To most people contemplating getting into IT as a career, basic-networking should be the starting-point. You must know the way PC's function & communicate with each other before you do anything else. Assuming a rudimentary level of computer user-skills, (read the general Computer Training web-pages if not,) the starting point is nearly always the CompTIA A+ and Network+ . Examples of these are covered under the CompTIA pages of this web site.

Moving on from this level you can look at the Microsoft 'MCSA'/'MCSE' or perhaps the Cisco CCNA or CCNP, subject to whether you're more interested in the hardware or software side of the equation. Having said that, a good knowledge of MS's operating-systems is extremely advantageous as they're such an important element of most networking-environments. As before, you'll come across the specifics of each certification on the Cisco and MS pages of this website.

A different possibility would be to continue with CompTIA qualifications such as Linux+, Security+ or Server+ & stay 'vendor-neutral', or perhaps look at the CWNP or CWNA and specialise in wire-less technologies.

An area that's often missed by people thinking about a course is the issue of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is how the program is broken down into parts for drop-shipping to you, which makes a huge difference to what you end up with. Often, you'll join a programme taking 1-3 years and receive one element at a time until graduation. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this: Maybe the order of study prescribed by the provider doesn't suit you. And what if you don't finish all the modules at the speed required?

For the perfect solution, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - enabling you to have them all to come back to at any time in the future - at any time you choose. Variations can then be made to the order that you move through the program as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

Microsoft provide numerous specialisations within MCSE, for example in Messaging or in Security for all those who have a special interest. It could be that CompTIA Security+ meets your needs, so you can move onto the CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Before you choose this particular route though you have to be aware about the exact level of experience needed for the 'CISSP'. Discussing your needs with our it training experts will clarify everything for you.

Digital (or Computer) Forensics is fairly new on the scene - Television shows such as 'Crime Scene Investigation' might have made us aware of it. Clearly though the actual work in actuality will not always be quite as stylised as the shows would have us think! Nevertheless for many, it provides a highly intriguing and rewarding career in technology-based exploration. The job involves searching for and interpreting 'digital-footprints' for use in data-recovery or legal cases.

Sitting between Digital Forensics and Security, is the field of 'Ethical Hacking'. Seasoned IT professionals can learn the principles of criminal hacking for ethical security reasons. The EC Council delivers medium to advanced level accreditations, namely the 'CEH' ('Certified Ethical Hacker') and the 'CHFI' ('Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator').

PC Courses For Network Security Forensics >>