Most Popular Linux Certifications

linux certifications

What is Linux?

Linux is an opensource operating system that can be run on any personal computer or server. Linux is probably the most lightweight operating system that can be run even on hardware with minimal specifications. Even though it is lightweight, it still packs all the required functionalities of a personal computer or server operating system.

Ubuntu is a well-packaged Linux based operating system that comes with most of the personal applications preinstalled. These applications are what most people use operating systems for such as email client, web browser (Firefox), office (libre office), calculator, file manager, media players, text editor, and other such applications.

For server implementation, pure Linux systems are used. And mostly in server-side integration, a command-line interface (CLI) is used. Linux systems provide numerous commands for almost everything possible on the server-side, and the things/functionalities that it lacks itself, you can simply run a command to install some third-party package and then utilize the given commands in that package also within the same CLI.

Why are Linux certifications necessary?

Linux is a trustworthy opensource operating system that has proven its worth over time. Since it is opensource, millions of people from around the world are continuously adding new improvements. This helps Linux to sustain structural integrity like no other operating system.

Because other operating systems which are not opensource have only a limited number of developers who are carrying out development and bug fixes. In the case of Linux, this number of people is massive. Apart from the great number of contributors, there are a great number of tasks that Linux can perform.

Most of these tasks are bundled together and a person gets expertise or training on a bunch of similar tasks. For example, Linux administration certification focuses on the administration related tasks such as user management, resource management, authorizations, resources and information sharing, etc.

What makes a Linux expert?

Such certifications are necessary for an individual to be termed as a Linux expert. Only after a person has completed the relative certification and works with the gained skills for some time to handle real-world workload related to those skills, only then can he be termed as a true Linux expert within that domain.

Much like developers of any other domain, Linux experts have a large opensource community too where they share common problems that can be faced by any Linux expert and actively the community looks up the problem and finds a solution. This solution can come from any person that is actively involved in the Linux community. But for the solution to be termed valid, one or more Linux experts who have solved such problems in the past look at the provided solution, analyze it and then term it as a valid.

The person who provided this solution gets the benefit of being seen as a professional/expert in the eyes of other experts and the whole community itself.

Most popular Linux certifications

Here are some of the most popular Linux certifications that experts insist you take and also most of these are industry requirements to be hired as a Linux expert. 

  • LINUX+ CompTIA: This is the most popular and high in demand Linux certification. The LINUX+ CompTIA certification focuses on domains like administration, security, GNU and UNIX Commands, System Architecture,  Linux Installation, and Package Management.
  • RHCE- Red Hat Certified Engineer: This Linux certification focuses on security more than anything. To be an expert in Linux secuirty one must first learn how to break it, only then one can implement precautionary measures to prevent a high amount of security attacks on a Linux system. The RHCE certification allows security experts to test and measure their security implementation skills, and also provides guidelines on how to implement a defensive strategy against most common hacking attacks.
  • GCUX: GIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator: The GCUX is another security certification, but this one focuses on security from an administrative point as well. Basically an individual is tested based on his/her skills regarding security of the system as well as the social security within the organization. The tests include operating system Installation and Patching, Physical security (no hacker gets inside development premises), User Account, and Password security, Access Control, Boot Services, and Post-Exploitation attacks.
  • Oracle Linux OCA & OCP: This Linux certification is closely related to skills and handson experience on Oracle-based technologies. There are performance-based assignments, training, and tests involved in this certification. And this certification provides different levels of certification titles ranging from certified junior, all the way up to certified expert and certified specialist. The certified specialist is the highest rank of certification in Oracle Linux OCA & OCP
    • The Linux administration certification is a junior level certification that tests basic understanding and implementation of Linux systems.
    • The Linux Engineer certification is advanced level certification which includes all of the Linux administration certification tasks as well as network configuration, kernel understanding, system maintenance, and network management and troubleshooting.
    • The Linux Enterprise Professional Certification includes everything inside Linux engineer certification as well as some mixed environments configuration, security, and Virtualization.


We mentioned some of the most popular Linux certifications up there. These certifications range from Junior level all the way up to expert and specialist level. Having any Linux certification is better than having none. Most beginners choose LINUX+ CompTIA certification to kick off their career, in a very short time period after successful completion of this certification companies usually handpick people with the highest scores in this certification.

Having a Linux certification ensures your clients or organization that you are capable of implementing world-class Linux strategies and that you are just as capable as any Linux expert with the same certification. In this case, having a better hand than the expert totally depends on your score in the same certification. Most companies use Linux certification scores to standardize their employee’s Job descriptions.

So, why wait to get that certification which is as good as gold in terms of your skills evaluation and career progression.

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