Mobile application development is among the hottest jobs these days, and talent will be in high demand in 2012. As IT pros with programming skills weigh the job opportunities, CompTIA is working on a specialty certification to help ensure that security is given due attention in the mobile apps gold rush.
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The non-profit CompTIA is teaming with viaForensics, a digital forensics and security firm, to offer secure mobile application developer credentials and testing services for iOS and Android operating environments. The specialty certification is due in the first half of 2012, along with suite of mobile app testing services.
Too often security has been a secondary concern as companies rush to bring new apps to market, according to CompTIA CEO Todd Thibodeaux. "Because mobile devices typically combine both personal and corporate data, they're a rich target for cybercriminals and hackers," Thibodeaux said in a statement. "CompTIA and viaForensics intend to elevate the level of security awareness among mobile app developers."
CompTIA cited IDC numbers predicting the number of annual mobile app downloads will grow from 10.7 billion in 2010 to nearly 183 billion by 2015.
Last month, Robert Half Technology singled out mobile applications developer as one of a handful of jobs with a high potential for growth. It's a role that has responsibility for coding, testing, debugging, documenting and monitoring mobile applications, and Robert Half expects to see 2012 salaries for mobile applications developers in the $85,000 to $122,500 range (a gain of 9.1% compared to 2011).
Back in September, IT jobs site Dice.com reported that demand for Android developers is greater than demand for iPhone developers. "For every request in search of iPhone experience, you'll find 1.4 requests for Android," stated Alice Hill, managing director at Dice.com.
Ann Bednarz covers IT careers, outsourcing and Internet culture for Network World. Follow Ann on Twitter at @annbednarz and check out her blog, Occupational Hazards. Her e-mail address is abednarz@nww.com.
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