The value of certifications

Following an article posted on networkworld.com titled Which certifications are worth your time? it seems that project management certs are in vogue; tech less so, but security, storage certifications have the pull. Amongst a host of certifications, the article states that

Security certifications (also) are in demand, particularly the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Security is "certainly a hotbed," says Matt Colarusso, branch manager for Sapphire National Recruiting in Woburn, Mass. "Our clients are looking for hands-on technical people who understand firewalls, VPN set-ups and router controls."

What really stands out in the article are the following comments which I tend to agree with...

Most employers would say that technical certifications are like a great academic record: They may get you noticed and in the short stack of resumes being considered, but it’s what roles you’ve played and what you’ve done on previous jobs that will get you hired," Colarusso says. "We see technical certifications making the most difference in employers filling entry-level positions."

Technical certifications may help you get hired, but "experience matters more," says Henry Eckstein, senior vice president and CIO of York Insurance Services Group in Parsippany, N.J. "People can cram for their certifications and get their certifications. So it’s not just certifications but how long have they had them and how have they used them that matters. Technical certifications are less valuable than experience."

... "When it comes to hiring, if you have everything else -- experience with customers, functional experience -- and if you’re not certified, who cares? A lot of people never got certified because they were so busy doing [implementations]."

So the question remains -- which certifications are worth your time? Before you answer, as much as they add value to your resume, take your time and do some research. Google adverts for security analysts actively state:

CISSP not required. Relevant experience must be hands-on

... something to bear in mind