Good technical certifications for business/technical positions

N2IT

I was wondering what you all thought would be a good certification for someone that deals with the business side of things and some technical aspects?

I realize a lot is contingent on what type of work you are performing. I was just talking in general with the trending technologies.

ptilsen

You already have or are pursuing most of them.

CISSP and a couple of the GIAC certifications are both geared towards security management specifically.

There are also "sales" certifications for many vendors that are actually useful for people who don't regularly deal with the technology hands-on, but who either occasionally do or need at least a high-level understanding of the project.

N2IT

ptilsen wrote: »

You already have or are pursuing most of them.

CISSP and a couple of the GIAC certifications are both geared towards security management specifically.

There are also "sales" certifications for many vendors that are actually useful for people who don't regularly deal with the technology hands-on, but who either occasionally do or need at least a high-level understanding of the project.

I just like to bounce these ideas off you guys and gals to get another view point. Maybe it's time for the MBA, who knows.

I have ~2 years in access control, that's all my security experience lol

GoodBishop

I think that the MBA is the next logical step for you. It's what I'm doing, in order to get into management.

ptilsen

N2IT wrote: »

I just like to bounce these ideas off you guys and gals to get another view point. Maybe it's time for the MBA, who knows.

I have ~2 years in access control, that's all my security experience lol

Yes, I think MBA or at least some kind of Masters is your next step unless you are looking to get more technical. ITIL on its own is pretty big, and if you actually finish the PMP (you've indicated not being sure if you want to, IIRC), that's huge. Otherwise, the graduate degree is what will set you apart.

The sales certs I reference can be done on an as-needed basis -- they hold little resume value, but will translate into on-the-job value if you're managing a project dealing with them.

CISSP wouldn't make sense for you specifically, unless you wanted to specialize in security project management or something of that nature. I just mean, in general, CISSP is one of those certs that really bridges business and tech.

N2IT

ptilsen wrote: »

Yes, I think MBA or at least some kind of Masters is your next step unless you are looking to get more technical. ITIL on its own is pretty big, and if you actually finish the PMP (you've indicated not being sure if you want to, IIRC), that's huge. Otherwise, the graduate degree is what will set you apart.

The sales certs I reference can be done on an as-needed basis -- they hold little resume value, but will translate into on-the-job value if you're managing a project dealing with them.

CISSP wouldn't make sense for you specifically, unless you wanted to specialize in security project management or something of that nature. I just mean, in general, CISSP is one of those certs that really bridges business and tech.

I've been at the PMP for several months now. I took off a week after failing it my first time but I am back on the horse. My thread tracking my progress is in the project + forum. My test date is scheduled for the 31st of March. For me it helps me get away from the material when I get burnout, and one way I do that is planning and discussing other career strategies. (Kind of like this)

I also agree about the CISSP, to be honest security in general. I just don't have the passion or drive when it comes to security.

powerfool

CISSP also isn't very technical (although it does have technical aspects to it). It is more of a managerial certification... it's just that the DoD 8570 created a high demand for it... (ISC)2 really envisioned that there would be around 5 SSCPs for each CISSP. So much for that.

N2IT

powerfool wrote: »

CISSP also isn't very technical.

Sounds like me

I'm not as technical as I would like to be and I am not as business savvy or financially intelligent as I would like to be. I suppose I better pick one side of the fence and get to it.

Sort of a conundrum

Turgon

N2IT wrote: »

Sounds like me

I'm not as technical as I would like to be and I am not as business savvy or financially intelligent as I would like to be. I suppose I better pick one side of the fence and get to it.

Sort of a conundrum

Stick to the service, PM side of the shop and focus on delivering things. For the technical side you have a decent foundation already, but work hard on building positive relationships with technical people you trust so you make their jobs easier. There is a lot of pressure on implementors and if we can't do it who will? Not the PM that's for sure. As an Architect Im looking for a supportive PM. I will decide the technical direction, then the PM can go off and plan it. Dont get hung up on the technicalities of things, that's what specialists are for, it's what we do and we spend years doing it!