This area of IT is possibly one of the most sweeping & comprehensive there is. With so many advanced skill sets to embrace, some specialisation is the only practical solution. Both Microsoft & Cisco produce systems for this sector. MS produce Network & Server Software, whilst Cisco focus mainly on the hardware end of networking: Routers, switches, controllers and so forth. It has become financially and economically necessary for Microsoft and Cisco to move into Security over the last several years. Another fast-growing area in this field is wireless connectivity and related products. Although Digital Forensics and Ethical-Hacking have fingers in all of these areas, they're also professions by themselves, and demand considerable instruction & real-life experience to become entirely effective.

Computer (or Digital) 'Forensics' is reasonably new to the picture - Television shows such as 'Crime Scene Investigation' might have familiarised us with the term. Clearly though the job in the real world will not always be quite as stylised as the programmes would have us think! All the same, forensic-investigation making use of sophisticated technology can provide a very satisfying job. The basic principle being to collect & evaluate digital-footprints, to supply evidence either in a criminal investigation or a civil legal case.

In a similar sector to Digital Forensics and IT Security comes 'Ethical Hacking' - which is another somewhat new discipline to manage criminal activity. The 'Certified Ethical Hacker' ('CEH') & the 'Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator'(CHFI) are mid - high level accreditations offered through the EC-Council.

If you happen to be particularly focused on 'Messaging' or 'Security', then Microsoft have specialist MCSE's available to target these areas. You might choose to opt for Security+ with 'CompTIA', and follow that with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Before choosing this route though you need to be aware about the level of professional experience required for the CISSP. Discussing your needs with our team of industry advisors will explain everything for you personally.

You'll find broader alternatives in addition to Microsoft and Cisco to become trained within each of these areas. The fact is, there is a great deal of certification that is supplied by very respected independent institutions -- and this has grown to be increasingly significant. The need for grasping converging technologies & inter-connectivity in networks is now solidly recognized. There are today a number of major shifts taking place in networking : particularly the movement toward 'cloud' or Internet based computing (regarding data storage, and processing-power), & the mental attitude change towards green I.T.. The development of green IT covers 2 important factors - reducing the impact to the earth is one, but perhaps of equal or more significance to industry is expense. Computers will produce less heat (and so need much less cooling) if they have lower-powered processors. Companies with substantial networks of computers can lower their electricity expenditure considerably with 'greener' and much more efficient computers.

If you're planning to build a career in IT, start by developing a certain amount of networking know-how. Nothing else will make sense until you've developed a grasp of just how computers operate & link to each other. Providing you have a minimum of basic user skills, you'll find the CompTIA A+ and 'Network+' programs are ideal to begin with. These are dealt with within the CompTIA section on this web site.

What you choose to do next will depend mainly upon whether you wish to work in 'hardware' or 'software'. For 'hardware', you're looking at 'Cisco' (CCNA or CCNP), and for software you need Microsoft (MCSA/MCSE). Nevertheless, an in depth understanding of MS's operating-systems is very beneficial as they're such a key aspect of most networking-environments. Once again, these certifications are covered in depth on the relevant sections on this site.

Of course you might want to fine-tune your Wi-Fi ('wireless') skills with certifications like the 'CWNA' and 'CWNP', or keep going down the CompTIA path with Server+, Linux+ or Security+ .

'CompTIA' (the Computing Technology Industry Association) is a worldwide company that right now supplies a lot of the most reputed vendor-neutral accreditation paths available. Various other establishments also supply deserving qualifications, such as 'CWNP' (Certified Wireless Network Professional) and ISC2 ('International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium'). Obviously, there's a total gamut of certification sets from Cisco & Microsoft. Mainly because of the range and volume of accreditation routes on offer in this sector, it's a good idea to talk through this type of career move with an experienced advisor. You could possibly save yourself a whole lot of money and time, as well as annoyance and discouragement.

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