Of all the IT areas ruling the modern world stage, this field has to be the largest and most encompassing. It could take many years to train to become an authority in all elements, and so specialisation is essential to some level. Both Cisco & Microsoft make systems to operate in market place. The actual Network & Server software is done by Microsoft, whilst Cisco are mainly responsible for routers & data switches, i.e. the Network hard-ware. It has become commercially necessary for both Microsoft and Cisco to get into security over the last several years. Another fast growing market in this field is wireless connectivity & related products. Lastly, 2 crucial and developing fields within the security marketplace are Computer-Forensics & Ethical Hacking.

Microsoft offer a number of specialisations within MCSE, such as in Security or Messaging for students who have a specific interest. It could be the CompTIA Security+ is right for you, so you can move onto the CISSP - 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional'. There are strict 'experience' specifications for the CISSP, & these need discussing and getting to grips with prior to deciding to go down this path. Our long-standing recommendation is of course to take advantage of an informed discussion before starting any kind of new career-training.

A basic understanding of networks is a good first-base for anybody coming into the industry. Absolutely nothing else will make any sense until you have an understanding of how computers operate & link to each other. Assuming a basic level of PC user skills, (see the more general Computer/IT Training sections if not,) the starting point is almost always 'CompTIA' A+ & CompTIA Network+ . Information about these qualifications are available in the 'CompTIA' section of this web-site.

Progressing from this level you can look at the Microsoft 'MCSA'/'MCSE' or perhaps the Cisco CCNA/CCNP, based on whether you are more interested in the 'hardware' or 'software' side of the equation. That said, Microsoft has a high penetration throughout most network-environments, and so an in depth knowledge of their 'software' is very useful whatever you specialise in. Again, each of these certifications are written about in-depth on the relevant pages within this web-site.

Another possibility is to carry on with 'CompTIA' qualifications such as Security+, Linux+ or Server+ & continue being vendor-neutral, or take the 'CWNP' or 'CWNA' & become a specialist in wire-less technology.

'CompTIA' (the 'Computing Technology Industry Association') is a world-wide organisation that right now offers many of the most reputed vendor neutral certification tracks available. Organisations like 'ISC2' supply 'Security' qualifications, & CWNP offer professional wireless networking tracks. Most conspicuously not surprisingly are Cisco and Microsoft themselves, both with their own accreditation tracks. The choice may well be somewhat over-whelming, & so we encourage you to tread cautiously & go through all your options with an advisor who knows the procedure very well. Without any personally tailored guidance you could head-off in the wrong-direction and squander considerable time or money.

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