This area is one of the largest and most all encompassing sectors in the world of IT. It would take many years to train to become a professional in all elements, & so specialisation is essential to some extent. Both Microsoft & Cisco make systems for this market. The actual Network and Server software programs are produced by MS, while Cisco are mainly responsible for routers and switches, i.e. the Network hard-ware. It's become commercially essential for both Microsoft and Cisco to get into security during the last decade. An additional fast-growing area within this sector is wireless connectivity & related products. And next we come on to Hacking (legally) and Computer Forensics - both complex and very specialised subjects in their own right, and take a great deal of working experience and understanding.

One of the most recent areas within this discipline is known as Digital Forensics. We link 'forensics' with TV programmes like CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). Obviously though the work in actuality will not always be quite as stylised as the shows might have us think! Nevertheless for many people, it offers a very interesting and rewarding role within technology based analysis. The process being to collect and evaluate digital footprints, to supply evidence either in a criminal or a civil legal case.

Along with Security and Digital Forensics the somewhat new role of Ethical-Hacking is emerging. These are qualifications offered through the EC Council that teach more advanced candidates the dark principles of hacking -- but with the goal of employing these skills to protect and raise the security within a system, instead of harming it.

A rudimentary understanding of networks is an ideal first-base for anybody coming into the IT industry. You need to understand just how PCs operate & communicate with one another before you can consider anything else. Assuming a basic level of computer user skills, (refer to our more general Computer/IT Training web-pages if not,) the recommended starting place is almost always the 'CompTIA' A+ & Network+ . Particulars of these accreditations can be found in the CompTIA area of this site.

Where you go next depends mainly on whether you wish to focus on hardware or software. For 'hardware', you are talking about Cisco ('CCNA'/'CCNP'), and with regard to software you need MS (MCSA/MCSE). Although, it must be noted that a good knowledge of Microsoft network systems is basically essential for most network-environments, simply because of Microsoft's dominance in this market. You can find further qualification information on this site in the specific MS and Cisco sections.

Alternatively, you may want to continue on the 'ventor-neutral' route with more 'CompTIA' certification (for example Linux+ , Server+ & Security+ ) or maybe try your hand at the wire-less (Wi-Fi) area of things by taking the CWNP or CWNA.

The vendor neutral worldwide institution 'CompTIA' now offers perhaps the most recognised and widely-respected impartial I.T. certifications. Organisations such as ISC2 offer 'Security' accreditations, & CWNP supply specialist wireless-networking tracks. Of course Microsoft & Cisco offer a full array of professional level qualifications. The options could be rather over-whelming, & therefore we urge you to go carefully and talk through all your alternatives with an expert who understands the procedure very well. You could possibly save yourself a great deal of money and time, as well as annoyance and disappointment.

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