Introduction
Cisco certifications have stayed important because networking and infrastructure work never stood still. These certifications give learners a clear path, helped employers judge skill levels faster, and became one of the most recognized names in technical certification. But the certification system is now changing in a major way. Key updates already began on February 3, 2026, and these updates are meant to align better with core networking, AI, automation, and cloud-focused work.
So when people ask about the future of Cisco certifications, they are really asking a bigger question. They want to know whether Cisco certifications still matter, which paths are growing, and how Cisco is adapting to the type of work modern IT teams now do every day. The answer is that Cisco certifications still matter a lot, but the portfolio is becoming more role-based, more automation-focused, and more closely tied to current technical demand.
Note: One of the clearest signals of Cisco’s future direction is the DevNet change. DevNet certification track rebranded on February 3, 2026, and the new track names will be CCNA Automation, CCNP Automation, and CCIE Automation.
To understand this shift in detail, read our complete guide – Cisco DevNet is now Cisco Automation: Trending (2026)
Before getting into more details, let us first understand what Cisco certifications are.
What are Cisco Certifications?
Cisco certifications are professional credentials that validate knowledge across different technical paths and levels. Cisco’s current portfolio now includes areas such as Enterprise, Data Center, Automation, Cybersecurity, AI, and Expert-level tracks, which shows that the Cisco story is now much broader than the old view of “just networking certifications.”
In simple words, Cisco certifications help learners prove they can work with real systems in a structured and recognized way. They also help employers connect a certification path to a likely role. This is one reason Cisco is not reducing the importance of certifications. Instead, it is reshaping them so they match the kind of technical work companies now need more clearly.
Why Cisco is changing its Certification Direction?
Cisco says these changes are being made to better fit the age of AI, automation, cybersecurity, and cloud. In its official certification update announcement, Cisco explains that the goal is to help learners build AI-ready skill sets, simplify the certification journey, and create clearer paths around the names people already trust, such as CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE.
This shift makes sense because infrastructure roles are no longer limited to classic routing and switching tasks. Today, networking overlaps with APIs, automation, security operations, cloud services, and software-driven workflows. Cisco’s new direction clearly reflects that change. It shows that the company wants its certification system to match the real work happening in modern environments, not just the work people did years ago.
So, for IT professionals, their Cisco certifications are the foundation upon which their networking careers are built.
Are Cisco Certifications worth it?
Yes, Cisco Certifications are definitely worth it. They are the present and the future of networking.
All around the world, Cisco certifications from its multiple tracks have been coveted by network engineers and employers. In fact, according to recent research, Cisco skills are the most included skills, like 97 percent in hiring requirements.
Also, professionals with an intimate and latest understanding of network infrastructure and protocols and how they work together will always be relevant to the industry.
Do take a look at the recent updates in Cisco Certifications.
Which Cisco Certifications Are Best for Future Networking Careers?
The future of networking is no longer limited to routing and switching alone. Cisco’s certification roadmap now points toward a mix of core networking, AI and automation skills, reflecting how modern infrastructure roles are evolving.
Below, we have discussed some of the major certifications to choose from in order to stay aligned with the future roles.
| Level | Cisco Certifications | Exam Code | Key Outcome / Notes |
| Entry / Associate | CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) | CCNA 200-301 | Considered the most basic Cisco certification; meant to build strong foundational networking skills |
| Entry / Associate | CCNA Automation (formerly known as CCNA DevNet) | CCNAAUTO 200-901 | Useful for roles like network automation engineer, system integration programmer, and software developer |
| Professional | CCNP Enterprise (Core) | ENCOR 350-401 | Passing this gives specialist certification and opens paths toward CCIE Enterprise and CCNP concentration exams |
| Professional | CCNP ENARSI | ENARSI 300-410 | Positioned as the replacement path for old CCNP Routing and Switching; relevant for network engineer and senior network administrator roles |
| Professional | Cisco SD-WAN | ENSDWI 300-415 | Good fit for WAN engineers and solution designers working with SD-WAN and edge technologies |
| Professional | CCNP Automation Core | AUTOCOR 350-901 | Supports advanced roles such as senior network automation engineer, senior software developer, and senior system integration programmer |
| Professional | CCNP Security Core | SCOR 350-701 | Helps prepare for CCNP Security and CCIE Security, as well as senior security roles |
| Professional | CCNP Data Center / (DC ACI) | DCACI 300-620 | Valuable for data center professionals working with Cisco ACI and SDN environments |
Cisco Entry-level Certifications
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate):
CCNA is the one certification that makes it possible for freshers to have knowledge of the latest networking technologies, programmability, security, and automation from scratch. It is the most basic out of Cisco Certifications.
For the best CCNA training in India, you can consider joining PyNet Labs and gaining extensive knowledge of the subject. From CCNA live training, PDFs, official study material, and expert trainer guidance, all your training requirements are fulfilled by PyNet Labs on priority.
CCNA DevNet or CCNA Automation (CCNAAUTO 200-901)
The advent of network automation has changed the entire landscape of the networking industry. Many hiring managers of big corporations are looking to hire network automation engineers to automate their existing manual processes. And this is where DevNet/CCNA Automation comes to network engineers’ rescue.
Since not many network engineers are well versed with Python, this can be a roadblock for them in achieving DevNet/CCNA Automation credentials. But not to worry! PyNet Labs has come up with a unique combination of Python for Network Engineers + CCNA DevNet program, which covers Python from scratch along with the official DEVASC content.
Cisco Professional-level Certifications
CCNP DevNet Core or CCNP Automation core (AUTOCOR 350-901)
Enterprise: The most in-demand track by Cisco has a single-core exam and a list of concentration exams. Passing the core and a single concentration exam of your choice can land you a CCNP certification (One of best Cisco certifications) in the Enterprise track.
If we talk about the core exam (ENCOR 350-401), then it validates one’s core knowledge about enterprise infrastructure, including IPv6 and IPv4 architecture, network assurance, virtualization, automation and security.
Passing the ENCOR exam hands you a specialist certification and leads you to advanced certification opportunities like the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab exam, CCIE Enterprise Wireless lab exam, and CCNP concentration exams.
PyNet Labs’ CCNP ENCOR training curriculum is entirely consistent with the qualification modules of Cisco and follows the framework of Cisco’s ENCOR training program.
Cisco CCNP Enterprise (ENARSI 300-410):
ENARSI training is all about installing, configuring, operating, and troubleshooting an enterprise network.
Also, if you are looking for a replacement for the old CCNP Routing and Switching exam, then ENARSI is the way to go. After passing ENARSI 300-410 exam, you can become a network engineer or a senior network administrator.
They are also known as Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services, which focuses on advanced routing services and technologies. This includes topics like VPN services, Layer 3 routing, Infrastructure Security, Infrastructure Services, and infrastructure automation.
Cisco SD WAN (ENSDWI 300-415):
This exam is known by its more popular name Cisco SD-WAN or Implementing Cisco SD-WAN solutions. Edge routing and SD-WAN technology are growing in popularity. This exam will help you cover the skills you need to update yourself with the industry demands. ENSDWI 300-415 goes into depth on topics such as Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), how SD-WAN overlay works, and SD-WAN management and monitoring.
Its area of focus makes SD-WAN a good choice of exam for WAN Engineers and Solution designers focused on edge and SD-WAN technologies.
You should seek professional guidance from a reputable training institute to gain this valuable certification. At PyNet Labs, we offer SD-WAN training with unlimited lab access for 60 days. Along with this, you will also get access to daily class recordings. Our 40 hours of SD-WAN training by industry experts will help you at each step of the global exam preparation and hands-on lab experience. It is one of the most in-demand Cisco Certifications.
CCNP DevNet Core (DEVCOR 350-901):
Under the professional level of DevNet track, I.e., DEVCOR training, you will gain knowledge of software design and development, including Cisco platforms, APIs, infrastructure, automation, application deployment and security. On successfully passing the DevNet professional exam, you could get a high-paying job as a senior network automation engineer, senior software developer, or senior system integration programmer.
When you have cleared the 350-901 DEVCOR exam and wish to significantly improve your chances of getting a coveted job in the field of Networking, you can go for the CCIE DevNet now CCIE Automation – the expert-level of DevNet track. Under this, you need to give an 8-hour lab exam that requires you to design, plan, develop, deploy, test and maintain automation solutions in software-driven network environments.
CCNP Security Core (SCOR 350-701):
The security track by Cisco is most demanded of all tracks as it allows professionals to master the skills, they need to implement core Cisco security solutions and provide networks with advanced threat protection against cybersecurity attacks.
Taking SCOR training can help individuals prepare for their CCNP Security and CCIE Security Certification as well as for senior-level security job roles. The training lets professionals learn security technologies, network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection & detection, secure network access, visibility and enforcement.
CCNP Data Center (DC ACI 300-620):
Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI 300-620) certification by Cisco validates your skills to manage and deploy the Cisco Nexus 9000 series of switches in Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode.
Due to the increase in popularity of software-defined Networking (SDN) within various industries, managing networks and adapting to new models have become important for network professionals. And, with the advent of Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), the complete landscape of Networking has changed. That’s why people in the networking field are expected to be well versed with this technology.
Cisco Nexus switches provide various solutions that make it easier to manage and connect the data center resources with software-defined Networking (SDN). And skills to managing and deploying Cisco Nexus 9000 series of switches in NX-OS and ACI mode can lead Data Center professionals with significant benefits like,
- Skills to connect the Cisco ACI fabric to external networks and services,
- Fundamental understanding of VMM integration.
- Hands-on skills to fabric discovery, policies, connectivity and more.
Due to its numerous benefits and widespread use, knowledge of Cisco Nexus switches running in ACI mode is in high demand in the data center branch of Networking.
These were the main Cisco Certifications that are huge in demand among the networking domain professionals.
Cisco Certification Training
At PyNet Labs, professionals can have Cisco Nexus and DCACI certification training together in 48 hours of the customized training program. So that, professionals with no technical skills about Cisco Nexus Switches’ platforms, architecture, software, management, and features could start the ACI training without thinking twice.
So, these are a few Cisco certifications that can help IT professionals/Network Engineers/freshers either start or make their careers reach a certain level to withstand the Network Evolution in the Digital Era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the levels of Cisco certification?
Cisco certifications are divided into Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect levels, offering a progressive learning path. Each level represents different skill sets and expertise, empowering individuals to advance their careers in networking.
Q2. What is Cisco certification for?
Cisco certifications validate and demonstrate an individual’s expertise in Cisco networking technologies, making them highly sought-after professionals in the IT industry, and opening up opportunities for career advancement and enhanced job prospects.
Q3. Is CCNP higher than CCNA?
Yes, CCNP is considered a higher level of certification compared to CCNA. CCNA focuses on foundational networking knowledge, while CCNP delves deeper into advanced networking concepts and requires a broader skill set.
Q4. What Cisco certification is most in demand?
Among the various Cisco certifications, the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certifications are consistently in high demand, as they validate fundamental and advanced networking skills respectively, and are sought after by employers across industries.
Conclusion
The future of Cisco certifications is becoming clearer, not more confusing. Cisco is simplifying naming, strengthening Automation, sharpening and adding AI-focused certification options. The core idea stays the same: prove useful technical skills in a way employers can understand.
In this blog, we have discussed most facts about Cisco Certifications, including what cisco certifications are, are they in demand and much more.
