Jobs and Careers That Make Use of My Network+ Certification
Written by Ronda Payne
You want to work in IT and decided that in addition to traditional IT training, taking additional online cybersecurity courses was a step in the right direction. Great choice! In Canada, the number of jobs for cybersecurity professionals is growing at 7% per year. This is motivating, encouraging and positive for those who are starting their cybersecurity schooling or just beginning a career in that area.
To sweeten the pot, there are 3.5 million cyber security positions that need to be filled globally. That makes for one huge amount of opportunity whether you want to work in the private sector, government or consulting. It makes sense that more people are needed in the field since any device connected to the internet (from a phone to a smart TV) is vulnerable. Hackers have grown more sophisticated and are exploiting all the opportunities they find.
Jobs Your Training Allows You to Fill
One of the courses you likely took was Network+ training to earn Network+ certification. This course is the essence of how you learn everything about network installations, architectures, formats, risk and more. Not only does the training serve as a way to get certified, but it also delivers resources that assist you when working on the job.
Let’s talk about that – the job. One of the biggest questions from those who take cybersecurity courses is what kind of roles can they fill with that certification. The answer, simply, is LOTS. There are plenty of IT roles that make use of Network+ certification and while all aren’t directly in cybersecurity, the nature of IT today is that almost all roles touch on cybersecurity to a degree.
Here are 5 different roles you can set your sights on with your training:
- Network administrator
You understand the basics of computers and networks – networks being the connection an organization has between multiple systems. This role may include servers, on-site computers, automated operational equipment, software platforms and/or many other elements. A network administrator coordinates all the different ways these systems are connected to ensure devices can talk to each other as required.
It usually involves overseeing a local area network (LAN) and maintaining configurations. In smaller organizations it could also include dealing with hardware and software – not really considered part of the network – but in a larger organization, the job really comes down to those networks that keep the computer-based tools connected to one another. A cybersecurity aspect looks at that network for potential breaches and helps identify solutions before a hacker can exploit them.
- Help desk technician
End-users of computers and system tools generally don’t know, or appreciate, how computers work behind the software and tools they use on a day-to-day basis. So, when things go wrong, they need help and they need it fast. Help desk technicians work with the end-user to help identify and solve computer problems.
Some techs work on-site in an organization while others increasingly work remotely. Consider the tech support offered by a company like Staples. They have a large team of individuals able to access subscribed user systems remotely to solve issues. This can include network connectivity and identification of network connection issues.
While help desk technician is generally an entry-level role, it’s a great place to learn about IT and cybersecurity to take your career into the future. Another beneficial training to help with this role is A+ training to gain a basic understanding of all things IT and cybersecurity. See what other jobs you can get with A+ certification in our previous blog.
- IT security specialist
Here’s where the cybersecurity part of things gets interesting. A security specialist does just that – they specialize in security issues. These individuals are constantly focused on internal and external threats to the organization’s systems and networks as a whole. In this role, Network+ certification is an important course as are a wide range of other cybersecurity courses and security-specific courses such as Security+ training.
Security isn’t just about computers. It’s also about bricks and mortar building access, file safety, employee compliance and other elements. For the IT security specialist, the role focuses on computer-based aspects of security, but will often have overlap with other security points depending upon the size and need of the organization.
These essential IT personnel do everything from considering the latest viruses to firewall planning and maintenance and from training of fellow employees to ensuring remote backup systems. It’s a demanding and multi-faceted role.
- Network analyst
This role may, at first glance, seem the same as a network administrator, but it is definitely different, especially in larger organizations with more definition around roles. A network administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of network maintenance. A network analyst is someone who plans, develops, configures and sets up a network. They may also be responsible for identifying issues, such as potential security problems in the network.
Here, the role is more of creation than of ongoing operation. That being said, if the analyst does their job well, it should make the role of the administrator easier. That is because the analyst is tasked with making sure all of the computers and devices can and do communicate the way the organization needs them to.
If there are network issues, the analyst will work to identify the issues, the possible solutions and the way to resolve the challenges being experienced.
- IT consultant
For those who want job flexibility, diversity and perhaps the opportunity to specialize in a certain area, IT consultant may be the right role. Generally, these are individuals with a number of years of IT experience who are able to assist an organization to create strategies and plans around IT projects. Everything from planning a purchase of all new computer systems to identifying how to better integrate remote employees and increasing demands for video, an IT consultant can be an incredible asset for any size organization where IT team members need an outside point of view or an extra body on the team. Or, with further training you can look at becoming a cybersecurity analyst who has undergone CySA+ training to specialize in human behaviour.
It’s no surprise that IT teams are growing and this is certainly the case in the realm of cybersecurity. For those who want a career in a growing field, this may be the best place to start.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. TechnoEdge Learning assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.