IS IT help desk a good job?

it help desk salary

India’s highest paying tech jobs and the skills that rake in the big bucks

> But more important, a help desk job can put you in a good position for future growth. Here are a few reasons why:

Hard skills development. Help desk technicians work with nearly every system a company uses or sells. That includes operating systems -- applications, networks, the Internet, hardware and peripherals. In a help desk role, you can gain in-depth, real-world knowledge of these technologies, an especially valuable commodity for workers with little or no job experience. This wide-ranging exposure allows you to not only build your hard skills, but also determine which technologies you have the greatest passion for.

Soft skills development. There’s no doubt well-developed technical skills are essential for any IT professional, but that doesn’t mean they’re all you need to build a successful career. Increasingly, managers are looking for employees who also have strong interpersonal skills, such as communication, problem-solving and leadership abilities. These so-called soft skills can be learned on the help desk. Think about it: Performing step-by-step troubleshooting of a proxy server configuration with a person unfamiliar with the workings of the e-mail system allows you to build your communication skills. And keeping your cool when helping a stressed caller resolve his problem can improve your tact and diplomacy.

Advancement potential. Perhaps the best part about a help desk role is that it’s often possible to leverage the skills and experience gained there to secure a higher-level position. Many network, Web and e-mail administrators, for example, got their starts on the help desk. In addition, many advancement opportunities exist within the help desk itself. In large companies, Tier 2 and Tier 3 professionals are needed to supervise, train and assist junior help desk technicians. Another potential career path is to pursue a position as a help desk manager. According to the Robert Half Technology 2007 Salary Guide, the national average starting salary for help desk managers is $62,500 to $88,250 this year.

> Unlike most areas of IT, which call for extremely specialized knowledge, the help desk requires professionals to be familiar, at least in a broad sense, with a large number of technologies. If you’ve grown up with computers or are the unofficial tech guru among your friends, a spot on the help desk may be the right way to start your IT career.

Katherine Spencer Lee is executive director of Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Technology has more than 100 locations in North America, Europe and Asia and offers online job search services at www.fieldengineer.com.

What is the need for Wireless Security Protocols?

Understanding the Importance and Evolution of Wireless Security Protocols

• Wireless Security Protocols such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) are used to ensure wireless security.
• The Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3) is the most recent wireless protocol which comes with more enhanced encryption abilities for both private and public networks.

What is Wireless security?

Wireless security is the prevention of unauthorized users from accessing your wireless network and stealing the data using your Wi-Fi network. To be precise, wireless security ensures protection to a Wi-Fi network from unauthorized access.

What is the need for Wireless Security Protocols?

Wireless Security Protocols such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wireless Protected Access (WPA) are used to ensure wireless security.

In today’s enterprise world, Wi-Fi or wireless networking is significantly important for keeping people connected to the internet. However, Wi-Fi is highly vulnerable to hacking. This is where the need for ensuring strong wireless security with the help of wireless security protocols comes in.

What are the types of Wireless Security Protocols?

There are four types of wireless protocols, which include:

• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3)

The evolution of wireless protocols

Wireless protocols protect your wireless network from hacking by encrypting private data as it is being broadcast over the airwaves. The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is the first wireless security protocol that was developed in 1997. However, this protocol contained several flaws, therefore, the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) was developed to deal with the flaws that were found in the WEP protocol.

Later, WPA 2 was developed with enhanced features and encryption capabilities. This enhanced protocol uses Counter Mode Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP) for data encryption.

The Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3) is the most recent wireless protocol which comes with more enhanced encryption abilities for both private and public networks

Cyberattacks are the fastest growing crime in the U.S

 Cyberattacks are the fastest growing crime in the U.S., and they continue to grow in size and sophistication. Companies like Facebook, Panera Bread, Under Armour and Uber made headlines after having customer information stolen. With each breach, administrative fears and the demand for cybersecurity certifications increase.

These fears are not unfounded. Centrify found that 66 percent of customers in the U.S. would likely halt any interaction with a business that's officially been hacked.

As a company, you might find yourself scrambling to hire top cybersecurity talent or equip your IT team with cybersecurity certifications. As an IT professional, the demand for cybersecurity skills presents a huge opportunity to boost your résumé, stand out among candidates and increase your earning potential.

Ready to jumpstart your IT career? Explore cybersecurity certifications here.

But with so many IT security certifications out there, where do you start?

As the leading IT training company, we compiled the top cybersecurity certifications IT professionals need to earn in 2019:

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
2. CompTIA Security+
3. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
6. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF)
7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
8. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
9. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security

Certified Wireless Security Specialist (CWSS) Salary in 2018

cwsp salary

Introduction

If looking for a good niche in the information technology sector, a professional might want to explore opportunities in the growing market for wireless-related positions and the kind of certifications and job roles in high demand right now. With the long-lasting ‘wireless skills gap,’ the Wi-Fi industry is in search of qualified talents, as users demand more support for mobility to expand the capabilities of networks already in place and to build on evolving mobile technologies that are having such an impact on many aspects of our daily life, from personal activities to work-related tasks. Moreover, with the increasing pressure to do more about wireless security and not enough technical talents and skills in the trade to fill employment gaps, salaries are on the rise.

As mobility efforts expand, companies will need to hire the expertise of certified wireless security specialists (CWSS) who can develop the technology needed for consumers to benefit from such products and services by addressing the security issues that could leave a number of users vulnerable to attacks on their systems connected remotely. A CWSSs can keep data secure on every network-enabled Wi-Fi device.

What Is CWSS?

Just a few days ago, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team Coordination Center (CERT/CC) has released information on Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) protocol vulnerabilities that were able to allow a malicious hacker to take control of affected systems.

“The vulnerabilities are in the WPA2 protocol, not within individual WPA2 implementations, which means that all WPA2 wireless networking may be affected,” warned the group. The frequency of cyber-attacks to wireless devices is on the rise as the technology is rapidly spreading and mobile devices are often less protected than their wired counterparts. Users tend to let their guards down when it comes to cell phones, wearable tech devices, and tablets. Wireless security specialists are expected to be in demand in the next few years to help secure the many connected devices our future will employ including, for example, medical IoT or connected automobiles. These professionals will be expected to be able to move in diverse environments as they protect a variety of wireless and mobile technologies.

So, you want to be a CWSS. Do you know what a CWSS does? They have an essential role in defending wireless networks against attacks and, therefore, are required to be familiar with the tools and defenses of the trade and technologies including the family of IEEE 802.11 protocols, WPA/WPA2, and WIPS/WIDS. They are also expected to detect or prevent intrusions effectively or accurately pinpoint the presence of unauthorized access points or identify threats; these professionals must know how to plan, design, and manage a secure wireless LAN (WLAN) that will safeguard every computing device connected to it.

The employment for these specialists is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate for the next few years, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that tells about the need for more specialists who can implement security measures to protect organizations’ WLAN networks and Wi-Fi systems from viruses and cyber-threats (e.g. hacking, data breaches). However, employers are already finding some difficulty in locating well-qualified specialists with a valid certification who have a good grasp regarding wireless anatomy and the knowledge necessary to deploy secure mobile solutions using appropriate technologies to deter outsiders hacking wireless networks and smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop PCs using Wi-Fi. As a result, some ICT companies are often willing to pay more for professionals that can demonstrate their expertise in the wireless realm.

Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) Online Training Series

Training Series Overview

This series covers the functions and features of Certified Wireless Security Professional. Students will learn the basics of WLAN security, Legacy security, encryption ciphers and methods, 802.11 authentication methods. They will then learn about dynamic encryption key generation, SOHO 802.11 security, fast secure roaming, wireless security risks, and wireless LAN security auditing. They will also learn how to implement wireless security monitoring, VPNs, remote access and guest access services, the WLAN security infrastructure, and WLAN security infrastructure.

Certification Details

The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. The CWSP certification will advance your career by ensuring you have the skills to successfully secure enterprise Wi-Fi networks from hackers, no matter which brand of Wi-Fi gear your organization deploys. To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential.

Certification Exam Details:
CWSP-205 Certification: Learn More about this exam.

Available CEUs for Course Series Completion: 15
Students can earn up to 15 CEUs for fully completing this course series. This information will be displayed on the certificate of completion. Learn More

Certification Details

The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. The CWSP certification will advance your career by ensuring you have the skills to successfully secure enterprise Wi-Fi networks from hackers, no matter which brand of Wi-Fi gear your organization deploys. To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential.

Certification Exam Details:
CWSP-205 Certification: Learn More about this exam.

Available CEUs for Course Series Completion: 15
Students can earn up to 15 CEUs for fully completing this course series. This information will be displayed on the certificate of completion. Learn More

What are the well known WLAN security methods?

wireless lan security

WLAN security: how to make your wireless network into a fortress

Whether you’re using a private or business network, the need for security is a top priority. Traditional networks that use cables can provide some protection against external attacks. This is because without physical access to the cables, which are located throughout buildings, strangers cannot easily intercept or read data.

However, if you want to use a more practical wireless network, you run the risk of encountering security problems. Empty space is used instead of cables for transferring data, and the range is not measured by the length of the cable, but by the strength of radio signals. If a device in the wireless local network – better known as WLAN – sends data, a spy only needs a receiver within the range of transmitted radio signals to intercept this data. To use the wireless communication path without any worries, it is important to ensure you have good WLAN security.

What Is the Network+ Certification?

comptia network+ jobs no experience

Introduction

The labor market for information technology professionals will remain robust for the next decade. Market intelligence company International Data Corp. estimates that the IT industry will globally add more than 4 million well-paying jobs through 2027. In the United States, the U.S. Labor and Employment Bureau estimates that the computer and information technology sector will grow faster than the average across all sectors, with a 13 percent growth in IT jobs between 2016 and 2026.

Despite such high demand for IT professionals, it’s not guaranteed that you will find a job. Even if you’re not competing against a large pool of applicants, it’s important to prove to a potential employer that you’re qualified for the role. Professional IT certifications are a good way to show that you have the technical skills, and hiring managers often see them as performance indicators. And certifications can help you not only prove your skills and knowledge to a potential employer, but also advance your career and stay competitive.

If you’re interested in the network infrastructure field, CompTIA’s Network+ certification is a good way to demonstrate that you have the foundation required for an entry- to mid-level job. As a core-level credential, the Network+ certification covers areas such as network management, troubleshooting and configuration, skills which are necessary for many network jobs.

A nonprofit trade association, CompTIA is recognized globally as a leading provider of vendor-neutral professional IT certifications. Although the Network+ certification is geared toward entry-level practitioners such as network support specialists, network administrators and help desk technicians, it also provides the expertise that can be valuable in other IT fields.

What Is the Network+ Certification?

Established in the ‘90s, CompTIA is a membership association that has certified more than two million professionals since its inception. Its comprehensive training and certification programs range from basic to advanced and specialized areas. In addition to certifications, the association focuses on educational programs, networking events, research, advocacy and other activities that help advance the IT profession.

The Network+ certification is among CompTIA’s core offerings designed to build foundational skills. CompTIA reviews all its exams regularly to ensure they reflect the most current industry practices. The most current Network+ exam, N10-007, was launched in March 2018 and will be effective for three years. This version was updated to add new topics such as security and network resiliency.

The certification covers five domains:

• Networking concepts
• Infrastructure
• Network operations
• Network security
• Networking troubleshooting and tools

Who Should Earn the Network+ Credential?

CompTIA considers the Network+ as the next step after its A+ certification, another in its series of four core certs. While A+ covers the basics of networking, Network+ takes a closer look at aspects such as:

• Designing and implementing networks
• Understanding wired and wireless network technologies and topologies
• Implementing network security standards, configurations and protocols
• Configuring, maintaining and managing network devices such as firewalls, routers and switches
• Troubleshooting network configurations and other issues
• Understanding and implementing best practices for network operations, including disaster recovery and business continuity

This certification demonstrates that you have a basic understanding of enterprise technologies, making it ideal for anyone who’s in the early stages of their network career. However, those who want to advance to more senior roles should also consider it. Some of the jobs that will benefit from Network+ the most include:

• Computer technician
• Help desk technician
• Network support specialist
• Network administrator
• Network analyst
• Systems engineer
• Systems administrator or analyst

The certification can serve not only as a stepping stone for career advancement but also  provide a solid understanding of networking for other IT roles. Some of the other paths that the Network+ certification could fit include:

• Security specialist
• Web and network systems developer
• Information systems consultant

A review of PayScale’s data for Network+ certifications shows that the average salary earned by IT professionals who have this credential is $62,000, with job titles that include network engineer, IT director and IT manager.

Requirements for Obtaining the Certification

To take the Network+ exam, you do not need any previous IT experience. However, CompTIA recommends at least nine to 12 months of experience in the networking field. The A+ certification is also recommended but not required.

If you have experience in networking, you will find it much easier to prepare for the multiple-question certification exam. A variety of training and exam-prep options are available for those who don’t have a good foundation in networking or just want to brush up on their knowledge of current practices.

Which security certification is best?

security professional certifications

Cyberattacks are the fastest growing crime in the U.S., and they continue to grow in size and sophistication. Companies like Facebook, Panera Bread, Under Armour and Uber made headlines after having customer information stolen. With each breach, administrative fears and the demand for cybersecurity certifications increase.

These fears are not unfounded. Centrify found that 66 percent of customers in the U.S. would likely halt any interaction with a business that's officially been hacked.

As a company, you might find yourself scrambling to hire top cybersecurity talent or equip your IT team with cybersecurity certifications. As an IT professional, the demand for cybersecurity skills presents a huge opportunity to boost your résumé, stand out among candidates and increase your earning potential.

Ready to jumpstart your IT career? Explore cybersecurity certifications here.

But with so many IT security certifications out there, where do you start?

As the leading IT training company, we compiled the top cybersecurity certifications IT professionals need to earn in 2019:

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
2. CompTIA Security+
3. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
6. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF)
7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
8. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
9. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security

Is Cwna a good certification?

cwsp certification

Wi-Fi has become a hallmark of the 21st century; the World Economic Forum estimates that there are 50 million individual Wi-Fi networks currently operating in the United States. A Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification* qualifies a person to do the basic adjustments and maintenance tasks involved with running these networks in a commercial setting.

As an employer, you know you can't invest in every certification program that comes along; it makes sense to weigh the costs and benefits of a given program before signing your employees up for it. Here are just a few reasons why the CWNA course might be an excellent choice for a computer-based certification program for your company.

It Provides a Broad, Applicable Understanding of Wi-Fi Basics

The CWNA course teaches the key points about what Wi-Fi networks are made of, how they are installed and designed, what security measures they need and how to troubleshoot bugs in the network. Once someone has this base-level comprehension of how Wi-Fi networks function, they can use it to tackle many of the minor issues that regularly crop up in offices. Some of fixes needed might include:

• Fix problems with a weak signal that's interrupting your office's Internet connection
• Establish an authorized connection to new devices
• Set up a firewall

These are all things that a certified CWNA can probably figure out a solution to, nicely illustrating how handy it can be to have such a person in the office. Wi-Fi is a great tool, and the more your staff knows about it, the better they can use it to propel your business forward.

It's Vendor-Neutral

There are two main kinds of IT certifications: vendor-specific and vendor-neutral. Vendor-specific certifications are credentials that apply to only one particular company's networks and hardware - Cisco-branded certifications are a well-known example of this. They offer an incredible depth of knowledge and are often highly regarded for being so thorough, but are also so specialized in nature that they become obsolete outside of their intended contexts.

Vendor-neutral certifications like the CWNA designation, however, are not tied to any one company or brand. Rather, they are intended to provide general knowledge that will be relevant to learners using any of the wide array of product options on the market. This means that the skills your employees learn in a CWNA course will never be useless if you decide to change suppliers.

Your staff may never know quite as much about any one system, but you'll be thankful for the open-ended nature of this program if your company ever needs to change directions with its IT department. In that case, your existing CWNA-certified employees will be just as competent with the new systems as they were with the old ones.

It Can Serve As an Internal IT Funnel

Some companies hire externally for their IT needs, but others prefer to scout out talents for these positions from within their existing ranks. One good way to find promising prospective internal candidates for this move is to make entry-level certification courses available to your employees. The ones who take you up on the offer and excel in their classes are the ones you know you can put a little more investment into afterwards.

The CWNA certification is a good choice because it's intended to be basic and accessible to beginners, so as long as someone puts in the effort required to keep up, they should be able to pass the final exams with no problem. It also gives them a chance to try out some of the work they'll be doing in a low-risk setting where both of you can gauge how well they handle it. This way, you'll catch any mismatches early and save yourself a lot of time and expense.

It Unlocks Other Certification Pathways

The CWNA certification is very low-level, true, but all IT professionals have to start somewhere. In this case, getting this initial certification allows a person access to all of the other, more specialized offerings from the Certified Wireless Network Professional organization. These include the CWSP (security), CWDP (design), CWAP (analysis) and CWEP (expert) credentials, all of which cover their designated topic in significantly more detail than the coursework for this certification does. Students aren't permitted to sign up for them without first beginning with the basics, though.

All of these higher-level skills are immensely valuable in a modern IT environment and greatly extend the computer capabilities of your company. If your goal is to eventually have your employees master all of the intricacies of the IT industry, this is a small but critical step on your path to achieving it.

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If you think your staff could benefit from CWNA certification in any of these ways, why not check out Infotec's CWNA Certification Course*? Contact us today to discuss your company's needs and how you can get a better grasp on the fundamentals of network technology. 

How do I become a cyber security professional?

network security professionals

The growth of cybercrime puts businesses and government agencies at the risk of constant threats to their crucial business data, customer data, financial information, and other trade secrets. Cybersecurity professionals play an important role in protecting businesses from cybercriminals. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is constantly increasing and is expected to rise by 28% between 2016 to 2026, as listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Who is a cybersecurity professional?

Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for securing the information systems of an organization. They determine the access points, processes, and people to the information and then coordinate and implement information security policies. By applying multi-layer security policies using their skills they defend the IT infrastructure from web threats, malware, viruses, DoS attacks, phishing, etc.

Why cybersecurity professionals matter?

There is no business sector that is not attacked by cybercriminals. Cybercriminals cause severe damages to intellectual property, network, business data, and services by theft, viruses, intrusions, data mining, etc. They are responsible for resolving highly complex security issues and keeping cybercrime at bay. They secure businesses and ensure their continuity by applying their skills of analysis, reverse engineering, incident handling, forensics, to monitor and diagnose vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity professionals also recommend mitigation of cyberattacks and recovery and protection of software and hardware issues.

As a matter of defense strategy, they install firewalls, monitor the process of data flow, and regularize access to protect the network and secure data. They also train staff members on security awareness and best security practices so that the policies and procedures, as drafted by them, are implemented throughout the organization. The reports submitted by them serve as guidance to the management and executive staff.