When considering making an investment in the future, the main factor will always be how that investment will benefit the person/organisation that is making it. The very same applies to those who are looking to train for any specific career. The IT field is vast and there are many different areas in which to specialise. Gaining the right training is very important as it will be the base upon which the career is built. For those who are interested in a career in the IT industry, and those who are looking to add official qualifications to their practical experience, the question “What can a Cisco certification do for me?” is often asked.

What is Cisco?

Cisco is a multinational technology company which is based in America. The main focus of Cisco is to design, develop, manufacture, market and sell networking solutions. Over the years, Cisco has steadily become an industry leader in their field and this is why a Cisco certification is of such great value to those who work, or wish to work, in the IT sector.

What exactly is a Cisco certification?

A Cisco certification is an official professional qualification that focuses specifically on Cisco products. Although it is possible to learn some of these fundamentals without training on a Cisco course, it is far more beneficial to gain the official training that has been developed by Cisco as it will provide the correct and appropriate level of knowledge that is required to work efficiently on Cisco products. Cisco certifications apply directly to Cisco products and these are found in the vast majority of IT environments.

When pursuing careers with a Cisco certification, there are nine different paths which can be followed:

Routing and Switching

Design

Network Security

Wireless

Voice

Data Center

Service Provider Operations

Industrial Network

Storage Networking

What are the different levels of Cisco certification?

When it comes to training on a Cisco course, there are five levels of network certifications available:

Entry

The Entry level Cisco career certifications provide the perfect starting block for those who are interested in beginning their professional career in Cisco networking. There are two Cisco certifications at this level:

Associate

The Cisco certification Associate level is the core level of networking certification. The Associate level provides a solid foundation for networking knowledge. At this level, there are ten Cisco certifications:

The Associate level of Cisco qualifications has two options as starting points. If you are planning to follow the network design career path, it is best to start with the CCDA certification. The CCNA certification is aimed at network installations, troubleshooting and operations.

Professional

The next level of Cisco certification is the Professional level. This is a much more advanced level of Cisco qualification that will validate a greater level of proficiency in networking capabilities. Each of the ten Cisco certifications at this level provides for a different technology to ensure that you can gain the training necessary for a wide variety of networking job roles.

CCNP Cloud

CCNP Collaboration

CCNP Data Center

CCNP Industrial

CCNP Routing and Switching

CCNP Security

CCNP Service Provider

CCNP Wireless

Expert

The Expert level of Cisco certification is the fourth tier in Cisco training. The Cisco qualifications at this level are globally considered to be the most influential and esteemed networking certifications in the IT industry. There are eight Cisco certifications available at this level of training:

CCIE Collaboration

CCIE Data Center

CCIE Routing and Switching

CCIE Security

CCIE Service Provider

CCIE Wireless

Architect

The uppermost level of Cisco qualification attainable is the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr). This Cisco certification provides the Architectural capability to network designers and enables them to support the networks of global organisations. These skills are aimed at those who are working in increasingly complex network environments and are required to render business strategies into constantly evolving technical tactics.

Do I need a Cisco certification for a career in IT?

The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is generally considered to be the best qualification to obtain when you are looking to begin a career in the IT industry. The fundamentals that are taught through this certification will ensure that you establish a strong and knowledgeable base to build your career from. This entry-level Cisco certification is a common prerequisite for many IT job roles and there are many organisations that will not even consider a candidate who does not possess this qualification.

Although there is ample opportunity for career growth in IT, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door. Most organisations use strict filtering tools when recruiting new team members and without the correct qualifications, your CV could be instantly dismissed. Employers prefer qualified candidates due to the fact that they are considered less of an employment risk and are able to become contributing members in a far shorter time than those who would need to be fully trained in the basics.

Gaining a Cisco certification will provide you with the ability to perform your job role effectively and efficiently and will assure your employer that you are capable of meeting the requirements of the position.

How do you train for a Cisco qualification?

Although classroom training is available for Cisco qualifications, the trend is leaning towards gaining Cisco certifications via online training providers. This is a far more flexible way of studying as it allows you to study at your own pace and in your own time. Choosing a Cisco accredited training provider means that your Cisco certification will be achieved after passing the official Cisco exams and will be equal to the certifications earned via classroom training. This option is convenient, affordable and flexible.

Find Out More About Online Training for a Cisco Certification

To find more information about training for a Cisco certification, have a look at the online IT courses that are available from ITonlinelearning, or speak with a member of our team on 0800 160 1161 to find an IT course to best suit your needs.