Cisco have recently announced major updates to the Voice and Security certification tracks. Each professional level certification track has been re-branded, CCNP Voice and CCNP Security, and includes major course updates as well as new course introductions. These new revisions/introductions reflect a focus on “job role” objectives rather than “product features” as earlier tracks incorporated.
We have summarised some of the changes below and can provide more detailed information on any of the below. Just contact us on 0845 519 7408 or email blake.henegan@optimussourcing.com.
Changes to the CCVP Track (CCNP Voice)
The new Professional Voice certification is now called CCNP Voice and introduces two new courses and updates on existing courses to reflect Unified Communications v8.0.
- CCVP changes name to CCNP Voice
- All 3 Skill levels refreshed/updated (Associate, Professional & Expert) to Cisco Collaboration v8.0
- Still 1 x associate level & 5 Professional level classes to sit/Exams to take
- Some hardware changes (newer phones, more flash memory needed in routers)
- More focus on job roles rather than “cool new product features”
- QoS integrated into other courses rather than a course on it’s own
What happens to people already working towards their CCVP qualification?
Good news! Most of the classes are able to be mix & matched with the exception of QoS & CAPPS v8.0. Quality of Service (QoS) now forms part of the CVOICE class for those pursuing Voice certification (note: QoS – 642-642 remains a requirement for anyone pursuing Service Provider certification so the QoS v2.3 class will remain a valid course offering). CAPPS v8.0 is a new class covering UC applications.
Anyone who has attend CVOICE v6.0, CIPT1 v6.0, CIPT2 v6.0 TUC 1.0 and/or QoS v2.3 will need to have sat the corresponding exam by 28th February 2011 otherwise they will need to take the v8.0 exams. However as long as they have taken & passed these exams they can continue to apply the course towards their CCNP Voice certification for the life of the certification (usually 3 years from date of exam).
Changes to the CCSP Track (CCNP Security)
The new Professional Security certification is now called CCNP Security and will be replacing the CCSP as the primary Professional level goal for network security engineers looking at validating expertise in Cisco’s key network security skills and technologies.
- CCSP changes name to CCNP Security
- 6 Professional level classes reduce to 4 (MARS & CANAC going end of life).
4 New classes:
- SECURE – Securing the Cisco Routers & Switches
- IPSv7 – Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System
- VPN – Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions
- FIREWALL – Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Features
What happens to people already working towards their CCSP qualification?
Courses can be mixed & matched to some degree:
SNRS can be directly swapped with SECURE as can IPSv6 with IPSv7.
However, you then need either SNAF & SNAA or VPN & FIREWALL, you cannot, for example, have SNAF & VPN or SNAA & FIREWALL due to how the content has been migrated/updated.
