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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management (ITIL4P-DM) certification2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification?3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-DM certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
ITIL4P-DM is a certification that validates a candidate's ability to perform end-to-end deployments, collaborate across processes, and integrate with modern DevOps practices.
1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management (ITIL4P-DM) certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management (ITIL4P-DM) is an ITIL 4 intermediate practical service management certification launched by AXELOS in the UK. It belongs to the ITIL 4 core practice module group and, together with change empowerment, service configuration management, IT asset management, and release management, forms the five practical certifications of the PIC module group.
The end-to-end deployment management and implementation capability of IT service product changes is the authoritative practical proof in the field of IT service management to verify how "designed service changes can be smoothly and efficiently implemented in the production environment."
The core positioning of ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management is "standardized practical capability verification for IT service deployment management," which is different from the basic theoretical cognition of ITIL 4 Foundation and the strategic planning capability of ITIL 4 Advanced Specialist/Manager certification. This certification focuses on frontline practical implementation and cross process collaboration throughout the deployment process, without purely testing theoretical memory, only verifying practical application capabilities.
The core goal of ITIL4P-DM is to ensure that the certificate holder can smoothly deploy the IT service changes that have been designed and authorized through standardized end-to-end processes to the production environment, while minimizing business interruption and controlling deployment risks, and quickly allowing the business to enjoy the value of the changes. Simultaneously achieving seamless collaboration with ITIL 4 core practices such as change empowerment, service configuration management, and release management, as well as deep integration with DevOps, balancing "deployment efficiency" and "production stability."
2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification?
AXELOS ITIL 4 certification is the standard in the global ITSM field. This certification is the core standard for enterprises to select talents who "understand the process, be able to land, and be able to control" when recruiting and deploying management related posts. It is highly recognized in the financial, telecommunications, Internet, government and other industries.
This certification deeply integrates standardized ITIL deployment processes with modern practices such as DevOps/CI/CD and automated deployment, resolving the core contradictions of "ITSM process rigidity affecting deployment efficiency" and "lack of risk control in rapid DevOps deployment" in enterprises. It is a key capability certification for enterprise DevOps transformation.
The certificate holder is able to apply ITIL 4 standardized deployment process, develop comprehensive planning, rollback, and environmental management solutions, help enterprises improve deployment success rate by 30%-50%, reduce business interruption time caused by deployment errors, and lower IT service operation costs.
This certification is an important component of the PIC module group. After collecting all 5 certifications of the same module group, one can directly obtain the PIC Specialist comprehensive certification, paving the way for obtaining the ITIL 4 MP advanced certification and achieving a career transition from "practical engineer" to "ITSM management talent."
The core of enterprise digital transformation is "rapid iteration and value delivery of IT products," and deployment management is the last link in value implementation. The standardization and automation deployment capabilities of certificate holders can support the rapid iteration needs of enterprises and become the core drivers of digital transformation.
3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
Unlike basic concepts, the core of this certification lies in practical decision-making and process execution. Over 60% of its scenario analysis questions aim to simulate real deployment scenarios in enterprises, testing your professional abilities in planning, risk management, and cross team collaboration under pressure.
This certification strictly follows the AXELOS official practice guide and has built a complete knowledge system from strategy to optimization. The core concept and value module of deployment management establish its positioning in the ITIL service value chain, and clarify its collaborative relationship with release and change management.
The core of authentication is the end-to-end deployment management process and activity module, which requires you to be proficient in the complete loop from deployment planning, environment preparation, implementation, business verification to failure rollback, especially in risk identification and rollback strategy formulation.
The core role of deployment management and the cross team collaboration module clarify the responsibility framework required to break down the barriers between development and operations. The integration module of deployment management and modern practices is key, and in-depth examination of how to seamlessly integrate ITIL principles with modern methods such as DevOps CI/CD pipeline, containerization, cloud native, and agile iteration to achieve secure and efficient automated deployment.
Finally, the performance evaluation and continuous improvement module of deployment management guides you to establish a data-driven measurement system, shifting deployment practices from passive execution to active optimization.
4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-DM certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The prerequisite for applying for ITIL4P-DM is that you need to hold a valid ITIL 4 Foundation certification and also complete the official training courses of AXELOS authorized ATO institutions. Without an official training certificate, you cannot complete the application and there is no self-study application channel.
We recommend that you have:
1-2 years of work experience in IT service delivery, deployment, operations, or DevOps, familiar with basic tasks such as IT service release and environment management
Familiar with enterprise ITSM processes, able to better understand cross process collaboration scenarios in exams.
(2) Training and examinations:
ITIL4P-DM has 20 Single choice question questions, including 10-12 practical situation analysis questions and a few concept matching questions.
The exam duration for native English speakers is 30 minutes; Non native English speaking candidates can apply for an extension of 75 minutes.
The maximum score is 20 points, with a passing score of 13 points or above. The score is globally standardized and there is no fixed pass rate.
The exam fee is approximately $200-250, with slight fluctuations among different institutions, including exam fees and electronic certificate fees.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The ITIL4P-DM certificate is valid for 3 years, and the renewal requirement is that you must complete 22 AXELOS recognized CPD credits or obtain ITIL 4 advanced certification before the expiration date, which can be automatically renewed.
5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner: Release Management (ITIL4P-RM)
ITIL 4 Practitioner: Change Enablement (ITIL4P-CE)
ITIL 4 Specialist: Plan, Implement and Control (PIC)
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management (ITIL4P-IM) certification2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification? 3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-IM certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification
ITIL4P-IM is a certification that validates a candidate's ability to handle IT incidents end-to-end, collaborate across processes, and integrate modern practices.
1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management (ITIL4P-IM) certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management (ITIL4P-IM) is an ITIL 4 intermediate practical certification exam launched by AXELOS in the UK, focusing on the implementation of ITIL 4 core event management practices, and is also the fundamental core practical certification for the service operations sector in the ITSM field.
The ITIL4P-IM certification core verifies the standardized practical ability of candidates to handle IT service events end-to-end throughout the entire lifecycle of IT services, that is, the professional ability to quickly identify, respond, diagnose, and solve IT service interruption failures, or temporarily avoid service problems, minimize business impact, and quickly restore service availability. It is also an authoritative qualification for frontline practical positions such as service desk and IT operations to advance from "experience based fault handling" to "standardized and process based event management."
The ITIL 4 version of event management integrates modern practices such as DevOps, site reliability engineering, and automated monitoring based on V3, breaking the limitations of traditional "passive troubleshooting and manual troubleshooting." It emphasizes the event management concept of "automated response, hierarchical disposal, data-driven, and cross team collaboration" and clarifies the collaborative boundaries with problem management, change management, and configuration management, extending event handling from "single fault recovery" to "reducing the recurrence of similar events."
The core positioning of ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management is "standardized practical capability verification of IT service incident management." As the core basic practical certification in the ITIL 4 service operation field, it is different from the theoretical cognition in the Foundation stage and the strategic planning of advanced certification. The exam focuses on the practical implementation and business value guarantee of frontline event handling throughout the process, and solves the core pain points of enterprises.
2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification?
AXELOS' ITIL 4 certification is a universal standard in the global ITSM field, and it is the only ITIL 4 intermediate certificate that focuses on practical event management. Different from practitioners who only understand ITIL theory or rely on experience to troubleshoot, it is the core standard for companies to select talents who understand processes, are practical, and can control business impact when recruiting for event management positions.
During the preparation and certification process, you will systematically master the end-to-end process and core tools of ITIL 4 event management, get rid of the misconception of "troubleshooting based on experience, no standard processes, and no traceability records," and be able to quickly develop an event priority matrix that is suitable for the enterprise, improve the first-time resolution rate of events and SLA achievement rate, and usually reduce the team's average fault recovery time by 30%-40%.
The core of this certification emphasizes that "the priority of event handling is determined by the impact of the business." The certificate holder can handle faults from a business perspective, rather than simply focusing on technical difficulties. At the same time, a real-time synchronization mechanism for event progress is established to significantly reduce the impact of faults on the business and improve the satisfaction of business departments with the IT team.
The certificate holder is able to clearly define the collaborative boundaries between event management, problem management, and change management, identify clues for problem management from high-frequency events, implement fault resolution plans through change management, and achieve a transition from "passive troubleshooting" to "active prevention," significantly reducing the recurrence rate of similar events.
3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification
The ITIL 4 Incident Management Practitioner certification is a specialized intermediate certification in the ITIL 4 system that focuses highly on frontline fault recovery and business impact control.
The core value of ITIL 4 Incident Management Practitioner is to systematically train service desks or operations teams from passive response "firefighting teams" to professional teams that can efficiently and professionally handle various IT service interruptions and continuously optimize recovery processes.
The biggest feature of this certification is its strong emphasis on practical application, with over 70% of its scenario analysis questions aimed at simulating complex scenarios of frontline event handling, testing your on-site judgment and standard process application abilities.
This certification strictly follows the AXELOS official practice guide, and begins with the core concepts and value modules of event management. Its primary task is to accurately distinguish events from issues, changes, and other concepts.
The classification, grading, and prioritization module of events is the cornerstone of efficient response, requiring you to be able to develop a scientific priority matrix and major event determination criteria based on business impact.
The end-to-end process and core practical module of event management are the soul of authentication, deeply examining every step from event recording, diagnosis, upgrade, resolution to verification closure, with a focus on the application of temporary solutions and cross team collaboration.
The integration module of roles, collaboration, and modern practices tests how you can integrate event management in modern practices such as DevOps/SRE and effectively utilize tools. Finally, the performance evaluation and continuous improvement module guides you to establish a data-driven measurement system and drive the transition from "firefighting" to "fire prevention."
4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-IM certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The prerequisite for applying for ITIL4P-IM certification is that you need to hold a valid ITIL 4 Foundation certification and also complete the official training courses of AXELOS authorized ATO institutions. Without an official training certificate, you cannot complete the application and there is no self-study application channel.
We recommend that you have:
Six months to two years of experience in IT service operations and be familiar with real IT incident handling scenarios
Understand the use of basic ITSM tools and monitoring tools, with priority given to those who have experience in event grading and upgrade processes
Have a basic understanding of DevOps, SRE, and automated operations, and can better comprehend the modern practice integration scenario questions in the exam.
(2) Training and examinations:
ITIL4P-IM consists of 20 Single choice question questions, 14-16 practical situation analysis questions, and a small number of negative concept multiple-choice questions.
The exam duration for native English speakers is 30 minutes; non-native English speaking candidates can apply for an extension of 75 minutes. The maximum score is 20 points, with a passing score of 13 points or above. The score is globally standardized and there is no fixed pass rate.
The exam fee is approximately $200-250, with slight fluctuations among different institutions, including exam fees and electronic certificate fees.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The ITIL4P-IM certificate is valid for 3 years, and the renewal requirement is that you must complete 22 AXELOS recognized CPD credits or obtain ITIL 4 advanced certification before the expiration date, which can be automatically renewed.
5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Incident Management Certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner: Problem Management (ITIL4P-PM)
ITIL 4 Practitioner: Service Desk (ITIL4P-SD)
ITIL 4 Practitioner: Monitoring and Event Management (ITIL4P-MEM)
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Table of Contents1. The industry gold standard in project management in the United States, with no official endorsement from PMI2. The salary of project management positions is significantly higher, and the competitiveness of certified personnel far exceeds that of unlicensed personnel3. Adapt to the urgent needs of AI+ digital projects in the United States in 2026, and align the exam syllabus with the latest industry trends4. Hard recruitment indicators for American companies are highly recognized by both Fortune 500 and small and medium-sized enterprises5. A cross industry universal competency certificate that adapts to the cross disciplinary/career transition needs of the US workplace6. Connect with local PMI resources in the United States, unlock exclusive job search and networking opportunities7. Strengthen systematic project management skills and bid farewell to scattered work experience8. The basic threshold for promotion in project management in the US workplace is difficult to enter the core promotion channel without a certificate9. Adapt to the trend of remote project collaboration in the United States and fit the actual work scenario10. The certification is long-term and highly value-added, suitable for the long-term career development of the American workplace
PMP is launched by PMI in the United States and is an authoritative certification in the field of global project management. It is also a golden certificate for project management talents in the domestic workplace in the United States.
In 2026, the deepening of digital transformation in the United States, the large-scale implementation of AI projects, and distributed collaboration will become the norm in the workplace. Coupled with the increasing demand for standardized project management in various industries, the value of PMP has not been diluted, but has become the core lever for American professionals to enter the project management track and achieve career advancement.
The following are the top 10 core reasons for obtaining PMP in 2026, which are in line with the actual needs of employment, promotion, and cross industry development in the United States:
1. The industry gold standard in project management in the United States, with no official endorsement from PMI
PMP is a certification system developed by the authoritative American organization PMI, which fully conforms to the project management processes and standards of American enterprises. It is recognized as a core endorsement of project management capabilities in the American workplace by 2026.
Compared to other niche project management certifications, PMP has an absolute leading position in recognition and credibility in the United States, becoming the primary reference indicator for American companies to judge job seekers' project management abilities.
2. The salary of project management positions is significantly higher, and the competitiveness of certified personnel far exceeds that of unlicensed personnel
According to the 2026 US labor market data, among various project management related positions, PMP certificate holders earn 15%-40% more than unlicensed individuals with equivalent work experience. In high paying industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, and high-end manufacturing, this premium ratio will further increase.
PMP is widely regarded by American companies as an important reference for salary grading and performance evaluation, and holding a certificate directly becomes a bargaining chip for salary increases in the workplace.
3. Adapt to the urgent needs of AI+ digital projects in the United States in 2026, and align the exam syllabus with the latest industry trends
The PMP exam outline for PMI in 2026 has completed a new round of iteration, removing outdated single process management content and adding core content such as AI project management foundation, digital project landing methodology, agile and waterfall mixed management mode, fully meeting the landing needs of AI projects and digital transformation projects in industries such as technology, e-commerce, and fintech in the United States.
4. Hard recruitment indicators for American companies are highly recognized by both Fortune 500 and small and medium-sized enterprises
By 2026, over 90% of Fortune 500 companies in the United States will prioritize PMP as a project manager, project coordinator, and product delivery position. Silicon Valley technology companies, Wall Street financial institutions, and healthcare groups will also consider PMP as the "entry threshold" for core project positions.
Even for small and medium-sized enterprises in the United States, standardized project management can reduce project failure rates and gradually include PMP in recruitment requirements, making it difficult for unlicensed individuals to enter core project teams.
5. A cross industry universal competency certificate that adapts to the cross disciplinary/career transition needs of the US workplace
The core methodology of PMP is not limited to a single industry. In the US market by 2026, PMP certification will be recognized in all fields that require project implementation, including technology, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, e-commerce, real estate, and non-profit organizations.
6. Connect with local PMI resources in the United States, unlock exclusive job search and networking opportunities
After obtaining PMP certification, you can join PMI branches across the United States and have access to PMI's official talent pool in the United States, directly matching the recruitment needs of enterprise project management positions.
At the same time, it is possible to participate in PMI's offline industry exchange meetings, meet project management practitioners from different fields such as Silicon Valley and Wall Street, and accumulate industry connections in the American workplace. These networking resources are an important help for job hunting and promotion in the American workplace.
7. Strengthen systematic project management skills and bid farewell to scattered work experience
The core requirements for project management in American companies are "standardization, replicability, and low risk," while the project experience of most professionals is often scattered and lacks a systematic approach.
The PMP preparation process in 2026 can help learners build a complete knowledge system from project initiation, planning, execution to monitoring and closure, master the three mainstream management methods of agile, hybrid, and waterfall in the American workplace, and transform scattered experience into practical and systematic abilities, adapting to the project management process requirements of American enterprises.
8. The basic threshold for promotion in project management in the US workplace is difficult to enter the core promotion channel without a certificate
In the career advancement system of American companies in 2026, PMP is the basic threshold for almost all promotion nodes, from junior project coordinators to project managers, project portfolio managers, project directors, and enterprise level project management leaders.
Even with years of project work experience, it is difficult to enter the core management promotion channel of American companies without PMP certification, and this rule is particularly evident in large enterprises.
9. Adapt to the trend of remote project collaboration in the United States and fit the actual work scenario
By 2026, the proportion of remote projects in the US workplace had exceeded 60%, with cross time zone collaboration, remote team management, and online project delivery becoming the norm.
Obtaining the PMP exam can directly master these essential skills and solve the core pain points of remote project management.
10. The certification is long-term and highly value-added, suitable for the long-term career development of the American workplace
PMP is not a one-time certification, and renewal can be completed by completing the Professional Development Unit (PDU) required by PMI. There are abundant channels for accumulating PDUs in the United States.
In 2026, PMI also launched a specialized certification pathway for PMP holders in the United States, allowing them to seamlessly transition to higher-level certifications after obtaining PMP certification, paving the way for long-term career development.
Summary: The PMP application process is in line with American workplace habits and can be completed online throughout the entire process. Pearson VUE test centers are located in major cities in the United States, providing flexible exam times; At the same time, there are abundant PMP learning resources in the United States, so even if you enter the project management track with zero foundation, you can quickly find a suitable learning path.
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Table of Contents1. Consolidate the core foundation of mainstream network capabilities in 2026 and bid farewell to fragmented self-learning2. In the deep water area of enterprise digital transformation, the gap for entry-level talents in the network continues to widen3. Core indicators of salary premium for entry-level web worker positions4. The only cornerstone of Cisco's certification system, paving the way for advanced certification (CCNP/CCIE)5. The hard target for enterprise recruitment is that most internet worker positions explicitly prioritize holding CCNA6. Global industry endorsement, no barriers to cross regional employment7. Adapt to the emerging career track of 2026, expand career boundaries rather than being limited to traditional web workers8. The cost of trial and error in employment for fresh graduates, quickly locking in career direction9. Master the core ability of enterprise network troubleshooting and become an "irreplaceable" in the workplace10. The certification content is continuously iterated and updated, and the 2026 version of the exam syllabus has no "outdated knowledge," and the skills are effective for a long time
As a classic entry-level certification in the field of networking, CCNA's value has not decreased due to technological iteration in the industry background of digital transformation in the deep water area and cloud network integration becoming standard in 2026. Instead, its content continues to conform to mainstream trends, becoming a professional stepping stone and basic ability endorsement for networking talents.
Here are the top 10 core reasons for taking the CCNA exam in 2026, taking into account three dimensions: entry-level employment, skill enhancement, and career planning:
1. Consolidate the core foundation of mainstream network capabilities in 2026 and bid farewell to fragmented self-learning
The CCNA certification content for 2026 has been fully upgraded, no longer limited to traditional routing and switching, but deeply integrated with cloud network integration SD-WAN、Zero trust networks, IoT infrastructure networking, and other essential technologies that are currently needed by enterprises are fully aligned with practical work scenarios in the exam syllabus.
By systematically preparing for exams, one can quickly establish a complete knowledge system from "network underlying principles" to "emerging technology landing," which is far more practical than fragmented self-study content. It is the best path for beginners with zero foundation to enter the network industry.
2. In the deep water area of enterprise digital transformation, the gap for entry-level talents in the network continues to widen
In 2026, the digital and intelligent transformation of various industries will enter the implementation stage. From enterprise office networking to industrial Internet edge networking, basic network engineers will be required to implement the implementation. According to industry data, there is an annual gap of over 200000 entry-level network engineers, and CCNA, as the most recognizable entry-level certification, is the core competency credential that matches this gap.
3. Core indicators of salary premium for entry-level web worker positions
The salary data of the recruitment market in 2026 shows that the average monthly salary of certified CCNA holders is 10%-30% higher than that of unlicensed holders, and some companies directly use certification as the basic salary grading standard. Even for part-time networking and network maintenance work, CCNA can be an important basis for quotation.
4. The only cornerstone of Cisco's certification system, paving the way for advanced certification (CCNP/CCIE)
As a leading brand in global network equipment and solutions, Cisco's certification system (CCNA → CCNP → CCIE) will remain the most valuable high-level certification system in the network industry in 2026. To obtain specialized certifications in CCNP, CCIE, or Cisco Cloud Network Integration and Security, CCNA is the only prerequisite.
And the cost and difficulty of applying for Cisco Advanced Certification in 2026 have increased. Taking CCNA as a foundation can significantly reduce the time and financial costs of subsequent preparation.
5. The hard target for enterprise recruitment is that most internet worker positions explicitly prioritize holding CCNA
In 2026, for positions such as network engineer, network operation and maintenance engineer, and system integration engineer on major recruitment platforms, over 70% of enterprises will prioritize "holding a CCNA certificate" as a prerequisite for employment, and 30% of small and medium-sized enterprises will directly make it a necessary requirement. Especially for system integrators and Cisco partner companies, CCNA is a basic requirement for entry, and unlicensed individuals are basically unable to enter such core network enterprises.
6. Global industry endorsement, no barriers to cross regional employment
CCNA certification is a globally recognized entry credential for the internet industry, and remains the core certification for entry-level internet workers in mature regions such as Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In 2026, whether you want to find employment across cities or work abroad in network operations and system integration, CCNA can become the "universal language" for resumes without the need for additional competency certification, which is much more recognized than domestic niche certifications.
7. Adapt to the emerging career track of 2026, expand career boundaries rather than being limited to traditional web workers
CCNA in 2026 covers edge computing networking, IoT equipment interconnection, and cloud platform infrastructure networking. After obtaining the certificate, it can not only do traditional enterprise network operation and maintenance, but also cut into emerging tracks such as edge computing engineers, IoT operation and maintenance, and cloud network integration implementation.
These tracks are in a period of rapid development in 2026, with low talent competition and fast salary increases, and CCNA can provide the most basic technical capabilities for entering these tracks.
8. The cost of trial and error in employment for fresh graduates, quickly locking in career direction
For graduates with zero foundation and computer related majors, the job market in 2026 has increasingly high requirements for "pan technical positions," and network engineering is a track with moderate technical barriers, wide employment opportunities, and low trial and error costs.
The CCNA exam preparation period is short and the application fee is low. The exam fee for 2026 is about $200. By obtaining certification, one can quickly master core skills and avoid blindly seeking employment in "pan technical positions," directly locking in the employment direction of the internet industry.
9. Master the core ability of enterprise network troubleshooting and become an "irreplaceable" in the workplace
In 2026, the network architecture of enterprises will become more complex, and the impact of network failures will be greater. The focus of CCNA's preparation and examination is not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical troubleshooting, configuration and debugging. The certificate holder is able to independently solve 80% of the basic network failures in the enterprise, which is far more valued by the enterprise than employees who only understand theory. They are the "irreplaceable" in basic positions in the workplace.
10. The certification content is continuously iterated and updated, and the 2026 version of the exam syllabus has no "outdated knowledge," and the skills are effective for a long time
Cisco will update the CCNA syllabus annually based on industry technology trends. The 2026 CCNA has eliminated outdated technologies such as traditional frame relay and ATM, and added new content such as zero trust network foundation, SD-WAN deployment, cloud gateway configuration, and network security compliance, fully meeting the current technological needs of enterprises.
Unlike some entry-level certifications that have not been updated for many years, CCNA's knowledge and skills will not become outdated in the next 3-5 years. After passing the exam, it can not only cope with current employment, but also lay a long-term and effective foundation for subsequent skill improvement.
Summary: The additional advantages of applying for CCNA in 2026 are a short preparation period, averaging only 1-3 months, a simple application process, abundant learning resources, and the ability to quickly get started even with zero foundation. At the same time, Cisco provides official talent pool docking for CCNA holders, which can directly match the recruitment needs of Cisco partner companies and reduce information gaps in the job search process.
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement (ITIL4P-CI) certification2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification?3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-CI certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification
ITIL4P-CI is a certification that verifies the ability to continuously improve application processes, achieve cross-process integration, and enhance service value.
1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement (ITIL4P-CI) certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner Continuous Improvement (ITIL4P-CI) is an ITIL 4 intermediate practical certification exam launched by AXELOS in the UK, focusing on the ITIL 4 core continuous improvement practice module. It is also the only certification in the ITIL 4 system that specifically verifies the ability to implement continuous improvement throughout the entire process.
The core goal of ITIL 4 Practitioner Continuous Improvement is to verify that candidates will integrate the concept and methods of continuous improvement into the entire lifecycle of IT services. Through quantitative analysis, root cause positioning, and cross team promotion, they will achieve the professional ability to continuously enhance the value of IT services, optimize processes, and gradually improve resource utilization efficiency. It is the core advanced proof of IT service management from basic theory to practical implementation.
The ITIL 4 Practitioner Continuous Improvement certification is an upgraded version of the ITIL V3 continuous improvement process, which integrates modern improvement methodologies such as PDCA, lean, agile, and DMAIC. It breaks the limitations of traditional "one-time improvement without follow-up tracking" and emphasizes the continuous improvement concept of "data-driven, full staff participation, closed-loop management, and value quantification. "It solves the core pain points of "continuous improvement in form, without implementation methods, and unable to quantify value" in enterprises, and is an authoritative proof of its ability to promote the maturity of enterprise IT service systems.
The core positioning of ITIL 4 Practitioner Continuous Improvement is "standardized practical ability verification for continuous improvement of IT services." Unlike ITIL 4 Foundation, which only masters the basic theory of the "seven step process of continuous improvement," and also different from the strategic planning of high-level specialists/managers, this exam focuses on the implementation, cross process integration, and value quantification of continuous improvement throughout the entire process.
2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification?
AXELOS's ITIL 4 certification is a universal standard in the global ITSM field, while ITIL4P-CI is currently the only practical certification that focuses on continuous improvement practice. Different from practitioners who only understand theory, this certification is the core standard for companies to select "practical, practical, and energetic" talents when recruiting for positions related to continuous improvement process optimization, significantly enhancing resume competitiveness.
The certificate holder is able to establish a normalized continuous improvement system for the enterprise that is "data-driven, fully involved, and closed-loop management," integrating improvements into all IT service processes. This not only reduces IT operating costs, but also transforms the results of IT service improvements into tangible business value, achieving deep integration between IT and business.
Continuous improvement is a core element of the ITIL 4 service value system and a key test point for ITIL 4 MP certification. Through ITIL4P-CI, the practical foundation of continuous improvement can be strengthened, paving the way for obtaining MP certification and achieving a career transition from "practical engineer" to "ITSM management talent."
One of the core pain points of enterprise digital transformation is the rigidity of IT service processes that cannot adapt to the rapid iteration of business, and continuous improvement is the core method to solve this problem. Holders of certificates can promote the establishment of a normalized improvement system for enterprises, enabling IT services to continuously adapt to the needs of digital transformation, and become the core drivers and value guarantors of enterprise digital transformation.
This certification not only teaches improvement methods for IT services, but also cultivates candidates' data-driven analytical skills, cross team driving abilities, and value quantification expression abilities. These abilities are universal core competencies for IT practitioners to advance to management positions and are applicable to all IT fields. Their professional value can be reused in the long run.
3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification
The ITIL 4 Continuous Improvement Practitioner certification is a specialized intermediate certification within the ITIL 4 system that focuses on building and improving an organization's ability to "self-evolve." It goes beyond passive response to events or management processes and aims to systematically cultivate your full process leadership and execution abilities to proactively identify improvement opportunities, design improvement plans, quantify value, and drive organizational change.
This certification strictly follows the AXELOS official practice guide and has built a complete framework from concept to action. Certification begins with the core concepts and value modules of continuous improvement, clarifying its core engine position in the ITIL service value system.
The soul and core test point of ITIL 4 is the seven step continuous improvement process implementation module, which requires you to be able to skillfully apply the closed-loop process from "defining vision" to "solidifying results" in any real improvement scenario.
The cross process integration module of continuous improvement with other ITIL practices tests your ability to break through service management silos, integrate improvement practices into specific workflows such as change, deployment, and event management, and collaborate with agile/DevOps methods. The Tools, Technology, and Quantitative Analysis module provides practical tools such as root cause analysis and value stream mapping, as well as the ability to translate IT improvements into business value language.
Finally, the promotion, performance evaluation, and maturity enhancement modules hone your change management, performance evaluation, and risk management skills as an improvement leader. The core of this certification is to transform 'continuous improvement' from a slogan into a rigorous methodology that is executable, measurable, and embedded throughout the entire lifecycle of IT services.
4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-CI certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The prerequisite for applying for ITIL4P-CI is that you need to hold a valid ITIL 4 Foundation certification. You need to complete the official training courses of AXELOS authorized ATO institutions. Without an official training certificate, you cannot complete the application and there is no self-study application channel.
We recommend that you have 1-2 years of ITSM related work experience and be familiar with the actual operation of at least 1-2 core ITSM processes.Understand Agile DevOps、Lean and other modern management concepts, experience in process optimization and service quality evaluation is preferred for professionals who can better understand cross process integration scenarios in exams, possess basic data-driven analysis thinking, and understand KPI indicator design and data collection methods.
(2) Training and examinations:
ITIL4P-CI has 20 Single choice question questions, including 12-15 practical situation analysis questions, and a few concept matching multiple-choice questions.
The exam for native English speakers lasts for 30 minutes; non-native English speakers can apply for an extension of up to 75 minutes. The passing standard is a maximum score of 20 points, with 13 points or above being considered passing. It is globally standardized and has no fixed passing rate.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The ITIL4P-CI certificate is valid for 3 years. You need to complete 22 AXELOS accredited CPD credits or take the ITIL 4 Advanced Certification for automatic renewal before the expiration date.
5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Continual Improvement Certification
ITIL 4 Specialist: Collaborate, Assure and Improve (CAI)
ITIL 4 Specialist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB)
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management (ITIL4P-DM) certification2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification? 3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-DM certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
ITIL4P-DM is an intermediate certification that verifies end-to-end deployment practices, risk management, and the integration of modern practices.
1. Introduction to the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management (ITIL4P-DM) certification
The ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Exam (ITIL4P-DM) is an ITIL 4 intermediate practical certification exam launched by AXELOS in the UK. It belongs to the ITIL 4 practical module group and is part of the same series of practical certificates as change empowerment, service configuration management, and other certifications.
The core focus is on the end-to-end deployment management practice of IT service products. ITIL4P-DM certification verifies the professional practical ability of candidates to smoothly implement changes to the designed service products in the production environment, achieve rapid value delivery, and minimize business interruption. It is the core advanced certificate from basic theory to professional practice in the field of IT service management.
ITIL4P-DM certification is an upgraded version of ITIL V3 deployment management, which integrates modern technology practices such as agile, DevOps, CI/CD, etc. It breaks the limitations of traditional deployment of "heavy process, slow landing" and emphasizes the deployment concept of "automation, standardization, and rapid iteration." It has become a core qualification reference for enterprise recruitment of service delivery engineers and other positions, as well as an authoritative proof of ability to build a standardized IT service deployment system.
The core positioning of ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management is "standardized practical capability verification for IT service product deployment management," which is different from the basic theoretical knowledge of ITIL 4 Foundation and the strategic planning of advanced Specialist certification. The exam focuses on the practical application and value delivery of deployment implementation throughout the entire process.
2. Why Earn Your ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification?
The ITIL 4 certification of AXELOS is a universal standard in the global ITSM field. This certification is an exclusive practical certificate for deployment management direction, which is different from practitioners who only understand theory. It is the core standard for enterprises to select "practical and practical" talents when recruiting deployment management related positions.
This certification deeply integrates the standardized ITIL deployment process with modern practices such as DevOps/CI/CD, automated deployment, and containerized deployment, solving the core contradictions of "ITSM process rigidity affecting DevOps efficiency" and "lack of risk control in rapid DevOps deployment" in enterprises. It is a key proof of capability for DevOps transformation.
This certification is an important component of the ITIL 4 PIC module group. After passing it, one can continue to take other certifications in the same series and ultimately obtain the PIC Specialist comprehensive certification, paving the way for obtaining the ITIL 4 MP advanced certification and achieving a career transition from "practical engineer" to "ITSM management talent."
One of the core requirements for enterprise digital transformation is "rapid iteration and value delivery of IT service products," and deployment management is the last link in value implementation. The standardization and automation deployment capabilities of certificate holders can support the rapid iteration needs of enterprises and become the core drivers of digital transformation.
3. Overview of the ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
The ITIL 4 Deployment Management Practitioner certification is a specialized intermediate certification in the ITIL 4 system that focuses highly on the "last mile of software delivery." It goes beyond the general principles of Foundation and aims to systematically cultivate your full process management capabilities for planning, executing, and optimizing the safe and reliable deployment of new or changed IT service components into production environments.
This certification strictly follows the AXELOS official practice guide and has built a practical framework. You first need to clarify its positioning in the ITIL service value chain and its boundaries with release and change management in the core concepts and value modules of deployment management.
The core of authentication is the end-to-end deployment management process and activity module, which requires you to be proficient in the complete closed-loop process from deployment planning, environment preparation, implementation, verification to failure rollback, especially risk control and business verification.
The core role of deployment management and the cross team collaboration module clarify the responsibility framework required to break down the barriers between development and operations. The integration module of deployment management and modern practices is key, examining how you seamlessly integrate ITIL principles with modern methods such as agile, DevOps, CI/CD pipeline, containerization, etc., to achieve secure and efficient automated deployment.
Finally, the performance evaluation and continuous improvement module of deployment management guides you to establish a data-driven measurement system and continuous optimization capability. The core of this certification lies in practical application, emphasizing making wise decisions and effectively executing them in real and complex modern technological environments.
4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL4P-DM certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The prerequisite for applying for ITIL4P-DM is that you need to hold a valid ITIL 4 Foundation certification. At the same time, you need to complete the official training courses of AXELOS authorized ATO institutions. Without official training certificates, you cannot complete the application and there is no self-study application channel.
You also need to have 1-2 years of work experience in IT service delivery, operation, or deployment, familiar with basic work such as IT service release and environment management; Having a basic understanding of agile and DevOps concepts, those who have been exposed to CI/CD and automated deployment tools are preferred, as they can better comprehend the modern practice integration scenario questions in the exam.
(2) Training and examinations:
The ITIL4P-DM exam has 20 Single choice question questions, including 10-12 practical situation analysis questions and a few concept matching multiple-choice questions.
The exam for native English speakers lasts for 30 minutes; Non native English speakers can apply for an extension of up to 75 minutes. The passing standard is a maximum score of 20 points, with 13 points or above being considered passing. It is globally standardized and has no fixed passing rate.
The exam fee is approximately $200-250, including exam fees and electronic certificate fees, with no additional charges. After 1-3 working days, the electronic certificate can be downloaded from the PeopleCert official website and supports query verification.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The ITIL4P-DM certificate is valid for 3 years, and the renewal requirement is that you need to complete 22 AXELOS recognized CPD credits or take the ITIL 4 advanced certification before expiration, which can be automatically renewed.
5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL 4 Practitioner Deployment Management Certification
ITIL 4 Practitioner Release Management (ITIL4P-RM)
ITIL 4 Practitioner Change Enablement (ITIL4P-CE)
ITIL 4 Specialist: Plan, Implement and Control (PIC)
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA SIC) certification2. Why Earn Your CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA SIC) Certification? 3. Overview of the CFA SIC Certification4. What are the requirements to be a CFA SIC certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to CFA SIC Certification
CFA SIC is a certification in the field of sustainable investing that focuses on the integrated application of ESG, investment decision-making, and risk management.
1. Introduction to the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA SIC) certification
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate is a globally recognized professional certification for sustainable investment launched by the CFA Institute. Its core positioning is to verify that the holder has the professional knowledge and practical ability to effectively integrate ESG factors into the investment decision-making process. It is an authoritative qualification certificate in the field of sustainable investment in the financial industry and is widely recognized by global asset management companies and regulatory authorities as a standardized proof of ESG investment capabilities.
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate was initially developed by CFA Society UK in 2019, and has been fully taken over and globally promoted by CFA Institute since September 2021. Its aim is to meet the rapidly growing demand for sustainable investment professionals in the financial industry, helping investment professionals establish a "value-driven + risk management + sustainable development" investment decision-making framework, and becoming a key qualification for the transformation of traditional finance to sustainable finance.
The core positioning of the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate is "professional verification of sustainable investment and ESG integration capabilities." Unlike pure theoretical introductory courses and in-depth professional certifications, this certificate balances theory with practical application, requiring candidates to not only master the core concepts of ESG, but also apply ESG factors in investment analysis, valuation modeling, portfolio construction, and risk management, achieving a leap from "understanding ESG" to "implementing sustainable investment."
Its core goal is to ensure that validators can identify and evaluate ESG risks and opportunities in their actual work, integrate ESG factors into traditional financial analysis, design ESG integrated investment strategies, evaluate sustainable investment products, understand global sustainable financial regulations and standards, and become the core executors and value creators of sustainable investment in organizations.
2. Why Earn Your CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate (CFA SIC) Certification?
CFA Institute has a high reputation in the global investment industry, and its sustainable investment certification is widely recognized by financial institutions, asset management companies, and regulatory agencies worldwide. It has a high degree of recognition in 165 countries and is a core reference indicator for recruitment and promotion in ESG related positions.
The certification focuses on the financial impact analysis of ESG factors, helping traditional financial practitioners establish sustainable investment thinking and practical skills, achieve professional transformation from traditional finance to sustainable finance.
According to CFA Institute 2025 data, the average annual salary of sustainable investment certification holders is 15%-25% higher than that of noncertified peers; In the fields of asset management, investment banking, and green finance, this certification is an important reference indicator for promotion and salary increase; Practitioners holding the "CFA + Sustainable Investment" dual certification are more competitive in the talent market, with starting salaries for fresh graduates increasing by 10%-20%.
With the tightening of global ESG regulation, the demand for ESG professionals in enterprises and financial institutions has surged. The global ESG disclosure standards and compliance requirements covered by certification can help holders cope with new regulatory challenges and become the core force of organizational ESG compliance.
Certification provides a comprehensive knowledge system from ESG data evaluation to portfolio construction, helping practitioners avoid the risk of "ESG greenwashing," implement truly financially valuable ESG investment strategies, enhance the scientific and sustainable nature of investment decisions, and create long-term value for clients.
3. Overview of the CFA SIC Certification
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate aims to systematically integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into modern financial analysis, investment decision-making, and portfolio management practices, marking the evolution of ESG from a concept to a rigorous, data-driven professional investment discipline.
This certification strictly follows the official outline of the CFA Institute and has built a complete knowledge system from theory to practice. You will first establish an overall framework in the ESG and Sustainable Investment introductory module, understanding its connection to sustainable development goals and various investment strategies.
The core analytical ability ESG requires you to deeply evaluate the substantive impact of specific issues such as climate change, supply chain, labor rights, and board structure on corporate finance.
On this basis, the ESG substantive evaluation and ESG data and rating module provide key tools for assessing priority and data reliability. The ESG integration analysis and valuation, as well as the ESG portfolio management module, are the ultimate focus of certification, examining how you can transform qualitative ESG analysis into quantitative valuation adjustments and specific investment portfolio strategies.
Finally, the Participation and Stewardship modules shift the focus from analysis to action, emphasizing how shareholder participation and voting can drive corporate change and ensure compliance with increasingly stringent disclosure standards worldwide.
4. What are the requirements to be a CFA SIC certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate does not have mandatory educational qualifications or certification requirements, and is suitable for professionals in the financial industry or those interested in sustainable investment.
We recommend that you have 1-3 years of work experience in financial investment or complete the CFA Program Level 1 exam to better understand the financial analysis and valuation scenario questions in the exam.
(2) Training and examinations:
The CFA Sustainable Investment Certificate has a total of 100 Single choice question questions, including a large number of scenario analysis questions and practical application questions, emphasizing the ESG decision-making ability in the real investment environment.
The exam duration is globally standardized at 2 hours, with no additional language extension time. A maximum score of 100 points, reaching 70 points or above is considered a pass. The global unified scoring standard has a historical pass rate of about 60-70%. The exam fee is approximately $890.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate does not have a fixed validity period, but we recommend that you update your knowledge through continuous professional development (CPD) activities to adapt to the rapid changes in the field of sustainable investment.
The renewal process does not require a mandatory renewal exam, but CFA Institute encourages holders to complete 20 hours of CPD activities annually to maintain their professional competence.
5. Comparable Certifications to CFA SIC Certification
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
(ISC)² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) (CS0-003)
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification2. Why Earn Your GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification? 3. Overview of the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification4. What are the requirements to be a GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification
GIAC Security Essentials is a certification focused on practical security capability verification, covering the entire security knowledge stack from basic defense to cloud security.
1. Introduction to the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) is an intermediate practical network security certification launched by GIAC. It verifies that the holder has practical information security knowledge and skills that go beyond basic terminology concepts, and can perform security tasks and implement security control measures in enterprise IT environments. It is an authoritative qualification certificate for transitioning from IT operations to the field of network security and is widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies as a standardized proof of basic network security capabilities.
Different from the pure theoretical entry-level certification, GSEC emphasizes the technical application ability in real scenarios, integrates the practical training system of SANS Institute, focuses on the core competencies of "defense and response," and is one of the key certifications for network security practitioners to establish technical credibility.
The core positioning of GSEC is "standardized verification of practical network security capabilities," which is different from the theoretical knowledge of entry-level certification and the deep technical expertise of expert level certification. This certification balances theory and practice, requiring candidates to not only master the core concepts of network security, but also be able to implement security protection, handle security incidents, and assess security risks in Windows/Linux systems, cloud platforms, and network environments, achieving the ability transition from "understanding security" to "implementing security."
Its core goal is to ensure that validators are able to design multi-layered defense systems, configure access control and password management policies, apply encryption technology to protect data, respond to and handle security events, assess and mitigate security risks, manage cloud security and virtualization environments, and understand security compliance requirements and security management processes in practical work, becoming the core executors of organizational network security defenses.
2. Why Earn Your GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification?
GSEC, issued by GIAC, is a globally recognized practical cybersecurity certification. Unlike certificates that only test theory, this certification emphasizes the ability to execute security tasks in real work scenarios and is widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies as the basic screening criteria for cybersecurity positions.
During the preparation process, you will systematically master the core technologies and processes of network security, establish security thinking such as "multi-layer defense," "minimum privilege," and "defense in depth," and help organizations balance innovation and security in a rapidly iterating business environment, reducing security risks.
As a basic certification, GSEC has no strict application threshold and a moderate preparation period. Candidates with IT background can complete the preparation in 2-3 months. The investment cost is lower than that of advanced certification, but it can significantly enhance the employment competitiveness of network security related positions. It is the preferred choice for IT practitioners to "enter the field of network security at low cost."
After passing GSEC, one can directly connect with GIAC's advanced certification and become a professional in the field of network security; At the same time, you can join the GIAC global security community to access the latest trends, practical cases, and research reports in the cybersecurity industry, expand your industry network, and connect with high-quality career opportunities.
One of the core requirements for current enterprise digital transformation is "deep integration of security and business," and GSEC certification emphasizes basic security capabilities, which can help organizations establish a solid security defense line in the process of digital transformation and become core participants in enterprise digital transformation.
3. Overview of the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a widely recognized and highly weighted comprehensive entry-level to intermediate certification in the field of cybersecurity. Unlike many certifications that focus on a single field, GSEC aims to cultivate you into a "versatile" security practitioner with solid foundational skills.
This certification is based on the GIAC official outline and has systematically constructed a necessary knowledge system for modern security professionals. You will start with core concepts such as network security fundamentals, access control, and identity management to establish the underlying logic of the security architecture.
On this basis, cryptographic applications, operating system security, and application security basic modules provide you with specific technical tools to protect data, systems, and applications.
The latter half of the certification focuses on the daily practice and organizational level of security work: the security operation and management and event response and handling modules hone your operations and emergency capabilities.
The cloud security infrastructure module ensures that you can meet the challenges of modern infrastructure; the risk assessment and compliance, as well as physical and environmental security modules, elevate your perspective to the level of organizational risk management and business continuity.
4. What are the requirements to be a GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) does not have mandatory educational qualifications or certification requirements, and is suitable for practitioners with IT background to apply.
Although there is no strict requirement for work experience, we recommend that you have 2-3 years of IT work experience or complete the SANS SEC504 training course to better understand the practical scenario questions in the exam.
(2) Training and examinations:
The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) exam has 106 Single choice question questions in total, including a large number of situational analysis questions and practical application questions, emphasizing the security decision-making ability in the real environment. The exam duration is globally standardized at 4 hours.
The maximum score is 800 points, and reaching 584 points or above is considered a pass. The global unified scoring standard does not have a fixed pass rate. The exam fee includes both the exam fee and certificate fee, and SANS trainees can enjoy a discount of approximately $900-1100.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
GIAC Security Essentials Certification is valid for 4 years, and the renewal process must be completed before expiration to maintain the validity of the certification.
You need to retake the GSEC exam or complete 36 continuing professional education credits recognized by GIAC and pay a renewal fee of approximately $400. Continuing to obtain other advanced certifications from GIAC can automatically renew GSEC certification.
5. Comparable Certifications to GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) Certification
ISC² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
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Table of Contents1. Introduction to the ITIL V4 Foundation certification2. Why Earn Your ITIL V4 Foundation Certification?3. Overview of the ITIL V4 Foundation Certification4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL V4 Foundation certification holder?5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL V4 Foundation Certification
The ITIL V4 Foundation is an entry-level certification in the field of IT service management that focuses on the guiding principles and service value system of ITIL V4.
1. Introduction to the ITIL V4 Foundation certification
The ITIL V4 Foundation Exam is the entry-level foundation exam for the ITIL V4 service management certification system launched by the UK Department of Commerce's Digital, Data and Technology Centre. It is also the core authoritative entry credential for entering the field of IT Service Management (ITSM).
ITIL is the most mainstream and widely used IT service management framework globally, with V4 version integrating agile DevOps、Lean and other modern management concepts focus on "value driven" IT service management, while the Foundation exam aims to verify candidates' basic understanding of ITIL V4 core concepts, guiding principles, and service value systems, help candidates establish standardized IT service management thinking, and lay a solid foundation for subsequent ITIL V4 high-level certification.
The core positioning of ITIL V4 Foundation is "the fundamental validation of standardized thinking in IT service management." Different from the practical application and strategic planning capabilities of ITIL V4 high-level certification, the Foundation exam does not involve complex practical implementation. The core focus is on theoretical cognition and framework understanding: candidates are required to master the core terminology, 7 guiding principles, service value system, value chain and other underlying frameworks of ITIL V4, understand how IT services create value for business, and how standardized IT service management thinking can solve problems such as IT and business disconnection and low service efficiency in enterprises.
The core goal of the ITIL V4 Foundation Exam is to enable candidates to break free from the mindset of "pure technical operations" and establish a core understanding of "IT services empowering business". This is also the core of ITIL V4, laying a unified theoretical foundation for applying ITIL methods in practical work and obtaining advanced certifications in the future.
2. Why Earn Your ITIL V4 Foundation Certification?
ITIL is the most authoritative and widely used IT service management framework globally, recognized by enterprises in over 180 countries and regions. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies use ITIL methods to manage IT services; As an entry-level certification, ITIL V4 Foundation is the basic screening criterion for companies to recruit ITSM related positions, and it is the "stepping stone" to enter the field of standardized IT service management.
During the preparation process, candidates will systematically master the core framework and guiding principles of ITIL V4, break away from "pure technical thinking," and establish a core understanding of "IT services creating value for business." This is the key to the transformation of IT practitioners from "technical execution" to "management thinking," which can effectively solve common problems such as disconnection between IT and business, slow service response, and chaotic processes in enterprises.
As an entry-level certification, ITIL V4 Foundation has no application threshold, short preparation period, and lifelong validity of certificates. Its investment cost is much lower than that of intermediate and high-level certifications, but it can significantly enhance the employment competitiveness of IT service management related positions, making it the preferred choice for IT practitioners to "enhance professional value at low cost."
After passing the Foundation, one can directly connect to the ITIL V4 MP/SL advanced certification and become a high-level ITSM management talent in the enterprise; At the same time, you can join the AXELOS global ITIL community to access the latest ITSM industry trends, practical cases, and research reports, expand your industry network, and connect with high-quality career opportunities.
One of the core requirements for the current digital transformation of enterprises is the deep integration of IT services and business, and ITIL V4 is based on "value driven" and integrates agile DevOps、By mastering modern management concepts such as lean and the basic thinking of ITIL V4, one can better adapt to the IT service management needs of enterprise digital transformation and become a core participant in enterprise digital transformation.
3. Overview of the ITIL V4 Foundation Certification
ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is the most widely recognized entry-level certification in the global IT Service Management (ITSM) field, serving as the industry standard starting point for understanding and applying best practices in IT service management.
Unlike cutting-edge certifications that focus on specific technologies, the core of ITIL 4 is to provide a value oriented service management mindset that embraces modern agile and lean methods.
The content of this certification strictly follows the official AXELOS outline. The certification begins with reshaping the core concepts of service management, emphasizing that the essence of IT services is to "co create value" for customers. The soul of this concept is reflected in the seven guiding principles of ITIL, which are the fundamental guidelines that guide all service management activities.
The service value system is the overall framework of ITIL 4, and the service value chain describes the dynamic workflow from requirements to value delivery.
The core practice module of ITIL introduces 34 management practices, which are specific "tools" for realizing value, but the focus of learning is on understanding their goals and scenarios, rather than rote memorization of process steps.Finally, the governance, risk management, and continuous improvement modules ensure that service management activities are always aligned with organizational strategy and can be continuously optimized.
4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL V4 Foundation certification holder?
(1) Qualification prerequisites:
The ITIL 4 Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management certification exam does not have any mandatory educational or work experience requirements, and is a pure entry-level certification suitable for people with zero foundation to apply for.
We recommend that you have a basic understanding of the IT industry or about 1 year of work experience in IT/enterprise services to better understand the exam scenarios.
(2) Training and examinations:
ITIL-4-Foundation consists of 40 Single choice question questions, including about 10-15 scenario analysis questions, and the rest are concept questions. The exam lasts for 60 minutes, including 5 minutes of pre exam instructions.
ITIL-4-Foundation has a maximum score of 40 points, and a score of 35 or above is considered passed. There is no fixed pass rate based on the globally standardized scoring criteria. The exam fee is approximately $250-300, including exam and certificate fees, with no additional charges.
(3) Qualification maintenance:
The ITIL-4-Foundation certificate is valid for life without any renewal requirements or the need to accumulate continuing education credits, making it one of the few IT certifications that is valid for life.
After passing the Foundation, you can directly apply for the advanced certification path of ITIL V4 without any other prerequisites.
5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL V4 Foundation Certification
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
CompTIA ITF+ (FC0-U61)
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
COBIT 2019 Foundation