New Security Professional Track

Azret

So just a heads up,


I took a boot camp with a CCSI this week and found out there will be a new security professional track named the CCNP Security. The tests will be similarly named to the CCNP R&S track in all caps. I know two of the tests are FIREWALL, and VPN. I forget the other two. It should be coming out sometime this summer. This is probably why the Cisco Press books have not been updated in awhile. I do not know when they intend to expire the CCSP, but I expect it to be at the end of the year for those who are studying now.

Bl8ckr0uter

That's crazy. There is already the CCSP. Why would they need a new track? CCNP security sounds kind of stupid to. CCSP sounds better. Then again I think CCSA (cisco certified security associate) would have sounded good to but there is at least 1 company that uses that (checkpoint).


Do you have a link for this or anything? Who told you? There was word MONTHS before the new CCNP track came out so I doubt the track is coming out this summer. At the earliest it would be at the end of the year.. .

This is gonna suck because I plan on possibly taking a crack at the SNRS exam late this year....

EDIT: When do you plan on going for the CCSP? I am looking for a study partner for cisco security.

Selfmade

even if it's true, i doubt that they would screw you out of whatever CCSP exams you've completed, they would likely do it the same way they did the new CCNP track

if you passed BSCI and BCMSN, you were done with routing and switching, you could pass ONT and ICSW and still be CCNP

but if you passed BSCI and BCMSN, but did not pass ONT or ICSW, you then had to take TSHOOT for your CCNP if you did not have ONT or ISCW passed before July]

they'd probably give you 6-7 months to pass what you needed to pass or honor what you passed and you'd only need to pass the other exams to achieve your cert.

Azret

knwminus wrote: »

That's crazy. There is already the CCSP. Why would they need a new track? CCNP security sounds kind of stupid to. CCSP sounds better. Then again I think CCSA (cisco certified security associate) would have sounded good to but there is at least 1 company that uses that (checkpoint).


Do you have a link for this or anything? Who told you? There was word MONTHS before the new CCNP track came out so I doubt the track is coming out this summer. At the earliest it would be at the end of the year.. .

This is gonna suck because I plan on possibly taking a crack at the SNRS exam late this year....

This is coming from a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor, he was telling me about it when I told him I was going for my CCSP soon. The CCSP acronym will be replaced by CCNP:Security. This was being planned for awhile and according to the presentation he said he had a few weeks ago when Cisco came down to talk to the company's instructors, the CCSP was changing this summer.

even if it's true, i doubt that they would screw you out of whatever CCSP exams you've completed, they would likely do it the same way they did the new CCNP track

if you passed BSCI and BCMSN, you were done with routing and switching, you could pass ONT and ICSW and still be CCNP

but if you passed BSCI and BCMSN, but did not pass ONT or ICSW, you then had to take TSHOOT for your CCNP if you did not have ONT or ISCW passed before July]

they'd probably give you 6-7 months to pass what you needed to pass or honor what you passed and you'd only need to pass the other exams to achieve your cert.

This is my point, I think they will give it a 6-10 months or so to finish up the old CCSP track and then retire it.

Bl8ckr0uter

Azret wrote: »

This is coming from a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor, he was telling me about it when I told him I was going for my CCSP soon. The CCSP acronym will be replaced by CCNP:Security. This was being planned for awhile and according to the presentation he said he had a few weeks ago when Cisco came down to talk to the company's instructors, the CCSP was changing this summer.

I really find this hard to believe but if it is true, we will find out soon enough. I think the name change would be stupid but now that you mention the new pro wireless cert is CCNP wireless and then there is CCNP service provider operations. Who is coming up with the names for this stuff?

Azret wrote: »

This is my point, I think they will give it a 6-10 months or so to finish up the old CCSP track and then retire it.

I think I will do the same. How close are you to getting you NA:Sec done?

peanutnoggin

I'd be interested to see if Cisco implements this new track in the summer (considering its just about June now). Maybe they are planning on announcing the new track this summer. That's more likely. Anyway it goes... it should be fun for the folks interested in security...

chrisone

Yes! I was planning to set my main goals for 2011 focussing on obtaining the ccsp. It's even better we are now getting a new security track! God is great! Maybe I should consider the ccna security for late 2011. You know omar santos will be all over the cisco press books! Thanks for the shared information.

Bl8ckr0uter

Yea maybe I'm tripping. Maybe a new track will mean, idk, actually up to date books for the exam That would be cool. I guess its the naming convention that I don't like but I guess it makes sense: CCNA:Security, CCNP:Security, CCIE:Security.

NightShade03

I don't care what they call it as long as they make us some damn updated material for the exams!! I kept putting off the CCSP because having to dig around for sources and books on learning material is just stupid when all the other tracks have well laid out books.

NightShade03

I also just noticed that it looks like Cisco *HAD* a CCNP security type track but it's been retired for a while.

May 14, 2001 - CCNP Specializations - IT Certification and Career Paths - Cisco Systems

Bl8ckr0uter

I am concerned about what they call it simply because of hiring managers not knowing about the changes to the certs. Look how long it has taken to get the MCITP to gain traction.

Azret

knwminus wrote: »

I am concerned about what they call it simply because of hiring managers not knowing about the changes to the certs. Look how long it has taken to get the MCITP to gain traction.

It hasnt gained traction yet lol.

chrisone

Well i feel sad for those companies with managers in the IT field that have no clue on the latest technologies and certification skills necessary to help solidify ones experience. At least they look at your experience and skills first then the certs. But i guess this depends on the hiring person which one they look at first, at least they consider both.

veritas_libertas

Azret wrote: »

It hasnt gained traction yet lol.

Or better, the job postings I see say:

"You must be an MCSE or MCITP"

This is hilarious since saying you are an MCITP is like saying you are an MCP.

Demiurge

I'm sure that there will be some sort of migration like there was with the new CCNP. I'm sitting the SNAF on Tuesday, so I hope so. I don't know if I can bang out four exams in less than a year... my wife would kill me.

chrisone

bump


by the way i think that is why they haven't officially given any details on the CCNP SP track. They will probably release the CCNP Security track at the same time. Well lets hope

Anyone else hear any other rumors?

shednik

Are there any tentative for these new tracks? I've been slowly studying for SNRS now for a little while.

shednik

Anyone think they may announce it at Networkers?

chrisone

Lets hope, cisco has many students on the edge of their seats waiting and wanting for the those two new professional level tracks, CCNP: Service Provider and CCNP: Security.

Bl8ckr0uter

chrisone wrote: »

Lets hope, cisco has many students on the edge of their seats waiting and wanting for the those two new professional level tracks, CCNP: Service Provider and CCNP: Security.

I hope the CCNP:Security comes out soon. I am still going to pick out the current ASA book.

Paul Boz

I wouldn't mind seeing the CCSP join the CCNP name. "CCNP" is a pretty well-known cert so piggy backing on the name isn't awful. The CCNA-Security borrows from the fame/notoriety of the CCNA but still manages to adequately differentiate that the material is security related.

I just hope that there is updated material and maybe a few less exams. If I could knock out two tests to add the CCNP-Security I would, assuming there were updated books.

mikearama

Paul Boz wrote: »

I just hope that there is updated material and maybe a few less exams. If I could knock out two tests to add the CCNP-Security I would, assuming there were updated books.

+1

My vote for something to veto is the IPS exam. Lose that piece of crap in a hurry.

I think the addition of the SNRS and the SNAF would be a great touch to complement the CCNP... and make it an NP: Security. Then add the SNAA and you've got an ASA Firewall Specialist nomination to go with it.

And yeah, the current course content for the IPS and SNAA exams is nothing short of retarded.

Paul Boz

The IPS course is one of the reasons why I've resisted going for the CCSP. I see the NAC and MARS tests in the same light but you can avoid them with ASA advanced for the elective. I don't want to derail this thread by going off on Cisco IPS, but I will say that if there was a way to get a professional-level security cert from Cisco without the IPS exam I would have done it years ago.

mikej412

You guys are making my IDS4210 and 4235s sad.

NightShade03

Wouldn't they need to redesign the CCIE:Security as well as it includes IPS and other topics they may potentially be cut when migrated to CCNP:Security??

chrisone

Possibly you can lump the IPS material within the "Securing Networks with Routers and Switches" and the "Securing Networks with ASA Foundation" exams and get rid of the IPS exam. Then choose an elective between CANAC , MARS, and Advanced ASA.

Do it CISCO!

Bl8ckr0uter

Have any of you ever worked with a cisco IPS product professionally? I have never seen one in the wild and no one I know has worked with one.

L0gicB0mb508

knwminus wrote: »

Have any of you ever worked with a cisco IPS product professionally? I have never seen one in the wild and no one I know has worked with one.

Yep I've seen a few of them. I've never configured one though.

mikearama

We had the same 4210's that Mike mentioned... IDS's though. Then our Security guy went and purchased the TopLayer IPS solution for our campus, even though we are a "CISCO" shop in every other way. Bonehead.

So not only do I find the information lacking, but I don't have the gear to play with. The TopLayer's are good, but the real thing is the real thing.

I'm gonna get the SNAA done then... which will leave the IPS exam as my final hurdle to the SP... and who knows, by the time I finish the SNAA, it may be a moot point.

chrisone

The standalone devices are rare these days, typically you want to purchase the IDS/IPS module for your ASA or 6500 devices which is why this material should be lumped into the ASA exam.

NightShade03

Let's also not forget the fact that the Cisco IPS devices (stand alone) cost an arm and a leg....prob another good reason you don't see too many of them.

I wish they would focus more on ASA modules it would making working with ASA a more well cert path.