CCSP Certification Changes

mikej412

Well, it looks like the CCSP will be changing again.

mikej412 wrote: »

I'm guessing since the Cisco Certifications Exam web page is showing 4 new CCSP exams available October 8th (SECURE v1, FIREWALL v1, VPN v1, and IPS v7) and showing some of the exams (SNRS, SNAF, SNAA) already went away last April and some are going away in 2011 (IPS v6, MARS, CANAC, etc) there are changes coming to the CCSP (and typos on that page )

The links to the updated exams and suggested training aren't working yet. The CCSP Certification web page (and Cisco Learning Network) hasn't been updated yet so I'm assuming the changes are a work in progress (with those typos showing the last day for some exam in April 2010 rather than the more logical April 2011) and an official announcement is probably in the pipeline.

It looks like the new exams may be Available: Oct. 8, 2010

642-637 SECURE v1.0
Secure v1.0 Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (SECURE v1.0)

642-627 IPS v7.0
Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System v7.0 - (IPS v7.0)

642-617 FIREWALL v1.0
Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL v1.0)

642-647 VPN v1.0
Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN v1.0)

Bl8ckr0uter

I wonder if this means that they are getting rid of all of the specializations (ASA specialist, IPS specialist) as well. I bet that a secure authorized self study guild will be out in March or so. I can't wait! I am going to have to think about the ASA exams and the IPS exams but I will cross that bridge when I get there.

Was there a new release of the ASA software or IPS software or something? I thought these exams were changing when the OSes where changing.

mikej412

The CCSP was always weird in that you could earn some sort of paper (Specialist Certification or 4011/4013) for each exam (if you took the prerequisite exam first).

I don't see why they'd go away -- and I'd guess they'd bring back the VPN Specialist.

mikej412

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

CCNP security.

Crap -- I didn't notice that. The CCNP Security link is pointing to a non-existent page right now.

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

I was looking for more info about CCNP security and I found this:

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

I didn't know at one point all the certs were named CCNP. I wonder why they changed it...

Probably because it made more sense.

But since I'm used to thinking CCIE R&S and CCIE Voice and CCIE Security I can live with it

Bl8ckr0uter

I cannot wait for the objectives. Fortune favors the bold right? lol. I am already thinking about lab manuals and where I can get an ASA for cheap


While the name recognition (CCNP) will be helpful, it may hurt as well. Security admins could get calls about voice jobs (CCNP:Voice). Wan engineers could get calls about security jobs. It could be come a real mess. We will see. I still think CCSP sounds better than CCNP:Security lol.

JSK

Hmm, perfect timing. I'm planning to take my CCNA Security exam in the next week or 2. With a little luck maybe they will release some study materials for the new exams so I can just pickup and keep rolling.

Bl8ckr0uter

JSK wrote: »

Hmm, perfect timing. I'm planning to take my CCNA Security exam in the next week or 2. With a little luck maybe they will release some study materials for the new exams so I can just pickup and keep rolling.

I am totally down for knocking this out.

QHalo

I have the entire INE Security from NA to IE track, here's to hoping for some free upgrades. Glad I waited to start in on CCSP.

mikej412

JSK wrote: »

With a little luck maybe they will release some study materials for the new exams so I can just pickup and keep rolling.

The Cisco Press CCSP certification books never caught up with all the previous/past changes..... but hopefully they got some authors on board to get ahead of this bunch exams. But the Cisco Security Docs (and Security Device docs) have been pretty good about covering the exam topics -- you just need to hunt them down and figure out which parts are relevant for the exam(s).

rogue2shadow

I can't believe I'm saying this but this is some hot stuff. I really wish they kept the CCSP designation though (HR goons are going to get even further behind...)

jovan88

Wow why did they change the name? Thats a big middle finger to anyone with a CCSP

JSK

Going to have to file a change control to have Mike rename the CCSP forums.

Bl8ckr0uter

Hmm. Now the test have disappeared. Awesome.


Certification Exams - IT Certification and Career Paths - Cisco Systems

mikej412

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

Now the test have disappeared.

Someone jumped the gun -- and was probably drinking.

I don't mind them posting the information early -- as long as they get it right.

I guess that means those CCSP exams are still available and didn't retroactively retire 5 months ago.

JSK

I posted over at Lammle's forum and he indicated that both CCSP and CCVP will be getting the overhaul in October.

QHalo

Yeah I saw the stuff for the CCVP changing too when I looked at that link.

creamy_stew

mikej412 wrote: »

The CCSP was always weird in that you could earn some sort of paper (Specialist Certification or 4011/4013) for each exam (if you took the prerequisite exam first).

I don't see why they'd go away -- and I'd guess they'd bring back the VPN Specialist.

I'm planning on taking my CCNP (which really shouldnt be that far away)
Since I've studied basically all of ISCW, I figured I'd try to get CCNA:S after I finish CCNP.

As I do some work on 5520 and 5505, I figured I could get some extra training from that as a reward for studuing an ASA course. However, as I understand it, you won't get any cred until you pass the entire CCSP?

chrisone

creamy_stew wrote: »

However, as I understand it, you won't get any cred until you pass the entire CCSP?

Exactly how i feel. Been installing/designing/troubleshooting PIX&Firewalls for years now, still feel i cant back it up without a copy of my resume handy or the fact that i could just easily tell someone i am CCSP certified lol

Cisco hurry it up with the security update!

chrisone

So is tomorrow the big day? will they post up the new changes?

oh yeah....bump!

creamy_stew

CCFA - cisco Certified Firewall (ASA) Associate is officially wishlisted
or call it CCNA:F


Make either CCNA:S or the above the qualifying exam for CCSP. (wish)

JSK

I'm anxiously awaiting the official site update.

I passed my CCNA Security exam last Tuesday. I've now started officially studying for the IPS 7.0 exam. Right now I am just reading the IPS documents on Cisco's site. At this point I'm just aiming for a high level overview. Once the official exam blueprint is released I will used that to help focus my efforts.

One problem that I already notice is that I have yet to find a rack rental that has IPS 7.0 installed. I contaced my Cisco rep and he's willing to help me out if he can. Looks like I might opt for a 90 day demo of an IPS appliance.

cjthedj45

Hi,

I'm confused, I have had a look on Ciscos website and googled the below exams but cannot find any reference to them. Does this mean that the below is now the new track for the CCSP? I'm going to be taking the CCNA security exam before Christmas and in the new year I was going to be taking the ASA fundamentals exam 642-524. I would then like to carry and complete the CCSP track. I did notice on the site that it says:

Cisco Certified Security Professional Prerequisite
CCNA Security OR CCNA + SND* OR any CCIE Certification can act as a pre-requisite.
*Last day for using this pre-requisite is November 17, 2011.

If the above means that I can no longer use the CCNA security as a pre-req to CCSP then does this mean their will be a new pre-req and Im waisting my time studying the CCNA security?

I can't see any info saying they are actually retiring the current track so Im a bit confused. Can anyone explain. Cheers

642-637 SECURE v1.0
Secure v1.0 Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (SECURE v1.0)

642-627 IPS v7.0
Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System v7.0 - (IPS v7.0)

642-617 FIREWALL v1.0
Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL v1.0)

642-647 VPN v1.0
Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN v1.0)

mikearama

JSK wrote: »

I contaced my Cisco rep and he's willing to help me out if he can. Looks like I might opt for a 90 day demo of an IPS appliance.

That's what I did, bro. We run TopLayer IPS's (not my fault... they were here when I got here! I swear!), so I just told our cisco sales rep that I needed to get a demo so as to do a comparison, for next years replacement purchase. Got a 4240 to play with. Just about ready to try the IPS exam on for size. That'll wrap up my SP.

mikearama

cjthedj45 wrote: »

CCNA Security OR CCNA + SND* OR any CCIE Certification can act as a pre-requisite.
*Last day for using this pre-requisite is November 17, 2011.

If the above means that I can no longer use the CCNA security as a pre-req to CCSP then does this mean their will be a new pre-req and Im waisting my time studying the CCNA security?

Notice that the asterix is at the end of "CCNA + SND". That option as a pre-req expires Nov/11. The CCNA:S will then be the only acceptable pre-req.

JSK

mikearama wrote: »

That's what I did, bro. We run TopLayer IPS's (not my fault... they were here when I got here! I swear!), so I just told our cisco sales rep that I needed to get a demo so as to do a comparison, for next years replacement purchase. Got a 4240 to play with. Just about ready to try the IPS exam on for size. That'll wrap up my SP.

Good luck with the exam Mike. Out of curiosity, did you find any helpful study materials that you would recommend?

mikearama

532 material... nothing newer. I found the CBT Nuggets for the 532, and though they were for IPS5, most of the transfers to my lab and IPS6 were painless. I also just finished reading the IPS Exam Certification Guide by Early Carter (damn expensive, but work covered it), which was fantastic.

I also snagged the IPS Quick Reference... the usual $18 for the digital version. I love it. An awesome 50 pages of material.

Other than that, it's been back and forth to the exam blueprint. I had to take Mike's advice early on with the CCSP and get used to grabbing each topic in the blueprint and then scouring cisco and google to make sure I have it covered.

I think I'm just about there. Prolly tackle it after another week or so of review and practice.

Good luck to you as well, JSK.

cjthedj45

mikearama wrote: »

Notice that the asterix is at the end of "CCNA + SND". That option as a pre-req expires Nov/11. The CCNA:S will then be the only acceptable pre-req.

Doh! cheers Mike I missed that. I still cannot see the new exams in the links provided. If the new exams are valid it looks like i should hold fire on the ASA fundamentals course as I'm not sure if I will be able to use this as part of the new track. Work are buying me two courses the switch course from CCNP and ASA fundamentals from CCSP so maybe I should start the CCNP track first?

JSK

Pearsons website has been updated with 3 of the new exams. Firewall, VPN and Secure. The new IPS exam is not on there yet.

Bl8ckr0uter

JSK wrote: »

Pearsons website has been updated with 3 of the new exams. Firewall, VPN and Secure. The new IPS exam is not on there yet.

Do you have a link?

JSK

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

Do you have a link?

Unfortunately, I can't link directly to the page. Basically, if you log into their site and go to schedule online you will see the list of exam codes. 642-617, 642-637 and 642-647 are now available.

Bl8ckr0uter

JSK wrote: »

Unfortunately, I can't link directly to the page. Basically, if you log into their site and go to schedule online you will see the list of exam codes. 642-617, 642-637 and 642-647 are now available.

They still aren't on ciscos page, interesting.