Cisco Systems Inc. specializes in networking and communications products and services. The company is probably best known for its business routing and switching products, which direct data, voice, and video traffic across networks around the world. However, Cisco also offers storage networking, applications for unified communications, telepresence and collaboration (WebEx), and an array of services from simple product support to complete solutions for data centers and cloud management.

To ensure that IT professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to support Cisco products and solve customers’ technology problems on many fronts, the Cisco Career Certification program is all-embracing. That is, it begins at the entry level, then advances to associate, professional, and expert levels, and (in some certification areas) caps things off at the architect level.

Each level offers one or more credentials. Obtaining a credential usually involves passing one or more certification exams. Most Cisco exams are delivered by Pearson VUE. For higher-level credentials, candidates must also prove they meet necessary prerequisites. The higher the level of certification, the more credentials and prerequisites one needs to meet those requirements.

Cisco certification program overview

Certifications within Cisco’s portfolio include the following credentials:

• Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
• Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)

There are many certifications and paths one can take in Cisco’s career program. That said, its two main paths cover network operation and network design. A typical Cisco networking certification ladder begins with the entry-level CCENT credential, moves up to the CCNA, onto the CCNP and culminates with the CCIE. The design-oriented might instead consider starting with the CCENT, moving up to the CCDA, then the professional-level CCDP, followed by the CCDE, and finish the program with the CCAr.

The Cisco Career Certification program also includes a number of specializations. These certifications acknowledge a professional’s skills in a specific Cisco technology, such as data center application services, voicemail and messaging or rich media. Cisco specializations are organized into two primary categories: one targeting technical specialists and another targeting digital transformation specialists. Between these two categories, there are currently 15 specializations among which IT pros can choose.

The Technical Specialist category includes specializations across six subcategories:

• Collaboration
• Data Center (FlexPod)
• Network Programmability
• Operating System Software
• Service Provider
• Internet of things (IoT)

Digital Transformation specialists includes credentials geared to Business Architecture and Customer Success.

Achieving a specialist credential generally requires passing one or two exams. Some credentials also impose prerequisites.

Entry-, associate- and professional-level credentials are valid for three years, CCIE and specialist certifications are valid for two years and the CCAr is valid for five years. To keep certifications current, Cisco professionals need to recertify by passing a recertification test or advancing to a higher level in Cisco’s certification hierarchy.

Cisco’s entry-level certifications

Cisco has two entry-level credentials: the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and the Cisco Certified Technician (CCT). No prerequisites are needed to obtain either the CCENT or CCT credential, and candidates must pass a single test to earn each credential.

CCENT certified professionals install, maintain and troubleshoot small networks or a branch of an enterprise network, and implement basic network security. The CCENT credential is a prerequisite for some associate-level CCNA solution track credentials and the CCDA.

CCTs work onsite at customer locations, diagnosing issues and repairing or replacing network-related equipment. A CCT can choose one of several specialty tracks, which currently includes Data Center and Routing and Switching.

Certification Exams Number of Questions Time to Complete CCENT 100-105 ICND1 45-55 90 minutes CCT Data Center 010-151 DCTECH 65-75 90 minutes CCT Routing & Switching 640-692 RSTECH 60-70 90 minutes

Cisco’s associate-Level Certifications

Cisco’s associate-level certifications include the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA). One must pass one or two certification exams to achieve a CCNA or CCDA credential, depending on the track you choose.

The CCNA recognizes basic skills in installing, supporting, and troubleshooting wired and/or wireless networks. One can choose from several tracks, including Cloud, Collaboration, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider and Wireless. The CCNA is a prerequisite for the professional-level CCNP certification. Prerequisites for the CCNA vary depending on the solution track chosen as do the number of required exams. All solution tracks require either one or two exams.

Cisco created the CCDA to identify individuals who can design basic wired and wireless networks, and incorporate security and voice solutions. The CCDA is a prerequisite for the CCDP certification. To obtain the CCDA, candidates must possess either a valid CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching (or any CCIE certification), and pass a single additional exam.

**Candidates for the CCNA Routing and Switching may take test 200-125 OR test 100-105 plus 200-105.

Cisco’s professional-level certifications

Cisco’s professional-level credentials include two main programs: the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and the Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP). To obtain the CCDP, one must pass three certification exams and possess both the CCDA and CCNA Routing and Switching credentials or any Cisco CCIE or CCDE certification.

All CCNP solution tracks, except Routing and Switching, require candidates to pass four exams. Only three exams are required for the CCNP: Routing and Switching credential. Prerequisites for all CCNP solution tracks include either the lower-level CCNA credential or any CCIE credential. The CCNP: Service Provider credential also accepts the Cisco Certified Internet Professional (CCIP) credential as a prerequisite (which retired in 2012).

The CCNP credential recognizes professionals who plan, deploy, and troubleshoot local networks and wide area networks. The CCNP tracks are the same as those for the CCNA, except for Industrial and Cyber Ops, which are not offered in the CCNP track. The CCNP is recommended to climb up to the next step on the cert ladder – the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert.

The CCDP identifies proficiency in designing and deploying scalable networks and multilayer-switched networks. From the CCDP, you can move on to the Cisco Certified Design Expert.

**CCNP Data Center may take either the 300-160 or 300-180 exam.

Cisco’s expert-level certifications

Cisco’s expert-level credentials embrace two primary certifications: the coveted Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE). Neither certification imposes prerequisites, but one must pass a written test and a rigorous practical test to earn either of these credentials.

Beginning in July 2016, Cisco updated its expert-level exams to include an evolving technologies domain. This new domain targets cloud, network programmability and the IoT, and it accounts for 10 percent of the total test score. Cisco may change the subjects included in this domain to reflect emerging technologies as they reach strong enough commercial interest, potential and presence to make them examworthy. The company describes this mechanism as a way to help future-proof its certifications so that employers may assume that those who hold current credentials are also up to speed on important new networking technologies.

For many network-track professionals, achieving the CCIE is the highlight of their careers. A CCIE has expert technical skills and knowledge of Cisco network products and solutions in one of the CCIE technical tracks, which currently include Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless.

The CCDE identifies experts who design infrastructure solutions for large enterprise environments, which include technological, operational, business and budget aspects of a project.

Cisco’s architect-level certifications

For persons seeking positions such as network architect or data center architect, a smart move is to acquire the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification. The CCAr is like the Ph.D. of the Cisco Career Certification program – it’s the highest level of certification that Cisco offers. This credential validates the skills of a senior network infrastructure architect, someone who can plan and design IT infrastructures based on business strategies. Many people consider the CCAr the most difficult tech certification to achieve.

To earn the CCDE certification, you must design a network solution to implement an assigned strategy; then, you must appear before a Cisco-appointed panel to explain and defend that solution.

Whether you’re following a network operations or network design career path, Cisco certifications are uniquely positioned to assist IT professionals as they prepare to fulfill various Cisco-related career roles. Regardless of your chosen career path, job opportunities are plentiful for skilled Cisco professionals. A simple search for Cisco CCNA professionals on two popular job boards – SimplyHired and Indeed – yielded between 7,500 and 9,500 job postings each.

Job opportunities vary by factors, such as experience and whether you’re focused on network operations or network design. While certainly not exhaustive, the following list identifies some common job opportunities by certification:

• CCENT: Help desk or technician roles
• CCT: Engineer (field, network, application support) or systems administrator
• CCNA: Engineer (network, telecommunications), technician (network, network operations) or analyst (network, network operations center)
• CCDA: Engineer (network, system, design, lead), analyst (interface), interface developer or technical specialist
• CCNP: Network administrator, engineer (support, network) or advanced technician, as well as senior-level roles
• CCDP: Senior-level roles; senior network design engineer, senior analyst, cyber protection analyst or network designer
• CCIE: Expert-level roles; network architect, engineer (lead, systems, network) or senior network administrator
• CCDE: Expert-level roles; systems engineer, senior network engineer, network architect, network design engineer or IT infrastructure team lead
• CCAr: Architect (lead, network, enterprise, voice data and more)

Training and Resources

Cisco maintains a comprehensive list of training and self-study resources. These resources include various forms of online learning, practice exams, learning labs, links to which appear on each certification’s web page. The Cisco Learning Network offers candidates a free basic membership that includes access to test topics, live seminars, IT training videos, study groups, forums, study materials and much more. The subscription-based Cisco Platinum Learning Library provides professionals with on-demand learning and access to more than 400 courses, hands-on vLabs, the support library, and more. Additional training materials are also available from Cisco Press.

Copyright © 2023 IDG Communications, Inc.

Copyright © 2023 IDG Communications, Inc.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) soared more than 10% in extended-hours trading after the networking giant reported fiscal second-quarter results that topped expectations and issued a healthy third-quarter forecast.

For the period ending January 28, Cisco (CSCO) earned 88 cents per share on $13.6B revenue, as product revenue rose 9% to $10.16B and service revenue climbed 2% to $3.44B.

Breaking down sales by region, Cisco (CSCO) said revenue in the Americas was up 9% and EMEA was up 5%. Revenue from Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China rose 1% from a year-ago.

Wall Street analysts estimated Cisco (CSCO) would earn 86 cents a share, excluding one-time items, on revenue of $13.41B.

Cisco (CSCO) previously said it expects to generate earnings of 84 cents to 86 cents a share, excluding one-time items, with revenue rising between 4.5% and 6.5% from last year's fiscal second quarter.

Competitors Arista Networks (ANET) and Juniper Networks (JNPR) also rose on back of the results.

Looking ahead, Cisco (CSCO) said it expects third-quarter sales to rise between 11% and 13% year-over-year, handily surpassing the 5.8% growth analysts were expecting.

Cisco (CSCO) also raised its full-year earnings outlook, as it now expects to earn between $3.73 and $3.78 per share, up from a prior view of $3.51 to $3.58 per share.

The Chuck Robbins-led Cisco (CSCO) also said it was raising its quarterly dividend payment by 3% to 39 cents per share.

Cisco (CSCO) will hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. EST to discuss the results.

Earlier this month, Cisco (CSCO) was listed among the top tech, media and telecom stocks for 2023 by Bank of America.

• 54 percent of organizations surveyed in KSA had experienced a security event that impacted business.
• Adoption of Zero Trust (36 percent) resulted in significant increases in resilient outcomes in the Kingdom.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh — At LEAP, Cisco released the KSA findings of its latest Security Outcomes Report, focusing on “Achieving Security Resilience”.

Now in its third year, the report is Cisco’s annual security study and consists of responses from more than 4,700 participants across 26 countries, including Saudi Arabia. It identifies the top success factors that boost enterprise security resilience and measures responses against these factors to identify the biggest strengths and weaknesses in current enterprise security deployments.

Why Security Resilience Is Important in Saudi Arabia

The findings in Saudi Arabia revealed that 54 percent of organizations surveyed had experienced a security event that impacted business. The most common incidents were distributed denial of service attacks (60 percent), network or system outages (54 percent), and malicious insider abuse events (40 percent).

These incidents resulted in severe effects for the companies experiencing them, along with the ecosystem of organizations they do business with. With incidents this impactful (64 percent of organizations globally affirmed that cybersecurity incidents impact their resilience) it is no surprise that the main objectives of security resilience are to prevent incidents and mitigate losses when they occur.

Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia commented: “In the last few years, the Kingdom has taken confident steps towards digitization, bringing new opportunities to the country. This progress must be accompanied hand-in-hand by a sharp focus on cybersecurity.”  

He added: "Cisco is uniquely positioned to support the government and businesses of all sizes and across industries in the kingdom, addressing the cyber security challenges they are facing, and helping them increase their security resilience. Our presence at LEAP this year provides us with the perfect platform to engage with our partners and customers, while demonstrating our latest range of security innovations and solutions for safer, more secure and more efficient operations.”

Seven Success Factors of Security Resilience

The report develops a global methodology to generate a security resilience score for the organizations surveyed, identifying seven data-backed success factors most impactful to an organization’s security resilience. These include establishing executive support; cultivating a culture of security; simplifying hybrid cloud environments; maximizing zero trust adoption; extending detection and response capabilities; and taking security to the edge. If achieved, these factors would boost our measure of an organization’s overall security resilience from the bottom 10th percentile to the top 10th percentile.

Globally, security is a human endeavor, as leadership, company culture, and resourcing have a significant impact on resilience:

• Organizations that report poor security support from the C-suite scored 39 percent lower than those with strong executive support.
• Businesses that cultivate an excellent security culture scored 46 percent higher on average than those without.
• Companies that maintain extra internal staffing and resources to respond to incidents resulted in a 15 percent boost in resilient outcomes.

Businesses need to take care to reduce complexity when transitioning from on-premise to fully cloud-based environments:

• Companies whose technology infrastructures are either mostly on-premise or mostly cloud-based had the highest, and nearly identical, security resilience scores. However, businesses that are in the initial stages of transitioning from an on-premise to a hybrid cloud environment saw scores drop between 8.5 and 14 percent depending on how difficult the hybrid environments were to manage.

Adopting and maturing advanced security solutions saw significant impacts to resilient outcomes:

• Companies that reported implementing a mature zero trust model saw a 30 percent increase in resilience score compared to those that had none.
• Advanced extended detection and response capabilities correlated to an incredible 45 percent increase over organizations that report having no detection and response solutions.
• Converging networking and security into a mature, cloud-delivered secure access services edge (SASE) boosted security resilience scores by 27 percent.

-Ends-

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future.

Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

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Senior Account Executive
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Farida.Khalil@hkstrategies.com
​​​​​​​Rasha Zaki
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MEA, Cisco
razaki@cisco.com

Cisco Systems shares were trading sharply higher after the networking equipment provider posted solid results for its fiscal second quarter ended Jan. 28, while sharply increasing its outlook for the full year.

Cisco (ticker: CSCO) now expects fiscal 2023 to be its best growth year in at least a decade. The strong earnings report and surprising outlook should provide a boost to investor sentiment on the outlook for enterprise technology spending.

At LEAP, Cisco released the KSA findings of its latest Security Outcomes Report, focusing on “Achieving Security Resilience”. 

Now in its third year, the report is Cisco’s annual security study and consists of responses from more than 4,700 participants across 26 countries, including Saudi Arabia. It identifies the top success factors that boost enterprise security resilience and measures responses against these factors to identify the biggest strengths and weaknesses in current enterprise security deployments. 

Why Security Resilience Is Important in Saudi Arabia 

The findings in Saudi Arabia revealed that 54 percent of organizations surveyed had experienced a security event that impacted business. The most common incidents were distributed denial of service attacks (60 percent), network or system outages (54 percent), and malicious insider abuse events (40 percent). 

These incidents resulted in severe effects for the companies experiencing them, along with the ecosystem of organizations they do business with. With incidents this impactful (64 percent of organizations globally affirmed that cybersecurity incidents impact their resilience) it is no surprise that the main objectives of security resilience are to prevent incidents and mitigate losses when they occur. 

Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia commented: “In the last few years, the Kingdom has taken confident steps towards digitization, bringing new opportunities to the country. This progress must be accompanied hand-in-hand by a sharp focus on cybersecurity.”  

He added: "Cisco is uniquely positioned to support the government and businesses of all sizes and across industries in the kingdom, addressing the cyber security challenges they are facing, and helping them increase their security resilience. Our presence at LEAP this year provides us with the perfect platform to engage with our partners and customers, while demonstrating our latest range of security innovations and solutions for safer, more secure and more efficient operations.” 

Seven Success Factors of Security Resilience

The report develops a global methodology to generate a security resilience score for the organizations surveyed, identifying seven data-backed success factors most impactful to an organization’s security resilience. These include establishing executive support; cultivating a culture of security; simplifying hybrid cloud environments; maximizing zero trust adoption; extending detection and response capabilities; and taking security to the edge. If achieved, these factors would boost our measure of an organization’s overall security resilience from the bottom 10th percentile to the top 10th percentile.

Globally, security is a human endeavor, as leadership, company culture, and resourcing have a significant impact on resilience: 

• Organizations that report poor security support from the C-suite scored 39 percent lower than those with strong executive support. 
• Businesses that cultivate an excellent security culture scored 46 percent higher on average than those without. 
• Companies that maintain extra internal staffing and resources to respond to incidents resulted in a 15 percent boost in resilient outcomes. 

Businesses need to take care to reduce complexity when transitioning from on-premise to fully cloud-based environments:

• Companies whose technology infrastructures are either mostly on-premise or mostly cloud-based had the highest, and nearly identical, security resilience scores. However, businesses that are in the initial stages of transitioning from an on-premise to a hybrid cloud environment saw scores drop between 8.5 and 14 percent depending on how difficult the hybrid environments were to manage.

Adopting and maturing advanced security solutions saw significant impacts to resilient outcomes:

• Companies that reported implementing a mature zero trust model saw a 30 percent increase in resilience score compared to those that had none. 
• Advanced extended detection and response capabilities correlated to an incredible 45 percent increase over organizations that report having no detection and response solutions. 
• Converging networking and security into a mature, cloud-delivered secure access services edge (SASE) boosted security resilience scores by 27 percent.