Cisco Certification Types

Introduction

Cisco is a renowned name in the field of networking, and its certifications are highly regarded for validating the skills and knowledge of IT professionals. With a wide range of certifications available, it can be overwhelming to understand the different Cisco certification types and which ones are right for you. In this blog, we will explore the diverse landscape of Cisco certification types, from entry-level to expert-level, and help you navigate through the options to find the best fit for your career goals.

Whether you’re looking to start a career in networking or seeking to enhance your existing skills, understanding the various Cisco certification types will empower you to make informed decisions and set yourself on a path towards success in the dynamic world of IT. So, let’s dive into the Cisco certification list and discover the possibilities they hold for your professional journey

Cisco Certification Types

There are basically 8 tracks in which Cisco offers its certifications. These Cisco certification tracks are:

• Enterprise
• Security
• DevNet
• Collaboration
• Data Center
• Service Provider

These 6 tracks are available for both the Professional and the Expert-level certification by Cisco. However, the other 2 tracks, i.e Cyber Ops, is only available at the associate and the professional level and the Design track is only available for the expert level certification.

Cisco Certification List

At present, Cisco has three levels of certification programs. The Associate-level certification helps a person find a career in networking and IT technologies. Similarly, the professional-level certifications train professionals for today’s job roles in IT technologies, covering the core concepts that span a technology area while also allowing flexibility to choose a focus area.

Finally, the expert-level certifications help professionals learn advanced networking and administration skills covering the end-to-end lifecycle of complex networks, from designing and deploying to operating and optimizing. In the following section, you can find details on different levels of Cisco certification like tracks, their core exams, and their concentration exam.

Associate Level Certification

The associate level also includes three types of certification programs. Candidates have to undergo a 120 minutes examination to obtain the following certifications.

•   CCNA 200-301: The certification is suitable for a person interested in learning network access, network fundamentals, security fundamentals, IP connectivity, network automation, and many more. The certification helps network professionals acquire arrays of networking technology and software development skills.
•   DEVASC 200-901: The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate (DEVASC 200-901) focuses on software development. Candidates do not need to qualify for any prerequisites. However, Cisco recommends the program for people familiar with software development and Python programming. The certification intends to investigate your skills in maintaining the applications developed on the Cisco platform.
•   CBROPS 200-201: This certification is suitable for people interested in building a career in cybersecurity. Cisco mentions no formal prerequisites for appearing in this examination. And candidates passing the exam verify their skills in cybersecurity operations and procedures.

Professional Level Certification

Cisco has seven technological tracks under its professional-level certification. Each track has its core exam and concentration exams. To earn CCNP certification in a respective track, one must pass its core exam and one concentration exam of their choice.

Cisco Certification Exams

Here is a list of all the Cisco certification exams for the professional level.

Expert Level Certifications

For obtaining Cisco’s expert-level certifications, you need to undergo two challenging examinations, the qualifying exam and the lab exam. There are seven certifications under the expert level, and the qualifying exam acts as the prerequisite to appearing in the CCIE lab exam.

Find those Cisco certifications track, qualifying exams, and lab exams below.

This is the Cisco Certification list of all certification that are offered by Cisco.

Cisco Certification Overview and Background

Cisco Systems Inc. specializes in communications and networking services. The company is globally known for manufacturing routing, switching products for computer networks. Businesses can direct voice, data, and video traffic using these products from Cisco. Additionally, the company offers unified communication, storage networking, collaboration, and many other applications for seamless cloud and data center management.

Cisco launched its Certification programs to educate IT professionals to render technical support to the customers for Cisco products. From an entry-level to the expert level, Cisco has introduced different levels of certifications for the network professionals. You need to pass the certification examinations to obtain one or more credentials. A person with multiple Cisco credentials is regarded as an expert in underlying networking hardware and software.

Benefits of Cisco Certifications

Cisco Certification is beneficial for both employees and employers. So, how can the certifications benefit both of them?

Benefits of Employees: 

According to Haynes’s report published in 2020, IT professionals have noted a salary hike of almost $13000 after procuring the specialization certifications. Thus, acquiring Cisco certifications will fetch better rewards in terms of revenue for the networking professionals. Beyond the salary hikes, a person can increase the chance of getting a job through such certifications.

Benefits for the Employers:

Hiring Cisco certified professionals help employers obtain standard and professional services from network professionals. Cisco certification confirms a person’s skill in a particular segment of computer networking. A person with multiple certifications is competent in numerous fields of computer networking. Hiring such individuals will bring productivity for the employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 – How many Cisco certifications are there?

Cisco offers a wide range of Cisco certification catering to various levels of expertise and specific technology areas including, associate-level (CCNA), professional-level (CCNP), and expert-level (CCIE).

Q2 – Can I take CCNP without CCNA?

Yes, it is possible to go for CCNP certification without having CCNA Certification. However, if we talk from training perspective, it is not possible to go for CCNP Training without first learning CCNA.

Q3 – How many levels is CCNA?

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is considered an associate-level certification in Cisco’s certification hierarchy and there are no levels in CCNA.

Q4 – What is CCNA salary?

The average salary of a person having CCNA knowledge in India is 3 to 6 LPA. However, it depends on various factors such as place, company, knowledge, etc.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cisco offers a comprehensive range of certification types catering to various levels of expertise and technology domains. From entry-level certifications like CCENT to expert-level certifications like CCIE, each certification represents a significant milestone in an IT professional’s career. By understanding the different Cisco certification types and choosing the ones aligned with their career goals, individuals can enhance their skills, validate their knowledge, and unlock a world of opportunities in the dynamic field of networking.

Whether you are starting your journey in networking or aiming to advance to higher levels of expertise, Cisco certifications provide a clear path for professional growth and serve as a recognized validation of your skills in the ever-evolving world of IT.