Source: PR Newswire (May 12, 2020). Original report based on platform data from MeasureUp, an ICT certification practice-test provider headquartered in Seville, Spain.
Overview
When COVID-19 lockdowns began in early 2020, IT professionals did not stop learning — they accelerated. According to data published by MeasureUp, a global provider of practice tests for ICT certifications and an official partner of Microsoft, VMware, and others, demand for digital skills training surged sharply in the weeks following national states of emergency. The leading areas of interest were cloud computing, cybersecurity, and web programming, alongside growing interest in artificial intelligence and big data.
Why These Technologies Saw a Spike
The shift to remote work created immediate, practical demand for skills that support distributed infrastructure and digital operations:
- Cloud computing became essential for organisations moving workloads off-premises and enabling remote access to business systems.
- Cybersecurity grew in urgency as expanded attack surfaces — home networks, personal devices, VPNs — exposed organisations to greater risk.
- Web programming and digital presence became a lifeline for businesses that previously operated solely in physical spaces and needed to pivot online quickly.
Top Cloud Computing Certifications in Demand
Microsoft Azure certifications dominated MeasureUp’s best-seller lists during the lockdown period. The most popular titles included:
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) — an entry-level certification covering core cloud concepts, widely used as a starting point for professionals new to cloud platforms.
- Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-300)
- Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301)
- Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions (AZ-400)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) certifications also featured prominently:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified Developer
The strong showing of AZ-900 in particular reflects how many professionals used the lockdown period to establish foundational cloud literacy before pursuing more advanced credentials.
Cybersecurity Certifications Gaining Traction
Alongside cloud skills, cybersecurity certification demand rose in direct response to the heightened threat environment of remote work. The most-requested cybersecurity exams on the MeasureUp platform included:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) — focused on threat detection, analysis, and response.
- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) — a senior-level credential covering security architecture and management.
- CompTIA Security+ — an industry-standard entry-level security certification widely recognised by employers.
Web Programming: HTML, C#, and .NET
An emerging and somewhat unexpected trend in the lockdown data was increased demand for web programming skills. Technologies including HTML, C# (C-Sharp), and .NET saw notable upticks, driven by businesses that needed to rapidly build or improve their online presence. For many traditionally offline businesses — retail, hospitality, professional services — digital transformation went from a medium-term strategy to an immediate operational necessity.
AI and Big Data: A Growing but Secondary Trend
Practice tests related to Artificial Intelligence and Big Data also showed increased sales during the lockdown period. Microsoft technologies were noted as particularly prominent within this category, though specific certifications were not detailed in the original report.
Who Was Training? Learner Demographics
MeasureUp analysed the profiles of professionals who engaged in training activities during the COVID-19 crisis. Key findings from their platform data:
Age Distribution
- ~60% were professionals aged 25–44
- 16% were under 25 years old
- 4.61% were aged 65 and over — a notable segment, suggesting lockdown motivated older professionals and retirees to upskill
Gender Split
- 75% male
- 25% female
The gender imbalance reflects the broader demographic reality of the ICT certification market, though it also underscores the ongoing need for greater inclusivity in technical training pathways.
Geographic Origin (Top 10 Countries)
| Country | Share of Learners |
|---|---|
| United States | 63.6% |
| United Kingdom | 9.75% |
| Canada | 3.95% |
| Netherlands | 3.76% |
| Germany | 1.95% |
| France | 1.91% |
| Australia | 1.75% |
| Sweden | 1.73% |
| Switzerland | 1.68% |
| New Zealand | 0.89% |
Learners from all five continents participated, reflecting MeasureUp’s global reach, though the English-speaking market dominated the figures.
Remote Exam Delivery: A Critical Enabler
A key factor enabling certification activity during lockdown was the widespread adoption of remote proctoring by major certification bodies. Vendors including Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, AWS, CompTIA, PMI, and Oracle all offered candidates the ability to sit official exams from home, removing the dependency on physical test centres that had temporarily closed. This made the complete training-to-certification pipeline accessible entirely online for the first time at scale.
About MeasureUp
MeasureUp is a product of Media Interactiva, a technology and educational content group headquartered in Tomares, Seville, Spain. The company reports training more than 400,000 people annually in digital skills. MeasureUp operates as the exclusive practice-test provider for Microsoft and also supports AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, Oracle, PMI, and VMware certification programmes, offering over 200 titles.
Practice tests on the platform can be used in two modes:
- Certification mode — simulates exam conditions as closely as possible.
- Practice mode — allows learners to review explanations and focus on weaker areas.
Media Interactiva has been listed in the Financial Times FT 1000 ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies and holds ISO-20000 certification for IT service management quality.
Key Takeaways for IT Professionals and Training Teams
- The pandemic accelerated pre-existing trends toward cloud and security certification — not created them from scratch.
- Entry-level cloud credentials (such as AZ-900) saw strong uptake, indicating many professionals used the period to formalise existing knowledge or begin a cloud learning path.
- Remote proctoring removed a significant barrier to certification and is likely to remain a standard option post-pandemic.
- Demand for web development skills alongside infrastructure and security credentials signals that full-stack digital capability is increasingly valued across roles.
- The 65+ age group engaging with ICT certification training, while small, is a meaningful signal about the broadening appeal of lifelong technical learning.