6/17/2003 -- Cisco Systems announced today two new security-related training courses: Designing VPN Security (DVS 1.0) and Designing Perimeter Security (DPS 1.0).

Rick Stiffler, senior manager of advanced technology training at Cisco, said that this is the first time Cisco has offered security classes focused on design skills. "What we have found through our customers is that they need more in-depth training on the ramifications of deploying PIX [in various configurations]," he explained, "so we're basically responding to the customer demand for better understanding of the deployment of these products.

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"Now [students] can see different designs...[what will happen, for example] when you but the firewall in series with the VPN or in parallel."

According to Stiffler, although the company currently offers several security-related credentials, there's no certification that corresponds directly to these courses -- yet. "We're looking at the need for a design certification for security," he said. He offered no timeline for when a decision might be made about such a credential, or details on what form any certification might take.

Stiffler said that the company's security-related certifications are doing very well, as are the company's Specialist certifications. "We still see security [CCSP] as our fastest growing certification...it's really gained the acceptance of the industry," he commented.

"We've seen a 88 percent growth in our focus [a.k.a. Specialist] certifications -- they're really meeting our customers needs to get advanced training and skills on our more advanced technologies out there," he continued. "I think there will be more coming out...Cisco has a whole list of advanced technologies that we're focusing on, and we're looking [at] additional areas."

For more information on the new security design courses, go here and scroll down to the "Additional Courses" section on that page. -Becky Nagel