A Few Facts About Certifications Like CCNA Security and CCNP Security

Companies last year spent a whopping $82 billion on information security products and services across the globe. How would you like to earn a portion of this spending? No kidding! You can earn your share by attending training sessions and passing a certification test. One recent forecast predicts that by 2019 there will be almost 1.5 million cyber security jobs in the market, many of which are likely to stay unfilled. And everyone knows that companies prefer to hire certified professionals to handle their important security concerns. This kind of opportunity never knocks twice. A mere one month of training will allow you to open that door.

CISCO offers various kinds of certification in the field of security. These certifications are available on three levels: associate level, professional level, and expert level. The training is offered by numerous official training partners of CISCO. You can even ask your management to organize training sessions for you and any interested colleagues.

Associate Level Certification (in Security): Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security)

To earn this certification, you have to take the exam called 210-260 IINS. The training recommended for this certification is “Implementing Cisco Network Security (IINS),” although if you are a working professional with less time available to study, you can break this training into two parts. Training companies normally offer 40 hours of training for this certification.

The curriculum for this certification includes installation, core security technologies, monitoring of various network devices, troubleshooting, and more. Similarly, the examination will test the candidates’ knowledge of topics such as core security concepts, firewalls, security of network infrastructure, VPN encryption, endpoint security, intrusion prevention, and content security. Among those pursuing this certification are network designers; network, systems, and security engineers; and network and security managers.

Professional Level Certification (in Security): Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

To earn this certification, candidates must pass a series of exams; namely, 300-208 SISAS, 300-206 SENSS, 300-209 SIMOS and 300-207 SITCS v1.0 (till 31st march’2017), or 300-210 SITCS v1.5. Each exam has a different kind of training assigned to it; namely, Implementing Cisco Secure Access Solutions (SISAS), Implementing Cisco Edge Network Security Solutions (SENSS), Implementing Cisco Secure Mobility Solutions (SIMOS), and Implementing Cisco Threat Control Solutions (SITCS), respectively. Every training requires a minimum of 40 hours’ time to master the concepts. Many training providers are able to match your time schedule.

All these exams test the capability of the network security engineer on numerous topics:

For SISAS: This exam tests concepts like ISE architecture and solutions, endpoint control solutions, architecture, and components of secure access, while making use of Cisco TrustSec and 802.1X.

For SENSS: This exam focuses principally on topics that can enhance and strengthen the security network, such as NAT. It also includes configuration and the implementation of security on various devices, such as the CISCO router, CISCO switch, CISCO ASA Firewall, and others.

For SIMOS: This exam covers all the concepts related to VPN in the security of the network, like implementing secured communication over VPN, and so on.

For SITCS: This exam includes topics related to the firewall as well as the implementation of IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) to avoid any threats coming from those paths.

CCNA Security and CCNP Security certifications will boost up your security career in a way which nothing else can.