Top 10 Network Support Technician Certifications

Certifications are an important factor in the job market for a network support technician. Having certifications proves to employers that the candidate has the skills and knowledge needed to do the job. Certifications demonstrate a level of expertise and commitment to continued learning, which employers value when looking for qualified candidates. Additionally, some employers may require specific certifications as part of their hiring criteria. Therefore, having certifications can give network support technicians an edge over other applicants who lack them and make them more attractive candidates for job openings.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Network Support Technicians and explain how these certifications can help advance their career.

What are Network Support Technician Certifications?

Network Support Technician Certification is a certification program designed to provide IT professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully support networks. It covers topics such as network architecture, security, troubleshooting, and maintenance. The certification is typically offered through independent organizations or through educational institutions.

The program helps IT professionals gain a better understanding of how networks work and how they can be maintained to run efficiently. It also gives them the skills needed to troubleshoot any problems that may arise in a network environment. This allows them to identify the root cause of an issue quickly and fix it before it causes too much disruption.

Additionally, having a Network Support Technician Certification can be beneficial when seeking employment. Employers often look for candidates who have formal training in this area and are certified as experts in their field. Having this certification on your resume will help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle any network-related tasks assigned to you.

Pro Tip: When considering a network support technician certification, make sure to do research on the certifying organization and the type of courses they offer. Look into how long their program has been in place and read reviews from those who have taken the course. Lastly, make sure that the certification is recognized by potential employers in your area.

Related: What does a Network Support Technician do?

Top 10 Network Support Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Network Support Technicians today.

1. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s skills in networking. It is designed to test the competency of a network technician in areas such as network technologies, installation and configuration, media and topologies, management, and security.

The CompTIA Network+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 720 out of 900 points.

To get CompTIA Network+, you must first purchase the exam voucher from CompTIA or an authorized reseller. Once you have your voucher code, you can register for the exam online or by phone. You will then need to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $300 USD.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Server Infrastructure

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Server Infrastructure is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to design and implement comprehensive server infrastructure solutions. It covers topics such as Windows Server, networking, storage, virtualization, identity management, system center, cloud technologies, and more.

It typically takes around 3-6 months of study and practice to prepare for the MCSE: Server Infrastructure exam. This includes studying books and online resources related to the topics covered in the exam. Additionally, some individuals may opt to take an instructor-led course or a self-paced online course to help them prepare for the exam.

To get the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification you must pass one or more exams from Microsoft's list of approved exams for this certification track. The exams cover topics such as Windows Server 2012/2016; Networking; Storage; Virtualization; Identity Management; System Center; Cloud Technologies; and more. Once you have passed all required exams you will be awarded with your MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification.

The cost of obtaining the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification varies depending on which exams you choose to take and how many times you need to retake them if necessary. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD per attempt so if you need to retake any of the exams multiple times then this can significantly increase the cost of obtaining your certification.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems, Inc. that validates an individual's skills and knowledge in networking technologies. It is one of the most popular certifications in the networking industry and is often considered a prerequisite for more advanced certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).

To get CCNA certified, you must pass two exams: ICND1 and ICND2. The ICND1 exam covers topics such as network fundamentals, routing protocols, switching concepts, and basic troubleshooting. The ICND2 exam focuses on more advanced topics such as WAN technologies, security, IPv6, and QoS. Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple-choice questions.

The cost of getting CCNA certified varies depending on your location and the type of training you choose to take. Self-study options are available for those who want to save money but require a lot of dedication and hard work to complete successfully. Training courses from authorized providers can range from $500-$3000 depending on the provider and length of course chosen. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exams at authorized testing centers or online proctored exams.

On average it takes between 3-6 months to prepare for both exams depending on how much time you dedicate to studying each day. However, some people have been able to complete their CCNA certification in as little as 2 months if they are dedicated enough!

4. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP)

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP) is an advanced certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in deploying, configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining Juniper Networks products. This certification is a prerequisite for the highest level of Juniper certifications, the Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert (JNCIE).

The JNCIP exam covers topics such as routing protocols, network security, virtual private networks (VPNs), Quality of Service (QoS), multicast routing, and high availability. It also includes a hands-on lab component that tests your ability to configure and troubleshoot Juniper routers and switches.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the JNCIP exam. You can prepare by taking a course or studying independently using training materials from Juniper or other third-party vendors. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $300 to $400 USD.

To get certified as a JNCIP you must pass the JN0-680 exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. After passing the exam you will receive your official JNCIP certificate from Juniper Networks.

5. Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N)

The Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N) is a certification program that validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, and manage networking solutions using Citrix products. This certification is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for the implementation and management of Citrix networking solutions.

To obtain the CCP-N certification, you must pass the following exam: 1Y0-340: Citrix ADC Advanced Topics – Security, Management and Optimization. This exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions and takes up to two hours to complete. The cost of this exam is $200 USD.

In order to prepare for the CCP-N exam, it is recommended that you have at least six months of experience working with Citrix networking solutions such as NetScaler Gateway or Access Gateway Enterprise Edition. Additionally, it is beneficial to have knowledge in areas such as network security protocols and authentication methods, advanced traffic management configurations, application acceleration techniques, high availability architectures, and system optimization strategies.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CCP-N exam depending on your level of experience with Citrix networking solutions. After passing the exam, you will be awarded the CCP-N certification which will remain valid for three years before needing renewal.

6. HP ASE - Network Infrastructure [2011]

HP ASE - Network Infrastructure [2011] is an advanced certification from Hewlett Packard (HP) that validates a professional’s ability to design, install, configure, and troubleshoot HP networking solutions. This certification requires the candidate to have at least three years of experience in network design and implementation.

The exam for HP ASE - Network Infrastructure [2011] consists of two parts: Part 1 is a multiple-choice test with 60 questions and Part 2 is a hands-on lab exam with 14 tasks. The entire exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

In order to get certified as an HP ASE - Network Infrastructure [2011], you must pass both parts of the exam. You can register for the exam through the Pearson VUE website. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges between $200-$400 USD.

7. VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

The VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV) is a certification program designed to prove an individual’s knowledge and skills in deploying, configuring, and managing VMware NSX virtual networks. It is one of the most sought-after certifications for IT professionals who want to specialize in network virtualization.

To get the VCP-NV certification, you must first attend a five-day VMware NSX: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.2] course or a two-day VMware NSX: Troubleshooting and Operations [V6.2] course. After completing the course, you must pass the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV) exam to be certified.

The cost of the courses varies depending on where you take them. The exam fee is $250 USD per attempt. You can also purchase practice tests from third party vendors to help prepare for the exam.

In total, it should take around two weeks to complete the VCP-NV certification process if you are able to attend both courses back to back and pass the exam on your first attempt.

8. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification provided by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is a professional certification that validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and countermeasures. The CEH credential is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills to identify, analyze, and resolve security vulnerabilities in systems and networks.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. To be eligible for the CEH exam, individuals must have at least two years of information security experience or have attended official training from an EC-Council Accredited Training Center.

To get certified as a CEH, individuals must first register for the exam through EC-Council’s website. After registering, they will need to purchase an Exam Voucher from an authorized reseller or directly from EC-Council. Once they have their Exam Voucher, they can schedule their exam date and time through Pearson VUE’s online system.

The cost of the CEH exam varies depending on where you are taking it. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for the Exam Voucher plus any applicable taxes or fees. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with attending official training from an EC-Council Accredited Training Center if you choose to do so.

9. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. It is designed to demonstrate competency in system security, network infrastructure, cryptography, identity management, and access control.

It typically takes approximately 90 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam. You can purchase self-study materials online or attend a training class at an accredited institution. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $300-$400 USD.

In order to get the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must pass one exam (SY0-501). This exam consists of 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions and has a maximum time limit of 90 minutes. You must score 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900 in order to pass the exam.

10. Check Point Security Administration

Check Point Security Administration is a comprehensive security solution that provides organizations with the tools to protect their networks, systems and data from malicious attacks. It is designed to help organizations secure their networks, systems and data against cyber threats. The Check Point Security Administration suite includes a range of products, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), virtual private networks (VPNs), web application firewalls (WAFs) and more.

Check Point Security Administration can be implemented in a variety of ways depending on the organization's needs. It typically takes between two to four weeks to implement Check Point Security Administration depending on the size and complexity of the network. Organizations will need to purchase the necessary hardware and software components required for implementation, such as firewalls, IPSs and VPNs. Additionally, they may need to hire an experienced security administrator or consultant who can configure the system according to their specific requirements.

The cost of implementing Check Point Security Administration varies depending on the size of the organization and its specific requirements. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from several thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars for large enterprises.

Do You Really Need a Network Support Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and objectives. If you are looking to join the field of network support, a Network Support Technician Certificate can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. It is also an excellent way to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in the field.

Having a certificate in network support shows that you have taken the time to learn about the industry and have put in the effort to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. A certificate can also provide employers with evidence that you possess specialized technical abilities, as well as an understanding of networking principles and technologies. Additionally, it can give you an edge over other applicants who may not have such certification.

On the other hand, if you already have experience working with networks or have worked as a technician in another field, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain a Network Support Technician Certificate. However, having such certification could still be beneficial in terms of helping you land desired positions or advancing your career within your current job.

In conclusion, whether or not obtaining a Network Support Technician Certificate is necessary for you depends on your individual situation and goals. If you are just starting out in this field or looking for ways to improve your chances at landing a job, then this type of certification could be very helpful.

Related: Network Support Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Network Support Technician Certifications

1. What is a Network Support Technician Certification?

Answer: A Network Support Technician Certification is a type of certification that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in areas related to network support, such as configuring and troubleshooting networks, managing security protocols, and performing basic maintenance tasks.

2. What are the Benefits of a Network Support Technician Certification?

Answer: A Network Support Technician Certification provides holders with increased job prospects, higher salaries, and greater recognition within the IT industry. Additionally, this certification can also give holders an edge when applying for promotions or new positions.

3. What Types of Certifications Are Available for Network Support Technicians?

Answer: Common certifications for network support technicians include CompTIA's A+ and Network+ certifications, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification, Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP) certification, and EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.

4. How Do I Prepare for a Network Support Technician Certification Exam?

Answer: Preparation for a network support technician certification exam involves studying the materials provided by vendors offering the certifications as well as taking practice exams to familiarize oneself with the types of questions that may be asked on the actual exam. Additionally, attending instructor-led training courses or self-study courses can also be beneficial in preparing for a network support technician certification exam.

5. How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Network Support Technician Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain a network support technician certification varies depending on which type of certification is being sought and how much time an individual has available to dedicate to studying and preparation activities. Generally speaking however, most certifications can be obtained within 6 months if an individual is willing to devote enough time and effort into studying for the exams required for each particular certificate.