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Walking
into the abyss that is IT certifications can
be an unexpected journey. The extents of vendor
specific and vendor neutral certifications are
enormous and demanding.
We
have dedicated the extents of our website to
student understanding and assurance. We would
like to provide the next few paragraphs to the
simple breakdown of the certifications offered
by Blue Screen IT.
But
lets just clear up a few terms first...
| Vendor
neutral |
Courses
not based on a particular manufacturers/
service providers product. |
| Vendor
specific |
Courses
like MCSE and CCNA are vendor specific.
You are specialised at administering their
products. |
| InfoSec |
Information
Security. The analysis of organisational
security - digital and hardcopy. |
| O/S |
Operating
System. The O/S is the software interface
the user is provided with to interact with
the PC components. Windows XP is an O/S,
Server 2003 is an O/S. |
| User |
Someone
who uses the network and its services. |
| Workstation |
The
PC where a user typically works. |
| Server |
Computer
system that is generally a high spec machine
including a highly developed operating system
that offers services to the network. Hence
the name server. |
| Network |
Group
of computers and generally a server that
communicate together sharing resources like
file and printer sharing. |
| Resources |
Printers,
shared folders, CD-ROM's, files, and scanners
are generally resources. |
| Network
Infrastructure |
This
term generally specifies the network backbone
and services as such. Meaning the devices
and software that enable network communication. |
COMPTIA
CERTIFICATIONS - (Computer Technology
Industry Association)
website: www.comptia.org
These
certifications are vendor neutral and certify
the candidate has the necessary skills to implement
entry level IT technology within their particular
skills. For instance the A+ certifies that candidates
are competent PC technicians able to administer
and configure PC systems hardware and software.
Network+
technicians are certified to implement and configure
network media, technologies and devices within
a small to medium sized network. Security+ focuses
on security, infosec and security policies and
principles, but one thing all CompTIA certifications
have in common is that they are generic and
focus on the needs of the skill not the implementation
of particular products.
CompTIA
certifications are regularly the winners of
entry level certification recommendations and
are widely recognised throughout the IT industry.
MICROSOFT
CERTIFICATIONS
website: www.microsoft.com
A
certification synonymous to the IT industry
is the MCSE or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
With the broad user base and more than a market
share of the home PC market, Microsoft certifications
are always in demand.
Now
providing certifications other than the MCSE,
including the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems
Administrator), MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop
Technician), MCAD, MCSD and others, Microsoft
have analyses the far reaches of the IT market
and responded with more specialised certifications.
Below is a description of each:
MCP
(Microsoft Certified Professional)
- Entry level certification
into any premier or administrators certifications,
The MCP is achieved by completing the exam in
one of the MCSA/ MCSE/ MCDBA/ MCAD etc certifications.
It certifies competency within the chosen exam.
MCSA
(Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator)
- Aimed at systems
administrators, or the responsibility of configuring
and managing networks (looking after and troubleshooting
the network).
MCSE
(Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) - Planning
and implementing is the focus of this certification.
It is geared toward larger network management
and design. MCSE is the premier infrastructure
certification for Microsoft Internetwork engineers.
Specializations
- Specialist
certifications are provided by Microsoft to
tailor its engineers and analysts toward market
needs. 2 Specialist certifications are available:
Security - Focused on the implementation,
design and ongoing management of Microsoft Internetwork's
Messaging -
Specialises into configuration and management
of Microsoft Exchange
Server, their premier e-mail server system
CHECK
POINT CERTIFICATIONS
website: www.checkpoint.com
Recognised
as industry leaders in the provision of internetwork
security solutions, Check Point Technologies
provide VPN, QoS, Secure communication and firewall
services.
A
well respected and in demand certification set,
delegates with a Check Point certification carry
with them an advanced skill set in secure communications.
The CCSA-NG, Check Point Certified Security
Administrator is the entry level certification
for Check Point Professionals administering
and managing a Check Point secured network.
The
CCSE, Check Point Certified Security Expert,
certifies individuals to be able to design and
implement Check Point products in a large enterprise
environment.
CISCO
CERTIFICATIONS
website: www.cisco.com
As
a giant within the internetworking world, Cisco
certifications are well recognised and respected
within the IT industry.
Generally
associated with network backbones technologies
- including routers, switches, access servers
and security services - Cisco Systems do provide
end to end solutions. Providing several certifications,
we focus on the entry level certification -
the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate).
The
CCNA certifies candidates carry the skills to
successfully implement and manage Cisco routers
and switches within a small to medium network
environment. This includes network understanding,
configuration and connectivity of Cisco devices
aimed at small to medium business environments.
CIW
CERTIFICATIONS
website: www.ciwcertified.com
As
a vendor neutral certification option, CIW provide
a wide array of options within their syllabus.
Certifications
include networking, internetwork security, web
development, web design and site management.
The CIW Master designer has been voted the best
Internet certification and involves 3 weeks
of training to provide candidates with the skills
to successfully design, manage and market an
Internet web site
Tools
including Dreamweaver, Frontpage, FLASH, Photoshop
and technologies like HTML, DHTML, XML, Action
scripting and more are covered to ensure all
round site design skills.
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