Cisco has maintained a significant market share in the industry. For many businesses, Cisco is their Networking services provider. Most of them will need Network Engineers, Network Designers, Systems Engineers, Security Analysts, and other job roles to manage their Networking Infrastructure. As a result, Cisco Certifications are the most in-demand credentials for the foreseeable future.
There’s a Cisco certification path for everyone, whether you’re new to Cisco or want to improve your current skills. Since February 24, 2020, there have been added Cisco certification alternatives created to provide you with the freedom to invent and re-imagine yourself in order to make a genuine difference in the roles you play at work. Continue reading to discover how to get started on the road toward certification, as well as the best way for your career and training options available to help you succeed.
Since Cisco is the world’s most dominant network routing and switching company, we include the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification in our cybersecurity expert curriculum at MyComputerCareer. We feel that this training will assist you in establishing yourself for long-term success as a professional working in the field of Information Technology. For more information, contact us today!
Cisco is one of the most well-known and respected information technology companies in the world. Cisco certification has been a dream for many IT professionals because you have the edge over your competition when applying for jobs. That’s why so many people ask themselves: “Which Cisco certification path is best?” This article will explore this question and give you three paths to pursue based on your goals, needs, and interests.
Why Choose Cisco Certifications For Your Career?
Cisco Systems, Inc. specializes in networking and communications equipment and services. The company’s best-known products are its business routing and switching solutions, which route data, voice, and video traffic across worldwide networks. Cisco offers storage networking solutions, unified communications applications (WebEx), telepresence and collaboration (WebEx), as well as a range of services from simple product support to comprehensive data center and cloud management solutions.
The Cisco Career Certification path program is all-encompassing to ensure that information technology experts have the skills and knowledge required to support Cisco products and solve customers’ technology difficulties on several fronts. It begins at the entry-level, proceeds to associate, professional, and expert levels, and (in some certification areas) ends at the architect level.
The following Cisco certifications are available:
- Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
The most important reason to get certified in Cisco networking technologies is for job advancement. The following are the best ways to advance your career goals:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP Enterprise)
Cisco certification indicates your Cisco expertise and certified experts are well regarded and desired. Network Engineer, Systems Administrator, and Information Technology (IT) Director are just a few of the occupations that may be found via your CCNA.
The pay rates for these professionals are also very high compared to other entry-level certification occupations on a national basis. The typical yearly salary is around $87,000, with top earners earning over $111,000 each year. Those who obtain this kind of certificate may boost their earnings by 20% or more.
What Is The CCNA Certification?
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is perhaps the most common answer. It’s an acronym for Cisco Certified Network Associate, and it’s the gateway to Cisco’s certification program. The name of the exam needed to obtain CCNA is Creating and Maintaining Cisco Solutions.
The CCNA was updated in 2020, as have most Cisco certifications. You only need to pass one exam in this new version to receive a paper that verifies your knowledge of fundamental networking concepts. These include routing and switching technologies, WANs (wide area networks) and wireless networks, security, and other essential networking topics, including programmability and automation.
The CCNA is a Cisco-sponsored certification. This firm is a networking equipment manufacturer that creates a variety of networking equipment as well as standards and protocols related to networks. They’ve been on the market for quite some time now (since 1984), establishing a solid brand and leading the industry in areas such as network routing and switching.
Until recently, the CCNA certification was available in two ways: a complex exam or two separate tests. This new version contains just one test, which is more user-friendly and transparent. You could go down several different paths to continue into specializations after your fundamental certificate (security, design, voice, wireless, and so on), but it was still at the CCNA level.
There were a lot of alternatives to choose from. Now, there is only one curriculum and one exam, at least for the associate level. If you want a more specialized knowledge of specific topics, you may pursue additional routes at the CCNP level.
Cisco’s intention in linking the old tests was most likely to make certification pathways clearer and easier to pick. Second, they want network engineers with CCNA credentials to communicate and collaborate more efficiently with software developers. Network engineers will require new skills as technology advances, and the new CCNA provides strong fundamentals for them.
Is The CCNA Career Path The Best Cisco Option?
The Cisco CCNA certification path is an excellent foundation for those interested in managing computer networks. Even if you aren’t dealing with Cisco equipment most of the time, you’ll undoubtedly come into contact with them, and they’re often in the majority. Companies frequently demand certification, which is why we may not be able to fill a position other than with the appropriate industry credential. However, it’s beneficial when applying for a job, even if it isn’t required.
Although there will be an increasing number of CCNA-level professionals on the market — mainly due to Cisco Networking Academy’s training — not everyone obtains the credential. Many people finish the course, regardless of whether they get certified.
The CCNA is highly advised to master the fundamentals if you want to go much deeper into the topic later (for example, the steps to take to reach the CCNP or even CCIE level). Although this isn’t a formal requirement for the CCNP level, Cisco advises that you have considerable expertise before taking professional-level tests. It’s easier to pass certification exams if you’ve already completed many routines in Cisco’s test system.
Because Cisco is the world’s leading network routing and switching company, we also include the Cisco Certified Network Associate credential in our cybersecurity specialist program at MyComputerCareer. We think that this training will enable you to succeed in your new role in IT in the long run. For more information, contact us today!