About ITS-110 Exam
Why This IoT Security Certification Is Worth Paying Attention To
The ITS-110 certification by CertNexus has quietly become one of the more relevant options for professionals in 2025. As IoT devices spread fast across homes, industries, and public infrastructure, security concerns are increasing just as quickly. Everything from smart thermostats to industrial controllers can become an attack surface if not properly secured. The ITS-110 cert fits right into this gap by preparing professionals to actually understand and respond to the unique threats posed by connected devices.
This isn’t some theoretical endorsement of IoT as a trend it’s about recognizing that real problems need practical skills. While many IT roles used to deal with traditional endpoints, today’s reality includes an expanding layer of network-connected sensors, cameras, and smart machines. What makes ITS-110 critical is that it bridges this shift, providing focused knowledge on device hardening, data protection, and IoT network security in practical, job-relevant terms.
Who Actually Needs the ITS-110 Certification in 2025
The ITS-110 cert fits a pretty wide spectrum of IT professionals. Anyone working with or around connected systems, whether in development, infrastructure, or security, will benefit from it. Network administrators, especially those working in smart buildings or factories, find it useful for better securing their setups. Cybersecurity professionals are also a good match, particularly those moving into embedded or OT-focused roles.
Here’s a look at professionals who often pursue this cert:
- Network admins handling IoT-integrated environments
- Security analysts looking to specialize in device and protocol threats
- Developers writing firmware or device APIs
- Technicians maintaining edge devices and field sensors
- Integration specialists deploying smart infrastructure systems
If your job involves maintaining or protecting any system that connects via protocols like MQTT, Zigbee, or BLE, then the ITS-110 is absolutely something to consider.
The Rise of IoT-Specific Roles and Why Security Matters
IoT growth has spawned an entirely new category of job titles that didn’t exist a few years ago. These roles now demand a blend of networking, embedded, and cybersecurity expertise. Traditional IT roles can only cover part of the picture. With connected devices, security goes all the way from firmware to cloud, and someone has to manage those layers.
Here’s a short list of actual roles that are becoming more common:
- IoT Security Analyst
- Smart Systems Engineer
- Embedded Network Security Specialist
- Device Identity Administrator
Each role involves handling device-level access, remote communication risks, and secure firmware deployment things that standard IT certs don’t usually touch. The ITS-110 aligns neatly with these job types and their required knowledge areas.
What You Learn as a Certified IoT Security Practitioner
This cert focuses on skills that matter inside actual networks and devices. That includes working knowledge of device hardening techniques, firmware integrity checks, protocol analysis, and more. You’re not learning abstract theories you’re learning what to secure and how.
Here are the key areas you’ll be trained in:
- Hardening IoT deployments to reduce common vulnerabilities
- Implementing device-level identity, such as secure boot and attestation
- Analyzing protocols like CoAP, MQTT, and BLE for flaws
- Setting up segmentation across IT and OT boundaries
- Encrypting device-to-cloud data streams and preserving user privacy
The training isn’t all lectures and slide decks. Many providers incorporate scenario-based learning to reflect real job functions. This hands-on approach keeps things applicable to what you’ll actually face.
How It Pays Off: Job Roles and Salary Expectations
ITS-110 may not be the first cert on someone’s resume, but it adds a very specific and high-value skillset. Those holding it usually report being able to specialize their role, ask for higher pay, or land new contracts focused on smart environments or secure installations. The numbers vary, but the earning potential is clearly tied to the growing relevance of IoT security.
Role |
Average Salary (USD) |
IoT Security Analyst |
$92,000 |
Smart Network Engineer |
$85,000 |
OT/IT Security Architect |
$110,000 |
Embedded Security Consultant |
$96,000 |
These roles span both public and private sectors, especially in smart cities, manufacturing, and healthcare. And as more industries digitize physical systems, demand will continue to rise.
Is the ITS-110 Hard?
This isn’t the kind of exam you walk into cold, but it doesn’t require deep coding experience either. It falls somewhere between Security+ and more specialized certs like GIAC or CISSP. Most candidates find that it challenges them more in scenario-based logic than in raw technical trivia.
If you’re familiar with general IT security but have never worked with constrained devices or IoT stacks, you’ll likely hit a few tricky areas. The exam format focuses on understanding risks not memorizing specs. You’ll be given a scenario and asked to decide the most secure configuration, which means having solid practical judgment.
Skills That Translate Directly Into Career Results
This cert has high “day-one utility.” The things you learn show up almost immediately at work especially if you’re working on device networks, smart deployments, or connected monitoring systems. Unlike broader certs, this one gets into specifics like protocol-level risks, firmware security practices, and secure device provisioning.
It sharpens your ability to spot red flags others miss. That includes things like:
- Weak or default credentials on remote access interfaces
- Poor isolation between systems running different functions
- Lack of secure update mechanisms in the field
These are real issues in today’s IT environments, and having the confidence to fix or report them makes a huge difference.
Why ITS-110 Is Gaining Traction Among Mid-Level Tech Professionals
Many professionals with two to five years of experience are looking to specialize without going too narrow. The ITS-110 sits in that sweet spot. It’s broad enough to apply to a range of environments but focused enough to clearly build expertise. That’s why more tech folks are adding it after generalist certs like Network+ or Security+.
It’s also being picked up by contractors working on smart city deployments or industrial automation projects. These teams often need cross-domain knowledge the kind ITS-110 provides through its blend of device, network, and data security concepts. The growing use of IoT in transportation, energy, and healthcare is another reason people want this cert.
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