10/9/2000 -- Cisco Systems recently announced the recertification policy for its career certifications, including the CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, and CCDP. Under the new guidelines, these certificates are now valid for three years. The CCIE and career specializations, including security, voice access, network management, SNA/IP network management, LAN ATM, and SNA/IP integration, are valid for two years.

At the same time, the company publicly stated that the count of its certified professionals has reached the 100,000 mark. The company didn’t provide a breakdown of the count by titles.

The first set of professional and associate Cisco Career Certifications expires on September 5, 2001, giving certified network professionals a minimum of one year to prepare, register, and pass the required recertification exam. Alternatively, certifying at a more advanced level also recertifies an individual's existing certifications.

"Our commitment to continue to provide world-class customer service is dependent on our ability to make sure our certified professionals are well-trained on the latest networking technology," said Tom Kelly, vice president of worldwide training. "In today's fast-paced Internet economy recertification is a tangible indication, to both IT professionals and the organizations that employ them, that our career certification holders are current on the latest technology trends."

Cisco uses its password-protected Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System database, available at www.cisco.com/go/certifications to notify certified professionals about expiring certificates. The company encourages certified professionals to keep contact details updated. –- TCPmag.com