![[Featured Image] Two network engineers discuss the best approach for improving an organization’s network.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1donCBhesImChZbKleEi8W/f02a7807406fffd8966170c56001857a/GettyImages-1332104905.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
What is a Network Engineer? (And How to Become One in 2026)
Network engineers design, administer, and optimize computer networks for businesses. Learn how you can get the education you need to get started as a network engineer.
March 14, 2022
Article

![[Featured image] An ethical hacker takes notes of data charts from their desktop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3XPe3Htv4ZcAsrCIjqSFKB/bf4f55841bbc2de96f10ad0d15b4068f/EthicalHacker.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] An IT professional sits at a computer workstation and writes a script to automate a task.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/PkItlNjtEJyTY85HF8Rvg/b621f78397f21e8bca7ea49d7234ce31/GettyImages-1354692508__1_.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)


![[Featured image] A computer forensics employee stands at a workstation with a server unit behind them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/35s1PRkRHKKYMeSmXeQCHx/3d95d3916bb942e71fd6f79e10da7880/ap3reT1Q.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] An aspiring cybersecurity professional prepares for GIAC certification as they progress in their career.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1irvNtmWhEhsxLw3UF3KqL/f9490b8d523f00d98299aa4351c60fe3/GettyImages-1442972530.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] Two cybersecurity consultants collaborate at a shared workstation.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/43S8ORfWVGWuGjfxfkmEst/e9d2ea17bcc0ca4c628160e83f30e2bc/GettyImages-1171809453.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A person in a black sweater points out an item on a computer screen to a coworker in glasses seated in front of their desktop computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7mDPtel266saEy0mjRVtYQ/fced31a3adffe6d6ac0b2833bcf90fa4/security-clearance.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A solutions architect wearing black overalls and a yellow shirt stands alone in an open office.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3kgKBCR6cr2PEta0Xcp6ax/b04f8cb720e756f01be4e9e9e444f92a/data_architect-converted-from-png__1_.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A site reliability engineer (SRE) works on their desktop computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3gh7UTdeLIDOgKOc5nCAY/03aebdb9b28f3c2db8b934318ef45c8e/iStock-1135710814.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] An ethical hacker works from home on their laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2pk90bwP6Qw47qTMeK5pkx/ebaad002b209dbac675cb2a8a9a4f53b/Ethical_hacking_certification-converted-from-png.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A team of three cybersecurity specialists sits at a conference table with their laptops, planning an exercise and discussing red team versus blue team tactics.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2B5c45ffdqNnKMYxXVf5is/3d0cfe012972bdac7659f49752bcb0b0/Red_team_vs_blue_team.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] Two computing professionals discuss CCSP certification as they prepare to pursue the credential.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5TNk6W4EOmSujrJWot1QX5/e8888f2da0eb10575ea161612f31bff6/GettyImages-2170543814-converted-from-jpg.webp?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)

