Best IT Certificates Chicago, IL: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Chicago IT Certificates

The field of Information Technology (commonly referred to as IT) involves working with computer systems, hardware, software, and networks related to the processing and distribution of data. The umbrella of IT also encompasses networking hardware (servers and routers) and applications that allow communication over a variety of networks and the internet.

The term “Information Technology” was first used in a 1958 publication of the Harvard Business Review, which divided IT into the following three categories: techniques for processing, the use of statistical and mathematical methods to make decisions, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through computer programs. Businesses devote entire departments to Information Technology, assembling teams to handle these tasks.

Data processing plays a significant role in a variety of business practices, including product development and design, marketing and market research, sales and invoicing, customer development and retention, accounting and taxes, human resources and payroll, and regulatory compliance. IT has become an essential part of nearly every modern industry, so it is a wise choice to become an expert in Information Technology.

Why Become Certified in IT?

Becoming certified in Information Technology has several benefits. An IT certification is a recognized benchmark within the field of IT, as it showcases your dedication, motivation, and proficiency in the subject matter. Preparations for certification exams, training, and fees cost time and money, further confirming your commitment to the field.

Being able to prove your dedication and proficiency can help you stand out from other job seekers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be around 377,500 job openings in IT each year from now until 2032. And with the median salary sitting well above the national average at $100,000, you can expect a healthy salary in most of these open roles.

It is fairly common for companies to require ongoing certifications, especially within the field of Information Technology. This means that, if you currently work in IT and want a promotion, attending a certification course can be a great way to prove you deserve that higher-paying, higher-ranking job. Cisco’s recertification requirements, for example, include earning continuing education credits, taking an exam, or attending training during each three-year cycle. If your employer requires ongoing training, there’s a high probability they will help pay for your certification, so make sure to check with them before enrolling.

IT professionals often have the added benefit of being able to work from wherever they choose. Remote work offers more flexibility for IT experts, allowing you to assist fellow employees or clients via email, video chat, or by taking over their desktops. You’re no longer tied to cities with high costs of living and are often only required to work within a specific time zone.

High pay, plenty of career opportunities, and the ability to choose where you work are only a few of the perks of working in Information Technology. Getting certified in IT is the quickest way to make your dream career a reality. Keep reading to discover more about what you’ll learn in a training program and how to choose the right certification for you.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming IT Certified

Information Technology is a multifaceted field and requires professionals who are adept in a variety of tools and techniques. Below is a list of the most common skills you’ll master in a certificate course, so that you know what to look for when you’re researching potential training programs. It’s important to note that there are many other hard and soft skills that you’ll want to master, especially soft skills like collaboration, effective communication, and problem-solving. (And if you’ve already mastered some of the below, consider yourself ahead of the game.)

Security

Security is an essential element of an IT department. Starting in a help desk, networking, or System Administration role can introduce you to concepts that are helpful to know for security purposes, but most training programs will cover the basics of security. These can include familiarity with physical, network, and software security; installing firewalls and routers; data encryption; risk mitigation strategy and threat analysis; knowledge of compliance regulations and standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and CCPA; and ethical hacking and penetration testing.

Programming

If you want to develop software, web applications, and websites, knowing how to program will be extremely important. Commonly used languages are Python, C++, JavaScript, Ruby, and PowerShell. Being familiar with at least two is recommended, so that you can adequately troubleshoot any errors you may encounter on the job.

Data Analysis

Troubleshooting problems and improving systems and networks means you’ll need to know how to properly dissect and analyze data. Monitoring performance data can help you find security threats or coding errors, or see where inefficiencies exist in the overall operation. Having a basic understanding of SQL and statistics will go a long way when analyzing data.

Networks and Systems

Two common job titles for an IT professional are System Administrator and Network Administrator. Managing and improving computer systems and networks is central to the work of an IT team. Mastering networks and systems may require you to administer diverse operating systems like Windows, Linux, or Mac; install and configure computer hardware and software; manage cloud administration and applications; maintain local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), storage area networks (SAN), and virtual private networks (VPNs); and troubleshoot and assist employees with technical issues.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing skills are in demand within the IT industry. Through the delivery of on-demand computing resources like hardware, storage, databases, networking, and software, cloud computing allows companies to access and store information without managing their own physical devices or IT infrastructure. Its scalability, flexibility, and cost savings have helped it grow in popularity across a variety of industries.

IT Industries in Chicago

Chicago is a cultural and economic hub in the Midwest, boasting a diverse population, a world-renowned arts scene, and multiple thriving industries. With an established and varied set of specialties, strong distribution networks, a skilled workforce, and a wide variety of public and private support, the manufacturing sector is thriving in Chicago. Manufacturing is an important part of the city’s economy, supplying 200,000 jobs in 6,800 companies, including factory manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, logistics, and warehousing.

Chicago’s transportation industry generates $24 billion annually in output and employs more than 260,000 individuals, making it the largest in the nation. There are more than 16,000 transportation, distribution, and logistics firms located in the metro area, which is the highest in the nation.

Nearly 200 years ago, Chicago established its first banks and exchanges. Boasting one of the most diverse financial industries among U.S. metros, the city is now home to the third-highest employment in the finance and insurance sector. The finance industry generated $132.3 billion in 2022, with 325,000 employees across 13,776 businesses.

These industries, and countless others, rely on IT professionals to maintain their systems and networks on hard drives, remote servers, and the cloud. Information Technology experts are also needed to help troubleshoot issues both on the back end and with employees or other personnel. With such high need across a variety of enterprises, there are plenty of roles for you to pursue, several of which are covered below.

IT Careers in Chicago

There are several potential job titles for someone certified in Information Technology. You could become a Systems Architect. In this role, you would be responsible for devising, configuring, operating, and maintaining computer and networking systems. You would analyze desired processes and outcomes to advise on the right pathway for achieving specific business, department, team, or functional goals. In Chicago, you can expect to earn $143,000–$188,000 as a Systems Architect.

You could also become a Computer and Information Systems Manager, overseeing the computer and data-related infrastructure for the organization. You would be in charge of running an entire Information Technology department or, in some cases, a specified department like Cybersecurity. In Chicago, you could make $135,000–$164,000.

Another option is to become a Cloud Security Engineer. These professionals plan, implement, upgrade, and monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. You’d also lead system assessments for vulnerabilities, monitor for and protect against security risks, and ensure appropriate security controls are in place that safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. Salaries for this role in Chicago range between $122,000 and $141,000.

As you can see, there are many roles you can pursue within IT depending on your interests. With salary ranges well above the U.S. average of $60,000, you can have a successful and lucrative career in IT no matter your Job Title.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

While these two terms might seem interchangeable, they are quite different when they refer to training programs. Earned through an assessment or a professional training program, a certification is a professional credential that shows the holder has passed a third-party examination in their area of study. Many jobs require specific certifications for promotions and career advancement. They can also lead to increased pay, potential promotions, and enhanced professional expertise. Several professions require certifications to be renewed at regular intervals. Some companies may even cover the cost of certification, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace.

Often considered continuing education, a certificate is given to signify your successful completion of a course or training. Mid-career professionals pursue certificates to enhance or develop high-demand skills in their industry, while beginners use them to carve out new career paths. These courses are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions, so you won’t earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by completing them. A certificate can certainly add value to your resume, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t carry the same weight as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, which are commonly required for many jobs.

If your goal is to change career fields entirely or learn as much about a new industry as possible, then a certificate could be the right choice. A certification course is probably the right route if you are established in your career and looking to gain a new title or increase your pay.

You’ll also want to consider the amount of time and money you can commit to your training. If your company requires a certification for you to advance in your career, they might either pay in full or offer assistance for your training. If they don’t, you’ll want to be mindful of your budget, as these training programs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, from a few days to several months, so it’s important to consider how long the program will take you to complete and how much time you can commit on both a daily level and overall for the length of the program.

Regardless of which route you choose, both can give you an upper hand in your professional development and expand your skill set, making you highly desirable within your current field or a new one.

Top IT Certificate Programs in Chicago

Chicago’s various thriving industries and ever-growing economy make it the perfect place to study Information Technology. Below are some of the top trainings available, both online and in-person in Chicago, that can help you launch your next career and prepare for various certificate exams. Keep reading to learn more about your educational options and how to get one step closer to your dream career in Information Technology.

Northwestern Cybersecurity Bootcamp

Northwestern University—in partnership with edX—hosts this challenging part-time online program, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to IT, networking, and modern information security. Throughout the 24 weeks of the course, students gain experience with a variety of popular tools like Wireshark, Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Nessus. They also master the skills needed for certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, Cloud+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Learning from a skilled instructional team, students get hands-on experience and work with real-world examples while collaborating with their peers. By the time they’re done with this course, they’ll be able to confidently conduct vulnerability assessments using tools like Metasploit to profile an application for vulnerabilities and exploit those vulnerabilities; configure machines on a virtual network, deploy them to the cloud, and investigate cloud security risks; identify suspicious patterns of user behavior to detect bots, intruders, and other malicious actors; and write Bash scripts to automate security and operating systems tasks.

Enrolled students have access to a comprehensive set of career services to help them succeed, change career paths, or advance in their current roles.

Cloud Computing with AWS

Offered by Noble Desktop, this course delivers practical knowledge on AWS, the most popular digital platform for cloud computing. Available both online and in-person in New York, this class teaches best practices for AWS and how to build and secure an enterprise-level cloud environment, including how to navigate cloud infrastructure, networking, and databases. Comprising 18 hours of hands-on learning, this course features project-based training from industry experts.

Students receive supplemental materials to assist both during and after the course. Noble also offers a one-year free retake policy, allowing students to revisit the program for free to refresh the material. A certificate of completion is issued at the end of the course to validate your accomplishment.

CompTIA CASP+ Prep Course

This live online course from Certstaffix Training covers security architecture, security operations, security engineering, cryptography, governance, risk, and compliance. Students learn the cybersecurity skills needed to pass the CAS-004 exam, including operations and architecture concepts, risk analysis, secure cloud integration, and cryptographic techniques.

Participants gain expertise in frameworks like Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), FedRAMP, the Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK, and the Diamond Model. They also learn to respond to Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) using hunt teams and deploy advanced cryptographic solutions. The program includes compliance topics for GDPR, PCI DSS, and COPPA.

Tuition includes software labs, a free six-month retake, and both a certificate and digital badge that can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile upon completion.

CompTIA CySA+® Certification Training

Learning Tree International offers this online training to prepare students for the Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) exam. Emphasizing hands-on skills, students learn to manage threats, implement software and systems security, monitor operations, perform incident responses, and conduct compliance assessments. Topics include network intrusion detection systems (NIDS), host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS), signature-based IDS, proactive threat hunting, cryptographic keys, and the incident response process.

IT Information Technology Security Professionals should have 3–4 years of experience in the field. Course tuition includes a voucher to take the CS0-003 exam at any Pearson VUE Test Center.

Linux Operating System & Bash Scripting

Held live online or in-person in NYC, this course from Noble Desktop trains students in one of the most popular open-source operating systems: Linux. Students learn to navigate directories, manage permissions, and use major Linux distributions for cybersecurity, including Kali, NodeZero, and BlackArch. Bash scripting is also covered, including creating, renaming, moving, and deleting files and directories.

This course is beginner-friendly and requires no prior experience. Tuition includes a one-year free retake policy, and a certificate is awarded upon completion to showcase your skills on your resume or LinkedIn profile.

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Key Insights

Learn More About Chicago IT Certificates

Why Become Certified in IT?

What You’ll Learn While Becoming IT Certified

Security

Programming

Data Analysis

Networks and Systems

Cloud Computing

IT Industries in Chicago

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

Top IT Certificate Programs in Chicago

Northwestern Cybersecurity Bootcamp

CompTIA CASP+ Prep Course

CompTIA CySA+® Certification Training

Chicago IT Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

IT Training Locations in or Near Chicago

Chicago Careers & Salaries Related to IT

Chicago IT
Corporate & Onsite Training