Security company predicts big threats emerging in 2013

As those in an IT career have likely noticed, companies are starting to focus on security more than they ever have. Kaspersky Lab outlined some of the biggest threats expected in the new year, with one of them being targeted attacks on businesses. These types of attacks have become far more prevalent over the past few years, and professionals should attain IT training to learn more about them.

"Kaspersky Lab expects the amount of targeted attacks, with the purpose of cyber-espionage, to continue in 2013 and beyond, becoming the most significant threat for businesses," the company said. "Another trend that will likely impact companies and governments is the continued rise of 'hacktivism' and politically-motivated cyber-attacks."

Other top threats from the next year, the security lab said, may include:
- Surveillance software being used more heavily by governments
- Potential changes to online privacy laws
- Continued threat of mobile malware

On Forbes, IT professional Tomer Teller said social engineering will be a big IT security threat in 2013, as it is now moving onto social media websites and getting more coverage from its scams. Social engineering is when a cybercriminal tries to impersonate people to get money or information from a person's friends or loved ones.

The role of the CIO is changing

With cloud computing, mobile devices and other transformative technology becoming more well known to everyone in an IT career, professionals need additional training to keep up with it all. Eric Lundquist wrote on InformationWeek that the CIO position is changing and these executives may want to work on their owncomputing training to stay relevant.

"There are lots of reasons to stand by the sidelines and watch the digital parade pass by," he wrote. "But you got into the tech side of the business because you were convinced that digital technology would continue to upend the business world and someday digital first would be the way companies would compete and win. That time is now. Yes, your employees can go out and acquire hardware, software and services that make your company's toolset look more paleo digital than modern digital. Time for your company to catch up and you are the one to do it."

Another move CIOs may want to make is going toward the cloud, as Lundquist said this is expanding across the IT industry and other enterprise sectors. CIOs should start looking at which model they want to adopt and how it can be integrated at their business..

Cindy Waxer wrote on InformationWeek that when training, professionals go to the places offering the best information without any kind of filler. This kind of computing training saves time and should keep pros interested as well.

Citrix acquires device management software provider

In an effort to expand what they do as a company, Citrix has decided to acquire device management software provide Zenprise, Infoworld reported. This will help the company extend its enterprise management software to mobile devices, and that could allow those in an IT career to be even more flexible with how they work with the rest of the company.

Zenprise will be folded into the Citrix CloudGateway and Me@Work packages to allow customers manage mobile devices, data and use other tools through one setup, thus enabling IT departments to have much better control of their mobile device policies.

"The purchase addresses the growing workplace trend of BYOD (bring your own device), in which employees use their personal devices, such as Apple iPhones, to complete work tasks," the news source said. "Citrix is building a portfolio of software to secure and manage these consumer devices with the same rigor with which other enterprise systems are typically protected and controlled."

Amit Pandey, CEO of Zenprise, said because of the rising number of devices in the workplace today, companies will want to get a handle on their BYOD program with a solution like what Citrix is now offering, according to Datamation.

Top certifications for the new year

Moving forward in an IT career takes a lot of hard work, including computing training and certification. One company that works in certification gave its list of the top traits IT pros should be looking into for 2013, with the top certification being the MCSA, which provides information on how to install, maintain and manage Windows 2012 Server Operating System.

"Windows Server 2012 redefines the server category, delivering hundreds of new features and enhancements spanning virtualization, networking, storage, user experience, cloud computing, automation, and more," the company said. "Simply put, Windows Server 2012 helps transform IT operations to reduce costs and deliver a whole new level of business value."

Other helpful certifications for the new year include the MCSE for working with private cloud computing and the MCSA for SharePoint 2012 and the Cisco Certified Network Professional, which gives IT professionals the ability to implement, verify and troubleshoot wide-area enterprise networks.

TechRepublic gave the top IT training certification honor last year to the MCITP Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008. This goes to show that no matter what year it is, Microsoft certification will likely be important for IT pros.

Top states for broadband connectivity

For those in an IT career, locations with the best broadband connections may be where the best opportunities are, and TechNet recently released its State Broadband Index. This report ranks states by broadband adoption, network quality and how the state economy supports the broadband movement. According to the report, Washington state, Massachusetts and Delaware are the top three states for broadband in the U.S.

"Broadband is shown to help create economic growth, job creation and many other benefits," Rey Ramsey, the head of TechNet, said. "We applaud all the states at the top of this index for their leadership in building the broadband infrastructure that is helping deliver economic success and improved quality of life for millions of our fellow citizens."

Public and private investments have been a big reason why many of these states have improved their broadband, the TechNet report said. For example, Massachusetts used state funds to attract private sector investment to build fiber networks and planning capacity is coming together to help public and private entities work together for better broadband, CNET reported.

One state that may be coming up in the ranks is Illinois, which recently pushed an initiative to offer $6 million in investment for network investment, the report said. Those in an IT career looking to make a move should keep an eye on investments like this.

Developer jobs becoming hottest in IT world

The IT industry has been more fortunate than most others in terms of unemployment rates and worker compensation. According to a recent report by Robert Half Technology, there will be even more boosts in pay for those in an IT career in the next year. This report showed that the average starting salary for developers will rise 9 percent, with overall compensation ranging from $92,750 to $133,500.

"Salaries are rising for candidates who can help organizations leverage new technologies to increase efficiencies, gain business insights and produce superior customer experiences," said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group. "In some cases, there's a shortage of individuals available to fill these highly specialized positions, which is driving up starting compensation levels."

Other positions in demand in the next year include:
- Business intelligence analysts, who will see a 7.3 percent salary gain and a max salary of $132,500 per year
- Interactive creative directors, with a 4.9 percent increase in pay and a max salary of $160,000
- User experience designers, who may see a 4.8 percent raise with a max yearly salary of $110,000

Cybersecurity jobs expected to see big growth

Over the next four years, those in an IT career focused on cybersecurity could see some good shifts happening in their industry. The Baltimore Sun reported that at the CyberMaryland conference earlier in October, industry analysts said the market is expected to grow more than 50 percent in the next four years as other types of defense spending may level off or even decline.

John Slye, a federal industry research analyst with GovWin, said the online security industry is no longer like drinking from a firehose but like "drinking from the ocean." Maryland seems to be trying especially hard to draw in new business and jobs, as the news source reported that the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has been trying to promote the state's assets for cybersecurity.

Gary Tartanian, an electrical engineer for the National Security Agency, told the Sun that the agency is in the midst of a busy hiring year, looking for up to 1,000 new people for this fiscal year for computer science-related tasks and other openings.

"We're hiring across a very broad range of disciplines," Tartanian said, according to the news source. "We need people capable of critical thinking. We're in the business of problem solving and connecting the dots."

Talk Business Quarterly said there are statistical estimates showing that cyber security specialists will be a big growth industry for work over the next 15 years or so. This could be a great area to pursue for those considering an IT career.

Many new IT challenges expected soon

There are a lot of changes forthcoming in the information technology world, according to what Gartner analyst David Cappuccio told the crowd at a recent symposium the company held, ZDNet reported. Those in an IT career need to be sure they are keeping up and updating their skills to help companies address these problems.

One big issue, according to Gartner, is operational complexity that will have to be sorted out by businesses in order to be successful, the news source reports.

"Gartner's takeaway was that employee owned devices will be compromised by malware more than double the rate of corporate-owned devices," ZDNet said. "Welcome to the BYOD headache. IT is paying for more technology than it actually uses - 20 percent of features and functions in a system are used. Operational complexity will always be an issue. The fix is elusive."

ZDNet reported that IT demand will be "insatiable" and companies will need to keep up with hiring.

According to a recent forecast from Deltek, the federal government will also have a lot of demand for IT workers, with budgets growing and more security needed. Those working toward an IT career should work on their skills to help them get hired.

IT jobs for new graduates

The expansion of the IT sector means that those who never thought they would be working in an IT career are starting to realize the benefit of doing so. Business 2 Community said business process outsourcing is one area where job searchers may have some luck finding employment.

"The BPO jobs don’t require much of the experience thus [far], making it an ideal job for an IT fresher," the news source said. "The BPO sector has risen with the rise in the IT industry. The telecommunication has also seen some changes with the rise in the IT field. The jobs in the BPO industry will gain the IT pass out the experience required apply in the bigger companies."

Other great jobs for new IT professionals can include
- Computer programming
- Network or software engineer
- Data entry jobs
- Technical support
- IT banking
- Database administration

With any of these, Business 2 Community said those in an IT career need certification and IT training to make sure their skills are up to par.

Michael Dsupin, CEO of the information technology staffing firm Talener, told the Chicago Tribune that they have a lack of quantity and quality in the industry right now, so IT training is a necessity for workers coming up in the business.

Windows Server 2012 can pay for itself

With the amount of businesses using Microsoft products such as the company's Server 2012, Microsoft certification courses can be a great idea of anyone looking into an IT career. On InfoWorld, Paul Ferrill said with Microsoft Server 2012, companies can get many benefits and have the program "pay for itself."

"Windows Server 2012 is a monumental release packed with new features that touch every facet of the operating system," he said on the website. "You'll see changes ranging from how data is stored on disk to the protocol for moving data between client and server and much more in between. The major design themes of the new server OS, which center on continuous availability, reduced cost, and lower management overhead, show up in many ways."

One way Ferrill said the program can pay for itself is by saving on storage space. With this program, companies can save over traditional RAID-based disk array due to the advanced storage space tool Windows Server 2012 uses.

For those looking at IT training in Microsoft products, the company said there are some great benefits, including keeping professionals up to date, relevant and competitive with any company using this kind of technology.

VMWare for cloud could be great for business

ZDNet spoke with David Giambruno, senior vice president and CIO of Revlon, who said that he likes owning technology and using it as a competitive weapon. With VMWare coupled with the cloud, this is exactly what he gets. Those in an IT career should look to get computing training on this type of technology, as Giambruno said there are many advantages for businesses.

"For us, it's where VMware is going," he told the news source. "We're always pushing VMware. 'What have you got next? What have you got next?' It's up to us to take capability and extend it. I don't mean to be flip or narcissistic or anything like that, but we've got that piece under control. It's about how do you do it better."

He said whenever Revlon sees a potential upgrade, the company wants to see how the features can best help. This means the business is likely looking for a lot of IT workers who know what they are doing on programs such as this, and helping move VMWare and the cloud forward within the business.

In July, GigaOM reported that VMWare was planning to expand its cloud assets to keep up with companies like Microsoft. Professionals should be keeping in line with this via computing training to make sure they have every tool they need to succeed.

Many IT career professionals didn't start there

While Michael Martin didn't think he'd end up in an IT career when he was out of college in 1998, The Business Review said his experience and the opportunities he has taken have landed him a job at an IT management company. While this wasn't what he had initially envisioned, keeping up with modern innovations helped him land this position. This may be the experience for many in this field, as with the proper IT training people can see some great results.

“We are assembling a catalog of services to help clients relieve some of the more burdensome aspects of [information technology]," he told the news source in a piece on his career advancement. "What I’m really doing is making sure we have the technological foundation to provide those services.”

Moneycrashers.com said people may not always end in the career they thought they would, but considering what hobbies they like, speaking to career professionals and counselors and shadowing someone on a job can be great experiences to figure out a possible career.

The website said people can also get a broad education. With IT training added onto this, professionals can definitely carve out their own niche in an IT career.

Bringing more women into the world of technology

Information technology has been dominated by males for a while now, but it doesn't have to be like that, according to Sci-Tech Today. Many say women could get a good IT career if they have the proper backing education and desire.

"If you look at the media, and who we worship in this tech space, it's Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg," Ruthe Farmer, director of strategic initiatives for the National Center for Women & Information Technology, told the news source. "We want girls to see women, to see a possible glimpse of their future."

Sci-Tech Today said not only are women lacking in the industry right now, but the future prospects aren't looking great either. The Education Department showed that 18 percent of computer science degrees went to women in 2010-2011, down from 38 percent in 1985. Even so, there are a growing number of women in high-tech positions, such as Yahoo President Marissa Mayer.

Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare, told Forbes that women who are trying to prepare for an IT career should know that the industry changes quickly with fads that stay and go. IT training can help all workers keep up to date with what is happening in the industry.

Workers must be adaptable, innovative in today's workforce

In today's IT career marketplace, one of the most important qualities a worker can have is adaptability. US News and World Report said this is true of every career, as employees must be able to adjust to changes, as well as switch priorities without complaining. IT workers must also be able to assess, analyze and bring information together to figure out their next best move.

"Organizations are acquiring more data due to technology," the news source said. "Tools such as customer relationship databases, newsletter subscribers, website analytics, surveys, and social media followers each require interpretation. Making sense out of it all takes an analytical approach, therefore you will want to develop your ability to translate information into meaningful return on investment data."

Other important factors for job seekers and modern workers to keep in mind is the ability to think critically, collaborate with others, innovate with new ideas and technologies and be able to lead if need be.

When searching for a new job, MSN Careers suggeste that people diversify their search as much as possible, define all of their goals and be able to evaluate and easily talk about the skills they bring to the table. The website also said to be unique, which can be done by being multi-faceted with computing training.

IRS may be looking at IT skill requirements

Government jobs are some of the more stable careers out there, even when it comes to the information technology side of things. With new technology coming out seemingly by the day, there are always new requirements and skills being looked at, and a recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said the Internal Revenue Service may need to create an skill inventory list for each position to figure out what is needed. There would also be a new process for evaluating employee skill and new hires.

"Documenting the capabilities of its information technology workforce will increase the IRS's ability to deliver effective tax administration," J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, said in a statement, according to Federal News Radio.

The news source said as of May, 7,200 IT professionals and 2,000 contractors were employed by the IRS. The report suggested creating a forecast of the type of skills needed in the next three to five years to have the best possible workforce.

According to the IRS report, the government agency is looking to create a strategic plan to have the best possible workers in place to meet the organization's objectives. Professionals should look to increase the amount of IT training they get to stay viable for positions with agencies like this.

Microsoft acquires cloud storage provider

If technology professionals haven't gotten cloud computing training yet, now may be the time as more companies are starting to boost their presence in the industry. As an example, Microsoft announced it was set to acquire cloud storage company StorSimple, according to Computerworld.

The news source said this company is a one of a new breed of businesses offering an appliance for storing data while onsite at a company and replicating it to an offsite public cloud provider.

"Customers faced with explosive growth in data are looking to the cloud to help them store, manage and archive that data," said Michael Park, corporate vice president Microsoft's Server and Tools Division, according to Computerworld. "But, to be effective, cloud storage needs to integrate with IT's current investments. StorSimple's approach helps customers seamlessly integrate on-premises storage with cloud storage through intelligent automation and management."

CompTIA said some cloud computing IT training essentials include learning the business value of the cloud, figuring out how to successfully adopt it for a company and knowing what the risks of the technology are.

IT employment and cloud computing

There is more of a need than ever for cloud computing "experts," industry expert David Linthicum wrote in an October InfoWorld article. There will likely be many new jobs for people with knowledge of this technology, so professionals should get IT training to have a better grip on their cloud based career. He said many of the jobs will deal with standardized cloud technologies, which he called a cloud technology specialist job.

"Other jobs would be cloud planning or architecture positions, often around the configuration of new systems in the cloud or the migration of existing systems to the cloud. I call these cloud planners," he wrote. "While you'd think candidates for this position would also be in demand, in most instances the listings are filled by existing IT staffers who understand full well that having cloud computing experience on their CV translates into larger paychecks going forward. You can't blame them."

He said the big upside for the IT field in cloud computing is the amount of cloud-related jobs that are being created, as it seems to be making more waves than any other hyped industry in the past. Job growth will last for years, he said, so it maybe time for those young and old to take advantage.

CloudTweaks said there are benefits to cloud computing training and there are many different programs and certifications, including Microsoft Learning, which cover an array of different cloud solutions.

Hottest jobs and highest salaries for IT in 2013

While 2013 may see a tougher hiring environment with IT employees having to do more than ever, an October report by Robert Half Technology found that there will be an increase in hiring as well. There are raised expectations on these workers, so there will likely be a growth in salary as well.

"CIOs, the highest pay grade in the salary review, are projected to get a bump of 4.1 percent in 2013 salary compared with this year, putting them in the range of $145,500 to $234,750," Information Management wrote about the report. "Even the lowest paying position in the report, computer operator, is anticipated to grow by 1.6 percent in pay in 2013 compared with the current year, bringing it to a range of $32,750 to $45,250."

Authors of this report said talented candidates with highly in-demand skills may even get multiple job opportunities and should be able to be selective when it comes to getting a new position. There will likely be more competitive pay, better benefits and opportunities for employees to develop IT talent.

Those looking for improvements in their job opportunities should get IT training in specialized areas that will help companies see their worth to the business.

More education needed to find a job in the future In the next three to five years, people may not necessarily need more college degrees, but they will need more education, according to one USA Today columnist. This means those in an IT career should be looking to computing training or other ways to help themselves move forward in the business. Andrea Kay said she has been writing about careers in areas like information technology and security for 25 years, and said she has seen higher levels of knowledge and technological requirements needed. "I know what you're thinking: Education can be expensive," she wrote. "That is all the more reason that you must choose your direction wisely. Too many people go to school because they heard that occupational therapy or nursing is a fast-growing area. And they like to help people. But those are not necessarily good reasons for you to go into these fields. You can find many ways to help people and other areas that are growing." She said people should first get to know what they like to do and which area would suit them best, as having the desire for a field can help as much as having the right kind of education. A study by Society for Human Resource Management found that there are more specific job requirements now than existed 10 years ago, according to 51 percent of those surveyed, and 46 percent said a higher level of education is needed for each job. IT training is now a must for anyone looking to move ahead with an information technology career. Date: 10/15/2012

Linux skills may help people get better jobs

Those in an IT career who know about Linux may have better luck finding a new position, according to an article posted on PC World. Multiple reports have found that those with skills in open source, Linux and Android operating systems have an improved chance of finding a new job.

An October report from Dice said there are several skills being sought out at all-time levels, including 14,616 software development and developer jobs, 9,355 job listings for quality assurance, 3,775 for Python skills and 2,691 postings looking for virtualization skills.

“The need for open source programming language skills that power a huge number of web applications and technologies is evident in requests for Python and Ruby,” Dice explained. “Both have hit all-time highs in six of the 10 months in 2012.”

Linux-based Android job postings are up 33 percent over last year, Dice said, indicating that it is time for those with skills in these areas to take advantage.

Linux.com said the top five tech jobs right now have opportunities for those with Linux skills, with many lucrative jobs available for these professionals. Those without Linux skills may want to seek IT training to help get them up to par with other professionals.

One of our Stars Awarded

Our very own instructor Mr. Tim Foor receives, Excellence in Training Award by being recognized as one of the top 25 Application Instructors in the New Horizons worldwide network. These Instructors and Mentors have consistently demonstrated to the world, that New Horizons is THE premier computer training provider.Over fourteen hundred Application Instructors and almost fifteen hundred Technical Instructors taught classes at our centers last year. These names therefore represent the top 3% of all the instructors in the field.

To be eligible for this award, Instructors had to place within the top 10% in terms of student evaluation volume, we then sorted by their post-class quality score. When faced with this level of competition you can understand why we say these Instructors are the best of the best. New Horizons of WI would like to congratulate Tim on the wonderful honor.  

Americans confused by Cloud, but still use it

Java still isn't completely safe, security experts should be on hand

People who have been in IT training over the past few years have surely seen the importance of learning about cybersecurity, as there are more disasters-waiting-to-happen emerging now on the internet and in networks than in the past. Adam Gowdiak, CEO and founder of Poland-based Security Explorations, told InformationWeek Security that the newest update to Java 7 still leaves security flaws, something all companies should be on the lookout for.

He told the news source that there are still issue that have been left unaddressed in Java 7, so companies should have security experts on hand to help prevent any breaches.

"This might indicate that UAC is not sufficient to block the most serious vulnerabilities that allow for the complete escape of a Java security sandbox," Gowdiak said to InformationWeek. "In such a case, attackers might be able to execute code with the permissions of a user that started a Web browser process - [or] the container for a Java plug-in."

CIO.com said those in an IT career need to stay current on emerging technologies and security issues that come out. It may even help to look into what may be a bigger issue in the future and get IT training on that now.

Date: 9/7/2012.

IT training good idea for professionals to expand career opportunities Information Certification programs have been expanding among companies and organizations in recent years to give the individuals enrolled a more competitive edge in the ever-growing industry. According to Mircrosoft's website, Chris Pirie, general manager within Microsoft's Sales, Marketing and Services Group Readiness organization, said that IT certification is a "proven differentiator with potential employers." There are many programs offered to technology professionals that will give them an advantage among reputable companies across the globe. According to Rich Hein, senior writer at CIO Magazine, one Microsoft training program that would be beneficial to professionals with 10 or more years of experience in the IT field and five or more in technology architecture is the Microsoft Certified Architect. The certification distinguishes professionals who have technology architect experience in deliver technology solutions to enterprise customers as. The program is not only a smart option for those interested in gaining access to better jobs, but, according to Hein, will also pay an additional premium of 8 to 13 percent of base salary, which is why certification training is a good investment for IT professionals everywhere looking to extend their skills.

Cisco releases new physical security updates, updates IP video deployment

Anyone who has went through Cisco training should keep abreast of the latest updates and news, and the most recent update by the company is good news for anyone using the company's Unified Computing System environment, according to CRN. Guido Jouret, CTO of the company's emerging technology group, said it doesn't make sense to get technology from multiple vendors when Cisco has all that is needed for its partners.

"You don't get end-to-end, you get lowest-common-denominator integration by buying each [piece] from different people," said Jouret, according to the news source, adding that Cisco has "the best APIs in the business" for third-party integration.

CRN said physical security is more important than ever and the company predicts that IT departments will use an IP network to manage more than half of all video surveillance deployments by 2013. It may be important for those in an IT career to brush up on information regarding this to help their skillset.

Those in an IT career may want to consider Cisco training, as one school said Cisco expertise is frequently ranked in the top three for highest paying skillsets. Technology professionals can benefit from certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert to help build up their IT skills.

Career maps help professionals plan next move

Everyone in an IT career will have to consider where they want to professionally. Computerworld said not every manager will be able to answer this for employees, but career mapping can help professionals plan for the future.

"Career mapping, or pathing as it's sometimes known, started in HR and has subsequently branched out," the news source said. "It's of particular interest to larger organizations that are seeking to institutionalize their career-management programs, enhance their workforce-development and succession-planning strategies, and cut down on costly employee defections."

Ginny Clarke, president and CEO of Talent Optimization Partners, said that smaller companies are less likely to have this kind of formal career mapping due to limited resources, so people may have to put their own map together to plan for the skills they need for potential jobs. She said this can include a list of aspirations, a skills gap analysis and historical plotting. The map may eventually show that people need additional IT training to get where they want to go in their careers.

One school said benefits to IT training and certification include more job opportunities and greater recognition in the industry, but the website said those in an IT career should continually expand knowledge of IT.

Citrix looking to work with more small businesses

Anyone in an IT career may have noticed an increasing number of small companies looking for technology expertise. Citrix channel director Kevin Bland has seen this as well and has said the company is looking to "identify and segment" the United Kingdom customer base to help address the market, according to Channel Pro.

Earlier this year, the news source reported that Citrix announced a new level to its Citrix Solution Advisor Program for small and midsize companies, which is designed to capitalize on the growth of virtualized servers in smaller companies. Bland told Channel Pro that they have already seen an increase of 10 to 15 percent in the U.K. numbers with the new small business partnerships.

“It’s pay-as-you-go licensing that has no upfront cost to the service provider…they don’t have to pay us a penny until they get a customer using it," Bland said. "It’s a complete change in financial model for us; a departure from the perpetual licensing that we’re used to selling. But it’s the right thing to do to help accelerate that marketplace."

Certification Magazine said virtualization is a big area for IT training today due to companies looking to simplify and reduce costs, while addressing the IT challenges of the business.

Cisco training will benefit employees, employers in the future

As companies across the country gear up for possible budget cuts beginning next year, technology jobs in certain areas of the United States are opening up and expanding. According to a report by the technology career recruiting website Dice.com, information technology positions have been up in some cities across the country, which is exciting news for those working or job hunting in the technology field.

"While concerns at defense firms loom regarding the fiscal cliff and its impact on future employment, defense contracting isn’t the only egg in Maryland’s basket,” the report states. “Local hospitals, biotechnology and healthcare services companies are recruiting and tech professionals with experience in that field are in demand."

Technology job openings aren't the only ones on the rise, but it is best for those interested in tech careers to get involved in training programs such as Cisco's Certified Network Associate, in order to land a well-paying and competitive position, according to Forbes.

Experts predict that by 2018 information technology will be one of the most desired careers and that 75-90 percent of employers will require employees to have a postsecondary degree or a training certification. According to Cisco, employees that have gone through training programs benefit companies by increasing productivity levels and reducing annual cost, which is why it is best to get into training sooner than later. 

Cisco releases new email security appliance

Companies now have the option of investing in the brand new Cisco Email Security Appliance, which SC Magazine said offers many email security and content management features rolled up into one bundle. Those in an IT career may want to get Cisco training with tools like this to prepare for future use at companies.

"This highly configurable appliance was easy to configure and deploy into our environment," IT professional Peter Stephenson wrote of the device in the news source. "The initial installation of the appliance consisted of connecting a network cable between a machine and the appliance and setting the IP of the machine to one that could connect to the default IP of the appliance. At this point, we were able to browse to the appliance's web-based setup wizard using a browser. We found the setup wizard to be easy-to-follow and, at completion, we found we had a pretty solid base configuration in place."

While it may be easy to get started using this device, IT professionals may need to go the extra mile to ensure that the business is getting the most out of these devices, as SC Magazine said pricing starts at about $1,340. An expense like this deserves the best possible return on investment, and Cisco training can help professionals deliver that.

Employees that get Cisco training can give companies a better return on investments by using products to their maximum potential, the company said on its website. This means higher productivity and lower costs, so employees with this type of training will likely garner more interest from employers.

Best jobs for those with a degree in computer science

Those who have a degree in computer science could be in line for a great job, but they may need some additional IT training to get the best possible position in their field. Business 2 Community listed a few jobs that could be especially lucrative for those in this field, including software developer and systems developer.

"Also called systems programmers or engineers, systems developers work with both the hardware and software levels of computer systems," the news source said. "This highly technical field focuses on developing technical specifications, testing new applications and troubleshooting system problems. As of 2010, systems developers could expect to make around $91,000 annually."

Other jobs that the article suggested for computer science graduates include: Network system analyst, computer systems analysts, computer systems designer, software development manager, computer scientist and database administrator.

Online Education Database said overall, the computer technology field is growing larger by the day. The website gave a similar list of jobs, however professionals should consider IT training to give them a leg up on others trying to enter the field.

Avoid mucking up a job search

Once someone has all the IT training, certification and skills needed to get a job, there are some avoidable mistakes that can mess up getting that dream job. Hannah Morgan wrote on US News and World Report that simple mistakes, such as not dressing well, hounding the company for updates and not sending a thank you note can be easily fixed, but some more glaring mistakes can hurt the job hunt even more.

- Don't ignore directions: As an example, Morgan said if a company wants salary history included with a resume, send it over. Managers want to see that potential employees pay attention to even the smallest detail.

- Be prepared when showing up for the interview: Candidates who actually want the job will have questions to ask and comments to offer. Morgan said offering up nothing during the interview creates the perception that the applicant isn't interested.

- Never ignore social media: Use tools such as LinkedIn and Twitter to identify company insiders and keep tabs on them. Also be involved with industry discussions and keep abreast of new trends.

Whether searching for an IT career or any other job, professionals should set clear, attainable goals for themselves and lways be prepared for anything, CareerBuilder said. It couldn't hurt to brush up on IT training while the search is ongoing to show initiative to potential employers.

Certificates and training may pay off better than a degree

People have been underestimating the value of IT training and certification for years, but a recent study from the Georgetown University Center on Education in the Workforce found that having certificates may pay off more than a Bachelor's degree for those in an IT career.

"In computer and information services, [certificate holder] men working in field earn $72,498 per year, which is more than 72 percent of men with an Associate's degree and 54 percent of men with Bachelor's degrees," according to this study. "Women with certificates in this field and working in a related occupation earn $56,664 annually, which is greater than 75 percent of women with an Associate's degree and 64 percent of women with a Bachelor's degree."

This study also found that generally speaking, it could be more worthwhile money-wise for those looking into an IT career to get a one-year certificate over a four-year Bachelor's degree. While the certificate may cost $20,000, the four-year degree would cost $100,000. When that is added to the cost of not working for an additional three years, Georgetown said obtaining a certificate could potentially save $185,000.

Top Technology Today said Citrix certifications can be especially valuable including the Citrix Certified Administrator, the Citrix Certified Enterprise Administration and the Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator. The website said this kind of IT training will help keep workers stay up to date and allow them to leverage new skills to improve their career.

Interface design, social media management emerge as big tech careers

With more companies are using technology in new ways, there is likely more to working in an IT career than there has been before. People that never considered working in IT are now looking at jobs in the field. Tech2 said some of the hottest jobs in the industry right now can be obtained by young workers, including interface design and social media management.

"The goal of user interface design is to make the user's interaction as simple and efficient as possible, in terms of accomplishing user goals - what is often called user-centric design," the website said. "Good user interface design facilitates finishing the task at hand without drawing unnecessary attention to itself."

In order to tackle a social media career, people can have more diverse backgrounds, Tech2 said. Social media managers may not even necessarily have to be someone in an IT career, but someone who has a great deal of knowledge about social media and is able to learn other aspects of technology via IT training. Mobile application development is also an area that has grown over the last few years, the news source said.

Last year, InfoWorld said becoming a business architect may also be a hot prospect for those in an IT career. This career combines a deeper knowledge of business with a focus in IT, perfect for someone who can be more analytical.

Many jobs available for young workers but required skills are changing

Those starting in an IT career have surely noticed that more jobs are available, but they aren't exactly easy to get. Forbes reported that while many jobs are available, younger students and new professionals need to figure out which skills will get them the most from their career.

“Getting a bachelor’s degree takes four or five years," Penny Clancy, vice president of human resources at Sentinel Technologies, told the news source. "Some of the leading technologies were not even leading technologies five years ago.”

With this in mind, the news source said workers may want to look at valuable certifications and internships to get experience and show that they have skills in essential areas.  Bob Knott, president of SWC Technology Partners told the news source they hired seven people just out of school this spring and the best have come from programs that taught the most up-to-date IT skills. Young workers should continue adding to their skill sets over the course of their careers because it's important to have a large repertoire.

Another article by Forbes talked to those starting out in their own career. The recent college graduates said it may be very helpful to develop as much early work history through internships as possible. Building job experience early, along with the right IT training, can help net a better technology job.

Malware growing more sinister

Security has become a much more significant issue for businesses, which means IT departments need to be vigilant in protecting their infrastructures from malware, viruses and other cyber threats. PCWorld said malware is evolving, and bugs such as Stuxnet, Duqu and Flame bring a "new era" of malware that is designed to evade detection. IT training may be necessary for people who want to learn the best ways to stop these threats.

"The bad news is that this new breed of malware seems to be exceptional at evading detection," the news source said. "Threats like Stuxnet and Flame appear to have been circulating in the wild for years before being identified by security researchers. The malware exploits zero day flaws that software vendors and security researchers are unaware of to sneak in and operate behind the scenes."

PCWorld said the good news is that these pieces of malware are highly targeted, thus there is a low chance a network will be under siege by one. However, IT professionals need to stay vigilant with patches and updates for their company to keep these cyber pests away.

Earlier this year, Gartner said worldwide IT spending will grow 3.7 percent in 2012. It's a good bet for those in an IT career that much of this growth will stem from the need for more highly trained employees in the area of cyber security.

Cloud, mobile and open source drive growing application development market

Spending on cloud, mobile and open source models is expected to drive the application development software market above $9 billion in 2012, according to a recent report.

The report, released by Gartner, explained that cloud computing has changed the priorities for application development software, creating a new focus on cost, agility, speed and flexibility. With 90 percent of large enterprises and government agencies expected to use some form of cloud computing by 2015, the push for AD vendors to make their products compatible with the cloud is immense, the report said.

The report also found that increased mobile use was changing AD project priorities and predicted that development for smartphones and tablets will outnumber that for traditional PCs by four to one by 2015. Increased open source adoption is also expected to have an effect on the market, with at least 70 percent of new enterprise Java applications expected to use an open source deployment by the end of 2017.

These findings in the AD software market mirror larger trends in the overall IT landscape. A 2011 IDC report found that approximately 24 percent of all business software purchases will be on software as a service, or cloud applications, by 2015. As different sectors of the IT market move toward increased cloud, mobile and open source adoption, these areas may become more important priorities in IT training.

Millions of Americans don't have broadband access

Broadband is a powerful enough tool to allow people the access to go into an IT career to get computing training, but in many areas across the United States, people simply do not have access to high-speed internet. A recent report from the Federal Communications Commission found that 19 million people are without broadband in the country. The FCC concluded that broadband is not being deployed to all Americans in a "reasonable and timely fashion."

Although many do not have it, there has been progress, as the FCC report showed that 26 million Americans were without broadband last year. The deployment of 4G networks has also grown, something that means faster access for those with mobile devices.

"The U.S. has now regained global leadership in key areas of the broadband economy, including mobile, where we lead in mobile apps and 4G deployment; but, in this flat, competitive global economy, we need to keep driving toward faster broadband and universal access," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, according to The Hill.

The Hill said there was a $4.5 billion fund to get broadband into rural areas, but its implementation has only just begun and significant results have not been achieved yet. Even so, those looking for an IT career should be glad to hear of the increasing prevalence of high-speed internet in the United States.