{"id":418,"date":"2018-07-12T12:39:47","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T12:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinqtanklearning.com\/blog\/?p=418"},"modified":"2018-07-17T01:03:33","modified_gmt":"2018-07-17T01:03:33","slug":"the-practical-guide-to-cisco-career-certification-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinqtanklearning.com\/blog\/the-practical-guide-to-cisco-career-certification-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Practical Guide To Cisco Career Certification Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cisco Systems<\/strong>\u00a0employs over 70,000 people and is best known for routing and switching products that can be found in businesses across the globe. \u00a0The networking titan also manages one of the most comprehensive, relevant and respected\u00a0certification programs<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in the IT world. Whether you\u2019re\u00a0new to networking\u00a0or a respected master, you\u2019ll consider achieving at least one Cisco certification \u2013 if not, you probably already hold that!<\/p>\n

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Cisco\u2019s Career Certification program<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0covers a wide\u00a0range of networking disciplines\u00a0across varying difficulty and\u00a0experience levels.<\/p>\n

To achieve any of Cisco\u2019s qualifications, professionals must pass one or more\u00a0exams\u00a0administered by Pearson VUE. These\u00a0exams are tough\u00a0and even the most basic levels will first require in-depth knowledge of the Cisco technologies being assessed.<\/p>\n

Most Cisco certifications align to clearly defined ranks listed in terms of experience and prerequisites required. Cisco offers\u00a0five levels\u00a0of network certification:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Entry
\n\u2022 Associate
\n\u2022 Professional
\n\u2022 Expert
\n\u2022 Architect<\/p>\n

Each band typically includes a range of different certifications built for candidates to enhance their knowledge across\u00a0distinct networking subtopics like routing and switching, cloud and security.<\/p>\n

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There are two distinct paths within Cisco\u2019s certification program – network operation\u00a0and\u00a0network design. While both tracks begin with the entry-level CCENT certification, the paths quickly\u00a0diverge\u00a0across separate certifications, skills and knowledge tested.<\/p>\n

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This is the\u00a0first step<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0on Cisco\u2019s certification ladder and two\u00a0entry-level\u00a0Cisco certifications are available: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT<\/a><\/strong>) and Cisco Certified Technician (CCT<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

The\u00a0CCENT<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0builds and proves the skills required to perform entry-level network support roles \u2013 it\u2019s also the first half of the CCNA. Training providers will often group both the\u00a0ICND1\u00a0(CCENT\u2019s certification exam) with the\u00a0ICND2(which qualifies professionals for the CCNA) into one course.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0CCT\u00a0certification builds the skills needed to diagnose, restore, repair and replace critical Cisco networking system devices onsite. It\u2019s more hands-on than the CCENT and comes in two flavors:\u00a0Data Center<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Routing and Switching<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The CCENT qualifies candidates to access the\u00a0CCNA certification<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0exam. However, the CCT certification will not qualify candidates to sit the CCNA exam.<\/p>\n

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The majority of professionals who hold the CCENT certification will progress quickly onto\u00a0Cisco\u2019s Associate-level certifications<\/strong><\/a>: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA<\/strong><\/a>) and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

Professionals following the network operation track will aim to achieve one of\u00a0nine CCNA\u00a0certifications available, each recognizing basic skills in the\u00a0installation,\u00a0support, and\u00a0troubleshooting\u00a0of wired and wireless networks.<\/p>\n

While Some CCNA certifications do not require the completion of the CCENT, it\u2019s still highly recommended, especially if the candidate is lacking relevant\u00a0on-the-job experience.<\/p>\n

CCENT holders will only need to pass one\u00a0additional exam\u00a0(ICND2) to achieve the industry-standard\u00a0CCNA: Routing and Switching certification<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The CCDA is the first certification on the network design track (but does require completion of the CCENT). This certification proves a professional\u2019s ability to design\u00a0basic wireless and wired networks, incorporating security and voice solutions. Once a CCNA or CCDA is attained, professionals will be qualified to attempt Cisco\u2019s\u00a0professional level\u00a0certifications.<\/p>\n

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The professional-level certifications include credentials across operations and design tracks: Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP<\/strong><\/a>) and Cisco Certified Data Design Professional (CCDP<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

Much like the CCNA, there is a range of CCNP certifications covering a range of networking job roles, including Data Center, Cloud and Wireless.<\/p>\n

CCNP-level certifications<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0validate a professional\u2019s ability to deploy and troubleshoot\u00a0local and wide-area enterprise networks\u00a0while working with specialists in security, voice, wireless and video. CCNP holders also qualify themselves to work as network engineers, technicians and support engineers.<\/p>\n

One certification is available for professionals on the network design track \u2013 the CCDP<\/a><\/strong>. This certification proves a candidate\u2019s ability to design and deploy\u00a0scalable and multilayer switched networks. To gain the CCDP, candidates must complete three exams.<\/p>\n

To achieve these advanced certifications, candidates must possess valid CCNA or CCDA certifications as well as the in-depth and relevant knowledge required to pass the certification exams. Every CCNP certification (apart from the\u00a0CCNP: Routing and Switching<\/a><\/strong>) requires the completion of\u00a0four exams.<\/p>\n

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Achieving the\u00a0CCIE<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is an incredible milestone and a badge that every networking professional will wear with pride. There are\u00a0seven\u00a0expert-level certifications available, including one certification for the network design track:<\/p>\n

\u2022 CCDE<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Collaboration<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Data Center<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Routing and Switching<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Security<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Service Provider<\/a>
\n\u2022 CCIE Wireless<\/a><\/p>\n

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CCIE<\/strong><\/a> holders possess expert technical knowledge of Cisco network products and solutions within the relevant CCIE technical track. The single design-focused\u00a0CCDE<\/strong>\u00a0certification singles out experts who design infrastructure solutions for large businesses and enterprise environments.<\/p>\n

To achieve a CCIE certification<\/strong><\/a>, professionals must pass a rigorous multi-step certification exam, covering a two-hour written assessment and a prolonged\u00a0eight-hour hands-on lab exam. And while Cisco does not demand any official prerequisites to undertake the exam, professionals are recommended to possess a relevant CCNP and masses of experience before attempting the CCIE.<\/p>\n

Introduced in July 2016, Cisco now includes an\u00a0evolving technologies domain<\/a> in their expert-level exams. As you might expect, this domain targets\u00a0new technologies, like cloud and the Internet of Things (IoT) and accounts for 10% of the exam score. This is a mechanism from Cisco to\u00a0\u2018future proof\u2019 their CCIE certifications, providing professionals with cutting-edge skills and giving employers the confidence that CCIE holders will be up-to-speed on new networking technologies.<\/p>\n

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The network design track continues to Cisco\u2019s Architect-level certification. Known as the Ph.D. of the Cisco Career Certification Program, the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr<\/a>) is designed for\u00a0network or data\u00a0center\u00a0architects.<\/p>\n

Outside of Cisco\u2019s certification track sit several\u00a0specialist certifications. By earning these specialist certifications, network professionals can enhance their core networking knowledge in technologies across security, data center and video.<\/p>\n

The specialist certifications are divided between\u00a0Technical Specialists<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Digital Transformation Specialists<\/a>. Many of these certifications also align with Cisco\u2019s\u00a0Partner Specialization program, validating the Cisco skills and knowledge of entire businesses.<\/p>\n

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Whether you\u2019re following a\u00a0career in network operations or network design, Cisco certifications<\/strong><\/a> are well positioned to help you perform in a networking role that uses Cisco\u2019s networking equipment.<\/p>\n

Luckily for candidates, the popularity of \u00a0Cisco\u2019s certification program has generated a wide breadth of\u00a0guides,\u00a0tutorials\u00a0and\u00a0resources\u00a0designed to help networking pros achieve their certifications.<\/p>\n

Cisco\u2019s Learning Network<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0provides candidates with access to\u00a0exam topics,\u00a0live seminars,\u00a0training videos,\u00a0forums\u00a0and\u00a0study materials. Candidates can also get access to high-quality\u00a0Cisco books\u00a0available from Cisco Press, as well as other independent publishers.<\/p>\n

Students that are seeking to get Cisco-certified fast can opt for\u00a0instructor-led training<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0official Cisco learning partners<\/strong><\/a>. Official Cisco training is taught by Certified Cisco Systems Instructors and includes the latest Cisco networking equipment.<\/p>\n

If you have questions or would like more information about our Training and Certification Programs<\/strong><\/a>, we would love to hear from you! Give us a call us at 855-TO-THINQ (855-868-4467) or email us at website@thinqtanklearning.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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