Cisco Certification Guide: Overview and Career Paths

Cisco Systems, Inc. specializes in networking and communications products and services. The company is probably best known for its business routing and switching products, which direct data, voice and video traffic across networks around the world. However, Cisco also offers storage networking, applications for unified communications, telepresence and collaboration (WebEx), and an array of services from simple product support to complete solutions for data centers and cloud management.

Cisco Certification Program Overview

Certifications within Cisco's program include the following credentials:

• Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
• Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)

Cisco specializations are organized into two primary categories, one targeting technical specialists and another digital transformation specialists. Between these two categories, there are currently 18 specializations from which to choose.

The Technical Specialist category includes specializations across seven subcategories:

• Collaboration
• Data Center (FlexPod)
• Network Programmability
• Operating System Software
• Security
• Service Provider
• Internet of Things (IoT)