Cisco Certification Changes

This blog post provides information about the Cisco certification program after the February 2020 update, which has not only affected exam blueprints but also consolidated and renamed many certification tracks. In summary, the changes made are:

Previous multiple CCNA tracks are now discontinued. Only a single track is called CCNA, i.e. no more CCNA specializations. Associate-level DevNet and CyberOps certifications are still available, however, CCNA is removed from their name.
Design-focused associate and professional tracks (CCDA and CCDP) have been removed.
Different CCNP tracks are still available. CCNP status now requires passing only 2 exams: a core and one of the concentration exams which can be selected.
Introduction of multiple specialist certifications. Every concentration exam from the CCNP track also earns a specialist certification.
Various CCIE tracks are still available with some adjustments. The lab format is changed. The written exams are now replaced with the core exams, which are shared with the corresponding CCNP track.

Entry-level Certification

CCT Data Center and CCT Routing and Switching

Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) Data Center and Routing and Switching tracks focus on onsite support and maintenance of data center equipment (such as UCS servers and Nexus switches) or enterprise devices (routers and switches). Technicians must be able to identify device models and components, as well as cabling and accessories. The exam also tests some knowledge of basic configuration. CCT Data Center requires the passing of the DCTECH exam with code of 010-151 and the CCT Routing & Switching exam code is 100-490 RSTECH.

Associate-level Certification

There are 3 associate-level certifications available: CCNA, CyberOps Associate and DevNet Associate.

CCNA

New CCNA is a broad foundation certification that now includes the topics that were previously part of CCNA Routing and Switching, Wireless, and Security. It also encompasses topics from now-retired design track – CCDA.

CCNA tests a candidate’s fundamental knowledge and covers a broad set of topics. Engineers starting their career in networking do not to have to make a specialization decision early. To achieve CCNA certification only 1 exam is required – 200-301. Exam topics include network fundamentals, such as LAN switching, wireless, and introductory IP routing and services. The exam also contains security and automation-related questions.

CyberOps Associate

This certification track is for the Security Operation Center (SOC) Analysts. At the time of writing, 2 exams are required to achieve this certification. Cisco has announced the plan to replace these exams with a single consolidated exam in May 2020. A detailed list of the exam topics is available via the URLs below:

210-250 SECFND (available till May 2020)
210-255 SECOPS (available till May 2020)

DevNet Associate

DevNet certification tracks are for the engineers looking into application development for Cisco products and platforms. A single exam is required – 200-901 (DEVASC: DevNet Associate). A list of the exam topics is available via this link.

Certified individuals will have knowledge in different data formats, Cisco platforms API capabilities and popular automation tools.

Professional-level Certification

There are 6 professional-level tracks currently available, with 5 of them are called CCNP:

CCNP Enterprise
CCNP Service Provider
CCNP Data Center
CCNP Security
CCNP Collaboration
DevNet Professional

There are no formal pre-requisites in obtaining professional-level certifications, so one can skip CCNA certification. Re-certification is required every three years. Each track has one required core exam and one elective concentration exam.

Concentration exams also award an associated specialist certification, so every CCNP will have at least a single specialist-level certification that corresponds to the selected concentration exam.

CCNP Enterprise

CCNP Enterprise consolidates topics from several previously available certifications – CCNP Routing and Switching, CCNP Wireless and CCDP. Some of the shared topics are now tested as part of the core exam and then there are the specific technology-focused concentration exams.

Core exam for CCNP Enterprise is:

350-401 ENCOR: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies.

Candidates can select a single exam from the list below to earn CCNP Enterprise certification.

300-410 ENARSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services
300-415 ENSDWI: Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions
300-420 ENSLD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks
300-425 ENWLSD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
300-430 ENWLSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
300-435 ENAUTO: Implementing Automation for Cisco Enterprise Solutions

As each of the exams above also earns a Specialist certification it will be possible to see which areas individual has expertise in.

CCNP Service Provider

Certification track information is available via this link. Core exam (mandatory):

350-501 SPCOR: Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies