The Cisco CCIE Security certification is to meet the skill needs of security experts. In particular, it is essential for someone who wants to have the knowledge and skills to execute as well as troubleshoot protocols for security. In brief, this is what the certificate is representing. Ideally, it proves your prowess, commitment, and technical understanding of the technologies in the network security arena. To get it, you must pass the Cisco 350-701 and CCIE Security v6.0 evaluations.

More Certificate Details

The aim of the CCIE Security is for anyone to search for a command in security by acquiring proper skills as well as knowledge. This includes prowess for architecting, engineering, executing, and supporting the entire suite of security technologies in addition to solutions for Cisco. The same is accomplished through the usage of the latest best practices in the industry that target the security of systems as well as environments against the latest security risks, vulnerabilities, threats, and requirements.

Certification Prerequisites

Cisco hasn’t indicated any formal prerequisites for the CCIE Security certificate so no prior designation or training course is needed. However, being firm in the topics for the evaluations and being good with your hands is of the essence. Remember, this validation is captured only after passing both qualifying and lab-based exams. Another recommendation is for an individual to be having a job associated experience ranging from 5 to 7 years. The experience should cover creation, deployment, operation, and optimization of security.

350-701 Certification Exam Details

The CCIE Security 350-701 evaluation is also called SCOR, which is Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies. In all, aspirants have 2 hours to accomplish all the questions, and its price is $400. Also, English, as well as Japanese, are the languages to be used in delivering it. Testing can take place online or in-person via any of the secure testing locations which an exam-taker finds convenient. The topics that every aspirant ought to be aligned with include:

• Security concepts;
• Network security;
• Content security;
• Cloud security;
• Security in network access, visibility, as well as enforcement;
• Protecting and detecting end-points.

CCIE Security v6.0 Test Particulars

This exam is the second step for obtaining the CCIE Security designation and is an 8-hour test that will check your practical skills in intrusion prevention, perimeter security, segmentation, securing connectivity, the infrastructure of security, identity management, access control, the exchange of information, advanced threat protection, and finally, content security.

Career Opportunities

Within the fast-expanding security arena, you need to secure yourself a place. This means combining your skills to include technical as well as design-related acumen that will place you in a good position in terms of getting jobs. Still, growing your expertise puts your company in a place where it can experience digital transformation. Since networking and software are now becoming more interconnected by the day, there is a need to develop robust security systems across all critical platforms. Thus, obtaining the Cisco CCIE Security certificate ensures you can create these solutions. This also implies you and your team of security experts can make use of automation in scaling your company’s security solutions. Plus, you will be the lead person in such a team and help bring about the changes. Hiring managers acknowledge the fact that with certification, an applicant’s capabilities are enhanced. This should give you the confidence to apply for the position you’ve always admired. Besides, every validation means prosperous opportunities. The higher you go, the more job opportunities you procure. In all, the CCIE Security gives you a chance to work in various positions that are also well paying. These jobs alongside the salaries submitted by PayScale.com include:

• Network security specialist

  The work of a network security specialist is to monitor computer networks for unauthorized users and security threats. Plus, such specialists might be asked to identify compromised computers and report on security measures taken to address the threats. They also analyze security risks and create a response procedure, and the salary of such an individual is $72,156 yearly.

• Network security engineer

  The role of network security engineers includes planning, creating, optimizing, executing, auditing, and troubleshooting security systems for networks to improve the efficiency of the company. The average income of a network security engineer is $87,783 annually.

• Network administrator

  A network administrator is to oversee a company’s computer system and database networks to guarantee proper maintenance and security. The median remuneration associated with such a position is $60,434 annually.

• Senior network engineer

  A senior network engineer has numerous roles like creating and carrying out functional network infrastructure. Additionally, these experts oversee the workflow entailed in maintaining the organization’s enterprise network. Thus, as a senior network engineer, you are entitled to earnings of $101,841 per annum.

• Network security administrator

  In a nutshell, a network security administrator has numerous duties. These include designing, setting up, and maintaining the network, as well as expanding it. Also, the pay of a network security administrator is $68,088 per year.

Basically, the scope of the Cisco CCIE Security certificate is becoming extremely widespread and keeps expanding due to the technology that is always in a transformation mode. Most countries are becoming networking/IT hubs. These hubs are hiring certified experts to grow their companies. With the increasing number of IT companies, insecurity cases in the network system of business will increase. Besides affording you amazing job opportunities, the CCIE Security certification will ensure you help your organization keep its systems secure at all times.

Certification Path

Once you get the CCIE Security validation, you’ve reached the peak as far as network security with Cisco is concerned. In case, you’d like to branch into a different technology still within the Cisco qualification framework, you can seek another expert certificate. This can be the CCIE Service Provider, CCIE Enterprise Wireless, CCIE Data Center, and more. But just in case you feel you need to go outside of the Cisco certifications, there are other vendors with top certificates that will fit your professional needs. For example, if your wish is to expand your security skills, certificates from EC-Council, ISACA, and CompTIA are great. Apart from seeking depth or width in your security and any other professional skills, don’t forget to keep renewing your CCIE Security certification. After three years, you have to renew it through the process that Cisco recommends. This includes accomplishing CE activities, passing the relevant evaluation, or combining both.