Understand the expectations and realities of an Azure Administrator job before applying. Learn the necessary skills and dedication required.
What is the cybersecurity skills gap and what can your company do about it? Certain ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic will be seared in our minds forever—supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and a major shift to virtual work and education. One major effect of the pandemic, though lesser known, is being felt by I.T. departments in thousands of businesses across the globe.
The threat of increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals is more imminent now than ever as the body of smart devices in the Internet of Things grows and as government agencies, healthcare giants, and academic institutions move to digital, work-from-home infrastructure, increasing their vulnerability to cyberattacks that could leave the private information of their employees, clients, and stakeholders exposed.
To add to the concern, there's a major skills gap in cybersecurity and it's only expected to grow. Experts predict 3.5 million job openings in cybersecurity by 2025. This cybersecurity skills gap is what prompted Microsoft to launch an international skilling campaign to help the world's businesses fight off ever-advanced cyberattacks. With increasing technical demands and a shortage of qualified workers, it's clear that the one thing organizations should do to stay ahead of cybersecurity threats is invest in high-quality training and certification programs.
Cisco's Learning Credit Program was established over 10 years ago to provide customers with the flexibility to plan what, when and where training is required to accelerate their intended outcomes. Training and learning, like so many things over the last few years, have been greatly optimized through digitization. After a thorough analysis and comparative assessment, Cisco had determined the current Learning Credit program is not consistent with industry best practices or compliance requirements, and no longer meets Cisco's client expectations and evolving needs.
The lists below details what and when Microsoft certifications and exams are retiring and what your recommended next steps should be.
First, if you’ve recently earned one of these certifications or have been studying for an upcoming MCSA, MCSE or MCSD exam, relax and take a deep breath, you’re OK, but you should move swiftly. In Microsoft's statement they clarified that, “If you have passed a qualifying exam, it will still count towards competency attainment for 12 months after the exam is retired.”
If you are pursuing a qualifying exam, “you can continue earning the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications as long as the required exams are still available. As we retire the exams that are part of those certification paths, you will no longer be able to earn those certifications. If you are unable to complete the required exams before they are retired (31/01/2021), ....”