6 Network Certifications for Your IT Career in 2024
Learning cybersecurity skills at Networking Academy, he now has a new level of super powers. Wireshark is probably the most ubiquitous packet sniffer — I mean, protocol how to become a windows network engineer analyzer — out there. While it’s fairly simple to grab a basic capture and filter the results, that capability barely skims the surface of what Wireshark is capable of.
This course teaches the technical skills you need to implement core Cisco security solutions to protect an organization’s systems from advanced threats and cyber security attacks. It is relevant to candidates considering senior-level security roles requiring Cisco CCNP Security and CCIE Security Certifications. The course teaches candidates about the solutions and products available for cloud network infrastructure.
Best Courses to Prepare for Network Engineering Certification Exams
The SCP NCM certification encompasses everything you need to use the platform effectively. Expect to be tested on areas including NCM installation, configuration management, features, and settings. Becoming a SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) is a tried-and-tested indicator that you have the technical expertise to use and maintain SolarWinds network and systems management products effectively. There are no formal prerequisites to taking the CCNA exam, but Cisco recommends you have at least one year of experience implementing its networking solutions. In our opinion, a strong training course and use of practice tests is more than sufficient to stand-in for the recommended experience. For example, they implement solutions to automate rote tasks, and work with vendors and colleagues to integrate new technologies into existing networks.
Cisco Network Engineer Certification is a professional certification program from Cisco Systems that recognizes a person’s knowledge and proficiency in networking technologies, products, and services. It is designed to validate an individual’s skills and provide employers with the assurance that they have personnel with the right technical expertise to design, implement, troubleshoot, and support enterprise networks. This entry-level Cisco certification covers basic network engineering skills.
Juniper Networks Certified Associate – Junos (JNCIA-Junos)
To obtain the certification, candidates must pass two exams, one on the core security technologies and another concentration exam. A professional certification is a designation that a person earns to prove their knowledge of the specific job they have received training. The professional must also be able to demonstrate experience and skills to assure that they’re qualified to perform the relevant job or task. The CCNA and Network+ certifications each have their own unique set of strengths that will appeal to different individuals.
There are no formal prerequisites to take the CCNP exam – you do not need to pass the CCNA before moving to this certification. Still, Cisco recommends that candidates have between three and five years of experience implementing enterprise network solutions. The CCNP Enterprise certification can help you prove your skills in the ever-changing landscape of the enterprise network technologies.
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The JNCIA certification is a great way for IT professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in networking technologies, which can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. It usually takes around 6 months to complete the necessary training and pass both exams. You can start by taking online courses or attending classroom-based training programs offered by various organizations. Once you have completed the required training, you can register for the exams at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.
- Like Network+ itself, CompTIA Network+ CE also carries globally-recognized ISO/ANSI accreditation status.
- Online network engineering programs offer the same curriculum as their in-person versions.
- It typically takes about 4 months to prepare for both exams and obtain the certification.
- Even if you have some experience in this field, having this certification will help demonstrate your expertise and set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions.
- It also includes topics such as data center network topology, fabric switching technologies, storage networking technologies, and security.
With that said, here are 10 of the best networking certifications that are popular on the market today. For those organizations prioritizing cloud-dependent initiatives, employing professionals with these credentials assures a reliable skill set and commitment to excellence. Also ranked on this year’s overall top-paying certifications list, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional commands high salaries given the output of these professionals. Alec works as a senior content strategist at Skillsoft on the Technology and Developer team. He’s currently taking courses on Python and JavaScript, but hopes to learn Spanish too. Having a Cisco Network Engineer Certificate can open up numerous opportunities for advancement within the IT industry.
The exam covers a wide range of topics including network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, industry standards/best practices, and emerging technologies. Yes, network engineering certifications are worth it because they help network engineers build a competitive edge. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 24,900 job opportunities are available for network administrators each year. Hence, an excellent way to distinguish yourself in this niche is by earning a network engineering certification. Apart from courses, there are numerous resources available online to aid your network engineering certification exam prep. The CCNA Certification proves your ability to navigate the ever-changing world of IT.
It’s also pretty cool to be able to look at packet captures and easily identify errors which makes it faster to troubleshoot. Whether you’re beginning your network certification journey or looking to move up to more advanced offerings, this list of certifications will help you decide your next best step. Show your knowledge and experience by including certifications for the job roles you want. To become a network engineer, you need a degree or certification to attest to your ability.