Thanks to the Internet, Cisco Systems grew by leaps and bounds in just a few years and continues to do so. Cisco has a huge, park-like campus in Silicon Valley and job opportunities throughout the world. Some say that Cisco is the Internet. Accordingly, Cisco certifications are quite valuable for landing computer jobs.
Cisco Certifications indicate that computer network and Internetwork professionals have specialized skills, at one of three levels of technical proficiency:
- Associate
- Professional
- Expert
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is at the top of the training pyramid for network support, while the Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) certification is at the top of the training pyramid for network design.
Other Cisco Certifications are beginning or intermediate steps toward the top of the two pyramids, but are valuable on their own. Each Cisco Certification allows you to specialize, such as in network security (CCIE Security), a growing field.
Training Partners offer Cisco Certification training courses, while Prometric and Pearson Virtual University Enterprises administer the exams.
| Earning Cisco Certification at a prestigious educational institution is impressive. But, if you don't have that kind of money, typically, you may take Cisco Certification training courses anywhere and anyway you want (e.g., inexpensive self-study courses), and then pay to take the exams. Passing the exams is what earns Cisco Certification. |