Training In Network Security & Forensics – A Background

There are four specialised areas of training in the overall A+ programme, but you're just required to achieve pass marks in 2 for your A+ qualification. Be aware though that limiting yourself to 2 out of the 4 subjects available could expose flaws in your knowledge when applying for a job. At least learn about all four - for greater confidence in the world of work.

Alongside being taught about building and fixing computers, students involved in this training will be shown how to operate in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.

If you add Network+ training, you'll also learn how to look after networks, meaning you're in a position to move further up the career path.

We're often asked why traditional academic studies are being replaced by more qualifications from the commercial sector?

Industry is now aware that for mastery of skill sets for commercial use, the right accreditation from companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially - at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.

Vendor training works through focusing on the skill-sets required (alongside an appropriate level of associated knowledge,) as opposed to trawling through all the background detail and 'fluff' that computer Science Degrees often do - to pad out the syllabus.

The bottom line is: Recognised IT certifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title says it all: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. So an employer can identify just what their needs are and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.

A study programme really needs to work up to a fully recognised major accreditation as an end-goal - not a useless 'in-house' piece of paper.

You'll find that only recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will mean anything to employers.

Don't forget: the training program or a certification isn't the end-goal; a job that you're getting the training for is. A lot of colleges seem to put too much weight in the certificate itself.

It's not unheard of, in many cases, to find immense satisfaction in a year of study but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a tiresome job role, as a consequence of not performing the correct research when it was needed - at the start.

You'll want to understand the expectations of your industry. Which accreditations you'll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. You should also spend a little time considering how far you reckon you're going to want to build your skill-set as it will force you to choose a particular set of certifications.

Have a conversation with someone who has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and is able to give you a detailed description of the kind of things you'll be doing on a daily basis. Contemplating this before you start on any learning course will save you both time and money.

Several companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, to assist your search for your first position. In reality it's not as hard as some people make out to find employment - once you're trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Having said that, it's important to have CV and Interview advice and support though; and we'd encourage everyone to update their CV the day they start training - don't wait till you've finished your exams.

You may not have got to the stage where you've got to the exam time when you'll secure your initial junior support position; however this can't and won't happen unless you've posted your CV on job sites.

The most efficient companies to help get you placed are normally specialist locally based employment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Essentially, if you put the same amount of effort into securing your first job as into training, you won't find it too challenging. Some trainees inexplicably spend hundreds of hours on their learning program and then call a halt once they've got certified and seem to expect employers to find them.

(C) 2010 - S. Edwards. Hop over to IT Training or www.CCNACertification4IT.co.uk.