ARE THERE ANY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS FOR NETWORK ADMINISTRATION?

Updated December 5, 2022 · 2 Min Read

Network administrators who are serious about deepening the breadth of their skills as computer management professionals have many choices in professional certifications for network administration that they can earn to more effectively distinguish themselves. Because network administrators can be called upon to service a very wide variety of differently configured enterprise computer networks, the potential ...

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Network administrators who are serious about deepening the breadth of their skills as computer management professionals have many choices in professional certifications for network administration that they can earn to more effectively distinguish themselves. Because network administrators can be called upon to service a very wide variety of differently configured enterprise computer networks, the potential for certain specific certifications to be more valuable in certain settings more than others is fairly high.

By earning official certifications, network administrators can be more effective at demonstrating the value they offer to the specific kind of networks that they have specially trained to service. As a growing number of businesses begin to digitize and automate their core operations, the value that specifically skilled and professionally certified network administrators can bring to the table will grow even more greater than it already has.

Not only will more business owners expect more advanced certifications to be held by their administrators in the near future, but the level of competition that network administrators will face to distinguish themselves from one another will naturally increase as well. If you are an aspiring network administrator who wants to have the best possible chance at having your skills appreciated by prospective employers, consider the following professional certifications for network administration to more effectively showcase your full technical capabilities.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associates (MCSA)

While thousands of new networking solutions and data management systems seem to be developed by the day, one of the most universal requirements for anyone with an interest in acquiring an entry-level information technology (IT) position is basic Windows Server proficiency. Having MCSA certification is the bare-bones requirements for being considered eligible to work toward earning the more advanced Microsoft certifications needed to be recognized as a true Microsoft system management expert.

Related reading: Top 10 Cheap Online Network Administration Degree Programs (Bachelor's)

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)

This certification is the initial stage in the extensive series of progressive networking certification steps offered by Cisco. In the frame of Cisco's overall certification ladder, CCENT directly precedes the more advanced Associate level.

While this is not a particularly advanced certification, it does showcase a network administrator's basic ability to comprehend the most fundamental bits of information about networking in general. By making the effort earn the CCENT certification, network administrators demonstrate that they're willing to do the bare minimum to demonstrate their fundamental networking competence.

Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA R&S)

This certification indicates that a network administrator has slightly more advanced ability to successfully install, connect and manage the most fundamental networking devices than a typical entry-level novice. The standard level of networking solution complexity that many businesses rely on by default has been steadily increasing over the years, which has made it more vital than ever for network administrators to sharpen their base of understanding about more complex system architecture models to remain competitive. This certification will show employers that you are well-prepared to handle some of the most important, slightly complex technologies that many modern business systems now rely on more frequently.

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Becoming CCNP certified indicates that a network administrator possesses the skills to accurately troubleshoot, closely analyze, effectively manage and pragmatically plan operations for some of the most common wide-scale enterprise networks. Larger businesses with networks that cover a wide area have a pronounced need for all of the important interconnected nodes in the network to remain in-sync, and with this networking-focused certification, an administrator is recognized as being dependable in their ability to systematically ensure that wide-spanning networks remain operational and safe from compromise due to careless oversights that are easily overlooked by novices due to the network's considerable size.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

An MCSE certification gives employers confidence that their network administrator possesses the necessary skills to be left in charge of the more modern and high-maintenance varieties of data centers that large enterprises have begun to depend on. Smoother networking strategies, more secure information storage systems, more thorough management and an overall more well-decorated set of network administration skills have become increasingly important in the current era of enterprise technology to keep the newer and more complex data centers consistently functional. With an MCSC certificate, you can show that your network administration skills are precise enough to keep the latest, highly technical enterprise data centers safe in your hands.

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