The 6 Best Networking Certifications for Your IT Career

Table of Contents

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• So, do you really need a Networking Certification?
• 1. CompTIA Network+
• 2. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• 3. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• 4. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)
• 5. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• 6. AWS Certified Advanced Networking
• Self-study with books and YouTube
• Test Prep Courses for Networking Certs
• Cybersecurity or Networking Bootcamps
• Do you need to have a STEM degree or previous tech background to get into networking?
• Are there benefits to having other skill sets besides networking?
• What are the benefits of taking contract work as a new network engineer?
• Should network engineers also have cybersecurity certifications?

If you’re ready to start a career in network engineering but aren’t sure what networking certifications you need, we’ve got you covered! From entry-level to senior-level, we’ve rounded up six, in-demand networking certifications that employers are looking for in new tech hires. Plus, NGT Academy instructor and CCIE-certified Network Architect Rob Riker lends his expertise by mapping out the networking engineering career path and the best ways to study for a networking certification exam.

So, do you really need a Networking Certification?

If a hiring manager is considering two candidates, and one is certified and the other isn’t, the advantage may go to the certified applicant. According to Rob Riker, “​​Becoming certified in networking swings open the door for job opportunities.” In this competitive job market, it’s best to do everything you can to set yourself apart from the competition – that includes certifications.

Although it sounds great to say you’re certified, it may not be totally necessary, according to Riker. “In fact, 60-70% of the people I have personally worked with on networking teams did not have any certifications. Being certified doesn't exactly mean that you have the knowledge or experience necessary to do the job well. I’ve seen folks get ‘paper’ certified, where they learn the material for the exam and become certified, but they aren’t able to apply those skills on the job.” To be most competitive, you’ll want the right certification and the hands-on experience to back up that credential. 

Tatsiana Kamarova, a Lighthouse Labs cyber security bootcamp graduate, has leaned into getting certified. “I was able to pass the CompTIA Security+ certification after completing the bootcamp. Later, I passed the CySA+ exam per my current employer’s request.” Tatsiana has found that most of her employers have looked for some kind of certification.

“The typical path for cybersecurity and networking certifications is: A+, Network+, Security+, then CySA+.” Tatsiana Kamarova, Lighthouse Labs Cybersecurity Bootcamp graduate

The 6 Best Networking Certifications

1. CompTIA Network+

• Level of difficulty: Entry-level
• Who’s it for: For beginners, brand new to networking
• How long does it take to study for the CompTIA Network+ exam? 2-3 months
• What’s in the CompTIA Network+ exam: Network+ offers a high-level theoretical baseline understanding of all the different areas of networking that you'll likely see in the field. Network+ is designed to help you understand core competencies and theories, but does not require any hands-on practice. Exam content covers hardware and software, mainly focused on Microsoft since it’s most commonly used in networking environments.
• Certifies you to: work in a network operations center (NOC); also sets you up to take the CCNA
• Typical salary range after becoming CompTIA Network+ certified: $60K-$70K
• How to Pass the CompTIA Network+ Exam: To pass this exam, you can self-study via textbooks, practice tests, or online tutorials. Many cybersecurity bootcamps also offer CompTIA Network+ exam preparation within their curriculum.

2. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Level of difficulty: Entry-level
• Who it’s for: Someone with 1-2 years experience in IT, has the CompTIA Network+ certification, and wants to level-up. CCNA certification requires that folks have more hands-on experience prior to taking the exam. The CCNA is Cisco’s entry-level but it’s a step up from CompTIA Network+.
• How long does it take to study for CCNA exam? About a year
• What’s in the CCNA exam: CCNA is a written, multiple-choice exam that covers networking fundamentals, routing, and infrastructure. If you haven’t covered the fundamentals of CompTIA Network+, the CCNA exam can be challenging.
• Certification needed to become: Entry-level networking positions but keep in mind that people who are CCNA certified are able to do more practically compared to those people just certified in CompTIA Network+.
• Typical salary range after becoming CCNA certified: $60K - $75K on average, but keep in mind that salaries may be higher in big tech cities with some CCNA folk making over $100K.
• How to Pass the CCNA Exam: Obtain the books directly from Cisco, such as  CCENT/CCNA ICND 1 and CCNA Routing and Switching ICND2, and, when complete, schedule practice tests.

3. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

• Level of difficulty: Mid-level
• Who it’s for: Someone who’s been in a CCNA position for a few years and wants to deepen their understanding of networking.
• How long does it take to study for the CCNP exam? About a year
• What’s in the CCNP exam: CCNP is a written, multiple-choice exam that focuses on a deeper-level understanding of concepts introduced in the CCNA; such as building bigger networks with more complicated solutions, and determining more effective troubleshooting.
• Certification needed to become: Mid-level roles like Network Manager and Cisco Network Engineer
• Typical salary range after becoming CCNP certified: $75K-$90K
• How to Pass the CCNP Exam: Once you have a strong background with the CCNA exam, you can level-up to the CCNP exam. To pass this exam, practice hands-on lab work with Cisco hardware or a simulation, study the official Cisco materials and take the practice exams. Consider joining online study groups or forums to help you gain a thorough understanding of the materials.

4. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)

• Level of difficulty: Moderately difficult
• Who it’s for: Anyone working in network or cyber security who has at least two years of experience or who has attended an official EC-Council network security training course or equivalent.
• How long does it take to study for the CND exam? 2-3 months
• What’s in the CND exam: 100 multiple-choice, scenario-based questions that cover fundamental network defense concepts, threat identification, intrusion detection/prevention, firewall management, wireless network security, log analysis, incident response, data protection, cloud security, risk assessment, and implementing security policies. It is a 4-hour exam and is considered intermediate in terms of difficulty, and requires a solid understanding of the exam topics and thorough preparation.
• Certification needed to become: Network security engineer, security analyst, network security administrator, or endpoint security engineer.
• Typical salary range after becoming CND certified: $76K for an entry-level job with one year of experience.
• How to pass the CND exam: Gain an understanding of the CND exam blueprint, take an EC-Council-approved training course, study the materials, gain practical experience in a lab, and take practice exams.

5. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

• Level of difficulty: High level, extremely difficult
• Who it’s for: People with years of networking experience who want to get the highest certification possible. There are not a lot of CCIE-certified folks in the field for a reason — it’s a difficult certification to secure!
• How long does it take to study for the CCIE exam? 1-2 years
• What’s in the CCIE exam: The CCIE exam is completely different from the CCNA and CCNP exams. Test-takers are required to travel to a Cisco location (currently, there's only one test location in the US and it’s located in Texas) for an 8-hour exam. The exam is split into two parts. The written exam requires test-takers to show comprehension of technologies and theories. The lab exam asks test-takers to configure an enterprise-grade network from the ground up and assesses how accurately you implement the solution. There are multiple tasks in each question and all tasks must be completed correctly to receive credit for that question.
• Certification needed to become: Senior networking roles, like Senior Network Engineer, Senior Network Support Specialist, Senior Network Security Engineer, and Network Administrator.
• Typical salary range after becoming CCIE certified: $110K-$225K depending on your location
• How to pass the CCIE exam: Choose your area of specialty, study the blueprint, learn basic networking concepts and move up to advanced topics relevant to your chosen CCIE track. Make sure you do hands-on practice, take the practice exams, and join study groups. 

6. AWS Certified Advanced Networking

• Level of difficulty: High level, extremely difficult
• Who it’s for: Experienced IT professionals, with at least 5 years of experience in network architecture, design, implementation, and management.
• How long does it take to study for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking exam? Several months of dedicated study.
• What’s in the AWS Certified Advanced Networking exam: The exam is 170 minutes long and consists of both multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. It covers topics in four domains: Network Design, Network Implementation, Network Management and Operations, and Network Security, Compliance, and Governance.
• Certification needed to become: Network architect, network engineer, or DevOps engineer.
• Typical salary range after becoming certified: $150K-$160K per year; based on experience, location, and specific job role.
• How to pass the AWS Certified Advanced Networking exam: There are several options to prepare for this exam, including Amazon’s AWS tutorials or online AWS courses from other providers.

How to Study for a Networking Certification Exam

When it comes to preparing for the top networking certification exams, you’ve got options, whether you choose to study on your own or enroll in a class. Here are some ways that you can study for a networking certification exam.

Self-study with books and YouTube

Preparing for a networking certification exam on your own can be challenging and requires structure and the discipline to set a study schedule and stick to it. To self-study, define your goals to help you choose the best certification, obtain books, online articles, and study guides produced by the exam creator. You can also look for YouTube videos that focus on the certification of choice. 

Test Prep Courses for Networking Certs

The makers of each certification will often offer specific exam preparation materials. For instance:

1. CompTIA offers the Network+ N-10 009 Exam Prep Bundle, which includes an exam voucher.
2. The Cisco CCNA training at INFOSEC Institute includes hands-on experience, an exam voucher, and even an “Exam Pass Guarantee.”
3. You can also purchase short, online courses on Udemy or Coursera to give you a self-guided study path to certification.

Cybersecurity or Networking Bootcamps

If you’re looking for expert guidance and career preparation beyond the certification exam, then start researching cybersecurity or networking bootcamps. Bootcamps typically prepare students for entry-level certifications, like CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). In general, a bootcamp will be a longer commitment and is geared towards a full career change, which includes preparation for a certification. Many bootcamps include the cost of the exam in their tuition. Keep in mind that networking requires some hands-on learning with an at-home setup, so a bootcamp will make sure you’re fully set up. 

We recommend the following Networking Bootcamps:

1. General Assembly's Information Technology Bootcamp was created with tech beginners in mind and prepares students for the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification exams.
2. DigitalCrafts’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp is focused on project-based learning for career changers. Students can choose to prepare for CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, PenTest+, or Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification.
3. Kable Academy’s Networking Program teaches industry-relevant skills and prepares students for CompTIA Network+.
4. Divergence Academy’s Security Operations Management Immersive is designed for professionals who want to work as a Security Analyst on Blue Team. The program includes exam preparation for CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, ISC2 CGRC, SC-200, and CompTIA CySA+. 

Riker says that when preparing for your certification exams, you should look for live online or in-person training programs with: 

• Structure - Instructors should have practical, real-world, hands-on networking experience.
• Curriculum -  For example, the Network Engineering bootcamp curriculum prepares you for the exams and the job.
• Accountability and motivators to keep you learning
• Practical, hand-on networking experience
• Feedback from your instructors and peers to help you grow as a networking professional
• Community 

The Certified Network Engineer Career Path

Do you need to have a STEM degree or previous tech background to get into networking?

It’s not required, but having a STEM background can be helpful because it lays the groundwork for the analytical thinking that is required of a certified network engineer. However, while some jobs do require a degree (or at least an associate’s degree) in a related field, you can still gain the knowledge and training you need to get a certification without a STEM background or degree in computer science. Take a look at job postings for certified network engineers—they’ll usually give you a good idea of the background, training, and certifications you’ll need to land a job in the field.

Kennith Lowy, a graduate of DigitalCrafts’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp, says, “Every job will ask for different things; some want certifications like CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Linux, Ethical Hacker, etc. Keep in mind these are often their wish list and not their requirements! Having one certification got me in the door.” 

Are there benefits to having other skill sets besides networking?

Absolutely. Just like any field, the more skill sets you develop, the more valuable (and marketable) you’ll be in the job market. Since technology is constantly evolving, developing other skills sets will allow you to be better able to adapt to changing technology, have a stronger problem-solving ability, and the potential to work on diverse projects. This can lead to broader career opportunities, better employability, and increased job security.

What are the benefits of taking contract work as a new network engineer?

When starting out, it’s a good idea to develop a wide base of skills and experience. Contract work can be helpful because you’re exposed to a variety of projects and companies, as you can move from position to position every three to six months. This keeps a sense of challenge to your work, and eliminates the chance of boredom.

Should network engineers also have cybersecurity certifications?

Riker has this to say: “Network security and cyber security are different fields. Cyber security is figuring out vulnerabilities in web servers, and network security deals with firewalls, VPNs, and identity management to control who’s doing what between point A and B. That said, it is helpful for those working in cyber security to understand network security. At NGT Academy, we recommend that our students all learn network security first and specialize in cyber security after the foundation of network security is laid.”