2/13/2001 -- Cisco Systems announced yesterday that it has added four new "Qualified Specialists" designations to its certification lineup.

"Our new Cisco Qualified Specialist initiative extends our program to provide employees in technical fields with the skills that are specifically applicable to their organizations," said Tom Kelly, vice president of Cisco's Internet Learning Solutions Group, in a printed statement.

The new certifications are:

• Cable Communications Specialist (1 exam) -- certifies the skills required to deploy and support Cisco cable two-way data services.
• Security Specialist 1 (4 exams) -- certifies the skills required to build and maintain Cisco security solutions.
• SNA/IP Support Specialist (2 exams) -- certifies the skills required for installing, configuring, implementing and troubleshooting Cisco products in SNA environments.
• SNA/IP Design Specialist (1 exam) -- certifies the skills required to translate complex networking requirements into a network design.

According to Cisco, the new Security Specialist and SNA/IP Specialist designations replace the former CCNP and CCDP Specializations. Cisco said it would be coming out with even more Specialist titles in the upcoming months.

Each of the certifications above are now available. However, before sitting for any of these exams, candidates must be a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA), depending on the specialty chosen.

The designations are valid for two years; after that, individuals must recertify by taking the current exams.

For more information on this new program and Cisco certification in general, click here. -B.N.