SAN JOSE, CA and BLOOMINGTON, MN--(Marketwire - July 11, 2007) - Cisco® (NASDAQ: CSCO)
and Pearson VUE announced they are teaming to create a new standard for
individual information technology (IT) certifications, elevating them to
the level of professional certification and licensure programs. Beginning
Aug. 1, Pearson VUE will be the primary vendor of Cisco certification exams
worldwide. Cisco CCNA® and CCIE® are two of the Cisco professional
certification exams that will be delivered through Pearson VUE.
Additionally, Pearson VUE will deliver other Cisco individual technical
certifications and specialization exams previously delivered by multiple
test-delivery companies.
"We are investing heavily in Cisco educational initiatives around the world
to ensure proper coverage of technical skills for our customers, our
partners and ourselves," said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, senior director of
Learning@Cisco. "Our overall goal for developing technical talent is to
have the right people, in the right place, at the right time so that our
customers and partners have the best possible experience with our
technology. We're confident that as a result of this collaboration, Cisco
certifications will continue to be highly regarded and relevant to
employers across the globe."
To meet global demand, Cisco is moving to a primary-vendor strategy with
Pearson VUE so that the two organizations can mutually expand their
investments. This focused relationship will enable Cisco and Pearson VUE
together to build a stronger infrastructure that will provide the following
benefits:
-- Further innovation in technology to preserve the integrity and
security of individual certification testing, thereby preserving the value
of certification to employers
-- Better market penetration into remote locations, as well as
concentrated marketing outreach and recruitment efforts
-- Greater convenience for Cisco customers and partners in testing
locations (both mobile and fixed)
"Our certification strategy and its related partnerships are critical to
achieving our objective," continued Beliveau-Dunn. "We are dramatically
expanding Cisco's technical certification systems by improving the delivery
of cutting-edge technical training curricula, developing professional
learning communities, expanding global coverage and aggressively improving
certification security worldwide. Ultimately, this will help in the
recruitment and retention of solid technical talent as well as increase the
overall brand value of Cisco certifications."
The Cisco and Pearson VUE collaboration will take advantage of advances in
technology to offer an unprecedented level of exam content protection,
while at the same time greatly enhancing the ability to deliver exams at
remote locations. One very visible innovation will be the worldwide use of
advanced layered biometrics. In addition, the two companies will hold
regular technology and security summits to discuss ongoing enhancements to
Cisco's program.
"Pearson VUE has robust security measures in place at its global testing
centers and we constantly evaluate our processes and technology to ensure
we're staying one step ahead of the industry in protecting the integrity of
the exams we deliver," said Robert Whelan, president of Pearson VUE. "We're
working closely with Cisco to develop new processes that will not only
safeguard Cisco's exams, but those of our other test sponsors as well.
We're thrilled to be partnering with Cisco on this new initiative and we
look forward to a long and successful relationship."
About Cisco Systems
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms
how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco
can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
http://newsroom.cisco.com.
About Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com) is the global leader in testing services
for academic admissions, certification and licensure programs. Pearson VUE
offers exams through the world's largest network of test centers in 162
countries, providing testing services for information technology,
regulatory and certification boards, academic, government, and corporate
clients. Its innovative technology offers the security and control required
by academic, licensure, and certification programs, while its commitment to
service provides customers with an unmatched testing experience. In January
2006, Pearson acquired Promissor, which is now a business of Pearson VUE,
extending its leadership in the testing and certification industry.
Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO) (LSE: PSON), the
international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times
Group, Pearson Education, and the Penguin Group.
Cisco, the Cisco logo, CCIE, CCNA and Cisco Systems are registered
trademarks or 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.
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Contact Information: Press Contacts:
Cara Sloman
Cisco Systems, Inc.
831-440-2411
csloman@cisco.com
Julie Boyce
Pearson VUE
952-681-3000
Julie.Boyce@pearson.com