7 Best IT Certifications for Beginners

In information technology (IT), a degree alone may not be enough to land a job. A lot of employers prefer candidates with practical skills and experience, which you can show by earning the right entry-level IT certifications.

Certifications can help you:

Prove your skills and knowledge
Increase your earning potential
Stand out in a competitive job market

Here are some of the top IT certifications for beginners in fields like IT support, networking, and cybersecurity.

IT Support and Help Desk

1. Google IT Support Professional

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a multi-part program designed to equip learners with the fundamental skills needed for a career in IT support.

People who enroll in the course will learn how to provide end-to-end customer support, use systems including Linux, Command-Line Interface, and Binary Code, and understand various networking protocols and security practices.

This certification is for: Anyone looking to start a career in IT support or entry-level IT support employees seeking to validate their skills.
Prerequisites: None
Cost: The price to earn this certificate can vary depending on how long it takes to complete the five-course series, but Coursera indicates that most learners can finish it for $300 or less.

2. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is a two-exam certification perfect for people just starting their IT careers. It encompasses essential IT skills—such as troubleshooting, networking, security, and mobile device support—and promotes practical learning through hands-on labs and exercises.

It’s also a great jumping-off point for pursuing more specialized certifications like CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ and entering other domains of IT,

This certification is for: Entry-level IT support and help desk professionals.
Prerequisites: Nine months to one year of hands-on IT experience (recommended)
Cost: $253- $4,000

Networking

3. CompTIA Network+

Network+ is an entry-level IT certification that tests foundational networking skills and knowledge. It’s vendor-neutral, which means it assesses general networking concepts rather than focusing on networking hardware from a particular vendor.

The exam covers everything from physical network installations and configurations to security protocols and the troubleshooting common network issues.

This certification is for: Entry-level network technicians, system administrators, help desk technicians, and other early-career IT professionals who want to master the basics of networking.
Prerequisites: Nine months to a year of networking experience (recommended)
Cost: $369 – $1,000

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

The CCNA is a beginner IT certification that demonstrates the ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot networks using Cisco technologies.

Since Cisco is one of the leading providers of networking hardware and software, this certification is highly regarded by employers and can lead to improved job prospects.

This certification is for: Entry-level network technicians, system administrators, and other IT professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Prerequisites: One year of implementing and administering Cisco solutions (recommended)
Cost: $300 (not including training materials or practice exams)

Cybersecurity

5. CompTIA Security+

This exam tests early-career security professionals on the fundamentals of cybersecurity and is considered one of the best IT certifications for beginners. It covers foundational security terminology and concepts, how to respond to common threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents, how to monitor and secure hybrid environments, and more.

This certification is for: Entry-level security analysts and network administrators.
Prerequisites: Two years of IT administration experience and CompTIA’s Network+ certification (recommended)
Cost: $404 – $2,500

6. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification validates someone’s ability to demonstrate hands-on skills and knowledge of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts. It covers areas like access control and password management, cloud operations, cryptography, incident handling, vulnerability scanning, and more.

This certification is for: Any entry-level security professional.
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $979 (not including practice tests and exam retakes)

7. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH is an IT certification that teaches security professionals how to think like hackers and find system weaknesses before real bad actors can exploit them.

Some prior knowledge is required, so it’s not the best option for absolute beginners. It’s a better choice for security professionals with a couple of years of experience but are still early in their careers.

This certification is for: Ethical hackers, penetration testers, vulnerability analysts, or anyone charged with detecting weaknesses in an organization’s cybersecurity defenses.
Prerequisites: Two years of IT security experience (recommended)
Cost: Pricing for this certification depends on several factors, like whether you prefer online or in-person training, and whether or not you waive the actual training and simply take the exam.

Find Your Dream Job in IT with Insight Global

The IT job market is competitive, and candidates who can prove their skills with the right certifications are more likely to stand out from the competition. Which entry-level IT certification will you go after?

Keep in mind that the right certification depends on your experience level, what area of IT you want to work in, what certifications you may want to pursue later in your career, and your overall long-term career goals.

Ready to apply now? Explore our job board today.