What Are the Different Cisco Networking Certifications?

As maximum companies are now turning to the cloud for running their businesses, they become quite dependent on vendors like none other than Cisco. It makes underlying networking software and hardware. So, if you are pursuing a career as a network professional, proper Cisco certifications will help you to get the best job in the market. 

However, there are different types of Cisco certifications available. That makes it hard to choose the right path to follow. So, checking out the certifications and training beforehand will guide you to make the right choice. There are different sources of IT certification materials available to help you prepare and practice for the exams. But first, let’s learn about the types of certifications available.

Entry-level certification:

This entry-level provides certification as Cisco Certified Technician. So, you get the chance to diagnose, restore, repair, and then replace the Cisco networking and system devices for Cisco customers. 

Here, you get to work with Cisco Technical Assistance Center to resolve support problems. There is no need for any formal requisites, but you must have an understanding of exam topics first.

CCT Certifications:

CCT certification will provide three concentrations. You need to pass an exam to get hands-on those.

• CCT Collaboration: It will primarily focus on the skills needed to support and maintain collaboration products of Cisco, like video conferencing devices and phones.

• CCT Data Center: It will cover the knowledge used for supporting and maintaining unified data-center services and computers from Cisco. At 90 minutes, you have to cover 65 to 75 MCQs and fill-in questions, to pass the exam.

• CCT Routing and Switching: It will focus on the skills needed to support and maintain Cisco switches, routers, and operating systems. Here, you need to identify various Cisco routers and switch models to use Cisco Command Line Interface.

Associate level certifications:

Here, at the associate level, you can expand your career in networking through three certification types. You need to pass one exam to receive the certificate.

• CCNA: The Cisco Certified Network Associate is mainly for those who need a range of skills in software development and networking technology. It confirms your knowledge associated with network fundamentals, IP connectivity, network access, automation, and security fundamentals.

• DevNet Associate: The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate will focus on software development. There won’t be any prerequisites even though Cisco recommends at least 1 year of experience in developing software along with some familiarity with Python programming. This certification is used for testing skills to develop and maintain apps built on Cisco platforms.

• CyberOps Associate: This current Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate will focus on cyber security and will not have any formal prerequisites. This certificate will verify your current knowledge associated with cybersecurity operations, procedures, and skills. In this 120 minutes program, this exam consists of 95 to 105 MCQ and fill-in questions.

Professional level certification:

This professional-level provides certification in 7 different areas. So, you can easily choose your interesting field and expertise level accordingly. It is an ideal spot if you are planning to focus your career on technology or a topic. For every certification over here, you need to pass two exams. The first one will cover the core technology, and then another one will be the concentration of your current choice. Those 7 certification courses are”

• CCNP Enterprise
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Collaboration
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional
• Cisco Certified DevNet Professional

Among the lot, the three most popular certifications will be CCNP Enterprise, Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, and CCNP Security.

Expert-level certification:

Finally, you have the expert level certification, which will further cover your career with challenging exams to test advanced level on hands-on skills and knowledge. You get to pursue one of the 7 options available. For that, you need to pass on qualifying written exam and a practical hands-on lab exam. Those 7 certifications are:

• CCDE
• CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
• CCIE Enterprise Wireless
• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider
• CCIE Collaboration

Other than the points mentioned already, you have architect-level certification as well. However, Cisco is not accepting new CCAr applicants as of now. But, the existing CCArs can provide CCAr Lifetime Emeritus status to recognize the achievement in question.