This area of IT is possibly one of the most sweeping & extensive there is. With so many complex skill-sets to embrace, some specialist training is the only effective option. Cisco & Microsoft are the two key companies dominating this particular sector. The Network & Server software is looked after by Microsoft, whilst Cisco are mostly responsible for routers & data switches, i.e. the Network hardware. It has become commercially essential for both Microsoft and Cisco to move into security during the last decade. Equally in this field we're observing the significant development of wireless networking. And lastly, two crucial & growing fields in the Security marketplace are Computer Forensics and Ethical-Hacking.

The vendor neutral world-wide institution CompTIA now delivers perhaps the most familiar & widely respected independent IT qualifications. In addition there are several other establishments, such as the 'ISC2' (shortened from the somewhat long winded: 'International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium'!) & 'CWNP' (Certified Wireless Network Professional). Most prominently not surprisingly are Cisco & Microsoft themselves, each offering their very own accreditation tracks. The options could be a little overwhelming, and so we advise you to tread carefully & go through all of your alternatives with an advisor who knows the procedure well. This will keep you from getting into a costly mistake, both in terms of money and time-spent.

Microsoft offer various specialist areas at MCSE level, for example in Messaging or Security for students with a special interest. It might be the 'CompTIA' Security+ is right for you, so you can lead onto the 'CISSP' - 'Certified Information Systems Security Professional'. You'll find there are strict 'experience' requirements for the CISSP, & these need discussing & understanding prior to deciding to take this particular path. As always, we advise that you speak with a knowledgeable IT training advisor to avoid any kind of 'mishaps'.

Industry recognised qualifications can be acquired from both the suppliers themselves & vendor neutral companies. In fact, quite a few well respected associations have become essential participants now where certification is involved. An understanding of network interface-connectivity between and within networks is now becoming increasingly more important. We're witnessing a significant paradigm shift in network technologies today, especially the movement towards Cloud or internet-based computing (both in terms of storage of data, as well as actual processing power), & the attitude change toward 'green' IT. The development of green IT covers two important elements - minimising the effect on the planet is one, but perhaps of equal significance to business is expense. Computer systems will generate much less heat (and therefore need much less cooling) when they have lower-powered processors. Energy expenses can often be considerably reduced for businesses like data centres which are large technology users.

Of course, 'Digital' or 'Computer' Forensics is a frequently used term that has been made popular by Television shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". Obviously though the actual work in real life will not be quite so glamorous as the programmes would have us think! Having said that, technological-forensics provides a fascinating career for many individuals these days. A Computer Forensics specialist will trace & explain digital artefacts which are frequently utilised to resolve criminal offences.

In a comparable arena to Forensics and I.T. Security comes Ethical Hacking - which is another comparatively new discipline to manage criminal offences. Seasoned IT professionals can study the principles of 'criminal' hacking for legitimate ethical security purposes. The EC-Council provides medium to advanced level accreditations, entitled the CEH ('Certified Ethical Hacker') and the 'CHFI' ('Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator').

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