What is the difference between it networking and it security?

Shaun: What is the difference between it networking and it security?
I would like to go to school to become a network administrator or something similar to that, and at my school there are two different fields i can take, (IT Security and IT Networking ) each with a large variety of different classes I cant take. What is the difference between them and wouldn’t they both be needed?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Andy
Networking specializes the network (install, upkeep, etc.) Security will specialize in the security rules, firewalls, authenticating the users, maintain privacy, etc.

Get the networking certificates then go after security, it’s useful to have both and then you’ll be able to decide what you like.

Where I work there is a dedicated team for networking and also a dedicated team for security but most places might just have the networking but they may want you to have security certs.

Answer by hanz 199
There similar yes but with different focus.

Network will deal more on the network architecture side, routers, switchs, may even get into windows server OS etc.

On the other hand security will focus on firewall, encyption, IPS, IDS, ethical hacking, and depending on the program may involve some physical security like biometrics, cameras, etc.

There is a fair amount of overlap the main difference is the focus. Personally I have a degree in both networking and security.