This area of IT is perhaps one of the most sweeping and extensive there is. Normally, some level of specialisation is required, because to cover each element would take too many years of training. The chief systems contributors in this marketplace are Microsoft and Cisco. Microsoft produce Network and Server software, whilst Cisco concentrate primarily on the hard-ware side of Networking: Routers, data switches, controllers etc. Security has become a big issue in recent years, which has led each of the businesses to move into the market in a massive way. Additionally within this field we're observing the significant growth of wireless networking. And then we have Hacking (legitimately) & Digital Forensics : each very complex and incredibly specialised subjects themselves, and take a great deal of expertise and knowledge.

To a lot of people considering coming into I.T. as a profession, basic networking is the starting-point. You need to understand the way computers function and communicate with one another before you consider anything else. As long as you have decent literacy skills, you'll find programs such as 'CompTIA's A+' & 'Network+' will give you an ideal grounding to start out on your career path. They're included under the CompTIA pages of this web-site.

Moving on you can choose to go down the Microsoft MCSE or MCSA path if you're keen on software, or the 'Cisco' CCNA or CCNP path if you are considering hardware. Even so, it has to be stated that a comprehensive knowledge of MS networks is basically a necessity for the majority of network-environments, simply because of Microsoft's penetration in this market. As before, you will see information regarding each certification on the actual 'Cisco' & Microsoft pages of the web site.

Another alternative would be to carry on with 'CompTIA' certifications for example Server+ , Security+ or Linux+ and stay vendor-neutral, or maybe look at the CWNP or CWNA & specialise in wire-less technologies.

Industry recognised certifications can be acquired from the vendors & vendor-neutral companies. Certainly, a number of well respected bodies are very significant participants now where accreditation is involved. It's now widely accepted that understanding inter-connectivity and technological-convergence has become tremendously fundamental in networking. Networking is in fact undergoing some significant paradigm shifts at the moment; especially the move towards 'cloud' or internet-based computing (in terms of data-storage, and also actual processing-power), and the mental attitude change toward 'green' I.T.. 'Green' IT does not particularly signify 'saving the earth' -- it does have many elements designed to minimise the carbon dioxide impact and so on., but it is also strongly seated in the commercial reality of cost-savings. The processing-power within more technologically advanced computers is lower, which means less heat to be cooled down. These two things together vastly lower the energy bill, and so affect a firm's bottom line -- primarily in data centres & high volume processing departments.

More recently, 'Digital' or 'Computer' Forensics is a frequently used expression that's been popularized by TV shows such as "CSI". The reality of Digital forensics is much less glamorous than described in these programmes (obviously!) All the same, forensic investigation employing complex technology can provide a hugely rewarding job. The process being to gather & analyse digital-footprints, to deliver evidence in either a criminal or civil legal case.

Sitting between Digital Forensics & Security, is the developing field of Ethical-Hacking. These are qualifications provided through the EC Council that teach more advanced students the more dark concepts of 'hacking' -- but with the goal of employing these skills to protect and increase the security within a system, instead of harming it.

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