This area of I.T. is possibly just about the most sweeping & extensive there is. Because there are so many advanced skill-sets to learn, a certain amount of specialist training is the only realistic option. The major systems contributors in this market are Cisco & Microsoft. Microsoft produce Network and Server software, whilst Cisco concentrate largely on the hard-ware side of networking: Routers, data switches, controllers and so forth. Security has grown to be a big concern in recent years, which has led each of the organisations to get in to the market in a huge way. Another fast growing area within this sector is wireless-connectivity & devices. Lastly, 2 crucial and developing sectors in the security marketplace are Digital Forensics & Ethical-Hacking.

If you're particularly focused on Messaging or Security, then Microsoft have specialist MCSEs available to target these options. You could possibly choose to go for Security+ with CompTIA, and then the 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional' ('CISSP'). Before choosing this particular track though you ought to be conscious of the amount of professional experience required for the CISSP. Having a discussion with our team of it training advisors will explain everything for you.

If you are aiming to develop a professional career in I.T., start by gaining a certain amount of networking expertise. Before you are aware of just how a Computer functions and 'communicates' with other Computers, anything else is simply nonsense. Providing you have decent user skills, you'll find training programs like CompTIA's A+ and 'Network+' provides you with a very good grounding to start your career path. Examples of these are covered under the 'CompTIA' pages on this site.

Moving forward you'll either follow the MS 'MCSE' or 'MCSA' track if you are interested in 'software', or the Cisco 'CCNA' or 'CCNP' track if you are considering 'hardware'. That said, Microsoft has a high penetration in the majority of network-environments, and so an in depth knowledge of their 'software' is highly relevant whatever you specialise in. Once again, each of these accreditations are written about in depth on the relevant sections on this website.

A further alternative would be to carry on with CompTIA accreditations for instance Security+, Linux+ or Server+ & continue being 'vendor-neutral', or maybe look at the 'CWNP' or 'CWNA' and specialise in 'wireless' technologies.

CompTIA (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a global enterprise that right now offers some of the most highly regarded vendor neutral accreditation tracks available. There are also many other establishments, such as the 'ISC2' (shortened from their rather long-winded: 'International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium'!) and 'CWNP' ('Certified Wireless Network Professional'). Clearly, there is a whole variety of certification sets from Cisco & Microsoft. Because of the range & number of qualification paths on offer in this sector, it is wise to talk through this sort of career change with an industry experienced advisor. This will keep you from getting into a costly mistake, in terms of money & time spent.

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