Due to all these sweeping changes we experienced in recent years, we are all sure that security will stay as the No.1 priority in IT system implementation, and the demand for security professionals will never die. Security is definitely the growth sector of the day. Thus, the security career track can be a highly remunerative direction.

Because Cisco dominates the network kingdom, anything related to network, such as security, can be influenced by Cisco in a big way. For an individual professional planning career on security field, Cisco security technology is the right choice.

Here’s is a common rule in IT career, – what ever you do, get certified. If you decide to put your career on focus of Cisco security, obtain Cisco security certifications. Cisco certification provides professional-level recognition in designing and implementing Cisco security solutions.

Cisco created this career path through the security certification program because the demand is high and Cisco has a great interest in securing the networks of their clients. With Cisco ranking among the top certification paths for great salaries and job stability, having the security path as part of your resume may prove to be one of the best decisions any IT professional could ever make.

To approach this path, you can check out Cisco certification’s requirements and find out what knowledge and skills are needed to work on the job, and then, do whatever you can to get these knowledge and skills as effectively as possible. Your goal is not only getting the certification credential, but also obtain the real skills. You can reach both goals by self-study, through training, and on-job practicing.

Cisco’s professional-level certifications provide a clear career path in the IT security market. They offer IT professionals the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary for designing and implementing end-to-end security solutions. Cisco certification program offers one flagship certification and three focused certifications in the security track:

Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)

Cisco Firewall Specialist

Cisco VPN Specialist and

Cisco IDS Specialist

The security certifications meet heightened customer and channel partner demand for knowledgeable network professionals who can design, build, and implement security solutions that include Cisco Secure networks. They are also part of Cisco’s security strategy to embed security throughout the network, making it a transparent, scalable, and manageable aspect of any business infrastructure.

The Cisco Certified Security Professional certification (CCSP) prepares an individual for a career in the IT security market. This certification provides network professionals with professional level recognition in designing and implementing Cisco secure networks. CCSP covers key areas of network security, including identity, firewalls, VPNs, intrusion-prevention systems and security management. CCSP certification is valid for three years.

CCSP recognizes the increased importance placed on today’s IT professionals who are responsible for developing business solutions and integrating security devices with the underlying network architectures. CCSP holders are actively involved in developing business solutions and designing and delivering multiple levels of security departments.

As a CCSP you will understand major networking protocols, procedures and how to integrate security devices with the underlying network. By obtaining all the knowledge and skills required for CCSP certification, you should be fully prepared to design and implement fully secure networks that will thoroughly protect any organization’s IT infrastructure.

The three focused certifications concentrate on the needs of individuals who want to pursue skills in specific areas of network security. These certifications enable individuals to achieve the highest level of technical knowledge and expertise in Cisco specific security technologies and solutions including intrusion detection, firewall and VPN. The focused certifications are valid for two years.

Cisco security professionals are required to demonstrate sound fundamental knowledge and skills on network systems. In fact, in order to obtain these certifications, you must have a valid CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) first in addition to taking and passing the corresponding exams.

In the workplace, you as a Cisco security professional are actively involved in designing comprehensive security solutions for businesses of all sizes. You must demonstrate your ability to secure a network using Cisco IOS Software, ACS, Cisco PIX Firewalls, the Cisco VPN 3000 Series Concentrator, IDS technologies and CiscoWorks VMS. You must be flexible to work within various environments, including IT department, enterprise security, or simply as a consultant.

IT Certifications can not guarantee financial reward, but high level Cisco certifications can help. If your career success is measured by money, you should check out Cisco certifications on your career path.

Certification Magazine recently published their Annual Salary Survey, which included surveys on every type of IT certification to determine the best ROI for the employer and the employee. One of their categories, Average Raises for First Year Certifications, rated each certificate on the actual increase in pay received after obtaining the certificate. Among the top 10 were the CCDP, CCNA and CCNP – all part of the Cisco lineup.

In another part of their survey, Percent of Salary Increase After Certification, the number two spot was another Cisco pride and joy – the CCIE. Recipients of the CCIE average a 14 percent raise.

High Level Cisco Certifications

1. Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)

The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) certification program is specified for the Networking Engineering and Design career path. Certifications within this desirable path show expertise for design professionals who work with traditional Cisco technology-based networks where LAN and WAN routers and LAN switches predominate. A CCDP should be capable of handling and designing routed and switched networks involving LAN, WAN and dial access for any type of organization whether they need 100, 500 or more nodes.

2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification program is design for network administration track. Network Professionals with CCNP are expected to have thorough knowledge in installing and configuring LANs, WANs, or dial access services for enterprise level organizations.

3. Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) certification program provides individuals working in service provider organizations with competencies in infrastructure IP networking solutions. CCIP professionals have detailed understanding of networking technologies in the service provider arena including IP routing, IP QoS, BGP, and MPLS.

4. Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)

The Cisco Certified Security Professional certification (CCSP) prepares an individual for a career in the IT security market. This certification provides network professionals with professional level recognition in designing and implementing Cisco secure networks. CCSP covers key areas of network security, including identity, firewalls, VPNs, intrusion-prevention systems and security management.

5. Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE)

Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) is Cisco’s top level certification program. In Cisco world, CCIEs are the master builders of the new world of networking. To achieve the CCIE, candidates must choose between these separate specialties for the certification:

• Communications and Services: The CCIE Communications and Services written exams cover IP and IP routing, Optical, DSL, Dial, Cable, Wireless, Wan Switching, Content Networking, and IP Telephony.
• Routing and Switching: IP, IP routing, non-IP desktop protocols such as IPX, as well as bridge and switch-related technologies are covered in the CCIE Routing and Switching written and/or lab exams.
• Security: The CCIE Security exam covers IP and IP routing as well as specific security components.
• Voice: The CCIE Voice exam covers those technologies and applications that comprise a Cisco Enterprise VoIP solution.

CCIE certification requires passing both a written qualifying exam and a hands-on lab exam demonstrating the candidate’s expertise in configuring, testing and troubleshooting real equipment. The lab exam is the most difficult. Without real job experience, one can hardly fool Cisco to become paper certified on CCIE.

How to Get There

There is no magic path to reach the goal. You have to start from the basic. In order to achieve CCDP, your first step on this career path is to earn your Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA). The requirement of CCDA is the foundation of network design. A CCDA should be capable of handling organizations that are installing networks with up to 100 nodes.

Cisco’s high level certifications, including CCNP and CCSP, ask Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification as the prerequisite. Therefore, get your CCNA first.

CCNA is the apprentice level in Cisco Systems’ Network Installation and Support career path. Holders of CCNA are expected to have a basic knowledge in installing and configuring LANs, WANs or dial access services for organizations that aren’t very big and might have less than 100 nodes.

To become CCIE certified, you need years or real work experience in the specified fields in addition to in-depth knowledge. Formal training by Cisco is very helpful.

Cisco Training

As the leader in education and certification, Cisco developed high quality training programs to meet the increasing need for highly skilled and highly qualified network professionals. These training programs are designed for those truly interested in starting a successful IT career – from high schoolers to the mid-life-crisis set. Cisco training programs are provided via Cisco Networking Academy.

Cisco Academy offers systematic programs that last from six months to two years, depending on whether it was a vocational school or high school, respectively. The academies use a wide range of Cisco equipment to emphasize a broad set of networking skills.

The other training approach is through a Cisco Training Partner. Partners are most likely commercial training centers that deliver short and intensive certification courses. These training centers tend to focus their training on the knowledge and skill-set needed to pass the certification. What you learned from these courses are also very helpful for your job marketability.