This area of I.T. is possibly one of the most sweeping & comprehensive there is. Generally, some level of specialisation is required, since to cover each component might take decades of learning. Cisco & Microsoft are the 2 leading corporations who rule this sector. The actual Network and Server software is made by Microsoft, while Cisco are mostly concerned with routers and data switches, in other words the Network hard-ware. 'Security' has grown to be a huge concern in recent years, which has forced each of the businesses to move into the market in a huge way. Equally within this field we're finding the significant development of wireless networking. Lastly, 2 crucial and growing sectors in the security market are Digital-Forensics & Ethical Computer Hacking.

For most people taking a look at getting into IT as a profession, basic-networking is the starting point. Until you're confident about how a PC functions & 'communicates' with other Computers, anything more is just nonsense. As long as you have good literacy skills, you'll find programs such as CompTIA's A+ & 'N+' will provide you with an excellent grounding to begin your career. We discuss specifics of these training programs on our pages dedicated to CompTIA.

Where you go next depends mainly upon whether you would like to work in 'hardware' or 'software'. With regard to hardware, you're looking at 'Cisco' (CCNA or CCNP), & with regard to 'software' you need Microsoft (MCSA or MCSE). Nevertheless, Microsoft has a high infiltration in most network environments, therefore an in-depth knowledge of their software is actually highly important whatever your specialisation. You'll find further certification information on this site in the specific Microsoft & 'Cisco' pages.

A different option is to continue with 'CompTIA' certifications for example Linux+, Security+ or Server+ & stay vendor-neutral, or maybe look at the 'CWNA' or 'CWNP' & specialise in wireless technologies.

Certifications within this market are not confined just Cisco and Microsoft alone. Actually, there is a great deal of certification that is provided by very respectable unbiased institutions - and this is becoming more and more significant. It's now become extensively recognised that understanding inter-connectivity and technological convergence has become tremendously important in networks. Networking is actually under-going some significant paradigm shifts at the moment; especially the move toward 'cloud' or internet-based computing (in terms of data storage, as well as actual processing-power), and the mental attitude shift towards 'green' IT. From the economic standpoint, 'greener' engineering must be designed to be more cost-effective, in addition to being less harmful to the environment. Lower power processors & computers produce much less heat, therefore much less cooling is required. Fuel expenses can be drastically reduced for organisations such as data-centres which are higher technology users.

CompTIA (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a global business that now provides a number of the most respected vendor-neutral certification tracks available. There are also many other companies, including the 'ISC2' (shortened from their somewhat long-winded: International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium!) & 'CWNP' ('Certified Wireless Network Professional'). Most prominently not surprisingly are Cisco and Microsoft themselves, each with their very own accreditation paths. Because of the range & volume of qualification routes available in this sector, it's wise to talk through this kind of change of career with a professional expert. This will stop you from getting into an expensive mistake, in terms of money & time spent.

Digital (or Computer) 'Forensics' is reasonably new to the picture - TV programmes like Crime Scene Investigation might have familiarised us with the term. Clearly though the job in the real world won't be quite as glamorous as the shows would have us think! However for many, it provides a very intriguing and satisfying career in technology based investigation. The work involves searching for and interpreting 'digital footprints' for use in data recovery or legal enquiries.

Located in a similar field to Computer Forensics & IT Security comes Ethical Hacking - another comparatively new discipline to manage criminal activity. These are accreditations supplied through the EC Council which teach advanced candidates the darker concepts of hacking - but with the intention of employing these abilities to protect and raise the security within a system, instead of harming it.

If you're particularly interested in Messaging or 'Security', then Microsoft have speciality MCSEs on offer to address these options. You might choose to look at Security+ from CompTIA, and follow that with the 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional' ('CISSP'). Before opting for this route though you need to be aware of the amount of work experience required for the 'CISSP'. Discussing your needs with one of our it training experts will explain everything for you personally.

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