New CCNP Security Certification Exams

From CCSP to CCNP Security

Just a few months ago, Cisco announced that they were evolving the current Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) certification to a new Cisco Certified Network Professional – Security (CCNP Security) certification. With this evolution Cisco is looking to keep up with the practical skills which are required to support Cisco network security solutions.

As with any certification change there are the expected headaches which come with the differing requirements between the certification tracks. This article will attempt to make your life to a newly certified CCNP Security a little easier.

New Cisco Security Exams

With the introduction of the CCNP Security certification tack comes the introduction of four new exams which can be taken to complete the certification. These new tests include:

• Securing Networks with Cisco routers and switches (SECURE)
• Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL)
• Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN)
• Implementing Cisco Intrusion Protection System v7 (IPS)

These four exams can be taken directly to obtain the CCNP Security certification.

Transitioning from CCSP to CCNP Security

The next question is what happens to those of you who are currently in the process of obtaining the CCSP certification. The CCSP certification will continue to be issued to those individuals who meet the CCSP requirements through October 14, 2011, however only certain exams required for the CCSP certification can be used for CCNP Security certification, should the CCSP certification not be completed before the October deadline; these exams include:

Many of these exams which meet the requirements for CCNP Security have also expired or will be expiring over the next couple of months and should be scheduled accordingly. The CCSP exam expiration dates for 2011 include May 31, 2011 for the IPSv6 exams, and April 8, 2011 for the SNRS, SNAF and SNAA exams.

To be clear if any of the exams listed above are passed before they expire, they can be used for up to three years from their pass date to count towards the CCNP Security or until October 14, 2011 towards the CCSP; no new CCSP certifications will be issued after October 2011. Candidates have the option of either finishing the CCSP requirements before this date and/or to finish the difference of their CCNP Security certification using the new requirements.

How to Get Both the CCSP and CCNP Security Certifications

Another unique (and confusing) part of this change is that candidates do have the ability of obtaining both the CCSP and CCNP Security certification before October 14, 2011. To do this you need to choose one exam from each box and complete all of them before the October deadline as no new CCSP certifications will be issued after that.

For more information on migrating from the CCSP to the new CCNP Security certification take a look at this FAQ from Cisco.

CCNP Security Recertification

As with all other professional level certifications both the CCSP and CCNP Security programs provide the ability to recertify if done before they expire (three years). There are a number of different tracks to recertification, these include:

• Passing any current 642 professional level exam
• Pass any current CCIE written exam
• Pass any current CCIE lab exam
• Pass the current CCDE written exam
• Pass the current CCDE practical exam
• Pass the Architect and the Architect board review

As with all change there is the pain that comes with it, as the industry requirements evolve so do the exams and certifications which are intended to measure currently needed skills. It is certain that these changes will be confusing for some and hopefully the information that is summarized in this article makes your track to security certification easier and has been helpful.

More Related Posts

1. Passing My Cisco CCNP ISCW Certification Exam
2. Do You Have What It Takes To Pass Your CCNP ISCW Exam?
3. Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) Certification Overview
4. Three Myths About Cisco Exams
5. New Training Release: Cisco CCNA Security Training