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Getting Started in IT for New Entrants

Information Technology (IT) is a field that is concerned with computers and includes hardware, software, networking, telecommunication, and their use, storage, and other services or devices that can be useful in the creation, processing, and storage of digital information. 

IT is a broad term that includes a lot of different subfields within areas like network, application, and much more. New entrants are attracted to the field because it is expanding and provides employees with great employment opportunities and the possibility to advance their careers.

IT has a couple of different subfields that new entrants can look at and choose according to their interests, such as cloud security, network security, application security, database administration, troubleshooting, and the performance of various tasks to secure the infrastructure, among others. 

As this area is in such high demand, a large number of people desire to work in it, but organizations only hire those who demonstrate some level of aptitude. Certification gives the foundation upon which a recruiter may select your resume and turn you into a viable prospect from a pool of candidates. There are a few certifications that the new candidate must obtain. Let’s have a look at a handful of them.

CATO SASE Expert Level 1

The Cato Networks SASE Expert Certification is governed by the CATO association of SASE (Security Access Service Edge) experts. Candidates who complete this certification are capable of delivering cloud-native, adaptive networks to their customers. Cato Networks’ SASE Expert Level 1 certification course is a one-stop shop for everyone interested in becoming knowledgeable about SASE.

SASE allows organizations to deploy resources more quickly, improve security by implementing unified policies across their network stacks, and simplify their network infrastructure. A large number of companies are turning their attention to SASE because it provides a single worldwide native cloud service with built-in security. They are looking for individuals who are well-versed in the subject and can put their knowledge into practice in a realistic manner.

It covers a wide range of issues, including how networks are switched from SD-WAN to SASE and how each is implemented, their fundamental distinctions and the benefits they both give, virtual private networks (VPNs) and why they are used, and much more. It is a fantastic curriculum that will teach you how to transition to SASE and how to use other components of the program effectively.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA administers the Security+ certification program. Candidates who are interested in learning and performing fundamental security operations such as secure systems, incident response, risk assessment, forensics, hybrid or cloud infrastructure, security controls, and so on will find this a perfect fit. 

This course provides hands-on experience in laboratories that students may use to demonstrate their abilities. It teaches them how to deal with the challenges that arise on a daily basis when working in any reputable organization. 

Approximately 90 questions are included in this certification, and they can be a combination of multiple-choice questions, drag and drop exercises, and performance-based questions. CompTIA itself provides training choices for candidates to complete this certification. Candidates can make use of these training opportunities to complete it.

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

CEH certification is administered by the EC-Council. Those interested in identifying vulnerabilities in any application, network, or target system where they are authorized to carry out attacks will find this a good fit. CEH-certified candidates use the same tool that a hacker would use. They simulate an attack on a network in order to identify vulnerabilities to secure it. However, they have permission from the organization to do so. 

In order to obtain this certification, you must know how to identify the vulnerable points of attack and how to secure them. It also provides knowledge of different aspects of cyber security such as cryptography, network deployment, etc.

This certification takes approximately 4 hours to complete and covers 125 multiple-choice questions on topics such as vulnerabilities, security, IoT, API, and many others. Candidates must get a score of 70 percent or above to be considered for this certification, which is based on candidate knowledge. EC council tries its best to match the market requirements by regularly conducting adjustments in its content.

AWS Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is managed by Amazon. Since so many businesses are shifting towards the cloud or adopting the hybrid model, they always require knowledgeable cloud-certified professionals, and this certification is a solid start for that. This certification gives candidates knowledge about AWS services, its use cases, its pricing model, security concepts on AWS, and how AWS security affects businesses.

This certification helps you understand all the basic information AWS controls, how to test its fluency, and how to implement cloud initiatives. As per Amazon, anyone can go with this certification, but they need to have at least six months of work experience on AWS so that they can better understand the IT services it offers and their use on the AWS Cloud platform. 

This certification comprises 65 questions which are a combination of multiple-choice and multiple-response type questions. To clear this certification, a candidate has to get 70 percent.

CompTIA A+

The A+ certification is overseen by CompTIAas well. This certification includes an understanding of security, networking, virtualization, and more. Candidates who get this certification are equipped to handle important IT support jobs and endpoint administration. Support responsibilities may include troubleshooting and remotely diagnosing services, network or connectivity problems, and common issues with software and hardware. Endpoint management includes IoT device management and its scripting and management of cloud virtualization.

After receiving this certification, applicants cover a number of IT disciplines such as network, software troubleshooting, hardware, security, cloud security and its computing, and so on. 

Candidates must pass two tests: the CompTIA A+ 220-1001 (Core 1) exam and the CompTIA A+ 220-1001 (Core 2) exam. Both tests feature 90 questions. You need to core 72 percent for the first certification and 75 percent for the second.

Conclusion

There are a handful of certifications in IT for new entrants. However, for candidates who want to progress, it fully depends on their decision, talents, ambitions, etc. Certifications always help you stand out among peers, highlighting your skills to recruiters so they may pick your resume over those of candidates who do not have them. Certifications are beneficial to both the organization and the individual since it provides a foundation of information about the subject. 

Remember, though, that certifications usually need time, money, effort, and commitment.

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