CWNA, What's Next?

    After passing the CWNA exam, you're faced with several options on how to proceed with your career. The CWNA opens the door to three specialties, all of which are important and valid in their own way.

    Do you choose to focus on Security, Design, or Analysis? This may be an easy decision based on your profession. As a technician, I chose to begin studying the CWAP.  Currently 1/2 through the official certification guide, I realize just how much I need the information presented in this certification.

    My current role is heavily centered on troubleshooting, I occasionally look at packet captures, but that's partially out of my scope in my current level of authority. Though it is an important skill to learn. So why, as a network technician, do I need to study for a professional level analysis certification? One obvious reason is career advancement and becoming better at my current role.

    Learning the PHYs in depth and learning to read packet captures can be difficult. Sometimes the reading is nearly as dry as reading the official 802.11 standard, however it is key to becoming better at networking. So for now, I will be reading the official certification guide for the CWAP, taking notes, reading whitepapers, and studying packet captures. It is very similar to studying for the CWNA, just more in depth concepts.