Cisco Certifications Career Path:

May 22, 2024

Cisco certifications offer a structured career path for IT professionals, with certifications available at various levels from entry to expert, and in multiple specialized areas. Here’s an overview of the Cisco certification career path:

Entry-Level Certifications

Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
- Focus: Basic hardware troubleshooting and support.
- Specializations: Routing and Switching, Data Center, Collaboration.
- Ideal for: Technicians who support Cisco network devices and systems.

Associate-Level Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Focus: Foundational knowledge in networking.
- Exam: 200-301 CCNA.
- Topics: Network fundamentals, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability.
- Ideal for: Network administrators, network engineers, IT support specialists.

Professional-Level Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Focus: Advanced networking skills and knowledge.
- Structure: Each CCNP certification requires passing a core exam and a concentration exam.
- Specializations:
  - CCNP Enterprise: Core exam (350-401 ENCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., ENARSI for advanced routing and services).
  - CCNP Security: Core exam (350-701 SCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., SISE for identity services).
  - CCNP Data Center: Core exam (350-601 DCCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., DCACI for ACI implementation).
  - CCNP Collaboration: Core exam (350-801 CLCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., CLICA for collaboration applications).
  - CCNP Service Provider: Core exam (350-501 SPCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., SPRI for advanced routing).
  - CCNP DevNet Professional: Core exam (350-901 DEVCOR) + one concentration exam (e.g., DEVOPS for DevOps automation).

Expert-Level Certifications

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- Focus: Expert-level technical skills and knowledge.
- Structure: Written exam + hands-on lab exam.
- Specializations:
  - CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure: Written (350-401 ENCOR) + lab (CCIE EI lab).
  - CCIE Enterprise Wireless: Written (350-401 ENCOR) + lab (CCIE EW lab).
  - CCIE Security: Written (350-701 SCOR) + lab (CCIE Security lab).
  - CCIE Data Center: Written (350-601 DCCOR) + lab (CCIE DC lab).
  - CCIE Collaboration: Written (350-801 CLCOR) + lab (CCIE Collaboration lab).
  - CCIE Service Provider: Written (350-501 SPCOR) + lab (CCIE SP lab).

Architect-Level Certification

Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)
- Focus: Highest level of certification, focusing on network architecture and design.
- Prerequisites: Must be a CCDE (Cisco Certified Design Expert).
- Process: Submission of an application, acceptance into the program, and a board review of a network architecture proposal.