2/26/2003 -- Cisco announced yesterday several revisions to its certification program, including changes to the CCDP requirements, the launch of new security exams, retirement of some credentials and adjustments to its CCNA and CCDA recertification practices.

The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) title will eliminate one exam and replace it with another. Previous requirements mandated that candidates pass the following exams:

• CCDA, 640-861
• CCNA, 640-607
• BSCI, 640-901
• Switching, 640-604
• Remote Access exam, 640-605

Registration for the Cisco Internetwork Design (CID 640-025) exam will end May 27, 2003.

Under the new structure, candidates will need to pass these exams:

• CCNA
• CCDA, 640-861
• BSCI 640-901
• Switching 640-604
• ARCH 642-871

The newly announced ARCH exam tests on designing Cisco network architectures. A new ARCH instructor-led training course replaces the current Cisco Internetwork Design (CID) course, which will retire April 28, 2003. The company said a beta edition of the exam is currently available and will continue through April. The beta costs $50. Click here to read about the beta exam.

For those candidates who are midway through the process, Cisco will recognize Remote Access and CID exams instead of the ARCH exam until September 1, 2003. After that date, CCDP candidates will need to pass the exams in the new track.

As with its previous version of the title, the newly revamped CCDP will be recognized for three years.
According to the company, the new structure of the program explores issues and considerations for the network infrastructure, intelligent network services, and network solutions. The title is suggested for individuals who design complex enterprise network architectures, including network analysts, network consultants, and system engineers.

You can learn more here. http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/whats_new/ccdp/

Cisco has also adjusted its recertification policy for CCNAs and CCDAs. Previously, certified professionals needed to take the latest version of the exam every three years.

Now, those titleholders who pass an exam at the Professional level (CCNP or CCDP) or at the Qualified Specialist level will be considered recertified.

However, the policy only recognizes those exams with a 642 prefix.

Learn more here. http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/whats_new/recertification/

At the same time, Cisco announced the retirement of four certifications:

• Cisco Internet Solutions Specialist
• Cisco SNA/IP Design Specialist
• Cisco SNA/IP Support Specialist
• Cisco Security Specialist 1

Each is part of Cisco’s “Qualified Specialist” program, which addresses topical requirements.
Titleholders who have earned these focused certifications will remain active for two years from the time of passing the exams.
Learn more here.
Cisco also revised three security courses to encompass the newest PIX, VPN and IOS security technologies:

• Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advanced (CSPFA) 3.1, a four-day course that teaches the information and skills needed to describe, configure, verify and manage the PIX Firewall product family. New topics in this revision include new Management Center for PIX Firewalls, new Auto-Update server tool, and how to configure downloadable ACLs.
• Cisco Secure Virtual Private Networks (CSVPN) 3.1, a four-day course that teaches the information and skills needed to describe, configure, verify, and manage the Cisco VPN 3000 Concentrator, Cisco VPN Software Client, and Cisco VPN 3002 Hardware Client feature set. New topics in this revision include new client auto-initiate features and new Lan-to-Lan NAT features.
• Securing Cisco IOS Networks (SECUR) 1.0 (formerly known as MCNS), a five-day course that teaches the information and skills needed to secure Cisco IOS router networks. New topics in this revision include new Management Center for VPN Routers, expanded router lockdown features, and expanded Easy VPN phase II features.

Read more here.