| In the modern business world, computers are king. | | | | learning institutions and quick-study programs that can |
| Widely present in offices of all types, from law firms to | | | | give students the appropriate levels of experience |
| doctors' offices to the business world, these machines | | | | they will need for such an exam. |
| have the ability to store and quickly manipulate large | | | | Like the A+ certification, the Network + certification |
| amounts of data. Computers have been around in one | | | | also enables students to pursue further technology |
| form or another since the 1940s; however, it was only | | | | certifications, or to seek increasingly advanced |
| since the 1980s that computers enjoyed widespread | | | | computer technology career positions. The Network + |
| use in business, with personal and networked | | | | certification is also good preparation for other |
| computing truly gaining popularity when the Internet | | | | certifications, such as those required by Cisco or |
| became widely available in the 1990s. | | | | Novell. |
| Accordingly, the number of computer-related careers | | | | The Security 5 certification is established and |
| has expanded considerably in availability and scope | | | | administered by the International Council of |
| since then. There exist jobs for high- and low-level | | | | E-Commerce Consultants. This organization considers |
| programming professionals; user interface designers; | | | | it to be an entry-level security certification. Nonetheless, |
| and software engineers. These jobs typically require | | | | it is recommended that students or network |
| extensive schooling, with additional experience acquired | | | | administration career professionals possess the |
| on the job. | | | | equivalent knowledge of A+ and Network + exam |
| There are, however, information technology and | | | | material if they wish to seek careers in network |
| computer jobs that require significantly less schooling. | | | | security. |
| Individuals are employed as network administrators; | | | | This exam covers a variety of network and desktop |
| technical support professionals; and computer repair | | | | security principles. Students will need to have a solid |
| technicians -- and often, they are eligible for this sort of | | | | foundation of basic computer security concepts, like |
| employment after just several months of study. This | | | | firewalls and hack-proof log-ins. They will also need to |
| article will discuss some types of quick-study computer | | | | understand computer cryptography, e-mail and |
| education and career training programs that lead to | | | | communications security, secure site and Web |
| professional certification -- and often, directly to | | | | browser procedures, and file transfer/FTP security. |
| technology careers. | | | | Desktop and hard drive security, portable and wireless |
| The A+ certification is designed to prove a student's | | | | security, and secure computing with third-party devices |
| abilities as a general computer technician. A+-certified | | | | are additional topics covered. |
| technicians understand computer systems inside and | | | | This exam, when combined with another professional |
| out. They are as comfortable working with hardware | | | | certification or prior networking and information |
| (the "guts" of the computer) as they are with operating | | | | systems experience, can be a powerful career asset. |
| systems, software, networks, and files. They have the | | | | For those computer users who are not employed in |
| ability to troubleshoot computer problems and to | | | | the networking or information sciences sectors, the |
| achieve resolutions to those problems. | | | | Security 5 certification can be a great asset in |
| Students seeking technical support, computer repair, or | | | | protecting the privacy and integrity of personal data. |
| networking administration careers often begin with the | | | | The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician |
| A+ certification. This certificate is recognized as | | | | (MCDST) certification is specific to information |
| showing worker competence and achievement in | | | | technology applications in the Windows desktop |
| several computer- and technology-related fields. | | | | environment and Windows operating system. It is |
| CompTIA sets the standards for this exam, which | | | | considered to be a beginner-level credential, and it |
| provides a good foundation for further competency | | | | demonstrates that an individual is competent in |
| classes and exams, such as Linux/UNIX exams and | | | | assisting end users and helping to test and |
| various network certifications. This certificate can lead | | | | troubleshoot Microsoft desktops and applications. This |
| to an entry-level technology career, from which the | | | | Microsoft certificate can be completed in tandem with |
| worker might eventually move to an advanced | | | | other certifications supported by Microsoft, including the |
| technical support or networking career. | | | | Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification and the |
| The Network+ certification is also a CompTIA | | | | Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDA). |
| standardized exam. To prepare for this exam, | | | | Currently, professional Windows environments are in a |
| students will study the basics of computer networking, | | | | transitory phase between Windows XP Professional |
| as well as more advanced networking concepts. | | | | and Windows Vista. Vista's large allocated operating |
| These concepts can include networking hardware; | | | | memory requirements and compatibility difficulties have |
| Ethernet setup and configuration; cable interface; | | | | caused XP to remain widely used in the workplace -- |
| network protocols like TCP/IP protocols, and wireless | | | | so there are some career environments in which the |
| networking. Students will also study how to connect | | | | MCDST, MOS, MCDA, and other certifications are |
| networked systems and to set up clients and servers | | | | necessary. Network administration specialists and |
| for remote Internet access. | | | | information sciences students should be aware, |
| CompTIA suggests that individuals who wish to seek a | | | | however, that Microsoft is changing the certification |
| career in the networking field should have 9 months of | | | | requirements in accordance with the new Vista user |
| experience, or equivalent training, before sitting for the | | | | interface and desktop functions. |
| certification exam. There also exist a number of adult | | | | |