If we take all the I.T. areas dominating the global stage, this field is one of the biggest and most all encompassing. Generally, some degree of specialisation is needed, since to cover every component would take decades of training. Cisco & Microsoft are the two key corporations who rule this particular sector. The actual Network and Server software programs are made by MS, whilst Cisco are mostly concerned with routers and data-switches, that is the Network hard-ware. It has become financially and economically essential for both MS and Cisco to move into Security during the last decade. We should also note the more commercial use of WiFi these days, which is essentially wireless-connections and hardware. Although Computer-Forensics and Ethical-Hacking have feet in all of these areas, they are also disciplines by themselves, and need considerable training & real-life experience to be fully effective.

CompTIA (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a world-wide company that right now supplies some of the most highly regarded vendor neutral certification paths out there. Establishments such as 'ISC2' offer Security certifications, and 'CWNP' offer professional wireless-networking tracks. Of course, there is a complete gamut of certification tracks from Cisco and Microsoft. The options may well be a little mind-boggling, and therefore we encourage you to go very carefully and talk through your plans with an advisor who knows the procedure well. This will stop you from making a costly mistake, both in terms of money and time-spent.

Computer (or Digital) Forensics is fairly new in this area - Television shows like 'Crime Scene Investigation' may have brought it to our attention. Clearly though the role in real life won't always be quite as glamorous as the TV shows might have us think! Nonetheless, technological-forensics provides a fascinating profession for many individuals right now. The role involves seeking & interpreting 'digital-footprints' to assist with data recovery or legal investigations.

Along with Security and Computer Forensics the somewhat new field of 'Ethical Hacking' is emerging. The 'Certified Ethical Hacker' ('CEH') & the 'Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator'(CHFI) are mid - high level accreditations supplied through the EC-Council.

If you're aiming to progress a professional career in IT, begin by developing a certain amount of networking expertise. Absolutely nothing else will make sense until you've developed a grasp of how PC's operate and communicate with each other. Presuming at least a basic level of computer user skills, (read the general Computer/IT Training web-pages if not,) the starting place is almost always the 'CompTIA' A+ & 'Network+' . Particulars of these certifications are available in the CompTIA section of this web site.

Where you venture next will depend mainly upon whether you intend to work in hardware or software. For 'hardware', you're talking about Cisco (CCNA/CCNP), and with regard to 'software' you will need Microsoft (MCSA or MCSE). Although, it must be noted that a comprehensive understanding of MS networks is pretty much essential for most network environments, due to Microsoft's dominance in this field. For more details, you'll come across the specifics of each accreditation on the Cisco & Microsoft areas of the site.

Equally of course you may choose to enhance your Wi-Fi ('wireless') skills by taking qualifications like the 'CWNA' and 'CWNP', or keep going down the 'CompTIA' route with Server+, Security+ or Linux+ .

Microsoft provide a number of specialist areas at MCSE level, for example in Messaging or in Security for students with a special interest. It might be the 'CompTIA' Security+ would be best for you, so that you can lead on to the 'CISSP' - 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional'. Prior to choosing this particular path though you should be conscious of the exact level of experience needed for the 'CISSP'. Talking things through with one of our industry advisors will explain everything for you personally.

There are now wider options over and above Cisco & Microsoft to become accredited in each of these areas. In fact, there is a wide range of accreditation that's offered by very respected unbiased establishments - & this has become more and more significant. The essential knowledge of network interface-connectivity between and within networks is now becoming increasingly important. We're experiencing a major generational shift in network technologies today, both in terms of processing and in the storage of data, with 'cloud' computing coming to the fore & 'green I.T.' getting to be more and more relevant. Green IT does not necessarily mean 'saving-the-planet' - it does of course have many elements intended to reduce the carbon dioxide effects and so on., but it's also firmly installed in the economic reality of cost reduction. The actual processing power in more technologically advanced computer systems is lower, which means there's much less heat to be cooled down. Businesses with substantial computer networks can bring down their energy bills significantly with 'greener' & more efficient computer systems.

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