The contribution of data analysts in the business world cannot be overlooked. They transform raw data into valuable insights that you can use to make better decisions and drive growth in your business.

But what happens when you have many people working on different projects? It’s easy for important data to get lost or overlooked. That’s where data analyst certifications come in.

Once you’ve learned how to use data analytics tools, you can obtain a data analyst certification. This is another way you can show that you have the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to create valuable insights from your work.

5 In-demand Data Analytics Certifications

There’s a high demand for data analysts and scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job postings for these roles is expected to grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030.

But you can stand out as a candidate by taking online courses or reading books on data analytics. You should also consider getting certified if you want extra credibility.

A data analytics certification is a great way to prove your skills and knowledge in a constantly evolving industry. It also helps employers identify people who have been rigorously tested on key concepts and techniques related to the field they want to work in.

Here are five popular certifications for data analytics:

Pathstream Tableau

Tableau is an analytics platform that lets users create interactive visualizations and dashboards to help them analyze large amounts of data quickly and easily. It’s already used by thousands of companies across banking, retail, healthcare, and more.

Tableau offers two main levels of certification: Certified Professional (CP) and Certified Data Visualization Specialist (CDVS). To become certified with Tableau, candidates must pass an online exam consisting of 60 questions based on skills such as data management, charting techniques, and visualization methods. Candidates must also complete an optional practical assessment before receiving their official certification badge.

This certification training course is designed for those who want to learn how to use Tableau Software to analyze business data. The course covers basic and advanced concepts, such as creating charts and graphs, building dashboards, and analyzing data using statistical tools.

The following are some of the most popular certifications in this field:

• Tableau Desktop Specialist (TDS) – This exam is for those with foundational skills and understanding of Tableau Desktop and at least three months of applying this understanding in the product.
• Tableau Desktop Qualification (TDQ)—This certification is designed for anyone who uses Tableau Desktop to create and present data visualizations. It’s available in three levels: beginner, intermediate, and expert.
• Tableau Server Qualification (TSQ)—This qualification is for people who use Tableau Server to build, manage and distribute reports.
• Tableau Data Visualization Administrator (TDVA)—This certification is geared toward IT professionals who want to administer Tableau Server on behalf of others.
• Tableau Professional Certification (TCP)—The TCP exam tests whether candidates have the knowledge needed to use the Tableau platform effectively in their jobs.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

This certification is a good choice if you want to enter the field of information security auditing. The CISA designation is given by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). It’s considered one of the most prestigious IT certifications in the industry, with high demand from employers. To become a CISA, you’ll need to pass two exams: one on the body of knowledge for IT auditing and one on financial auditing.

The CISA certification covers a broad range of topics related to information systems audit, control, and security, including risk assessment and management, audit planning and preparation, and compliance with standards such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Before sitting for the exam, candidates must have at least five years of experience in IT auditing or related areas. The CISA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and typically takes 4 hours to complete.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification is one of the most well-known and respected credentials in information security. It’s also one of the most difficult to achieve, requiring five years’ experience in security plus passing a rigorous exam with 250 multiple-choice questions. The CISSP credential shows you have deep knowledge of security management, risk management, cryptography, software development security, etc.

The CISSP is globally recognized and offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It’s aimed at senior information security professionals and those who work or aspire to work in information security. The CISSP credential is also a requirement for many IT security positions.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH certification is another well-known credential that focuses on penetration testing and ethical hacking strategies for IT professionals who want to improve their offensive security skillset through hands-on experience. The CEH coursework includes reconnaissance techniques, evasion methods, and network scanning methods used by hackers to access computer networks. Candidates should have experience with programming languages such as C++, C#, or Java; system administration; cryptography and network security protocols such as TCP/IP, IPsec, and SSL/TLS.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification is a globally recognized credential for professionals who have demonstrated expertise in risk management and control processes. ISACA, the Information Systems Audit, and Control Association, founded in 1969 as a nonprofit organization to improve IT governance, risk management, and compliance, offers this certification.

The CRISC certification focuses on the principles and practices of control frameworks such as COBIT®, ITIL®, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. It also deals with regulatory compliance requirements such as SOX 404, HIPAA Privacy, and Security rule requirements.

To earn this certification, you must pass two exams: COBIT 5 Foundation Exam (840) or COBIT 4 Foundation Exam (839), and COBIT 5 Intermediate Exam (841).

 

Data Analyst Certification FAQs

Which certification is best for data analysts?

Several certifications can help data analysts advance their careers. These include the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified in Risk and Information System Control (CRISC). Certification is also available through ISACA, which offers the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), which offers the Certified in Risk and Information System Control.

Each certification has its requirements and benefits. The CISA is one of the most popular certifications for IT professionals, but it’s also one of the most expensive due to its rigorous exam requirements. The CRISC is a newer certification that’s gaining popularity among security professionals. The CISM is a generalist credential covering everything from IT auditing to risk management.

With so many certification options for data analysts, you might be overwhelmed in deciding which is the right one for you. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right data analyst certification for you:

• What’s the Return On Investment?
• How Long Will It Take Me To Get Certified?
• Do I Need Any Prerequisites?
• Is This Certification Right For My Career Goals?

 

How do I become a data analyst?

Data analysts typically hold bachelor’s degrees in computer science or mathematics. However, many people hold bachelor’s degrees in other subjects. They have found success as data analysts after obtaining on-the-job training through internships or full-time positions with companies with strong analytics departments.

If you’re interested in becoming a data analyst but don’t have enough experience yet, consider taking some advanced math or computer science courses at your local community college or university. It would help if you also considered taking online certificate programs from reputable sources like Pathstream.

We’ve also created two guides to help you become a data analyst with or without a degree:

• Get an entry-level data analyst job with no experience or a degree (with resume examples)
• How to get into the Data Analytics field as a recent college graduate

What qualifications does a data analyst need?

Data analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or business administration. While some employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees in statistics or data science, others may require experience with statistical analysis software such as SAS, R, or Python.

We recommend you determine what hard and soft skills you need to learn by reading: Top skills data analysts need in 2022.

What is the duration of a data analytics certification?

Depending on the subject area, data analytics certifications vary from one to five years. The shortest is the Certified Business Analytics Professional (CBAP) credential, which requires only a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience. The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is the longest, which requires four years of relevant experience and a master’s degree or higher.

The time required to obtain a data analytics certification depends on your educational background, prior professional experience, and whether you’re willing to invest money in training courses or other resources needed to prepare for the exam.

For example, if you already have a master’s degree in computer science or business administration with some relevant coursework under your belt, then becoming certified as a CAP professional doesn’t take as much time — probably only six months or so. But if you’re working toward a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field and need to take some prerequisite courses before taking the CAP exam, it may take two years or more for you to become certified.

Key takeaways

Data analysts are in high demand, so many jobs are available in this field. Suppose you already have a job as a data analyst but want to take your skills to the next level by becoming certified. In that case, investing the time and money into earning your certifications is probably worth it.

The good news is that getting certified doesn’t take very long. Most certification programs only require that you pass an exam with a certain score before becoming certified in that subject area. If you want to learn more skills or refresh your knowledge before taking the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam, consider taking an online certificate program through Pathstream.