What’s New In the Cisco Certification Program in 2023
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a leading multinational technology company that specializes in networking, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech products and services. Founded in 1984, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest suppliers of networking hardware, software, and services.
One of the key factors that have contributed to Cisco’s success is its comprehensive certification program, which is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to design, install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot Cisco networking systems. The program is recognized globally as one of the most rigorous and comprehensive in the industry, and it is widely respected by employers, customers, and other IT professionals.
Cisco Certification Program Overview
Cisco’s certification program consists of five levels, each of which represents a different level of expertise and skill. The five levels are:
Entry Level: This level is designed for individuals who are new to the IT industry and have little or no experience in networking or other related fields. The certification at this level is called the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and provides the foundational knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and troubleshoot small networks.
Associate Level: This level is designed for individuals who have some experience in the IT industry and want to advance their skills and knowledge in networking. The certification at this level is called the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and provides the skills and knowledge required to install, configure, and troubleshoot medium-sized networks.
Professional Level: This level is designed for individuals who have several years of experience in the IT industry and want to specialize in a specific area of networking. The certification at this level is called the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and provides the advanced skills and knowledge required to design, implement, and troubleshoot complex networks.
Expert Level: This level is designed for individuals who have extensive experience in the IT industry and want to become recognized experts in networking. The certification at this level is called the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and is widely regarded as the most prestigious certification in the IT industry. It provides the advanced skills and knowledge required to design, implement, and troubleshoot large-scale, complex networks.
Architect Level: This level is designed for individuals who have extensive experience in the IT industry and want to become recognized experts in network architecture. The certification at this level is called the Cisco Certified Architect (CCA) and provides the advanced skills and knowledge required to design and oversee complex networks and infrastructure.
Cisco Certification Minor Revisions
The Cisco certification program is highly regarded by employers, as it provides a reliable way to assess an individual’s skills and knowledge in networking. Many employers require their IT staff to have a Cisco certification, and some even offer incentives and bonuses for achieving specific certifications. In addition, Cisco certifications are recognized globally, which means that they can help IT professionals advance their careers in a wide range of industries and countries.
To achieve a Cisco certification, individuals must pass one or more exams that test their knowledge and skills in networking. The exams are designed to be rigorous and challenging, and they cover a wide range of topics, including network design, configuration, troubleshooting, security, and more.
This year 2023 Cisco introduces a new agile process as technologies and products are constantly evolving. It will help to implement changes in exams to equip candidates with the most updated skills and knowledge. The changes known as minor revision will take up to 20% of the whole exam content, and the changes will affect exam blueprint, equipment list, and software. Along with equipping candidates with the updated skills, the main goals of such minor revisions include phasing out of less popular technology solutions and products, broadening out the plan, implementing new assignments to keep the exams relevant, updating new software and/or hardware.
The process will be led in the following way:
- Each year Cisco will review each technology to check that their exams meet the latest Cisco technology.
- Then Cisco will announce the blueprint changes in the plan 3-6 months beforehand.
- After that, this renown vendor will publish the updated exam.
Upcoming Certification Program Updates
Regarding the upcoming changes in the Cisco Certification program, they will cover 4 areas: security, enterprise, collaboration, and data center.
Within the Security pathway, all CCNP and CCIE exams (core and concentrations) will be updated from version 1.0 to 1.1. This will happen on July 20, 2023. In addition, on this date, the new CCNP exam coded 300-740 will be added to the list of the concentration exams. Currently, it comprises 6 tests. The update of the CCIE Practical exam to the version 6.1 is scheduled to be held on October 20, 2023.
The CCNP and CCIE Enterprise exams will be updated on September 20, 2023. Almost all core and concentration exams will be updated to version 1.1, while the 300-415 exam to version 1.2. Exam 300-440 v1.0, which is a new one, will be added to the pool of the CCNP concentration exams.
Updates in the collaboration and data center areas are going to take place on April 20, 2023. All CCNP and CCIE exams in this field will be updated to version 1.1, while the CCIE Data Center Practical Exam will be updated to version 3.0. And concerning the CCIE Collaboration Practical Exam, it is scheduled to be updated in 2024.
Conclusion
Overall, Cisco is a leading IT vendor with a comprehensive certification program that provides IT professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to design, install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot Cisco networking systems. Its certification program is designed to help any candidate gain the most updated skills. The same strategy refers to each exam offered by this vendor. Upcoming changes in the current Cisco Certification Program is scheduled to keep demands of the time. So, if you choose this vendor to build your career with you’ll always be fluent in new technologies, products, and solutions.