This area of IT is perhaps just about the most sweeping & extensive there is. Because there are so many advanced skill sets to learn, a degree of specialisation is really the only sensible solution. Cisco & Microsoft are essentially the two leading organisations ruling this particular sector. The actual software program side of networking is MS's focus, & the hardware side (routers, controllers and data-switches etc.) is where Cisco mainly work. It has become commercially necessary for both MS and Cisco to get into Security during the last several years. An additional fast growing market within this field is wireless connectivity and related products. Lastly, two crucial & developing sectors within the security marketplace are Digital-Forensics & Ethical-Hacking.

Accreditations in this market aren't confined just Cisco and Microsoft themselves. In actual fact, there is a wide range of accreditation that's offered by very respectable impartial organisations - and this has become increasingly significant. The significance about grasping converging technologies & inter connectivity in networks has become very well recognized. There are presently a number of seismic shifts occurring in networking : thoughts in general are inclined toward greener I.T., & both processing power & data-storage are moving towards 'cloud' computing. Green I.T. does not particularly signify environmentally-friendly -- it does have elements designed to minimise the carbon dioxide effects and so on., but its also firmly seated in the commercial reality of cost reduction. Computer systems produce much less heat (& therefore need less cooling) when they have lower powered processors. Both of these together vastly lower the energy bill, and so affect a business' bottom-line - primarily in data-centres & high volume processing areas.

A basic understanding of networks is an ideal first base for anyone getting into the industry. You need to understand precisely how computers operate and communicate with each other before you can do anything else. Presuming a rudimentary level of IT user skills, (see the more general Computer/IT Training web-pages if not,) the recommended starting place is almost always the CompTIA A+ and 'Network+' . Information on these accreditations are featured on the 'CompTIA' section of this web-site.

Moving on from this level you can look at the MS 'MCSA'/'MCSE' or the Cisco CCNA or CCNP, depending on whether you are pursuing the hardware or software side of the equation. Although, it should be said that a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft network systems is virtually essential for most network environments, simply because of MS's dominance in this field. Once again, each of these accreditations are featured in depth on their respective pages within this site.

A different possibility is to carry on with CompTIA qualifications for example Security+, Linux+ or Server+ & stay vendor-neutral, or even take the 'CWNA' or 'CWNP' and become a specialist in 'wireless' technology.

MS provide a variety of specialisations within MCSE, for instance in Security or in Messaging for those with a particular interest. In some cases, the CompTIA Security+ , advancing onto the CISSP ('Certified Information Systems Security Professional') might be suitable. CISSP candidates have to have substantial professional working experience, so be sure you investigate this thoroughly. Talking things through with one of our team of it training specialists will shed more light on everything for you.

Recently, 'Digital' or 'Computer' Forensics is a frequently used term that has been popularised via TV shows such as "Crime Scene Investigation - CSI". Clearly though the work in actuality won't always be quite so glamorous as the shows would have us believe! Having said that, technological-forensics is providing a fascinating job for a lot of professionals right now. A Digital Forensics expert will trace & explain 'digital artefacts' which are frequently utilised to solve offences.

Sitting between Digital Forensics and Security, is the field of Ethical-Hacking. Seasoned IT professionals can learn the concepts of 'criminal' hacking for ethical security purposes. The EC Council offers medium to advanced level certifications, namely the 'CEH' ('Certified Ethical Hacker') & the 'CHFI' (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator).

The vendor neutral international organisation 'CompTIA' now provides possibly the most familiar and widely respected impartial IT accreditations. Other institutions also supply worthwhile qualifications, for example 'CWNP' (Certified Wireless Network Professional) and 'ISC2' (International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium). Most prominently of course are Cisco and Microsoft themselves, each with their own qualification paths. Mainly because of the scope & number of certification routes available in this field, it is very wise to discuss this type of change of career with a professional advisor. This will keep you from getting into a costly mistake, both in terms of money & time spent.

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