Is CWISE Your Next Big Career Move in Wireless?

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Are you thinking about moving to the world of wireless tech? Are you considering taking on a position as an IoT engineer? Maybe you want to advance your position as a network engineer?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you should consider earning CWISE certification. This post covers the CWISE certification and whether CWISE should be your next big career move in wireless. So, let's get into it!

What is the CWISE Certification?

The CWISE certification is an advanced certification offered by the Certified Wireless Networks Professionals (CWNP) organization. The CWISE certification tests the following knowledge and skills:

• Administering IoT wireless networks and devices

• Installing and configuring IoT wireless networks and devices

• Securing IoT wireless networks and devices

• Designing wireless systems for IoT devices

• Understanding various IoT protocols and how to implement them

• Understanding of multiple types of IoT products and the sensors they might include

• Understanding how to configure IoT products and wireless networks for performance

• Understanding how to perform QoS and spectrum analysis

The CWISE certification is an industry-specific certification with a variety of prerequisites that IT professionals must have before attempting the exam:

• Each candidate must obtain a CWNA, CWISA, CWICP, CWIDP, and CWIIP certification. Each certification must be valid when testing for the CWISE cert.

• One non-CWNP certification in the IoT, networking, or security space. This certification could be a Fortinet, Palo Alto, CompTIA, Cisco, or other certificates. This third-party certification must also be proctored as well.

• Three years of experience in the wireless IoT space.

• Three endorsements from other industry professionals.

• Pass a five-question video exam. This exam includes questions that prove you have a well-rounded background in the wireless IoT space.

All of the above prerequisites must be completed before testing for the CWISE certification. It should be mentioned that possessing those prerequisites does not mean you will be allowed to take the CWISE exam test. The CWNP has to authorize you to take the CWISE exam first.

What Jobs Can I Get with CWISE Certification?

The CWISE certification is one of the most demanding certifications to prepare for, with some of the most stringent requirements in the IT industry. While it may not open many doors, the opportunities it unlocks are highly specific and often very lucrative. This makes the CWISE certification an excellent choice for professionals seeking to specialize and excel in a niche area of wireless technology.

Typically, experience from studying for and taking a certification exam is transferable to other certifications and knowledge domains. The CWISE certification has tons of stringent requirements, though. That means you'll likely already garnish the transferable experience obtained by studying for the CWISE certification by achieving another certification.

Here's the catch, though. The CWISE certification can be very lucrative to those who hold it. The CWISE exam tests to ensure that wireless IoT engineers can plan, deploy, administrate, and secure wireless networks for IoT devices. IoT devices are one of the most significant local attack vectors for businesses. If an organization uses IoT devices, it is a good chance they use many of them. For instance, modern manufacturing facilities will potentially have more IoT devices on a factory floor than computers.

This means organizations require professionals who can ensure their business remains secure—far beyond the capabilities of an average network engineer. An IoT engineer in this environment possesses a more specialized and comprehensive skill set. Given the scarcity of individuals with these skills—and the even fewer who hold the prestigious CWISE certification—such engineers are exceptionally rare and, as a result, highly valuable to businesses operating in this space.

Are IoT Positions Worthwhile?

The IoT industry expected a total revenue of more than $742 billion in 2020. That's even after adjusting expectations for the pandemic. The IoT industry is that big.

With that said, here's the rub: the $742 billion estimate for the IoT industry also includes the consumer sector. However, the IoT industry in the B2B market is still massive. IoT solutions targeting businesses tend to be more expensive, powerful, and complex. This complexity means organizations require highly qualified professionals to configure, manage, and deploy these devices effectively, ensuring they meet the unique needs of business operations.

Wireless IoT devices need to be secured as well. Because they are often less secure than other network parts, they represent one of the most significant attack vectors for businesses. This vulnerability stems from various factors, including limited security features, outdated firmware, and improper configuration, making them attractive targets for potential attackers.

First, IoT manufacturers have not traditionally prioritized security when developing new products. Attempting to retrofit security measures into devices after development is rarely effective and often leads to vulnerabilities. Building security into the design process from the start is essential to ensure robust and reliable protection for IoT devices.

Second, many network engineers lack a complete understanding of how to secure IoT devices. While securing the edge of a network or wireless access points is relatively straightforward, protecting wireless IoT products connected to these networks is far more challenging. Their unique vulnerabilities and diverse configurations make securing them a complex and specialized task.

With all this said, working in the IoT space is big money for IT techs. Businesses that have experienced security issues and understand the need for IoT security will pay handsomely for the right tech.

Is CWISE Your Next Big Career Move in Wireless?

Whether the CWISE certification is necessary for your career depends on your specific goals. Transitioning into the IoT space can offer numerous opportunities for IT professionals, but the CWISE certification might not open as many doors as one might expect. This is because it is an advanced certification with extensive prerequisites, making it more suitable for those pursuing highly specialized roles rather than general IoT positions.

The CWISE certification is for a wireless IoT engineer who wants to be the best in their industry. Wireless IoT techs that hold the CWISE certification are like the Navy SEALs of the tech world without all of the shooting and swimming. Like the Navy SEALs, they aren't used as a hammer to fix every situation. Instead, CWISE wireless IoT engineers are like finely crafted surgical knives that are only used by the top brain surgeons in the world.

While there are many analogies, they best explain who should obtain the CWISE certificate and what kind of opportunities it offers.

Next Steps for Developing More IoT Skills

CWISE isn't the only certification in the IoT space. There isn't such a thing as an IoT engineer, either, though the IT and electronics industry is quickly developing. Developing IoT networks often involves network engineers, systems architects, and developers. So IoT is a mixed bag of everything in IT.

The CWISE certification is a cert that any IT tech focusing on IoT should aim to earn. However, other certifications apply to this space, too. For instance, if you are an aspiring IT pro, check out the CompTIA A+ certification. The A+ certification has specific sections for IoT. It also includes other material that is just as important, like networking.

You may also be interested in Palo Alto or Fortinet online training. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet are leading manufacturers in the cyber security space. Their firewalls and Infosec equipment are some of the most widely deployed products in IT. IoT can be a detrimental cybersecurity attack vector if your firewall and networking equipment aren't correctly configured.

Palo Alto and Fortinet products also work with cloud products, too. That's important because IoT devices often work with cloud resources (typically AWS). So it won't hurt to take part in AWS cloud training.

If you want to become a wireless IoT pro, consider taking additional IoT online training classes. IoT is becoming a hot, new IT sub-industry. As a result, organizations will be looking for qualified individuals to manage IoT products. So, get ahead of the curve and start your IoT cloud training today.