If we take all the IT fields dominating the modern world stage, this particular field has to be the biggest and most encompassing. It could take decades to become a professional in all factors, and so specialisation is vital to some extent. Both Cisco & Microsoft produce systems for this market. Microsoft create Network and Server software, whilst Cisco concentrate largely on the hard-ware end of networking: Routers, data-switches, controllers and so on. It has become financially and economically essential for both Microsoft and Cisco to get into security during the last decade. We also need to note the more commercial use of WiFi today, which is basically wireless-connections & hard-ware. And finally, two crucial and developing sectors within the security marketplace are Digital Forensics and Ethical Computer Hacking.

A number of the best industry-acknowledged certifications now are produced by the independent Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). Establishments such as 'ISC2' offer Security qualifications, and CWNP supply specialist wireless-networking paths. Most prominently however are Cisco and Microsoft themselves, both providing their very own certification tracks. The choice might be a bit mind-boggling, & so we advise you to tread carefully & discuss all your plans with an expert who understands the procedure very well. You could save a good deal of money and time, not to mention frustration & disappointment.

Industry-acknowledged certifications can be obtained from both the suppliers as well as vendor neutral organisations. In actual fact, there is a lot of accreditation that is offered by highly respectable independent institutions - and this has become more and more significant. The significance about understanding converging-technologies and inter connectivity in networks has become very well understood. There are presently a number of significant changes taking place in networking : attitudes in general are inclined toward greener I.T., and both processing-power and data-storage are shifting towards 'cloud' computing. 'Green' IT doesn't particularly mean 'saving the earth' -- it does have elements designed to lower CO2 impact etc., but it's also firmly seated in the economic reality of cost-savings. The actual processing power in more technologically advanced computers is lower, which means less heat to cool down. Both of these together vastly lower the electricity expenditure, & so impact upon a business' bottom line - especially in data centres and high-volume processing departments.

MS provide various specialisations within MCSE, for example in Security or Messaging for trainees who have a specific interest. Maybe, the CompTIA Security+ , moving on to the 'CISSP' ('Certified Information Systems Security Professional') might be appropriate. 'CISSP' prospects have to have considerable professional work experience, therefore be sure to research this thoroughly. Our recommendation is of course to have an informed discussion before beginning any kind of new career-training.

If you are seeking to develop a professional career in I.T., start by developing some networking knowledge. Until you understand how a Computer functions & communicates with other Computers, the rest is probably nonsense. Providing you possess effective user-skills, you will find the CompTIA A+ & Network+ training programs are perfect to begin with. Information on these certifications are available in the CompTIA section of this site.

Moving on you can choose to follow the MS 'MCSA' or 'MCSE' track if you're interested in 'software', or the 'Cisco' CCNA or CCNP path if you are interested in hardware. Having said that, an in-depth understanding of Microsoft's operating systems is highly advantageous as they're such a key aspect of most networking-environments. For more details, you'll find the specifics of each certification on the actual 'Cisco' & Microsoft pages of the site.

A different alternative is to carry on with CompTIA qualifications like Server+ , Security+ or Linux+ and remain vendor-neutral, or maybe look at the CWNA or CWNP and become a specialist in 'wireless' technologies.

Cisco Hardware Support Training Courses >>