How to Become a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert - Security (CCIE Security)

Become a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert - Security (CCIE Security)

Member

By Patti Winters
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(1 Ratings)

Cisco network certifications are some of the most sought after IT (Information Technology) certifications. There are four levels of Cisco certifications (Entry, Associate, Professional, and Expert) to enhance your professional credentials. Specialist certifications are also offered to verify focused knowledge in many topics.

According to Cisco, "CCIE Security certifies expertise with specific security protocols and components, as well as IP and IP routing."

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

PREREQUISITES - There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required.
Step 2

TRAINING FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM - No formal training requirement exists for CCIE Security certification.
Step 3

REVIEW AND PRACTICE OPTIONS FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM - Training options to help you prepare for the written exam are available below in the Additional Resources Links #1 & #2.
Step 4

TAKE THE WRITTEN EXAM - Once you are ready to take your exams you can register through the Additional Resources Link #3 [below]. You will be required to take CCIE Security Written - 350-018 CCIE Security Exam. It is a 2 hour test with 90-110 questions. Once you pass this qualification (written) exam, you are them eligible to schedule the lab exam.
Step 5

TRAINING FOR THE LAB EXAM - No formal training requirement exists for CCIE Security certification.
Step 6

REVIEW AND PRACTICE OPTIONS FOR THE LAB EXAM - Training options to help you prepare for the written exam are available below in the Additional Resources Links #4 & #5.
Step 7

TAKE THE LAB EXAM - Once you have passed your written exam, you are qualified to schedule your lab exam. The CCIE lab exam is an eight-hour, hands-on exam which requires you to configure a series of secure networks to given specifications. Knowledge of troubleshooting is an important skill and candidates are expected to diagnose and solve issues as part of the CCIE lab exam. You can register through the Additional Resources Link #6 [below].
Step 8

RECERTIFICATION - CCIEs Are Required to Recertify Every Two Years. Active CCIE status shows your commitment to maintaining expert-level knowledge in an industry critical to the success of virtually every organization. CCIEs are encouraged to continually expand their technical knowledge and are required to pass a recertification exam every two years. If you do not complete your recertification before the deadlines, your CCIE certification will be suspended and you and your employer will lose the benefits associated with your expert status. You have one year to reinstate your CCIE status before you becomes inactive and must begin the certification process all over again.