Cisco Announces Updates to CCNP Certification and Launches CCNP Prep Center; Professional-Level Certification Validates IT Professionals' Training to Design, Implement and Maintain Converged Network Environments.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems(R) (Nasdaq:CSCO) today announced enhancements to its premier professional certification, CCNP(R). The course and exam updates help ensure that a growing number of networking professionals have the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary to deploy and maintain fully integrated network infrastructure services and applications, while providing a clear career path in today's market. To assist networking professionals preparing for the CCNP certification, Cisco today announced the availability of the CCNP Prep Center (http://www.cisco.com/go/prep-ccnp).

"Networks are evolving from closed infrastructures to integrated systems that enable organizations to work more closely with users worldwide by connecting and automating business processes and applications," said Zeus Kerravala, vice president at Yankee Group. "Bringing applications and services such as security, voice and wireless to the Internet has had a dramatic impact on the network, how it is used and how productivity and profitability are maximized."

To meet the need for today's skilled network professionals, the new CCNP program goes beyond core routing and switching to applications deployed on the edge of the network, such as wireless, security and voice. In addition to topics such as converged networks, quality of service (QoS), virtual private networks (VPNs) and broadband technologies, the CCNP program maintains its focus on the advanced skills required to manage the routers and switches that form the network core. The CCNP integrates next-generation Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), engineered to provide wire-speed delivery of concurrent data, voice, video and wireless services with optimized security. A CCNP certification validates that a network professional has the ability to install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area networks.

"The knowledge and skills required for IT professionals to design and operate a network environment have changed significantly over the past five years," said Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco. "The CCNP update is consistent with the growing demand from our customers, channel partners and the industry for highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals to integrate advanced technology functionality into networks."

CCNP course and exam enhancements include:

Course (Exam)

--BCMSN (642-812) Campus Switch Networks Wireless LAN 

--BSCI (642-901) Routing Protocols at Campus Edge

--ISCW (642-825) Implementing Secure Converged WANs

--ONT (642-845) Optimized Converged Cisco Networks

Open to Cisco Certified individuals, the CCNP Prep Center provides CCNP certification candidates access to a wide variety of resources, including practice questions, tips, expert advice, success stories and peer discussion forums. The CCNP Prep Center also allows networking professionals to easily access information and formal training from Cisco Learning Solutions Partners.

"Cisco is pleased to continue to provide invaluable support and training to individuals interested in career certifications," said Cindy Hoffmann, learning and development manager at Cisco Systems. "The CCNP Prep Center provides a variety of resources that helps individuals sharpen their skills while also providing access to additional materials and training from Cisco Learning Solutions Partners that will help them successfully complete their certification."

To determine the current status of a CCNP certification, visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System at: www.cisco.com/go/certifications/login.

Updates to CCIP and CCDP Certification Programs

The Cisco CCIP(TM) and Cisco CCDP(R) professional-level certification programs have also been updated to include the newly revised Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) exam and recommended training. Network professionals pursuing CCIP and CCDP certifications will benefit from these curriculum updates, which provide and validate the up-to-date knowledge required to install, support and optimize ISR routers, using Cisco IOS(R) 12.4 routing protocol, routing authentication security, multicast routing and IPv6.

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Solutions Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. For complete details about the training and exam requirements for the Specialist and other certifications, visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

About Cisco Career Certifications

The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers and the organizations that employ them. Cisco offers three levels of general certification: Associate, Professional and Expert in various tracks such as Routing and Switching, Network Security and Service Provider. A variety of Cisco Specialist certifications are also available to show knowledge in specific technologies, solutions or job roles. For Cisco Career Certifications information, visit: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo, CCDP, CCIP, CCNP and Cisco IOS are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.