We'd hazard a guess that you're a practical sort of person - the 'hands-on' personality type. If you're anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals can be just about bared when essential, but it's not really your thing. Consider interactive, multimedia study if you'd really rather not use books. Research has constantly confirmed that getting into our studies physically, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Learning is now available on CD and DVD discs, so you can study at your own computer. Video streaming means you can watch instructors demonstrating how to perform the required skill, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. It's imperative to see courseware examples from any company that you may want to train through. They have to utilise video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.

Pick CD or DVD ROM based materials whenever you can. Thus avoiding all the issues associated with broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.

All programs you're considering has to build towards a widely recognised exam at the end - not some little 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. Only properly recognised examinations from companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco and Adobe will mean anything to employers.

Even though they're quite often grouped with each other, the 'MCSA' & 'MCSE' are actually tailored to carry out 2 quite different functions. The certification MCSA (which is short for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) will prepare you for server-administration and work in networks and senior-support. Predominantly this certification is a superb basis for a technical systems administrator, who will work with the various functions of operating a fairly small to medium corporate network. You should really enjoy this particular role if you're a well organised problem solver that enjoys a strong technical-challenge. It's a really people oriented role with a great deal of variety, because the work effectively calls for support and interaction with fellow network-users.

In contrast, the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) role provides a position with more accountability, where the job centres a lot more around planning, design and project management. If senior-administration, management of a network, senior security employment or technical/project management is your ultimate goal, then this is definitely the route you should think about taking. The MCSE is possibly not as well-known for its teaching on leadership & creative problem solving skills, that are also very important for people employed in senior technical positions.

IT Security Forensics Training >>