CCNP Security vs CCSP

CCNP Security vs CCSP

On October 19, 2010, Learning@Cisco announced a NEW Professional Security certification, Cisco Certified Network Professional Security. CCNP Security is an evolution of Cisco's Network Security certification program specifically for the job role of the Cisco Network Security Engineer. It includes a four-exam curriculum assessing a candidate's ability to test, deploy, configure, and troubleshoot the technologies, appliances, and devices that make up the security posture of a network

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The CCSP will still be recognized as a valid and relevant Cisco Security certification, meeting all requirements by Cisco and its partner program.

New CCSP certifications will no longer be issued after October 2011. Current CCSPs will be able to recertify their CCSP certification via the normal recertification process. Existing CCSP exams will remain available until April 2011, and individuals can still obtain a CCSP certification until October 2011. For candidates seeking to achieve the new CCNP Security Certification Cisco strongly encourages individuals to take the newer, relevant CCNP Security exams instead of the older CCSP exams.

Prerequisites

CCNA Security or any CCIE Certification can act as a prerequisite.

CCNP Security Exams

• 642-637 SECURE v1.0
• 642-617 FIREWALL v1.0
• 642-647 VPN v1.0
• 642-627 IPS v7.0—Available 11/26/10

Testing

Register at PearsonVUE.com to take the CCNP Security exams.

Recertification

Cisco professional-level certifications (CCDP, CCNP, CCSP, CCIP, CCVP, CCNP Security, CCNP SP Operations, CCNP Wireless) are valid for three years. To recertify, pass any 642-XXX exam that is part of the professional-level curriculum, or any CCIE lab or written exam, or the CCDE Written or Practical exam, or the Architect interview AND the Architect board review, before the certification expiration date.

CCNP Security Official Training and Self-Study

Candidates can prepare for the CCNP Security exams by taking a course from an Official Cisco Training Partner. Find a training course.

Self-Study Resources from Cisco Press

• Secure Quick Reference (eBook)—Coming January 2011
• Secure Official Certification Guide
  • Rough Cut Edition—Coming November 2010 (Rough Cuts provide online access to pre-publication manuscript)
  • Print and eBook Edition—Coming February 2011

• Firewall Quick Reference (eBook)—Coming January 2011
• Firewall Official Certification Guide
  • Rough Cut Edition—Coming November 2010 (Rough Cuts provide online access to pre-publication manuscript)
  • Print and eBook Edition—Coming March 2011

• VPN Quick Reference (eBook)—Coming January 2011
• VPN Official Certification Guide
  • Rough Cut Edition—Coming November 2010 (Rough Cuts provide online access to pre-publication manuscript)
  • Print and eBook Editions—Coming March 2011

• IPS Quick Reference (eBook)—Coming January 2011
• IPS Official Certification Guide
  • Rough Cut Edition—Coming October 2010
  • Print and eBook—Coming February 2011

CCSP Certification

CCSP Exams

Required exams:
642-504 SNRS (Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches)
642-524 SNAF (Securing Networks with ASA Foundation)
642-533 IPS (Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention Systems)

Elective Exams:
642-591 CANAC (Implementing Cisco NAC Appliance)
642-545 MARS (Implementing Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System)
642-515 SNAA (Securing Networks with ASA Advanced)

Learn more about CCSP Certification from Cisco Systems.

Testing

Register at PearsonVUE.com to take the CCSP Exams.

CCSP Self-Study Resources from Cisco Press—Last Day to Test April 8, 2011

CCSP 642-504 SNRS Exam
CCSP SNRS Quick Reference

CCSP 642-524 SNAF Exam
CCSP SNAF Quick Reference

CCSP 642-533 IPS Exam
CCSP IPS Quick Reference

CCSP 642-515 SNAA Exam
CCSP SNAA Quick Reference

642-591 CANAC Exam
Recommended Reading: Cisco Network Admission Control, Volume I: NAC Framework Architecture and Design
Recommended Reading: Cisco Network Admission Control, Volume II: NAC Deployment and Troubleshooting
Recommended Reading: Self-Defending Networks: The Next Generation of Network Security

642-544 MARS Exam
Recommended Reading: Security Threat Mitigation and Response: Understanding Cisco Security MARS

View the complete CCSP catalog from Cisco Press

Training Courses

The recommended training for all exams maps to the corresponding courses: Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Securing Networks with PIX and ASA (SNPA), Securing Cisco Network Devices (SND), Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (SNRS), and Cisco Secure Virtual Private Networks (CSVPN), Securing Hosts using Cisco Security Agent (HIPS), Implementing Cisco NAC Appliance (CANAC), or Implementing Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (MARS).

Cisco Press Certification Self-Study books and software are part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

Recertification

CCSP certifications are valid for three years. Individuals who hold an active Cisco CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCSP, or CCVP certification will recertify their professional-level certifications when they pass any other Cisco professional-level certification exam. Certification holders will continue to re-certify their professional level certifications when they pass any CCIE written exam.

source: ciscopress.com