In 2020, it's often irritating, if not mildly confounding, when we encounter some new device or object that does not, in some way, connect to or interface with the worldwide web. The ease and convenience offered, in many respects, by "connectivity" is something that we almost take for granted.

In a world increasingly driven by data and powered by complex and interacting computer technology, one of the most vital infrastructures we have is the largely unseen realm of wires, cables, and, increasingly, wireless transmitters that ties everything together in a massive continuous exchange of information. Not literally everything, or at least not yet.

There are, after all, a lot of things in the world. To paraphrase the immortal words of Chief Martin Brody in Jaws: We're going to need a bigger internet.

We're also going to need a lot of skilled individuals deeply immersed in the ins and outs of computer networking. Existing internet infrastructure needs to be maintained and upgraded, and far more infrastructure needs to be added to the system. That's without even tackling such looming issues as security, privacy, and standardization.

If you're one of the certified computer networking professionals who is out there on the front lines, then you've come to the right place. We want to find out all about your certification experience. Has certification helped you thrive? Are existing certification programs meeting your needs?

We also want to get inside the computer networking world just a bit and get a snapshot of what the men and women on the inside see there each day. What should people who are considering entering the field expect to find when the walk into their first professional computer networking position? Welcome to our second survey of 2020, the Computer Networking Certification Survey.

As we always do, we've added a dash of incentive to participate. If you take the survey all the way to the end, we'll thank you with either (or both!) of two rewards. You can get a free digital copy of the next issue of Certification Magazine. Or get a one-year print subscription at 40 percent off the normal cost. (Hate making decisions? Get em both! We don't mind.)

BIG THANKS to everyone who participated in our Web Design and Development Certification Survey! Watch for the results to appear the forthcoming 2020 Summer Edition of Certification Magazine.