Top Virtualization Certifications to Earn in 2024

Around 2002, virtualization exploded in the enterprise environment. For the first time, businesses could fully utilize server hardware without increasing their TCO (total cost of ownership) and operations costs.

The enterprise doesn’t sit still, however. Virtualization has migrated from on-prem hardware to the cloud or hybrid approaches. Following the VMware certification path is no longer the only option for new IT techs. This article will explain why these are the five virtualization certifications to get in 2024.

1. VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization 2024

When you hear “data center,” you probably imagine a warehouse full of racks filled with servers, but data centers come in all shapes and sizes. A data center for a business could be as small as a broom closet. The common trait among most data centers is they run ESXi. 

ESX is the most popular virtualization software. It’s been tried and true in the business environment for decades, and ESX has a significant market share in the on-prem environment over other options like Hyper-V.

If you’re going to work as a virtualization admin, system engineer, IT consultant, etc., in a business that uses on-prem servers, you must understand how to manage ESX. The VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV 2024) certificate is explicitly designed to measure those skills and all vSphere solutions. 

While VMware certifications have undergone major changes in recent years, they remain a key choice for IT pros. The Data Center Virtualization VMware test will measure skills like managing vSphere and designing virtualized networks within the hypervisor.

Need more convincing? The VCP-DCV 2024 cert costs $250, and at the time of writing this article, more than 90% of the jobs posted on LinkedIn seeking candidates with this specific certification stated the starting salary was $100,000+.

2. Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

Many businesses have moved to a hybrid model to utilize cloud resources while minimizing the footprint of their IT services. Many companies are choosing to partner with Microsoft to extend their current MS infrastructure to Azure, and the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (WSHAA) can prepare you for roles at those businesses. 

Azure runs on virtualization. Everything in Azure, from networking to virtual machines to AI services, is virtualized. The Server Hybrid Admin Associate verifies that techs understand how to bridge the gap between ESX or Hyper-V and Azure cloud services. The AZ-801 exam tests for skills like deploying AD to the cloud, configuring on-prem applications to authenticate against Azure, configuring high availability and fail-over in hybrid environments, and more.

The WSHAA cert is one of the most versatile certifications on this list. It applies to these jobs, plus more:

• Security Administrator

• Systems Administrator

• IT Analyst

• Network Analyst

• Cloud/Azure Engineer

• Office 365 Administrator

• Data Engineer

• Security Engineer  

3. AWS Certified Sysops Administrator

AWS is the largest cloud provider globally. Most start-ups build their businesses on AWS, and Fortune 500 companies often split cloud resources between multiple vendors. So, it’s also a wise idea to earn the AWS Certified Sysops Administrator certification.  

The AWS Certified Sysops Admin cert tests for skill in deploying and managing workloads to Azure in an automated environment. AWS offers more than 200 different products, some of which can achieve the same results. 

Earning the Sysops Admin cert can help determine how and when to use those products.

4. Cisco CCNP Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions

Much like VMware is a household name in the virtualization world, Cisco is the de facto standard in networking. Cisco sells more than routers and switches, however. They also sell server equipment.  

When you dive into the world of Cisco, you’ll discover amazing things like blade servers and virtualized networks running within server chassis. Cisco does a lot of neat stuff in the networking and server world, and its innovations routinely bridge the two.

The CCNP Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions (300-535 SPAUTO) tests for skills like understanding dual-stack architectures, advanced network security concepts, network automation, and more. CIO.com listed the CCNP as one of the top 15 most in-demand certifications in 2023, and that is not likely to change anytime soon, so it is definitely worth your time.  

5. Certified Cloud Security Professional

The (ISC)² Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is a vendor-neutral industry certification similar to the CompTIA certifications, except the CCSP is laser-focused on cloud security. 

It is also one of the most demanding certifications and is largely for IT directors, CIOs, CISOs, and upper-level systems cloud architects with on-the-job experience.

While demanding, earning the CCSP is worth it as it can help you receive top pay and increase job stability.

Ready to Earn Your Virtualization Cert? 

The five certificates listed above are the best virtualization certifications right now. Each will help you develop a critical understanding of how business IT services work. 

The right cert for you will depend on which platforms your current job uses or what services your ideal job uses. If you're unsure, aim for a vendor-agnostic certification that will give you a broader knowledge base. 

Want to beef up your virtualization knowledge? Check out our Azure Training for Hybrid Environments.