How to get smarter, faster
1. Smart networks
Networks are becoming ‘smarter’ as organisations use their wide area networks (Wans) and local area networks (Lans) to carry voice, data, video and more.
This means that network engineers need to ensure they keep their skills and certifications up to date.
Therefore, the announcement last week that Cisco is overhauling its Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification track should be of interest to anyone building a career in networking.
The revamped course now features three major components: a core routing course, a core switching course and a troubleshooting course.
According to Cisco, the new programmes have been designed to reflect the knowledge and skills required for today’s networking professional.
They feature a specific focus on security, complex routing and switching, including support for branch offices, mobile workers and delivery of voice services via the campus network.
The certification courses have also been changed to include a mixture of instructor-led classroom and mentored e-learning modules.
“This is a major announcement,” said Steven Purcell, country manager at Global Knowledge.” It is completely different than what was there before. The current course teaches people on core Lan and Wan technology.
“The newer course will take that to a new level, adding advanced Lan and Wan management tools, more focus on security and preparing delegates with skillsets to work with smart technology areas such as virtualisation and unified communications. We expect to see a higher throughput of people coming into the CCNP track this year.”
2.Virtualisation
Companies looking to ‘smarten’ up their IT infrastructure, while also cutting their server and storage costs, have been increasingly investing in virtualisation solutions in recent years.
The emergence of ‘cloud’ technology also ties into the demand for virtualisation technology and services. Therefore, many Irish organisations need staff with the skills and certifications to implement and maintain virtualised infrastructure.
“Virtualisation has had a lot of press over the last 18 months, as it is a huge factor in the emergence of smart IT,” said David Burke, manager of technical recruitment and professional services at Harvey Nash.
“This development in technology allows for consolidation of infrastructure and services virtually anywhere in the world with access through the internet, and offers potentially huge cost savings.”
Vendors offering certification tracks and training courses to implement, support and maintain virtualisation solutions included VM Ware, Hyper V and Citrix.
VMware is possibly the most popular virtualisation technology area in IreLand at the moment.
These are designed for technical IT professionals – whether working in house with a company, for a partner or as a consultant – who want to work in the virtualisation area, and courses and exams are only available through approved VMware training partners.
Individuals looking to get onto the VM Ware certification track have three options to choose from: VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage; VMware vSphere: Fast Track; or the VM ware vSphere: Troubleshooting course, each leading to certification as a VCP – VMware certified professional.
After successfully completing the VCP track, one can then move onto the VMware Certified Design Expert programme.
3.Web and mobile
Preparing for the’ smart’ economy involves equipping both technical and non-technical staff to make the best use of the latest communications technologies. Ubiquitous internet and web-based applications, software, utilities and tools are being integrated right into companies’ business processes.
Meanwhile, information is being accessed and updated remotely by staff, no matter where they are, via their laptop or smartphone. Social networking and multimedia technologies also offer opportunities for staff to become more efficient and productive.
There was a plethora of different technologies and skillsets which companies may wish to utilise to best avail of web and mobile opportunities, said Barry Rudden, associate director at Sigmar.
“IT departments will be specifically looking at cloud computing and the associated SaaS (software as a service) as key areas of skills growth over the next few years,” said Rudden.
“From a development point of view, there will be a continuation of the Java/ J2EE skillset and the .Net/ C# area, with specific focus on web-based development SOA [service oriented architectures].
Soap, Rest and Ajax skills are also becoming increasingly popular.”
From an end-user perspective, an increasing number of companies are looking to introduce Microsoft’s Sharepoint technology, which allows staff interspersed in different locations to collaborate and share information, files and workflows over the internet.
A variety of Sharepoint e-learning programmes are available, while some providers also offer bespoke classroom training courses in the technology.
4. Security
Smart technology developments, such as cloud computing, mobile applications and social networking, have given rise to very real concerns from companies and individuals about fraud and security. Organisations especially need to ensure that their business-sensitive information is safe from outside eyes, by hiring and training IT professionals with the right IT security and data protection skills and certifications.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a non vendor aligned security certification, developed by the not-for-profit International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 and recommended by ICS Skills chief executive Jim Friars.
The CISSP course covers areas including access control, business continuity and disaster recovery, cryptography, security architecture and design, and telecommunications and network security. Examinations overseen by (ISC)2 are run twice a year in IreLand. Candidates must have five years of experience in two or more of the domains of the CISSP CBK.
ICS Skills runs boot-camp preparation courses to help students prepare for the exam, with the next one scheduled from March 8-12.
For IT professionals looking for a less intensive qualification in data protection, Friars recommended the three-day ICS Data Protection Practitioners Certification. Attendees gain an in-depth knowledge of Ireland’s data protection legislation, understand what needs to be achieved to attain organisational compliance, and learn how to develop and maintain effective policies and procedures for management of the data protection process.
5. End-user smarts
Companies looking to progress in the knowledge economy need all their staff to be sufficiently able and willing to use the latest smart applications and web tools, but that does not necessarily mean nontechnical ly minded staff must learn a whole new selection of smart technical tricks.
Most staff at this point will be familiar with standard office, internet and email applications, and a small bit of upskilling in the latest advances across these technologies should equip individuals for full participation in the smart economy.
“The skills required in this area are pretty standard,” said David Burke, manager of technical recruitment and professional services at Harvey Nash.” The ECDL [European Computer Driving License] certifications are a good starting point.
They offer people a solid foundation in end-user skills across the most common office applications and web tools. These skills are the bare minimum for anyone to be successful working in the smart environment.”
The ECDL is an international standard certification in IT end-user skills, which has already been delivered to 9 million people throughout 148 countries.
To achieve ECDL certification, individuals must pass a test for each of its seven modules, thereby successfully demonstrating their competence in the use of a computer and common computer applications.
ECDL/ICDL training courses are run in 1,000 centres nationwide, including Fás training centres, where the full certification is available free of charge to eligible individuals.
