Of all the IT fields ruling the world stage, this field has to be the biggest and most encompassing. With so many complicated skill sets to embrace, some specialisation is the only practical answer. Cisco and Microsoft are the 2 major organisations who rule this particular field. The Network & Server software programs are looked after by MS, while Cisco are mostly concerned with routers and data switches, in other words the Network hardware. Each of the companies have moved seriously in to security during the last several years, through economic necessity. Additionally in this field we are finding the substantial growth of wireless-networking. And finally, 2 crucial & developing fields in the Security marketplace are Digital-Forensics & Ethical Computer Hacking.

A basic understanding of networks is a good first base for anyone coming into the IT industry. Until you understand just how a Computer functions and 'communicates' with other Computers, anything more is nonsense. Providing you have got effective literacy skills, you'll find training programs like CompTIA's A+ and N+ will provide you with a very good grounding to start out on your career path. We feature information about these packages on our pages focused on CompTIA.

Taking things further you'll choose to go down the MS MCSA or MCSE path if you're focused on software, or the Cisco 'CCNA' or 'CCNP' path if you're considering 'hardware'. Although, it has to be said that a comprehensive knowledge of MS network systems is practically a necessity for most network environments, simply because of Microsoft's penetration in this market. You'll find further accreditation details on this web site from the specific Microsoft and 'Cisco' pages.

Another alternative would be to continue with 'CompTIA' accreditations for example Security+, Linux+ or Server+ & continue being vendor neutral, or maybe look at the CWNP or CWNA & specialise in wireless technologies.

Industry acknowledged qualifications can be acquired from the vendors as well as vendor neutral companies. Actually, there's a wide range of certification that's presented by extremely well regarded unbiased bodies -- and this is becoming more and more significant. It is now extensively recognised that understanding inter connectivity & technological-convergence is becoming incredibly important in networks. Networking is actually under-going some important paradigm-shifts right now; attitudes generally are inclined towards 'greener' IT, and both processing-power & data-storage are going towards 'cloud' computing. The development of 'green' I.T. covers two essential factors : reducing the effect on the environment is 1, but perhaps of equal or more relevance to business is cost. Lower-power processors and computers generate less heat, which means much less cooling is necessary. Both of these together vastly cut down the electricity bill, & so impact upon a corporation's bottom-line - especially in data centres & high volume processing areas.

'CompTIA' (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a worldwide concern that currently supplies a lot of the most reputed vendor neutral certification tracks on the market. Establishments like ISC2 provide 'Security' certifications, and CWNP provide specialised wireless networking tracks. Most conspicuously not surprisingly are Cisco and Microsoft themselves, both providing their own certification tracks. Mainly due to the range & volume of qualification routes available in this field, it's sensible to talk through this kind of career change with a professional advisor. Without having individually-tailored help you might head-off in a wrong direction and waste a lot of money and/or time.

Computer (or Digital) 'Forensics' is comparatively new on the scene - Television programmes like 'Crime Scene Investigation' might have familiarised us with the term. Obviously though the actual role in the real world won't be quite as glamorous as the TV shows would have us think! Nevertheless, technological-forensics is providing a fascinating career for a lot of professionals today. A Digital Forensics professional will search for and interpret digital-artefacts that can often be utilised to solve crimes.

Sitting somewhere between Digital Forensics & Security, is the field of Ethical-Hacking. The 'Certified Ethical Hacker' ('CEH') and the 'Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator'('CHFI') are mid - advanced level certifications provided by the EC-Council.

You will find a number of speciality MCSE's from Microsoft, that look after areas like Messaging or Security if that's the path you would like. Quite possibly, the 'CompTIA' Security+ , moving on to the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) could be suitable. You'll find there are rigid experience specifications for the CISSP, & these need talking about & understanding prior to deciding to go down this path. As always, we recommend talking with an experienced IT training advisor to prevent any kind of mistakes.

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