Cisco Expands Certification Program With Expert-Level Network Design Credential
BARCELONA, SPAIN--(Marketwire - January 22, 2008) - Responding to strong customer demand to
collaborate on network architecture strategy, and not just implementation,
Cisco® (NASDAQ: CSCO) is introducing today the new Cisco CCDE™
certification for design experts. On par with the award-winning CCIE®
certification, CCDE applies a solutions-based educational approach and
recognizes the growing number of networking experts who have in-depth
infrastructure design knowledge, which enables them to assess network
business requirements and translate those requirements into effective
network designs.
"Networks are strategic and the role of a network designer is becoming much
more important," said Yankee Group Analyst Zeus Kerravala. "People who take
on design roles impact the strategic direction of their organizations. This
new expert-level certification recognizes the importance of individuals to
not only operate and diagnose networks, but design them."
The CCDE certification provides further career advancements for networking
experts in the information technology (IT) industry. Approximately 30
percent of today's CCIE community is responsible for network design each
day; however, these design experts are no longer involved in hands-on
configuration, but rather in strategic design and architecture. The CCDE
certification was created to provide IT professionals who specialize in
network design with a prestigious credential that recognizes senior-level
expertise and provides incentives for the experienced practitioner to
continue his or her professional development.
"The need for an expert-level design certification is in great demand,"
said Terry Slattery, CCIE 1026, renowned author and networking expert. "The
CCDE certification differentiates network designers from
implementation-focused professionals. It respects designers' depth of
knowledge while providing them with a clear path through their professional
development. This new certification recognizes that implementing best
practices at the design level is far more efficient than tackling network
problems after implementation."
"Certifications provide a stamp of approval that validates the quality of
our organization's employees," said Phil Norton, chairman, CEO and
president of ePlus. "The CCDE isn't about operations; it's about
recognizing the value of network designers and honoring their core skills
that provide a real value to our business and our customers."
The CCDE certification includes sophisticated, multi-vendor network design
principles, theory and analysis, as well as strategic architecture concepts
that go "beyond the network." Modeled after Cisco's existing expert-level
certification program, the CCIE program, the CCDE credential includes a
two-part exam: a qualification exam and a practical exam. The qualifying
exam, (ADVDESIGN) 352-001, is a two-hour, multiple-choice test that
assesses fundamental knowledge of networking theories, principles,
protocols and technology. The second exam, the practical exam, is an
eight-hour, practical scenario-based exam available in late 2008. The
qualification exam is now available at Pearson VUE testing facilities
worldwide.
Additional information about CCDE is available at:
www.cisco.com/go/designexpert
Training and Availability
Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco
Learning Partners and the Partner Education Connection. For complete
details on the Cisco Career Certifications program, visit:
www.cisco.com/go/certifications.
About Cisco
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.
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use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between
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Contact Information: Press Contact:
Cara Sloman
Cisco Systems, Inc.
831 440-2411
csloman@cisco.com