Of all the IT areas dominating the world stage, this particular field is one of the biggest and most encompassing. Generally, some degree of specialisation is needed, as to learn about each component might take decades of studying. The main systems contributors in this marketplace are Microsoft & Cisco. The actual Network & Server software programs are looked after by Microsoft, while Cisco are mainly concerned with routers & data-switches, i.e. the Network hard-ware. Each of the organisations have branched seriously in to security during the last several years, through economic necessity. Another fast growing market within this sector is wireless-connectivity & devices. And then we have Hacking (legally) & Computer Forensics : both very complex and highly specialised disciplines in their own right, and take a considerable amount of experience and understanding.

For many people checking out getting into IT as a profession, basic networking could be the starting-point. Absolutely nothing else will make any sense until you've developed an understanding of how PC's run and connect to one another. Providing you possess competent user skills, you will find the 'CompTIA' A+ and 'Network+' programs are perfect to get you started. Details of these qualifications are featured on the 'CompTIA' area of this website.

Where you go next depends largely upon whether you wish to specialise in hardware or software. With regard to 'hardware', you're looking at 'Cisco' (CCNA or CCNP), and for 'software' you'll need MS (MCSA or MCSE). However, an in-depth knowledge of Microsoft's operating-systems is extremely beneficial as they're such a vital aspect of most networking environments. For more details, you'll see information about each qualification on the Cisco and MS sections of this site.

Alternatively, you might choose to keep going on the 'ventor-neutral' route with more 'CompTIA' accreditation (for example Security+, Server+ & Linux+ ) or even try your hand at the wire-less (Wi-Fi) aspect of things by taking the CWNP/CWNA.

Industry-recognised qualifications can be acquired from both the suppliers themselves and vendor-neutral organisations. The fact is, there is a lot of certification that's offered by extremely respectable impartial bodies - and this is becoming more and more significant. It's now become extensively accepted that knowledge of inter-connectivity and technological convergence has become tremendously important in networks. We're witnessing a significant paradigm shift within network technology today, both in processing terms & in data storage, with internet-based computing coming to the fore and 'green IT' starting to be increasingly relevant. From the economic standpoint, 'greener' engineering has to be built to be a lot more cost-effective, as well as being kinder to the environment. The actual processing power within more technologically advanced computers is lower, which means there's less heat to be cooled down. Both of these together vastly lower the energy expenditure, & therefore affect a corporation's bottom line -- primarily in data centres and high-volume processing areas.

If you are specifically focused on 'Messaging' or 'Security', then MS have specialist MCSEs on offer to handle these areas. You may elect to opt for Security+ with CompTIA, and then the 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional' (CISSP). CISSP prospects have to have significant professional work experience, so make sure you investigate this thoroughly. As usual, we suggest talking with a professional IT training advisor to prevent any 'mishaps'.

A number of the best industry-recognised accreditations today are produced by the vendor-neutral 'Computing Technology Industry Association' ('CompTIA'). There are also many other companies, including the ISC2 (shortened from their rather long winded: 'International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium'!) and 'CWNP' (Certified Wireless Network Professional). Naturally, there is a whole slew of accreditation programs from Cisco and Microsoft. The options might be a bit over-whelming, & so we advise you to tread cautiously & go through your alternatives with an advisor who understands the procedure well. Without individually-tailored help you could head off in a wrong direction & squander considerable time and/or money.

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