CCNA vs. CCNP vs. CCIE Security certification: Which One to Choose?

Cisco certifications have only become a standard among the IT certifications and are being treated as the most valuable certification that you can get right now. The demand for Cisco trained professionals is on the rise because the syllabus is well researched, thought out, and in accordance with the current IT landscape. These certifications target the current market deficits in security aspects and provide the professionals with an eye to optimize the performance and stability of the implemented solutions.

This article explicitly targets three of the most demanding Cisco certifications, their prerequisites, job responsibilities, and job opportunities in the current market.     

CCNA Certification; What Is it? Job Responsibilities, Exam Prerequisites, Jobs

CCNA is a regular routing and switching certification offered by Cisco technologies. If you want to land a decent job in this stead and work for cybersecurity systems, then you better get CCNA certified right away. CCNA is basically an entry-level certification, but it doesn't mean that there is no scope for it among high paying jobs.

It might be just that the beginners' overall scope after completing their CCNA certification is way too subtle than any other beginner level certification. You get to work side by side with the networking engineer, security experts, and many other personnel serving the same cause which to ensure that the installed networks are performing to their full extent and that there is no security drawback of any kind.

Starting out, you must strive to gain some practical knowledge about the certification. The first step, to begin with, is to have some sort of technical experience, but for that to happen, you must have read all the theory and dedicated syllabus that would make you eligible for entering the practice session. The syllabus notes and other resources can be found with Cisco online. Once you have the know-how of the CCNA, you can now begin to deal with the practical part that comes with it.

It is recommended that you go through all of the study material you have on board to jog your memory right before you have to take the exam. This will help you clear out specific points that you might have skipped the first time and any critical information that will help you pass the exam. Searching online and getting help from Cisco forums might be a plausible thing to go with.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites of any kind, but it is recommended that you have a general understanding of the exam topics before starting out with the actual exam.

Jobs That You can Get with CCNA

Following are some of the best job titles that you can get with CCNA certification;

• Associate network engineer
• IT networking engineer
• Networking security specialist
• Cloud architecture and security professional
• Network system administrator

The average salary for all the job titles is between $45-90k, depending on the specific job you have and your responsibilities around it.

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CCNP Certification; What Is it? Job Responsibilities, Exam Prerequisites, Jobs

The CCNP provides you with enough insight using which you will be able to implement, monitor, maintain, and deploy Cisco's more comprehensive range of high-end networking solutions. This single certification covers various fundamentals of computer networking.

It is not entry-level as it is not entirely over the top professional too, it falls kind of in-between that, but if you have completed this certification, then the chances of better opportunities coming your way would be increased significantly. Any expert who has completed this certification becomes able to configure the WAN and the LAN systems.

Candidates will also get a more comprehensive understanding of various network features and proconsul to begin with. Before you can start with the real examination, it is required that you qualify for Cisco's IP switched network and the IP routing technologies as it would eventually reveal your readiness for the actual exam.

Prerequisites

Again there are no specific prerequisites, but it is recommended that you do have a general understanding of exam topics and their practical use before sitting in the exam.

Jobs That You can Get with CCNP

Following are some of the job titles that you will be able to secure provided you have successfully completed your CCNP certification;

• Senior Security/Network engineer
• Network manager and troubleshooting assistant
• Cisco certified networking professional.
• Network architecture

The average salary falls between $55-86k and would change in accordance with your roles and responsibilities regarding a specific job.

CCIE Certification; What Is it? Job Responsibilities, Exam Prerequisites, Jobs      

The CCIE, which is another certification offered by Cisco, is no different. CCIE certification means that the professional who has secured it has all the knowledge and technical skills required to design, implement, and configure the security detailing following the Cisco solutions and IT resources.

This is not an entry-level certification and is more professional looking then some professionals would be willing to give it credit for. CCIE security engineers are significantly in demand these days given the fact that the IT landscape is constantly under the threats of a cyber-breach or some other technical vulnerabilities, and security professionals are needed who can take care of these flaws well in advance.

Prerequisites

When it comes to prerequisites, there are far too many as it is not an entry level certification, and the exam itself would be extremely tough if you decide to sit through it without any training. You would have to pass the written exam, which is somewhat easier, but you still would have to prepare with Cisco CCIE handbooks and other study material. Then comes the lab, which evaluates your practical understanding of the certification; there are various modules to pass; this, you are required to get some significant training in this regard.

Having enough knowledge about network types, LAN and WAN compatibility, IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, switches and routers general information and setting, installation and configuration of various network types are some of the prerequisites that you need to work at.

Jobs That You can Get with CCIE

• Network security specialist
• Infrastructure consulting practitioner
• Cloud engineer and architect
• Network security architect

The average salary is between $50-90k depending on the specific job detailing and your responsibilities around it.

CCNA Security certification being an entry-level certification will help you to land a decent entry-level job that you can find, nurture and use as a stepping stone to shape your career towards something more exciting and rewarding in terms of opportunities.

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