One reason why individuals are leaning towards seeking certification is the fact that it equips a person with a specific and comprehensive set of knowledge and abilities that are needed to successfully secure a variety of IT systems. A Cisco system administrator is a key part of the information technology infrastructure because they ensure that all components connected to the network are properly working. Cisco has consistently designed and deployed the most innovative, secure and efficient technologies available in the information technology market today. To ensure that they maintain this standing in the industry, it is necessary to regularly evaluate these technologies. By taking Cisco Certification tests, a person will demonstrate their skill and ability to effectively secure an information network.
While there are a number of different Cisco security solutions training courses available today, some of the most popular include CCNA, CCNP, CCPDT and CCDA. The CCNA certifies a person to be able to connect and use a Cisco router and gateway. This type of training is usually less intensive than the others but still very beneficial. In order to gain this certification, a person must pass at least one of three exams:
The CCNA can be taken in two ways, classroom and hands-on. With a classroom course, an individual will learn all about networking and Cisco products. Hands-on training involves putting a system into place and learning how to troubleshoot various aspects of the system. Both of these methods provide a good amount of classroom instruction and are relatively easy to learn. It is a good idea for those who are unfamiliar with Cisco’s security systems to take both types of exams to ensure that they have a good grasp on how a system works and can correctly configure and use it.
Before administering any Cisco system, a system administrator should already be certified. Systems administrators must also successfully complete specialized Cisco exams in order to be considered part of the organization. These exams are not difficult and are written in a very basic language. They test a person’s knowledge about routing protocols, Cisco security policies, intrusion detection and prevention as well as various troubleshooting techniques. Many of these questions are based on real world scenarios that occur around the office. Cisco also conducts an annual exam that is held globally and qualifies an employee to become a CCDA.
Certifications are granted by two different types of Cisco associations. There are a training and certification arm of Cisco that offer several different exams for different areas of security including access control, security planning, information assurance and VPN connectivity. The other type of Cisco organization is the Cisco Systems Association that offers specialized training for those already working in the field who want to certify. These exams cover a wide variety of topics such as implementing network security solutions, configuration management, application security, troubleshooting and more.
Many companies make their own Cisco system requirements. However, it is important to evaluate what is needed for your company and what tests you will need to successfully complete your Cisco system exam. For many small to mid-size companies a firewall is enough to prevent most external threats. On the other hand, larger companies often include more internal firewall protections. More complex and sensitive networks often call for even more Cisco security solutions such as intrusion detection and prevention devices, firewalls, VPNs and other security appliances. It is up to the network administrator to make the decision on what type of Cisco security solutions will be best for their particular system.
If you are considering taking an exam for Cisco certification, then contact your local IT support or training department. They should have many helpful resources available to help you prepare. If they cannot give you advice or answer your questions directly, then try another vendor. There are plenty of training providers out there and it shouldn’t be difficult finding one that will work with your current company.
