How much value do the Cisco Specialist Certificates hold?

Dingdongbubble

Are they big certs like the CCIE or are the deep and focused smaller certs?

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dynamik

I'm not sure if this can be generalized, but the security specializations are under the professional level.

If you obtain a CCSP, you will earn the following specializations along the way:
Cisco Firewall Specialist
Cisco IOS Security Specialist
Cisco Information Security Specialist
Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist (if you take the CANAC exam)

mikej412

The Cisco whats?

Small and sort of focused. I even list them under my CCNA, even though the CCNA (and the CCNP in one case I think) are prerequisites.

I'd have a higher experience expectation of someone with a CCSP when they apply for a security position. A CCSP with no security experience is just another CCSP not getting the security job.

Someone with a CCNA and a Firewall Specialization may be able to use that to "break into" the security side of things -- and then "move up" to the CCSP, and greater security responsibilities in the job.

For wireless in a Cisco shop, the Cisco Wireless Specializations definitely wouldn't hurt... but the CWNP certifications are still suggested.

The Specializations are only good for 2 years -- and are not recertified by any old professional level exam.

Cisco Specialist certifications are valid for two years. To recertify, take and pass the current version of the required exam(s) or pass a current CCIE written exam.

I like some of the Data Center and the Wireless Specialist Certifications -- but I'm holding off until I get the CCIE, otherwise they can be a hassle to recertify.

I also thought passing the CCIE Lab recertified everything.... hopefully I'll find out before some of my current Specialist Certifications expire.

These are my current Cisco Specialist Certifications:

CS-CIPTDS - Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist
CS-CIPCSS - Cisco IP Communications Support Specialist
CS-CIPTOS - Cisco IP Telephony Operations Specialist
CS-CFWS - Cisco Firewall Specialist
CS-CIPSS - Cisco IPS Specialist
CS-CVPNS - Cisco VPN Specialist
CS-CISecS - Cisco Information Security Specialist

The Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist is the only one that has specifically gotten me several job offer.

colebert

That would suck to have that many specializations and have to recertify every 2 years.

mikej412

colebert wrote:

That would suck to have that many specializations and have to recertify every 2 years.

Well, it just so happens that the CCIE has to be recertified every 2 years also, so it isn't that much extra effort to keep the Specialization once you have the CCIE

colebert

mikej412 wrote:

colebert wrote:

That would suck to have that many specializations and have to recertify every 2 years.

Well, it just so happens that the CCIE has to be recertified every 2 years also, so it isn't that much extra effort to keep the Specialization once you have the CCIE

I thought you said you weren't sure CCIE would renew them?

mikej412

colebert wrote:

I thought you said you weren't sure CCIE would renew them?

Hopefully I'll find out soon if a Lab Pass recertifies them -- or I'll have to do another CCIE Written exam

Once you have a CCIE, you recertify that by doing an CCIE Written Exam every 2 years -- or passing another CCIE Lab Exam.