Just Like Devices Need Software Upgrades, So Do Employees
Notice: This blog post was originally published on Indeni before its acquisition by BlueCat.
The content reflects the expertise and perspectives of the Indeni team at the time of writing. While some references may be outdated, the insights remain valuable. For the latest updates and solutions, explore the rest of our blog
Key takeawaysThis key takeaway was generated through LLMs crawling the page and coming up with an overview of the content.The article explains why investing in internal training and certifications is critical as organizations shift to cloud and platform-based architectures, increasing reliance on network availability while facing a large talent shortage in network operations. It highlights that administrators need both deep domain expertise in devices (firewalls, routers, switches) and skills in cloud technologies and programming to reduce troubleshooting and maintain compliance, and that structured training programs help close internal knowledge gaps. Recommended steps include approving courses before hiring, offering device- and automation-focused training (including programming and Agile automation practices), and pursuing vendor certifications such as Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, F5, Radware and free Indeni Knowledge Language courses to boost productivity and retain talent.
Why should I approve training for existing administrators before hiring new headcount?
Approving training for existing administrators helps your team gain the experience needed to implement devices consistently to vendor, security, and compliance best practices, which reduces day-to-day troubleshooting. Given the significant shortage of qualified network operations professionals and the difficulty of finding candidates with both deep device expertise and cloud/programming skills, upskilling current staff is often faster and more reliable than recruiting. Training enables internal staff to manage legacy infrastructure while growing into roles that handle network and security automation, improving operational stability during business transformations such as moving to cloud or platform models.
What types of courses should an IT leader include in a training program to close internal knowledge gaps?
The article recommends a mix of device-specific expert training, programming language instruction (for example Indeni Knowledge Language and Python), and automation courses that cover people, process, and technologies with Agile development practices. This combination ensures administrators are not only experts in the hardware and software they support (firewalls, routers, switches) but also able to implement and manage automation, integrate with cloud technologies, and write necessary scripts or tools. These elements together prepare staff to transition from legacy-focused roles to managers of network and security automation.
Which vendor certifications and resources does the article suggest pursuing to increase team productivity?
The article lists several vendor certifications and resources to consider: Cisco Nexus (CCIE, CCNP, CCNA Data Center); Check Point (CCSA, CCSE, CCSEPE, CCMA, CCMSE); F5 Networks (F5-CA, F5-CTS, F5-CSE); Fortinet FortiGate (NSE 1-8, NSS Labs); Juniper (Junos, SRX, JNCIS-FWV); Palo Alto Networks (PCNSE, ACE); Radware (RCSS, RCAS-AL, RCAS-AD, RCAScS); and Indeni Knowledge Language, which offers eight free courses. The article also notes the Indeni Community has over 1,100 professionals averaging three of these certifications and provides opportunities to earn points redeemable for training and certification courses.
Grow Your Talent From Within Through Certifications
As your company transforms from a product to a platform, undergoes a merger and acquisition, or embarks on one of many other business initiatives, your dependency on network availability will only continue to increase. At the same time, IT managers are undergoing (or about to encounter) a massive talent shortage. Did you know, there are over 250K open network operations role on Indeed.com. Why is this?
As organizations move their network, storage and compute power to the cloud, IT needs talent that has deep domain expertise in critical systems (such as firewalls, routers and switches) in addition to an understanding of the cloud technologies, and experience with programming languages. This is one rock star that is going to be hard to find.
Before opening up headcount, approve a training course
With training, administrators will gain the experience they need to ensure devices are consistently implemented to vendor, security and compliance best practices, therefore reducing the amount of troubleshooting during their day to day. Not sure if your team will go to training? Think again. A recent report conducted by Indeni and GNS3 found 75% of respondents indicated that they plan to complete a network certification in 2018.
Simple Steps to Training Programs
To enable network and security professionals to adapt to changes in the infrastructure landscape, IT leaders first must address their internal knowledge gaps by giving employees access to new technologies. The goal is to not make your administrators experts only in the legacy infrastructure, but to give them the tools to grow them into managers of network and security automation processes. Recommended courses include:
- Expert training on devices they support
- Programming languages – eg. Indeni Knowledge Language, Python
- Automation courses – Agile development people, process, technologies
Certifications & courses to consider:
- Cisco Nexus: CCIE, CCNP, CCNA Data Center
- Check Point: CCSA, CCSE, CCSEPE, CCMA, CCMSE
- F5 Networks: F5-CA, F5-CTS, F5-CSE,
- Fortinet Fortigate: NSE 1-8, NSS Labs
- Juniper: Junos, SRX, JNCIS-FWV
- Palo Alto Networks: PCNSE, ACE
- Radware: RCSS, RCAS-AL, RCAS-AD, RCAScS
- Indeni Knowledge Language: 8 free courses
Learn more about Network and Security trends and receive simple recommendations to increase the productivity of your team here.
Did you know Indeni Community has over 1100 professionals with on average three of the certifications listed above? Join now and earn points for helping others that you redeem for training and certification courses.
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