As a guest speaker, I gave this presentation, last night, to the Association of Information Systems Professionals (AISP), an Information Systems student group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Demystifying Professional Certifications provides an overview of what professional certifications are, why they matter, how to choose which ones to pursue, how to get certified and how to keep the certifications is good standing.

1. Demystifying Professional Certifications
Association of Information Systems Professionals
A UW-Madison Student Organization
Presented by Nicholas Davis, CISA, CISSP

2. What is a ProfessionalWhat is a Professional
Certification?Certification?
• Neutral third party testimonial
to knowledge
• Sets a baseline (minimum)
• Does not set a top bar
(maximum)
• Good for popular careers
• Not good for extreme
specialists
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3. I Have a DegreeI Have a Degree
Why Do I Want a Certification?Why Do I Want a Certification?
• Resume searches – keywords
• Job requirements, especially government
• Employers love certifications, because it
lowers their burden of verifying
knowledge
• Increase your salary
• Differentiate you
• Professional recognition and respect
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4. How do I get aHow do I get a
Certification?Certification?
• Meet standards for work experience
• Study, independently or via a
professional course
• Pass exam
• Demonstrate work experience
• Testimonials from co-workers
• Pay lots of money
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5. How Much Does It Cost?How Much Does It Cost?
• Study materials
• Cost of exam
• Cost of classes
• Study on your own vs.
enrolling in a prep course
• One time cost, vs. take the
exam multiple times cost
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6. How Do I Keep aHow Do I Keep a
Certification?Certification?
• CPEs, continuing professional education
• Seminars
• Guest lectures
• Conferences
• Articles
• Classes
• More certifications!
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7. What Kinds of CertificationsWhat Kinds of Certifications
Do I want?Do I want?
• In your area of expertise
• Applicable
• Look for trends in your
industry
• What do your peers have
• How common is the
certification
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8. What Certifications Do IWhat Certifications Do I
Not Want?Not Want?
• Ones which go in and out of
fashion quickly
• Ones which are so highly
technical that you may
become obsolete
• Ones which require huge
amounts of CPEs
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9. Case in PointCase in Point
Very Popular in 2000Very Popular in 2000
Not Popular NowNot Popular Now
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10. How Many CertificationsHow Many Certifications
Do I WantDo I Want
• One is nice
• A few is nicer
• Many makes you look like a test
taker with no genuine interest in the
subjects
• Less is more, to an extent
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11. How Do I KeepHow Do I Keep
My CertificationsMy Certifications
• CPE credits
• Pay annual dues
• Don’t lie about CPEs
• Don’t do unethical things
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12. Let’s Look at 10 TopLet’s Look at 10 Top
CertificationsCertifications
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13. Questions and DiscussionQuestions and Discussion
Nicholas Davis, CISA, CISSP
ndavis@uwsa.edu
Tel. 608.347.2486
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