6/24/2008 -- On Tuesday Cisco Systems announced three new specialties -- Security, Voice and Wireless -- that can be added on to its popular entry-level certification, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

Each of the specialties, which Cisco calls concentrations, requires CCNAs to pass one additional exam. The Security (640-553) and Voice (640-460) exams are now live at Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide for $250 each -- the same price as the standard CCNA exam. The Wireless (640-721) exam will debut July 26.

In an interview today, Senior Manager of Learning Product Development Christine Yoshida explained that Cisco created these concentrations based on a survey of 1,500 hiring managers around the word. Yoshida said that the data showed that employers -- especially those in "emerging" countries -- are looking for specialized employees earlier in their careers, and that these areas are the most sough-after specializations by those employers. "We really validated the need for [these certifications] with that survey," she commented.

According to Yoshida, the concentration exams will also play a larger role for those moving up the Cisco certification ladder. For example, the CCNA Security concentration will become a prerequisite for the company's mid-level Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) title once the CCSP's Securing Cisco Network Devices (642-552) exam retires in November. Also, the CCNA Voice concentration will become required for the Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) in June 2009.

While Cisco does not currently have a higher-level Wireless track, Yoshida said the CCNA Wireless may become a prerequisite one if and when the company creates it.

CCNAs can earn multiple concentrations, if desired. Renewing a CCNA concentration will require taking any concentration exam, or any Cisco professional or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) written exam. Becky Nagel