11/20/2002 -- Yesterday, Cisco Systems launched four new security-related certifications: one professional level and three specialty.

The new professional title, called Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), requires candidates to hold the company's lower-level CCNA then pass five exams. "This new CCSP certification prepares an individual for a career in the IT security market while focused certifications concentrate on the needs of individuals who want to pursue skills in specific areas of network security," Cisco said.

The three specialty designations are: Cisco Firewall Specialist, Cisco VPN Specialist and Cisco IDS Specialist. To earn these, candidates must hold a CCNA then pass Cisco's 640-100 Managing Cisco Security exam plus one specialty exam.

Once earned, the CCSP title is valid for three years; the specialty titles for two.

With the introduction of these new titles, Cisco has decided to retire its current security specialty, Cisco Security Specialist 1. Although no one will be able to earn the title after February 28, 2003, those who hold it will remain certified for two years from the date of achievement, Cisco said. The company also announced that until Sept. 2003, it will allow current CSS1 holders to upgrade to the CCSP certification by taking just one exam, the new Cisco SAFE Implementation (9EO-131).

"Candidates with Cisco Security Specialist 1 certification have already demonstrated their knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and virtual private networks. Therefore, if they maintain their CCNA status and pass this additional exam, they can become a Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)," it explained in an e-mail] sent to program candidates Tuesday.

More information about the new security certifications can be found here. -B.N.