As the world’s leading network equipment supplier, Cisco’s certification system is widely recognized around the world;
But most friends who know it only know CCNA, CCNP and CCIE, but are not very clear about Cisco’s entire system.
With the expansion of Cisco’s product line and market share, Cisco certified products have evolved from the original only routing and switching to the current multiple directions.
There are five levels of Cisco certifications: CCT, CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, CCAr.
Each level has certifications for different technology tracks, covering a variety of areas such as networking, data center, security, service providers, and collaboration.
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/training-events/certifications/career-path.pdf
1. Certification level
Entry-level certification – CCT
- CCT
The CCT certification marks the beginning of a career in networking technology, and it provides beginners with the necessary foundational skills and knowledge.
The CCT certification includes networking fundamentals, basic operation of Cisco devices, and troubleshooting skills. Exams usually contain multiple-choice and practice questions.
Due to the low difficulty and extremely low gold content, there are very few people who choose CCT.
Associate-level certification – CCNA
- CCNA
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
CCNA
Cisco Certified Network Associate, one of the most basic networking certifications in Cisco certification.
Certification Content and Exam Structure: The CCNA certification covers Networking Fundamentals, Routing & Switching, Wireless Networks, Security Fundamentals, Automation, and Programming. The exam format is both multiple-choice and multiple-choice.
Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate
The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate is primarily for those who want to enter the field of cybersecurity.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CyberOps Associate certification covers security concepts, security monitoring, incident response, and cyber forensics. The exam format is multiple-choice and case study questions.
Professional-level certification – CCNP
- CCNP Collaboration
- CCNP Data Center
- CCNP Enterprise
- CCNP Security
- CCNP Service Provider
- CyberOps Professional
The Intermediate Networking Certification in Cisco Certifications covers a deeper and broader range of networking knowledge and skills.
The CCNP certification is aimed at network engineers who are seeking professional advancement in a specific technical field.
It requires professionals to demonstrate advanced network design, implementation, and troubleshooting capabilities to address increasingly complex network challenges.
CCNP Enterprise
The Cisco Certified Network Enterprise (CCNP Enterprise) is a professional-level certification for practitioners who want to upskill in an enterprise networking environment.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCNP Enterprise certification consists of two exams, a core exam and an elective exam. The core exams cover enterprise networking technologies, and the elective exams can choose specific directions based on interests, such as wireless, SD-WAN, etc.
CCNP Security
Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) focuses on the field of cybersecurity and is suitable for those who want to advance in information security.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCNP Security certification consists of a core exam and an elective exam. The core exam covers cybersecurity technologies, and the elective exams can choose specific security technologies such as firewalls, VPNs, etc.
CCNP Data Center
The Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center (CCNP Data Center) is for those looking to advance their skills in the data center field for networking technologies in data center environments.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCNP Data Center certification consists of a core exam and an elective exam. The core exams cover data center infrastructure, and elective exams can select specific data center technologies such as storage networking, automation, and more.
CCNP Service Provider
The Cisco Certified Network Expert Service Provider (CCNP) focuses on service provider networking and is suitable for those working for ISPs or telecommunications companies.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCNP Service Provider certification consists of a core exam and an elective exam. The core exams cover service provider networking technologies, and the elective exams can select specific technologies such as MPLS, QoS, etc.
CCNP Collaboration
Cisco Certified Network Professional Collaboration (CCNP Collaboration) focuses on collaboration technologies and is suitable for practitioners who want to upskill in unified communications and collaboration solutions.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCNP Collaboration certification consists of a core exam and an elective exam. The core exam covers collaboration technologies, and the elective exam selects specific collaboration solutions such as voice, video conferencing, and more.
Expert-level certification – CCIE
- CCIE Collaboration
- CCIE Data Center
- CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
- CCIE Enterprise Wireless
- CCIE Security
- CCIE Service Provider
- CCDE
Cisco Certified Internet Professional, the world’s most authoritative certification in the IT industry.
The CCIE certification represents the highest level of networking technology and is a certification of an individual’s expert-level competence in network design, diagnosis, and optimization.
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
The Cisco Certified Internet Professional in Enterprise Infrastructure (CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure) is an expert-level certification that focuses on advanced technologies in enterprise networking environments.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written test covers enterprise network technology, and the lab test tests the practical operation ability.
CCIE Enterprise Wireless
Cisco Certified Internet Professional Enterprise Wireless focuses on advanced technologies in enterprise wireless network environments.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Enterprise Wireless certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written test covers wireless network technology, and the lab exam tests practical skills.
CCIE Security
Cisco Certified Internet Professional Security (CCIE Security) focuses on advanced technologies in the field of cybersecurity.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Security certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written test covers cyber security technology, and the lab exam tests the practical ability.
CCIE Data Center
The Cisco Certified Internet Professional Data Center (CCIE Data Center) focuses on advanced technologies in data center environments.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Data Center certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written exam covers data center technology, and the lab exam tests practical skills.
CCIE Service Provider
The Cisco Certified Internet Expert Service Provider (CCIE Service Provider) focuses on advanced technologies in service provider network environments.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Service Provider certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written exam covers service provider network technology, and the lab exam tests practical skills.
CCIE Collaboration
Cisco Certified Internet Professional Collaboration (CCIE Collaboration) focuses on advanced technologies in the field of collaboration technologies.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCIE Collaboration certification consists of a written exam and a lab exam. The written exam covers collaboration techniques, and the lab exam tests practical skills.
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDE) is an advanced certification in the Cisco certification system that focuses on network design and architecture.
Certification Content and Exam Structure:The CCDE certification primarily assesses a candidate’s ability to design complex network solutions. The certification process consists of a written exam and a practical design exam.
Written Exam: Test the candidate’s understanding of the principles and methods of network design, involving network architecture, design principles and practices.
Practical Design Exam: Candidates are required to design network solutions in real-world scenarios, demonstrating their design thinking and practical skills.
Architect-level certification – CCAr
Cisco Certified Architect
Cisco Certified Network Architect, CCAr is the topmost level of the Cisco certification system and is designed for professionals who have achieved the highest level of proficiency in the field of network architecture design.
Certification Content and Exam Structure: The CCAr certification requires candidates to submit a design project and conduct an oral defense. The certification process is rigorous, assessing candidates’ comprehensive skills and real-world experience.
The number of people in the world who have CCAr is very small, and due to the high level of difficulty, it is basically not considered (dog head
2. Exam Fees
The CCNA exam is priced at $300, but it is important to note that prices may vary depending on the specific subject of the exam.
The fees involved generally cover the costs associated with registering for the exam and administering the test at the test center.
In the CCNP, participants are required to pass two different exams. The fee structure for each exam typically includes the cost of registration and testing at a test center.
The core exam costs about $400, while the cost of the optional subjects is about $300.
As for the CCIE certification, candidates must first pass a theory exam before they are eligible to book a lab exam.
The theory test costs $400, while the lab test costs more, about $1,600.
3. Latest Changes and Trends
In 2024, Cisco made a number of important updates to its certification system to better align with industry needs and technological developments.
These changes include, but are not limited to:
More automation and programming content has been added: Reflects the importance of network automation and programming skills in modern network management.
Updated security certifications: Strengthened assessment of emerging threats and security technologies.
More hands-on exams have been introduced: ensuring that the holder has real-world practical skills, not just theoretical knowledge.
Of course, the content of Cisco certification exams is constantly being updated.
For example, CCNA was updated to 200-301 CCN av1.1 in August.
FAQ
Why is cisco renewing its CCNA certification?
Cisco regularly reviews its certifications, making minor updates to clarify exam topics, introducing new topics, and phasing out outdated products and solutions
What minor updates are included in the CCNA v1.1 exam topic blueprint and new exam?
New topics covered in CCNA v1.1 include generative artificial intelligence, cloud network management and machine learning
Can candidates who are suitable register to take the CCNA v1.1 exam?
CCNA v1.1 exam registration starts on August 20, 2024
What percentage of exams are updated in CCNA v1.1?
Approximately 10% of the CCNA exam content is updated.
When is the last exam date for the CCNA v1.0 exam?
The CCNA v1.0 exam has expired on August 19, 2024. It is recommended to participate in CCNA v1.1
On top of that, technology is constantly advancing, and network engineers need to master more and more new skills, such as network automation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Cisco’s certification system is constantly being updated to ensure that licensees are equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the industry.
4. How do I choose the right Cisco certification for me?
When choosing a certification, start by clarifying your career goals.
If you want to deepen your network infrastructure, you can choose CCNA and CCNP Enterprise. If you are interested in the field of security, you can choose CCNP Security and CCIE Security.
However, before learning security, it is still recommended to learn the number of generals.
Again, understand market needs and industry trends.
At the same time, personal interest is also an important consideration in choosing a certification, and only by choosing the direction that interests you can you maintain your motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
All in all, the Cisco certification system covers all levels, from entry-level to architect-level, and provides a comprehensive career path for network engineers and IT practitioners.
By choosing the right Cisco certification for you, you can improve your professional skills and career competitiveness, and achieve better development in the networking industry.
Hopefully, this article will help you understand the latest Cisco certification system and choose the most appropriate certification path for your situation.