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Cisco Certifications - CCSP Certification

Cisco CCSP Certification

(Please note that this is a Professional Level certification as per the levels defined by Cisco for its certifications. These are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, Specialist and Architect.)

What is this Cisco CCSP Certification all about?

The Cisco CCNP certification is part of the ‘Professional Level’ of cisco Certifications. Starting from the Cisco CCENT certification (which was an Entry Level certification) we move on to the Cisco CCDA and CCNA Certifications (which were Associate Level certifications) and now the Professional Level certifications. These Certifications can be thought of as a build up on the Associate Level certifications.

The Cisco CCNP Certification is a Professional Level certification that can be thought of as the second certification after the Cisco CCNA Security Certification that deals with Basics of Network Security. Initially, the Cisco CCNA Security certification tested a candidate’s skills with regards to basic Network Security concepts. Now, the Cisco CCSP is the next, more advanced level of the Cisco CCNA Security Certification – it tests knowledge and skills with regards to Advanced Network Security.

The Cisco CCNP Certification tests the following skills with regards to Advanced Network Security:

Secure and manage network infrastructures to protect productivity, mitigate threats, and reduce costs

The Cisco CCSP Certification curriculum covers the following technologies with regards to Network Security:

Cisco Router IOS (ISR) and Catalyst Switch security features,
Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA),
secure VPN connectivity,
Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS),
Cisco Security Agent (CSA),
Security Enterprise and Device Management,
Network Admission Control (NAC)

What are the Pre-requisites of Cisco CCSP Certification?

According to Cisco, “Valid CCNA Security Certification can act as a pre-requisite.”

However, we do also recommend that any person who sits for the exam in this certification come fully prepared for the exam. Allot yourself at the very least a few months to prepare for the exam. Additionally, we would recommend any individual who would like to get certified with this Certification to possess the Cisco CCNA Security Certification (which is an Associate Level certification that deals with Basic Network Security concepts and skills).

Who is the Cisco CCSP Certification for?

The Cisco CCIP Certification is for those Networking Professionals who are working as Network Security professionals and are certified with the Cisco CCNA Security Certification.

This is particularly for all Networking Professionals with a career orientation towards Network Security.

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

In case you are a basic Networking Professional who has the Cisco CCNA Security Certification then this Certification is essential for you to further your career. Networking Professionals require further specialization and advancement of their skills. This Certification will allow you to work with regards to more Advanced Network Security features and technologies of Cisco. Thus, this certification allows you to upgrade your Cisco Certification to a more advanced level – a professional level.

The benefits will be that you will now have a broader selection of career paths that will be higher paying than your existing job. Additionally, you will have that edge that is required during job selections – since employers look for what makes you as a networking professional unique.

Cisco Certification Exams in General

What Are the Exams Like?

The duration of most theoretical exams is one to two hours. Lab (practical) exams typically last eight hours.
Questions include multiple-choice single answer, multiple-choice multiple answer questions, drag and drop, fill in the blank and simulations.
Exams other than CCIE lab exams are delivered online

What Do They Cost?

Computer-based certification exam prices range from $80 to $325 US dollars or equivalent worldwide. The ICND1 and ICND2 exams are $125 USD, the CCNA exam is $250 USD and the professional level CCNP and CCDP Composite exam is $300 USD, and CCIE written exams are $350 USD. Payment is made directly to the authorized test delivery partner Pearson Vue.
CCIE lab exams are $1,400 USD. Payment is made online via credit card or wire transfer

How do I take the exams?

Exams are regularly administered worldwide by Pearson VUE http://www.vue.com/cisco which is Cisco’s examination delivery partner (just as Prometric is Microsoft’s partner). Pearson VUE routinely organizes exams on various dates

How do I prepare for the exams?

Training through Institutions – The authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. For a list of Cisco Learning Partners, use the Learning Partner Locator.

Training through Books – A variety of Cisco Press titles may be available for this exam. These titles can be purchased through the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore, or directly from Cisco Press.

Resources, Assistance and guidance through the online Cisco Learning Network

Exam Cram Books - Exam Cram has a wide array of preparation tools for the popular CCNA, CCNP, and CCSP certifications, including simulation-based practice questions along with other late-stage study vehicles to get you ready for test time.

Safari Bookshelf - The premier electronic reference library for programming and IT professionals with more than 1,200 titles.

Cisco Networking Academy - http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

Cisco Certification Study Groups – https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/groups

What certifications and exams come under Cisco CCSP Certification?

There are six required exams for this certification. These are as follows:

SNRS 642-504 Exam
SNAF Exam
IPS Exam
SNAA Exam
MARS 642-545 Exam
CANAC Exam

642-504 SNRSSecuring Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches

Exam Number:	642-504
Associated Certifications:	CCSP
Duration:	90 minutes (55 - 65 questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	SNRS Courses and other offerings

AND
642-524 SNAFSecuring Networks with ASA Fundamentals

Exam Number:	642-524
Associated Certifications:	CCSP
Duration:	90 minutes (55 - 65 questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	SNAF courses and other offerings

AND

642-533 IPSImplementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System

Exam Number:	642-533
Associated Certifications:	CCSP
Duration:	90 minutes (55 - 65 Questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	IPS courses and other offerings

AND

642-515 SNAASecuring Networks with ASA Advanced

Exam Number:	642-515
Associated Certifications:	CCSP
Duration:	90 minutes (55 - 65 questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	SNAA courses and other offerings

AND

642-545 MARSImplementing Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis, and Response System

Exam Number:	642-545
Associated Certifications:	CCSP
Duration:	75 minutes (55 - 65 Questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	MARS Courses and other offerings

AND

642-591 CANACImplementing Cisco NAC Appliance

Exam Number:	642-591
Associated Certifications:	CCSP and Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist
Duration:	75 minutes (60 questions)
Available Languages:	English, Japanese
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements
Exam Tutorial:	Review type of exam questions
Register for Course:	CANAC courses and other offerings

Validity of the Cisco CCSP Certification

This Certification is valid for upto 3 years after the certification has been awarded. After 3 years any and every networks professional will have to re-sit an exam in the Professional Level category of Cisco Certifications so as to be re-certified. Cisco has created this system to ensure that all network’s professionals stay up to date with latest trends and changes in networking technologies and standards.

Resources for the Exams