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Which Network Administrator Certifications are Right for You?

By Linda Powell 24 March, 2023 3 mins read

There are many certifications available for network administrators. Many of these are offered through vendors like Cisco and CompTIA. You can earn a certificate to be the best in networking certifications. Although a certificate can make you more employable than an undergrad degree in networking, it could be more valuable than a network certification. Continue reading to learn how to choose the best certification.

CompTIA

Many employers look for IT professionals with CompTIA certifications. These IT certifications are highly sought-after worldwide and validate IT knowledge and skills. There are three levels: Network+, CCNA, or CCIE. Each level focuses specifically on a topic, ranging in difficulty from expert to basic. CompTIA Network+ testing will also include practice tests that are designed to replicate actual exam situations.

CompTIA network+ certification is essential for those who are interested in network administration. This credential is required by many large companies, including Cisco. Cisco is the most important networking company in existence, and many companies regularly interact with it. This certification will equip you to take on advanced roles in the field. It may be worth looking into getting your certifications if a bachelor's level in information technology is earned.

EC-Council

EC-Council network administrator certification will make you a smart choice if IT security is your field. These credential programs address network security from both the defensive and offensive perspectives. ENSA, also known as "Network Security Administrator", is for experienced professionals. ENSA will teach you how to setup firewalls, intrusion detection system, and antivirus systems. Additionally, you'll gain fundamental skills for analysing and developing security policies.

CND, CCNA, and a host of other certifications for network administrators are offered by the EC-Council. The CCNA-CCNP certifications can be used primarily to secure and manage network infrastructure. CND certifications are useful for anyone working in customer service or support. CND certification is best for IT security professionals. There are many benefits to a CCNA.

Microsoft

Microsoft networking certifications may be the right choice if you're looking to become a server/network administrator. IT professionals can demonstrate their expertise in Microsoft network technologies with the certifications. These courses help students to configure and install Microsoft operating systems, servers, network infrastructure, and other technologies. These courses prepare students to sit for the Microsoft Certified IP Professionals (MCIP). This course combines real-world simulations with theoretical lessons.

Microsoft's most coveted credentials is the MCSE. This designation reflects your technical proficiency in a range of positions related to networks or systems. Candidates should have an excellent understanding of network security, troubleshooting and management. The MCSE exam is two hours long and consists 45-55 multiple-choice question. The exam fee for $165. However, MCSE certification is well-worth the money if you have experience and the knowledge necessary to do this job.

Juniper

Earning Juniper network administrator certification has numerous benefits. Today, there are more than 2800 to 8100 Juniper Networks jobs on job boards. But not all IT professionals want to obtain this certification. An associate level certification in Juniper networking is recommended if you are interested to pursue a career in enterprise network management. This certification is very beneficial and will allow you to manage enterprise network.

Networking and security careers can be lucrative and deep. You will be able to negotiate higher salaries by obtaining certification. Technology is constantly evolving and there's always more to learn. Your skills will be validated, while experience will add the cherry. After you have obtained your Juniper network administrator credential, you are ready to start working on real-world tasks.

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FAQ

What are the most prestigious IT certifications?

The most commonly used certification exams are CompTIA Network+ (CompTIA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Experts (MCSE), Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA). These certifications are highly sought after by employers for entry-level positions.

The CCNA certification is intended for people who want to learn to configure networks devices such as switches, routers, firewalls and switches. The course also covers topics like IP addressing and VLANs as well as network protocols and wireless LANs.

The MCSE exam focuses on software engineering concepts, including Windows Server 2008 and 2012 administration, Active Directory management, and troubleshooting using remote desktop tools.

CompTIA Network+ certification examines candidates' knowledge of network technologies in wired as well as wireless environments. Candidates must be able to install, manage, and secure networks and can expect questions covering topics such as TCP/IP basics, VPN implementation, WAN optimization, wireless LAN deployment, and troubleshooting.

Many companies offer training programs to help you prepare for the certification.

How can I prepare to take my certification exams?

There are many options for how to prepare. The first is to read the syllabus carefully before taking the exam. Another option is to read the entire content of the exam guidebook before sitting the exam. To test your knowledge of the topics, you can try a few questions. You could also consider joining a local college to interact with other students who have taken the same certification exam.

Many websites offer free exam preparation materials. You can also purchase an electronic version of the exam manual, but you will only receive one copy. You should save the exam manual on a CD/DVD.

You may also find some companies that offer self-study guides. These are usually between $100-$400. However, they usually include additional features like quizzes and flashcards. These products allow you to take the exam online.

What IT course offers the highest pay?

Higher salaries make the most expensive courses. This is because there is a greater demand for these skills. But, this doesn't necessarily mean the course will be lucrative in terms of job opportunities.

It is best to look at the job market before deciding if you should be investing in a particular course. If there aren't any jobs available, then don't bother investing.

If there are many job opportunities, it means that people are willing and able to pay a premium in order to acquire the skills needed for that course.

If you can find a worthwhile course that you enjoy, then consider investing in it.

What is an IT job salary per month?

The average annual salary for Information Technology professionals in the UK stands at PS23,000. This includes bonuses and salaries. A typical IT Professional would earn around PS2,500 per month.

However, some IT professionals are lucky enough to receive a salary of over PS30,000 per year.

It is generally agreed that a person needs 5 or 6 years of experience before being able to make a decent income from their chosen career.

What is the highest paying IT certification?

This question is not clear. There seems to be a general consensus that Microsoft certifications are more lucrative.

Statistics

The top five countries contributing to the growth of the global IT industry are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany (comptia.com).
The global information technology industry was valued at $4.8 trillion in 2020 and is expected to reach $5.2 trillion in 2021 (comptia.org).
The IT occupation with the highest annual median salary is that of computer and information research scientists at $122,840, followed by computer network architects ($112,690), software developers ($107,510), information security analysts ($99,730), and database administrators ($93,750) (bls.gov).
The number of IT certifications available on the job market is growing rapidly. According to an analysis conducted by CertifyIT, there were more than 2,000 different IT certifications available in 2017,
The top five regions contributing to the growth of IT professionals are North America, Western Europe, APJ, MEA, and Central/Eastern Europe (cee.com).
The median annual salary of computer and information technology jobs in the US is $88,240, well above the national average of $39,810 (bls.gov).

Computer Skills: Definitions & Examples

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How To

Why Study Cyber Security

There are many reasons to learn cyber security if you're interested. Here are a few examples:

You are looking to make a career out of cybersecurity.
You would like to be a part the expanding field of computer crime investigation.
Cybercriminals are a threat to your business.
Cyberattacks are something you want to be able defend against.
You like the challenge of finding solutions to problems.
You enjoy solving puzzles.
You love programming.
You would like to learn what makes people click on malign links.
You need to recognize phishing scams.
Identity theft is something you want to avoid.
You are going to need to set up your anti virus software.
You just want to move ahead.
You want others to learn about cybersecurity.
You want to be known as a leader within your field.
Your goal is to change people's perceptions of cyber crime.