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Cisco Enhances Expert-Level Talent-Development Program
New CCIE Training Modules, Expanded Access to Mobile Testing Facilities and Greater Employment Opportunities to Accelerate Worldwide Networking Competency
| Source: Cisco Systems, Inc.
BANGALORE, INDIA and SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - October 21, 2008) - As part of its continuing
emphasis on talent development, Cisco (NASDAQ : CSCO ) today announced
extensions and revisions to its award-winning expert level
certification program, including the availability of the new Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE® Routing and
Switching. Additional program enhancements include the launch of the
CCIE Routing and Switching mobile lab initiative, expanded access
to employment opportunities through the Cisco Learning Network, the
availability of the CCDE practical exam and revisions to the CCIE Security lab exam.
"For over a decade, CCIE certification has stood for the superior
commitment and effort required for implementation of the world's most
sophisticated networking solutions," said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, general
manager, Learning@Cisco. "As the CCIE program evolves with the industry, we
are focusing our expert-education services on today's more sophisticated
and scalable technologies, new applications and mapping capabilities within
relevant job roles that will enhance customer and partner success."
"We are also updating our testing methodologies and introducing this
comprehensive learning system to ensure ongoing program quality, relevance
and value. CCIE certification identifies Internetworking professionals with
the highest level of expertise, who are capable of tackling the most
challenging assignments in their field. With expanded access to
experiential training and testing facilities, we can serve the continued
high demand for experts by accelerating their ability to develop deep
networking competency across the globe," added Beliveau-Dunn.
Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching
The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching
prepares high-potential networking professionals to meet the challenges of
attaining the deep expertise they will need to manage sophisticated
networks as well as solve the configuration and troubleshooting scenarios
they will encounter on CCIE examinations and on the job. The Cisco 360
Learning Program is a six-month blended learning experience incorporating
advanced skills assessments, targeted learning modules and hands-on
practice labs to accelerate expert-level competency and replicate
real-world job scenarios. The Cisco 360 Learning Program, which will be
made available through select authorized Cisco Learning Partners, consists of pre-assessments, six online
classes covering topics such as IPv6, QoS, Frame Relay, Border Gateway
Protocol and switching, highly recommended instructor-led workshops,
practice labs and mentoring.
"The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching allows us to
take a wraparound approach to talent development," said Melanie Comyn,
certification-training manager, Verizon Business. "With this new program,
we have full visibility on our candidates as they progress toward achieving
the certification. It also allows us to set up a mentoring function where
prospective CCIE candidates are paired with more experienced network
experts in the organization, helping people through the challenges of
attaining this credential."
Mobile Testing Facilities
To address the need for certified networking professionals in emerging
markets, and to offer more convenient testing to those pursuing CCIE
certification, Cisco is expanding its capacity for delivering the CCIE
Routing and Switching lab exam. Through the CCIE mobile lab
initiative, Cisco will offer more candidates the ability to take the
exam in their own countries, increasing convenience and reducing the wait
time and expense associated with being tested in another country. The
initiative will begin with the CCIE Routing and Switching exam and expand
to include other certification exams in the future.
Access to Job Opportunities
Registered members of the Cisco Learning Network can now search for all
jobs posted to CareerBuilder's extensive job database without having to
leave the Cisco site. In addition to quick searches on Cisco certification
keywords such as "CCIE" or "CCNA," the portal supports generic keyword
searches with the ability to specify location and job type. The new feature
is available at the Cisco Learning Network.
CCDE Practical Exam Availability
Announced in January
2008, the CCDE recognizes that the network is the business platform
of the information age. On a par with the award-winning CCIE certification,
CCDE recognizes the growing number of networking experts who have the
in-depth knowledge that enables them to assess network business
requirements and translate those requirements into effective network
designs. The CCDE credential includes a two-part exam. Cisco today
announced that the
eight-hour, practical-scenario-based portion of the exam is now available
at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers. To schedule an exam, please
visit: http://www.vue.com/cisco
"This test is unique amongst certification exams," said Erik Ullanderson,
manager of global certifications for Learning@Cisco. "It tests a
candidate's ability to assess network business requirements and translate
them into effective network design. This practical exam helps to quantify
high-level conceptual knowledge of the network's place in the information
economy."
CCIE Security Lab Exam Update
Cisco has revised its CCIE
Security lab exam to validate the skills needed by senior security
network specialists in their job roles. In a recent poll of more than 3,500 IT managers,(1) security
was the top-rated skill needed by worldwide IT managers. Yet the gap
between current and desired skill levels in security was also the greatest.
To meet this demand, Cisco has refreshed its CCIE Security lab exam with
the latest Cisco equipment and software to mirror the job knowledge and
skills needed by security professionals. Continued emphasis has been placed
on troubleshooting to recognize the operating challenges faced by IT
departments, in addition to the challenges of configuring new gear.
CCIE Security exam blueprints are now available at
www.ciscolearningnetwork.com and the new exam is expected to be available
in April 2009.
For additional information about the Cisco career certification program,
please visit: www.cisco.com/go/learnnetspace
About Cisco Systems
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(1) CompTIA Research "Skills Gaps in the Worlds IT Workforce: A CompTIA
International Research Study" Feb. 2008