One of the most common questions I get from people starting out in IT is: "Where do I begin with certifications?" It is a fair question — the landscape is vast, the options are numerous, and the wrong choice can mean months of study that does not move your career forward.

The honest answer is: it depends on where you are now and where you want to go. Here is a practical framework for making the right choice.

Start With Your Current Role

The most effective certification is the one that is directly relevant to your current or target job. Before you pick a certification, ask yourself:

• What does my current role involve day-to-day?
• What skills do my employer or target employers value?
• What area of IT do I want to specialise in?

Your answers will point you toward the right starting point.

If You Are Completely New to IT: CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard entry-level certification for IT support and helpdesk roles. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, troubleshooting, and security fundamentals.

If you are starting from scratch — no formal IT experience, no degree — A+ is the right first step. It is vendor-neutral, widely recognised, and gives you the foundational knowledge that everything else builds on.

Who it is for: Career changers, school leavers, helpdesk and IT support roles.
Time to prepare: 3–4 months of part-time study.

If You Work in IT Support or Service Desk: ITIL 4 Foundation

If you are already working in an IT support or service management role, ITIL 4 Foundation is often the most immediately valuable certification you can get. It gives you a shared language and framework for how IT services are managed — and it is recognised across virtually every industry.

Many organisations require ITIL Foundation for IT service management roles, and it is a common prerequisite for progression into senior support, service desk management, and IT operations.

Who it is for: IT support analysts, service desk staff, IT operations, anyone in ITSM.
Time to prepare: 4–6 weeks of focused study.

If You Want to Move Into Networking: CompTIA Network+

Network+ is the natural next step after A+ for anyone who wants to specialise in networking. It covers network infrastructure, protocols, troubleshooting, and security at a level that prepares you for junior network engineer and network administrator roles.

It is also a useful foundation before pursuing vendor-specific certifications like Cisco CCNA.

Who it is for: IT support staff moving into networking, junior network engineers.
Time to prepare: 2–3 months of part-time study.

If You Want to Move Into Cybersecurity: CompTIA Security+

Security+ is the most popular entry-level cybersecurity certification and is often listed as a requirement for security analyst and SOC analyst roles. It covers threats, vulnerabilities, cryptography, identity management, and security operations.

It is best approached after you have some IT experience — either through A+/Network+ or a year or two in an IT support role. Jumping straight into Security+ without any IT background is possible but harder.

Who it is for: IT professionals moving into security, SOC analysts, security administrators.
Time to prepare: 2–3 months of focused study.

If You Work in Project Management: PRINCE2 Foundation

If your role involves managing IT projects — or you want it to — PRINCE2 Foundation is the most accessible project management certification available. It has no prerequisites, is widely recognised in the UK and Europe, and gives you a structured methodology for managing projects from initiation to closure.

Who it is for: IT project coordinators, business analysts, anyone moving into project management.
Time to prepare: 4–6 weeks of focused study.

If You Want to Get Into Cloud: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Cloud skills are in high demand, and AZ-900 is the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to understand cloud computing and Microsoft Azure. It requires no technical background and covers cloud concepts, Azure services, pricing, and compliance.

It is not a deep technical certification — it is a foundation that opens the door to more advanced Azure certifications like AZ-104 (Administrator) or AZ-500 (Security).

Who it is for: Anyone wanting to understand cloud, IT professionals adding cloud to their skillset.
Time to prepare: 3–4 weeks of part-time study.

A Suggested Path by Career Goal

IT Support → Service Management: A+ → ITIL 4 Foundation → ITIL 4 Practitioner
IT Support → Networking: A+ → Network+ → CCNA
IT Support → Cybersecurity: A+ → Network+ → Security+
IT Support → Cloud: A+ → AZ-900 → AZ-104
Non-IT → Project Management: PRINCE2 Foundation → PRINCE2 Practitioner

The Most Important Thing

The best certification is the one you actually complete. Do not spend months agonising over the perfect choice — pick the one that is most relevant to your current situation, commit to it, and get it done.

Every certification you hold makes the next one easier. The knowledge compounds, the study habits improve, and the confidence grows. Start somewhere, and keep going.

All of the certifications mentioned in this guide are available as courses on ICT Exam Academy — each one built around the exam objectives with practice questions included.