Cisco Enhances Expert-Level Talent-Development Program

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

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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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(1) CompTIA Research "Skills Gaps in the World’s IT Workforce: A CompTIA International Research Study" Feb. 2008

Contact Information: Press & Analyst Relations: Cara Sloman Cisco 831 440-2411 csloman@cisco.com Investor Relations: Laura Graves Cisco 408-526-6521 lagraves@cisco.com