Cisco Certification Security Professional (CCSP) Requirements

Cisco Certification Security Professional (CCSP) Requirements

Cisco introduced a security certification at the professional level. CCSP certification entails having knowledge and skills pertaining to designing, installing and implementing the Cisco security networks. The skills are specific to subjects such as: firewalls, VPN’s, security management and intrusion detection systems. For being eligible to register for CCSP certification exam, you need to have a prior CCNA certification. The CCNA is a prerequisite for applying for CCSP certification exam. After having acquired the CCSP certification, you are certified of possessing skills and knowledge of managing and securing the network infrastructures. By this, the productivity remains protected, the costs are economized and the threats and intrusions can be prevented.

For earning the CCSP certification, there are 5 exams that one has to clear. Each exam will test you for specific knowledge and abilities. Following are the exams that one has to appear for, to get a CCSP certification:

CCSP Exams:

Required Exams:

• 642-504 SNRS

• 642-524 SNAF
• 642-533 IPS

Elective Exams:

642-591 CANAC
OR
642-545 MARS
OR
642-515 SNAA

The CCSP certification is valid only for 3 years from the time you are awarded it. The CCSP certification effect expires within 3 years period, after which you will have to get it recertified by giving certain exams. The CCNA certification criterion was introduced only in September 2008. Also the certification requirements have undergone a slight makeover keeping four exams mandatory for the candidates. Of these four exams, three, one is an elective subject. For recertification of CCSP, you will need to pass any one of the 642 exams, by which you can renew your CCSP certification for the next three years.

The CCSP certified IT professionals are held in high esteem in the IT industry seeing the current scenario and need for network security to prevent any sort of infiltration and intrusions in the infrastructures. The IT companies seek CCSP professionals for their companies and currently on a large scale.