen: Online
How much will it cost: $400 qualifying exam fee; $1,900 lab exam fee; $1,500 Cisco e-learning training course
2. Hitachi Vantara Qualified Professional Storage Administration
What you will learn: Command Suite fundamentals, Hitachi Device Manager use, advanced storage management operations, multi-pathing and load balancing. You’ll also gain the necessary troubleshooting and HCS 8.5.x/SVOS 7.x skill sets to be successful in this role.
What you will need: Experience with Hitachi storage systems (recommended)
How long it’ll take: Training platforms vary
Where will it happen: Online
How much will it cost: $100 exam, training classes vary.
3. Microsoft Azure Data Engineering Associate (DP-203) Professional Certificate
What you’ll learn: Design and implement data storage, data processing, data security, monitor and optimize data storage and data processing.
What you will need: Knowledge of SQL, Python or Scala, and basic understanding of parallel processing and data architecture patterns
How long it’ll take: 13 months or more
Where will it happen: Online
How much will it cost: test $165; Coursera $59/month
4. Pure Storage Certifications – Certified Data Storage Associate
What you’ll learn: Block storage, cloud, cloud deployment, containers, data protection, disaster recovery, ECMP, encryption, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, FSPF, hosts, iSCSI, networking, Pure Storage, ransomware mitigation, ransomware prevention, replication technology, servers, storage, and virtualization.
What you will need: Six+ months of industry experience, Pure Storage, either on its own or with other vendor solutions, and complete the recommended training (optional)
How long it’ll take: six months
Where will it happen: online
How much will it cost: Exam $129, class and training class costs vary
5. VMware Certified Professional, Data Center Virtualization
What you’ll learn: Implement, manage, and troubleshoot a vSphere infrastructure, provide a secure foundation for transitioning to cloud computing.
What you’ll need: System administration experience on Microsoft Windows or Linux systems
How long it’ll take: 32 hours
Where will it happen: Options of a classroom, live online, vFlex-ILT, and onsite learning environment
How much will it cost: test $125, class prices vary.
6. HPE ASE – Storage Solutions V4
What you’ll learn: Differentiate and apply enterprise storage architectures and technologies; identify enterprise storage and backup opportunities; plan, design, and size the right HPE Storage Solution; design, identify, and recommend HPE Storage Enterprise and Backup Solutions.
What you’ll need: IT professional with at least one to three years of experience in storage technology
How long it’ll take: Five-day intensive training course or online study materials, two-hour test
Where will it happen: Option of virtual or in-person
How much will it cost: classes $4,000 – $8,000, guide $60 test
7. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
What you’ll learn: Design for organizational complexity (12.5%); design for new solutions (31%); migration planning (15%); cost control (12.5%); continuous improvement (29%)
What you’ll need: At least two years of experience with AWS cloud architecture deployment
How long it’ll take: Three-day virtual or in-person training course, 180-minute exam
Where will it happen: Online
How much will it cost: $300 test fee
8. NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA)
What you’ll learn: Storage platforms; Core ONTAP; logical storage; networking; SAN solutions and connectivity; network attached storage (NAS) solutions; data protection; security and performance.
What you’ll need: Six months to a year of experience in implementing and managing NetApp data storage solutions (optional)
How long it’ll take: Self-paced study materials vary on time; 90-minute test
Where will it happen: Online
How much will it cost: $150 test fee
9. Dell EMC-Associate–Information Storage And Management Version 5.0 (DCA-ISM)
What you’ll need: Modern data center infrastructure; storage systems; storage networking technologies; backup, archive and replication; security and management
What you’ll need: Must pass the following Associate level exam DEA-1TT5 Associate – Information Storage and Management Exam
How long it’ll take: Dependent on study time; 90-minute exam
Where will it happen: On-demand, classroom, and virtual classes available; exam online
How much will it cost: Class prices vary; exam $230
10. IBM Certified Solution Advisor – Spectrum Storage V7
What you’ll learn: Spectrum Control, Spectrum Virtualize, Spectrum Protect, Spectrum Archive, Spectrum Scale, Cloud Object Storage, Spectrum Protect Plus, Spectrum Discover, Cloud Paks, Copy Data Management, Storage Insights.
What you’ll need: Must pass Exam C1000-117: IBM Spectrum Storage Solution Advisor V7; have experience with IT organization structures; know IT storage standards; have knowledge of storage offerings and capabilities, cloud, network, storage fundamentals, IBM Spectrum Storage products, and IBM Systems Storage solutions
How long it’ll last: Class times and training vary; 90-minute exam
Where it will happen: Options of in-person classes or virtual; exam online
How much it will cost: $200 test fee; training price varies.
