If we take all the I.T. areas ruling the world stage, this particular field is one of the largest and most encompassing. With so many advanced skill-sets to learn, a certain amount of specialisation is really the only logical answer. Both Microsoft and Cisco produce systems for this market. The actual software program side of Networking is Microsoft's department, and the hard-ware side (routers, controllers & data switches and so on.) is where Cisco mainly work. It has become commercially necessary for both MS and Cisco to move into security over the last several years. Additionally within this field we're witnessing the substantial development of wireless-networking. And then we have the dark art of Hacking (legally) and Computer Forensics - each of which are complex & very specialised subjects in their own right, & take a considerable amount of experience and understanding.

If you're mainly interested in 'Messaging' or Security, then Microsoft have specialist MCSE's available to target these options. Possibly, the 'CompTIA' Security+ , advancing on to the 'CISSP' ('Certified Information Systems Security Professional') might be suitable. CISSP candidates need to have significant professional experience, so make sure you research this thoroughly. As usual, we advise a discussion with a knowledgeable industry advisor to avoid any kind of 'mishaps'.

A basic understanding of networks is a good first base for anybody getting into the industry. You must know exactly how computers operate and communicate with one another before you consider anything else. Providing you possess proficient user skills, you will find the 'CompTIA' A+ & CompTIA Network+ programs are perfect for starters. We have extensive details about these programs on the web pages focused on CompTIA.

What you choose to do next will depend mainly upon whether you wish to work in hardware or software. For hardware, you're talking about 'Cisco' (CCNA/CCNP), and for 'software' you'll need Microsoft (MCSA or MCSE). Nevertheless, Microsoft has a high penetration throughout most network-environments, therefore an in depth understanding of their software is extremely important whatever your specialisation. Again, these accreditations are featured in-depth on the relevant pages within this web-site.

Of course you could fine-tune your Wi-Fi (wireless) skillsets by taking accreditations such as the 'CWNA' and 'CWNP', or keep going along the CompTIA route with Linux+, Security+ or Server+ .

CompTIA (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a worldwide business that now supplies some of the most reputed vendor-neutral certification paths out there. Establishments such as ISC2 supply 'Security' certifications, and 'CWNP' offer specialist wireless-networking tracks. Needless to say Cisco & Microsoft provide a total array of professional certifications. Largely because of the range & quantity of certification paths on offer in this sector, it's a good idea to talk through this kind of career move with a professional expert. You could save a lot of money and time, as well as annoyance & disappointment.

There are now larger alternatives over and above Microsoft and Cisco to become certified within each of these sectors. A number of well regarded neutral organisations are now offering increasingly more applicable & essential certifications. The need for understanding converging-technologies and inter-connectivity in networks is now very well understood. There are right now some important changes going on in networking : both in processing terms and in data storage, with internet based computing gaining presence & 'green I.T.' starting to be increasingly relevant. The introduction of 'green' IT covers 2 essential aspects - reducing the effect on the earth is 1, but of equal significance to business is expense. Lower power processors & computers produce less heat, so much less cooling is necessary. These two things together greatly cut down the electricity expenditure, & therefore affect a firm's bottom line -- especially in data centres & high-volume processing departments.

Digital (or Computer) Forensics is relatively new in this area - TV programmes such as CSI-Crime Scene Investigation could have made us aware of it. Obviously though the actual job in real life will not always be quite so stylised as the TV shows would have us believe! All the same, forensic-investigation using sophisticated technology can provide a hugely rewarding career. The work involves searching for & interpreting 'digital footprints' for use in data recovery or legal investigations.

In a comparable arena to Computer Forensics and IT Security comes Ethical Hacking - which is another reasonably new discipline to control criminal offences. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) & the 'Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator'('CHFI') are mid to advanced level qualifications provided by the EC Council.

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