Know Your Networking Fundamentals
When I started writing this post about network fundamentals, I intended to point at a series of YouTube videos I often share with my Security+ students when they tell me they don’t understand some basic IP network concepts. I refer them to a YouTube video channel by CertBros (Sam Thompson), where you’ll find dozens of short, well-made videos explaining topics ranging from TCP and UDP to IP addressing to rogue servers and ARP poisoning.
If you are looking for a Network Fundamentals course that covers all those topics and more with a certificate of completion from a reputable organization, please register at the Cisco Network Academy site. Registration is free, and the site offers many free online self-paced courses, including Networking Basics, which is part of the Network Technician career path. You can only access the course if you first sign up.
Cisco Networking Academy Networking Basics is a self-paced 22-hour course featuring 13 labs. Upon completing the course Final Exam, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a course badge.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
When people seeking their first job in IT are asked about their background and respond that they hold one or more certifications, they sometimes face accusations of ‘imposter syndrome.’ No one should make that accusation since that isn’t imposter syndrome. One could be accused of having ‘paper credentials’ if they have certifications but little or no real-world experience. The point of sharing your credentials is to provide evidence that you learned something. Credentials like certificates and certifications are about learning achievements, not experience.
Imposter syndrome is a clinical term for the psychological condition when one doubts one's skills and successes. In technology jobs, this happens all the time. It shows itself when someone overcompensates or overreacts when faced with a challenge that, in their mind, they don’t know if they can complete successfully. Sometimes, it doesn’t manifest itself at work, and a person suffering from imposter syndrome might suddenly get angry with family or friends. In other people, it might come across as if they know everything, providing comments or answers to questions about something they may know little about.
What‘s the takeaway here? First, you should know that in technology, you can learn a lot about a topic or an application without ever using it. You may even pass a certification exam. Imposter syndrome is a condition often caused by a lack of self-confidence. Don’t accuse others of this. Watch for it in yourself. To avoid imposter syndrome, seek out hands-on activities: labs or ranges where you can exercise your knowledge and continue learning.
Never Stop Learning
If you missed it, I published an article on learning about Generative AI and prompt engineering the other day. I pointed out a great free resource and reviewed several highly rated Coursera and Udemy courses.
In this week’s newsletter, I wanted to share several of the NETGEAR Business Coffee Break series talks at Brighttalk. Gus Marcondes, NETGEAR Global Technical Training Manager & Keith Nielsen, NETGEAR Sales Engineer, hosted and presented these webinars.
Coffee Break #9: VLANs and SSIDs, December 2023, 31 minutes
Coffee Break #12: Building a WiFi Heatmap: Step by step with NETGEAR Expert, March 2024, 31 minutes
Coffee Break #16: 7 Mistakes about WiFi, August 2024, 39 minutes
These are just three webinars from a 20-episode series. As a wireless equipment manufacturer, these talks go into greater depth about wireless network protocols covered in any current certification exam. I’ve included them here because they introduce important topics such as wireless network segmentation, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Please collect and save your downloadable viewing certificate that can be applied for CPEs to renew your certifications.
What I’m Working On
I’m currently studying for the AWS Security Specialty exam (SCS-C02). I’m still planning to test within the next two weeks.
To all of my subscribers in the U.S., please take a few days off and spend time with your families and friends enjoying the Thanksgiving (and Black Friday sales) holiday.
Have you submitted CEUs or CPEs and been audited? I'd like to hear about your audit experience.
I tell all my clients and students that I get a lot of personal satisfaction from what I do, not because of the paycheck but because of the impact. I encourage clients to keep in touch with me. If you find this newsletter helpful or if you have something you want to share with others, please don’t hesitate to message me.
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