Important Information Concerning Your CompTIA Certification

As a follow-up to our announcement in January, CompTIA is updating its certification policy for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications. Starting Jan. 1, 2011, individuals will need to complete continuing education to maintain certification.

The new policy will only apply to candidates who:

• Certify on or after Jan. 1, 2011
• Certified prior to Jan. 1, 2011 and choose to enroll in the continuing education program

So why did CompTIA change the policy?

Changing the policy brings CompTIA certifications in line with the practices of other major providers of certifications for IT professionals, such as Cisco, Microsoft, Project Management Institute (PMI) and Linux Professionals Institute (LPI).

Additionally, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a standard-setting institution which approves the procedures used by personnel certification bodies. ISO requires that CompTIA provides candidates a way to renew the currency of their certification on a regular basis. In CompTIA’s case, that renewal will occur every three years from the date the certification is earned.

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10 Steps To A Quality Cisco Certification

With the rapid growth and expansion in the field of network technology there is increasing demand for skilled network professionals.  Cisco Systems has long been the industry leader in the field of data networking and continues to grow market share in all major technology areas, including those areas of current high demand such as voice, video, and wireless.  Gaining experience with and certifications in Cisco technologies can provide a safe harbor for your career in uncertain economic times such as these.  While many technology professionals are interested in Cisco certifications there is often confusion as to the best path to take and how to achieve a quality certification experience.

Achieving that quality certification experience is the key.  Many of us have been in the industry long enough to hear the term “paper certifications” which refers to a certification gained by an individual with little resulting practical experience and knowledge; the certification is said to be worth as much as the paper it is printed on.  When you make the decision to pursue a Cisco certification you should make the decision to pursue a quality certification, to which you will commit the investment of your time and energy with the goal of gaining the technical skill set and knowledge to make you a leader in the field.  Without the drive and determination to earn the certification you are doing nothing more than memorizing answers and taking tests.  This is how “paper certifications” are born; little effort is put in to learning the technology and little effort is put in to earning the certification.

To aid you in earning a quality Cisco certification I have put together a recommended set of steps that will assist you in making the right decisions along the way.  These steps are designed to build an in-depth knowledge of the network technologies you are studying to pass your certification exams, while allowing you to maintain that knowledge for application in real-world scenarios while on the job.

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Training in PC User Skills

Congratulations! Finding this article means you’re likely to be contemplating your career, and if it’s re-training you’re considering you’ve already done more than most others. It’s a frightening thought that surprisingly few of us describe ourselves as fulfilled in our working life – but the majority will just put up with it. We encourage you to break free and do something – don’t you think you deserve it.

Before we even think about individual courses, discuss your thoughts with an industry expert who can talk you through which area will be right for you. An advisor who will take time to get an understanding of your personality, and find out what types of work suit you:

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10 Steps To IT Certification

Skilled network professionals are not going to be losing many jobs, no matter what happens to employment figures or prospects in other areas of the economy, and new IT jobs will always be available to properly educated, trained and prepared individuals. Notice the three different words there. Even after getting a degree (education), someone who wants to work in this area of continuing high demand needs the proper, current certifications (training). Before you begin accruing the various Cisco, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and other certifications, you need to pass the exams, which is where the third concept, preparation, enters the picture.

Whichever expertise you seek to hone or add with any particular certification, you must enter the process with a serious commitment. There will be a considerable investment of time, energy and money if your goal is a quality certification that represents you as a leader in your field. There is a lot more to it than learning how to take a test, and there may be any number of between-the-lines sidesteps and detours on your journey, but the following 10 steps to IT certification should get you pointed in the right direction.

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Stepping Into a Career in Network and System Administration

Are you planning to develop a career in Network and system administration? These are certainly quite sought after positions in today’s professional world. However, you should not take the plunge before doing some good research about the field, no matter how lucrative the offers may seem. Positions for network and system administration are highly sought after, and you should expect stiff competition. However, a solid educational background and good knowledge about technological advancements in the field should see you through. Here are some pointers on how you can prepare yourself from an early stage.

Step – 1: Get proper education

First off, get proper education in the field, along with good knowledge in the advancement of related technologies. Getting a four-year college degree will be a great way to start your preparation. It is even better if the degree is in one of the fields among computer science, information systems, or communications science. Augment your skills even further by getting some online certifications in the field you wish to specialize in.

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