What is a CISCO?
The international technology company Cisco helped develop modern networking. Networking, software, and telecom equipment supplier. Cisco protects commercial, government, and personal internet communication.
Cisco’s Role in Networking and Technology
Cisco excels in many technology fields:
- Cisco is a router, switch, and firewall maker. These devices manage computer network data, efficiency, and safety.
- The business helped establish network communication protocols and standards.
- Cisco leads network security with intrusion prevention systems, next-generation firewalls, and threat intelligence services to combat cyberthreat complexity.
- Cisco Webex products offer collaboration through unified communication, file sharing, and video conferencing.
- The company has expanded into cloud networking and the Internet of Things to help businesses manage and secure their infrastructure across multiple locations and devices.
Cisco certifications
A powerful and well-known Cisco certification program helps IT professionals advance by confirming knowledge and skill in a variety of Cisco technologies. Employers value these qualifications, which are arranged in a tiered system from entry-level to expert-level ability.
Important Cisco Certification Features:
- Cisco certificates verify tool and technology skills.
- Advanced employment: These qualifications can lead to new jobs, raises, and promotions.
- Cisco certifies IT skills for prospective employers.
- Cisco improves its certification programs with automation, cybersecurity, and AI advances.
- Many certification tracks are available to meet professional goals such networking, security, cooperation, and development.
Cisco certification levels and key certifications
Cisco offers entry, associate, professional, and expert Networking & Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Collaboration, and Data Centre certifications. Two structure adjustments occurred February 24, 2020, and October 1, 2023.
Entry-Level Certifications
These are for people who have never worked with networking before.
- Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST): Networking and cybersecurity courses are available for entry-level certifications for basic IT professions. On October 1, 2023, two CCST entry-level certifications existed.
- A Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) offers on-site equipment repair and support. CCT Collaboration, Routing and Switching, and Data Centre debuted in September 2024. Each domain was valid for 3 years. This was the only entry-level credential on February 24, 2020.
Associate-Level Certifications
Many networking professions begin at this level, which expands on fundamental knowledge.
- CCNA certification covers automation, routing and switching, security, and other networking topics. Only the 200-301 test remained after all CCNA specializations were combined on February 24, 2020. It has a three-year validity period.
- Software developers who work with Cisco platforms and APIs are the target audience for the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate program.
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate: Concentrates on cybersecurity operations.
Professional-Level Certifications
Technical professionals with CCNA or equivalent experience.
- CCNP: This certification tests Enterprise, Security, Data Centre, and Collaboration networking. CCNP Routing and Switching exams were upgraded July 2010 and 2014 and retired February 23, 2020.
- The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) certification applies to network professionals that design enterprise architectures, security, network administration, and advanced routing. This certification was discontinued on February 23, 2020, and requires a valid CCDA certification.
- CCNP Collaboration, Data Centre, Security (previously CCSP), and Service Provider are further professional-level credentials. February 23, 2020, marked the retirement of CCNP Wireless.
Expert-Level Certifications
Requires a great degree of skill and is frequently regarded as the “gold standard” in the networking industry.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE): The most advanced certification, indicating proficiency in a particular field of technology. Passing an eight-hour, practical lab exam ($1600 per try) and a demanding written exam ($400) are prerequisites. Special labs around the world administer the lab exam. Averaging thousands of dollars and 18 months of study time, less than 3% of Cisco-certified persons achieve CCIE certification. Although three to five years of networking experience is advised, there are no official prerequisites for the written exam. Enterprise Infrastructure, Data Centre, Security, and Service Provider are among the tracks. The CCIE Routing and Switching system was shut down.
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE): Identifies network professionals with superior design abilities and focusses on network architecture and design for large, sophisticated enterprise networks. It focusses on converting business requirements into end-to-end network architectures and operates concurrently with the CCIE curriculum.
Architect-Level Certifications
The highest Cisco qualification is the CCAr (Cisco Certified Architect), which is intended for experts who can convert business plans into intricate network systems. Presenting a network design before a Cisco review board is a difficult certification.
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