The Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services team is comprised of highly trained individuals who are each dedicated to expanding their craft. Every member continually looks for opportunities to learn and grow upon their knowledge, skills, and unique expertise. One of the many ways our IT pros stay on the cutting edge of technology is by seeking out the latest, most prestigious certifications in the industry.
Here are the top certifications held by our Managed IT Services team and why they matter:
CJIS Certified
All Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services employees are Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certified. CJIS is a certifying agency that puts together compliance regulations and checkpoints that need to be adhered to by government agencies. This ensures that sensitive information and data is transmitted carefully and that only people with proper access can view and/or handle it.
In order to become CJIS certified, our Engineers had to complete CJIS-approved background checks, CJIS training classes, and pass a test. This certification permits our Managed IT Services team to handle sensitive data such as fingerprints, criminal background information, copies of private documents, and more for agencies that need to remain CJIS compliant.
CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Security+ with CE, CompTIA A+ & CompTIA Network+
These certifications are held by various members of the Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services team. CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Security+ with CE are global certifications that validate the skills necessary to perform core security functions in the IT industry. Security professionals with these certifications are better prepared to problem solve a wide variety of issues, identify security incidents, and address them.
Holding a CompTIA A+ Certificate indicates that an IT pro is prepared to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and understand a range of issues, from networking and operating systems to mobile devices and security. This certificate is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based items to prove that professionals can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks.
Holding a CompTIA Network+ Certificate indicates that an IT pro is able to troubleshoot, configure, and manage networks. This certificate validates the hands-on skills needed to handle common wired and wireless network devices. It also shows one’s proficiency in critical security concepts, key cloud computing best practices, and typical service models, as well as newer hardware and virtualization techniques to keep the network resilient.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate
Several Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services employees are Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associates. This certification proves their ability to configure and manage SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, Teams, workload integrations, SharePoint On-Premises, hybrid scenarios, and migrations to SharePoint Online.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Two of our Managed IT Services experts, Brianna Allen and Robert Kelly, hold Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certifications. This credential validates their expertise regarding cloud services and how those services are provided with Azure. It shows that Allen and Kelly possess fundamental knowledge of cloud concepts, along with Azure services, workloads, security, privacy, pricing, and support.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator—Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate
Robert Kelly also holds these three certifications, which all demonstrate that he possesses critical knowledge related to implementing cloud initiatives. Being an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF) validates his cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge. Being an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator—Associate (SOA) demonstrates his experience deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS. Being an AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate (SAA) proves his ability to design and implement distributed systems on AWS.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate
Two of our Engineers, Robert Kelly and Brian Schlechter, are Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associates. This credential shows that they can proactively secure Microsoft 365 enterprise and hybrid environments, implement and manage security and compliance solutions, respond to threats, and enforce data governance.
Aruba Certified Switching Associate
Senior Infrastructure Engineer, Michael Chance, is an Aruba Certified Switching Associate. This certification validates his skills on the networking fundamentals of ArubaOS CX switches and file structures, including VLANs, secure access, redundancy technologies, and Aruba’s Virtual Switching Framework (VSF). It verifies Chance’s ability to deploy Aruba wired networking technologies, as well as configure, manage, and monitor network deployments with the Aruba management solutions.
Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional, Fortinet NSE 5 Network Security Analyst & Fortinet NSE 7 Network Security Architect
Chance also holds all three of these certifications. The Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional designation recognizes his ability to install and manage the day-to-day configuration, monitoring, and operation of a FortiGate device to support specific corporate network security policies. The Fortinet NSE 5 Network Security Analyst certification demonstrates Chance’s ability to implement network security management and analytics using Fortinet security devices, as well as his expertise on centrally managing, analyzing, and reporting on Fortinet security devices. The Fortinet NSE 7 Network Security Architect certification validates Chance’s advanced skills in deploying, administering, and troubleshooting Fortinet security solutions.
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician, Cisco Certified Network Associate—Routing and Switching & Cisco Certified Network Associate
Chance is a Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and he holds the Cisco Certified Network Associate—Routing and Switching certification. Being a CCENT validates Chance’s ability to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security. The Cisco Certified Network Associate—Routing and Switching certification shows his ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routes and switched networks.
Infrastructure Engineer, Walter Palmer, is a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This certification validates his knowledge and expertise regarding fundamental networking concepts, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. Designed for agility and versatility, CCNA shows that Palmer has the skills required to manage and optimize today’s most advanced networks.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
Chance is also a Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associates. This certification shows that they are experts at implementing Azure security controls that protect identity, access, data, applications, and networks in cloud and hybrid environments, as part of an end-to-end infrastructure. Responsibilities for an Azure security engineer include managing the security posture, identifying and remediating vulnerabilities, performing threat modeling, implementing threat protection, and responding to security incident escalations.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
Two of our Engineers, Rudd and Patrick Gingras, are Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Experts. This certification shows that Rudd and Gingras have expert-level skills in evaluating, planning, migrating, deploying, and managing Microsoft 365. They are both able to perform Microsoft 365 tenant-level planning, implementation, and administration of cloud and hybrid enterprise environments. This certification demonstrates that Rudd and Gingras are experts in Microsoft 365 endpoints, security, and compliance.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
Gingras is also a Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate. This credential means that Gingras has expertise in planning, implementing, and maintaining Azure networking solutions, including hybrid networking, connectivity, routing, security, and private access to Azure services. It shows that he can manage the networking solutions for performance, resiliency, scale, and security, as well as deploy them using the Azure Portal, PowerShell, Azure Command-line Interface (CLI), Azure Resource Manager templates, and more.
Fortinet NSE 1 Network Security Associate & Fortinet NSE 2 Network Security Associate
Two of our Managed IT Services employees, Michael Kaiser and Ben Taylor, have both of these certifications. The Fortinet NSE 1 Network Security Associate certification proves that they are knowledgeable on today’s cyberthreats and how to best secure information. The NSE 2 Network Security Associate certification shows that they are knowledgeable about the evolution of cybersecurity and the types of products created by security vendors to address security problems faced by networks and organizations.
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator
Our Director of IT, Sam Blowes, is a Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS). Linux is the most widely used and best-known open-source operating system. It can be found in embedded systems, smartphones, web servers, and supercomputers. Linux has become a key component in the infrastructure of nearly every major enterprise. Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator’s must become knowledgeable about essential commands, operation of running systems, user and group management, networking, service configuration, storage management and more.
GIAC Cloud Security Automation, GIAC Penetration Tester, GIAC Certified Incident Handler & GIAC Security Essentials
Our IT Project Manager, Courtney Gable, holds all these certifications. The GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA) certification proves that she has mastered the skills necessary to use cloud services with secure DevOps principles, practices, and tools to build and deliver secure infrastructure and software. The GIAC Pen Tester (GPEN) certification validates Gable’s ability to properly conduct a penetration test using best practice techniques and methodologies. This certification shows that she has the knowledge and skills to conduct exploits and engage in detailed reconnaissance, as well as utilize a process-oriented approach to penetration testing projects.
The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification demonstrates Gable’s ability to detect, respond, and resolve computer security incidents using a wide range of essential security skills. It shows she has the knowledge needed to manage security incidents by understanding common attack techniques, vectors, and tools, as well as defend against and respond to such attacks. The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification demonstrates that Gable is qualified for hands-on IT systems roles with respect to security tasks.
Your business can count on our Managed IT Services team
Looking for an expert team with leading certifications to provide Managed IT Services to your company? The Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services team possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to help you every step of the way. Get in touch now.