5/2/2007 -- Cisco this week announced that it is revamping its midlevel Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) certification, as well as adding two new specialty security certifications.

The update involves new versions of a number of required CCSP exams, as well as several new electives. The CSSP requires candidates to pass five exams total, plus hold Cisco's lower-level Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) title.

One exam is available now; the rest of the new exams will debut over the coming months.

The required exams being updated are:

• Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (642-503 SNRS): New exam already available. Previous version will retire on June 20.
• Securing Networks with PIX and ASA (642-523 SNPA): Coming June 1. Previous version scheduled to retire Oct. 13.
• Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (642-533 IPS): Debuting Sept. 4. Previous version will retire Nov. 11.

The only required CCSP exam not being revamped at this time is Securing Cisco Network Devices (642-552 SND).

There are also two new electives being added to the CCSP roster:

• Implementing Cisco NAC Appliance (642-591 CANAC): Coming May 14.
• Implementing Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (642-544 MARS): Coming July 19.

Objectives for the coming exams have not yet been released, although details on optional training are available on Cisco's Web site.

Candidates will be able to choose between the old and new exams to meet the requirement for their CCSP, as long as the exams they want to take for their credential are available at the testing centers. Cisco exams are offered at Pearson Vue and Prometric testing centers worldwide for $125 (U.S.) each.

The revamp should not affect those who already hold the CCSP, as the certifications are valid for three years.

Cisco has also added two new security specializations: Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist and Cisco IOS Security Specialist. Both specializations are now considered to be live, although one exam for the Network Control specialization will not debut until later this month.

Cisco offers a number of security specializations, which are generally based on the CSSP curriculum but require that fewer exams be passed. Depending on the combination of exams, specific titles are bestowed. For a list of all the security specialties Cisco currently offers, go here.

Cisco is also making changes to its partner-related security certifications. For more information on this, go here. -Becky Nagel