If we take all the IT fields dominating the global stage, this area has to be the largest and most all-encompassing. Normally, some level of specialisation is needed, as to cover every element could take too many years of studying. Cisco & Microsoft are essentially the two major companies who rule this particular field. The actual software side of Networking is Microsoft's department, and the hard-ware side (routers, controllers & switches etc.) is where Cisco primarily function. It's become financially and economically essential for Microsoft and Cisco to move into Security during the last decade. Equally within this field we are witnessing the substantial growth of wireless-networking. And then we have the dark art of Hacking (legitimately) & Computer Forensics - each of which are complex & very specialised disciplines themselves, & take a considerable amount of working experience and understanding.

If you're especially interested in 'Messaging' or Security, then Microsoft have speciality MCSEs on offer to address these options. It may be the 'CompTIA' Security+ meets your needs, so you can move onto the CISSP - 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional'. CISSP candidates must have significant professional experience, therefore be sure you research this thoroughly. Having a discussion with one of our team of it training experts will shed more light on everything for you.

The vendor-neutral worldwide institution 'CompTIA' now offers perhaps the most recognised and widely respected impartial IT qualifications. Other associations also provide valuable qualifications, like 'CWNP' ('Certified Wireless Network Professional') and ISC2 ('International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium'). Obviously, there is a total slew of accreditation tracks from Cisco and Microsoft. Because there are so many training & career options available in this area, its sensible to take more in-depth advice from an experienced industry advisor prior to selecting your specific path. Without having personally tailored help you could potentially head-off in the wrong-direction & waste considerable time and/or money.

Industry acknowledged qualifications can be attained from the vendors themselves as well as vendor-neutral organisations. In fact, some well thought of bodies are very significant contributors now where accreditation is concerned. The significance about understanding converging technologies & inter-connectivity in networks is now well understood. There are now a number of important changes coming about in networking : perceptions in general are inclined toward greener I.T., & both processing-power and data-storage are heading towards Cloud computing. Green I.T. doesn't particularly indicate 'saving the earth' -- it does of course have elements designed to minimise the carbon dioxide impact etc., but its also firmly installed in the economic reality of cost-savings. Lower-power processors and computers generate much less heat, therefore much less cooling is needed. Businesses with massive computer networks can lower their fuel expenditure considerably with 'greener' & more efficient computers.

One of the latest sectors within this discipline is known as Digital Forensics. We link forensics with television programmes like CSI Miami. The reality of Digital forensics is much less glamorised than described in these types of programmes (naturally!) However for many, it offers a very interesting and satisfying role within technology based investigation. The process being to gather & analyse 'digital footprints', to provide evidence in either a criminal or a civil legal case.

Sitting somewhere between Digital Forensics and Security, comes the new field of Ethical-Hacking. Experienced I.T. professionals can study the principles of criminal hacking for legitimate ethical security purposes. The EC-Council offers medium to high level accreditations, namely the 'CEH' ('Certified Ethical Hacker') & the CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator).

For a lot of people looking at getting into I.T. as a career, basic-networking could be the starting place. Before you're confident about exactly how a PC functions and 'communicates' with other Computers, anything more is nonsense. Presuming a rudimentary level of computer user-skills, (see the general Computer Training pages if not,) the starting-point is almost always the CompTIA A+ & Network+ . More about these accreditations are featured on the CompTIA pages of this website.

Moving on from this level will often take you to the Microsoft MCSA or MCSE or perhaps the Cisco CCNA/CCNP, based on whether you're pursuing the 'hardware' or 'software' end of the equation. That said, MS boasts a major infiltration in the majority of network-environments, therefore an in depth understanding of their 'software' is pretty relevant whatever your specialisation. You'll find additional accreditation details on this web-site in the dedicated Microsoft and 'Cisco' sections.

A different possibility would be to continue with CompTIA certifications for example Security+, Linux+ or Server+ and remain vendor neutral, or maybe look at the CWNA or CWNP & specialise in 'wireless' technology.

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