Cisco Certification Roadmap

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Cisco offers a structured certification pathway covering networking, security, data center, and cloud technologies. The roadmap is divided into different levels: Entry, Associate, Professional, and Expert.

🚀 1. Entry-Level Certifications

Target Audience: Beginners, those starting their networking career.

🟢 Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) (New in 2023)

• Tracks: Networking, Cybersecurity

• Foundational knowledge for IT support roles.

🔹 Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)

• Tracks: Routing & Switching, Data Center, Collaboration

• Focuses on troubleshooting Cisco devices.

🎯 2. Associate-Level Certifications (Most Popular: CCNA)

Target Audience: Aspiring network engineers, IT professionals.

🔵 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security, automation.

• Exam: 200-301 CCNA

• Prerequisites: None (Basic IT knowledge recommended)

🔵 Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

• Focus on cybersecurity fundamentals, monitoring, analysis.

• Ideal for SOC (Security Operations Center) roles.

⚡ 3. Professional-Level Certifications (Requires Specialization)

Target Audience: Experienced IT professionals, network engineers.

🔴 Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

• Requires Core Exam + One Concentration Exam

• Tracks:

  • CCNP Enterprise (Routing, Switching, SD-WAN)

  • CCNP Security (Firewalls, VPN, Secure Networks)

  • CCNP Data Center (Storage, Cloud, Virtualization)

  • CCNP Collaboration (Voice, Video, VoIP)

  • CCNP Service Provider (ISP, WAN technologies)

  • CCNP DevNet (Network automation & programming)

🔴 Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional

• Advanced cybersecurity training for SOC analysts.

🏆 4. Expert-Level Certifications (CCIE) (Most Prestigious)

Target Audience: Senior network architects, top-tier professionals.

🔶 Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

• Tracks: Enterprise, Security, Data Center, Collaboration, Service Provider

• Requires: ✅ Written Core Exam ✅ Lab Exam (8-Hour Practical Test)

🔶 Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)

• Advanced network design, architecture, and strategy certification.

🎓 5. Architect-Level Certification (Highest Cisco Certification)

Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)

• Requires: CCDE + Board Review + Design Project

• Focus on network strategy, high-level design, and business impact.

🔥 Which Certification Should You Choose?

1️⃣ Beginner: 🟢 CCNA or CCT 2️⃣ Security Focused: 🔵 CyberOps Associate → 🔴 CCNP Security 3️⃣ Networking Focused: 🔵 CCNA → 🔴 CCNP Enterprise → 🔶 CCIE Enterprise 4️⃣ Cloud & Data Center: 🔵 CCNA → 🔴 CCNP Data Center → 🔶 CCIE Data Center 5️⃣ Automation & DevOps: 🔴 CCNP DevNet