Security is a hot subject in today's networks, and will continue to be for a long period of time to come. With that in mind, you need to consider including a Cisco security accreditation to your resume and firewall skills to your capability.

It's rather a dive from the CCNA to the CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Expert), and Cisco has actually made more info that leap more manageable by adding Professional accreditations. These certifications can offer rather a boost to both your resume and your capability, and function as a fantastic "stepping stone" to the CCSP.

At present, Cisco uses four VPN/Security accreditations, those being Cisco Firewall Program Specialist, Cisco IPS Professional, Cisco VPN Specialist, and Cisco VPN/Security Sales Specialist. Because every WAN engineer has contact with Cisco firewalls on a regular basis, we'll take a closer look at this popular certification initially. (And those who wish to be WAN engineers had better find out something about firewall softwares, too!).

At the writing of this post (October 21, 2005), Cisco is offering an alternative for each of the two tests you'll require to pass to earn this certification. For the first examination, you can take either the 642-551 SND (Securing Cisco Network Devices) or 642-501 SECUR (Securing Cisco IOS Networks). The final day to sign up for the SECUR test is December 19, 2005.

For either, you'll require to be able to respond to questions relating to the proper usage of Cisco security devices; how to configure security on a Cisco switch and on a router, consisting of syslog logging, AAA, ACLs, and security for router services and user interfaces.

The options for the second examination are the 642-522 SNPA (Protecting Network with PIX and ASA) and 642-521 CSPFA. Subjects for these examinations consist of, IPSec, NAT, firewall softwares, AAA, and policy mapping. (As constantly, you should check for the current test blueprints at Cisco's site. Click "Learning And Occasions" on the primary page, www.cisco.com).

The only requirement for this accreditation is that you must hold a legitimate CCNA accreditation.

As always, getting some hands-on experience is the very best way to prepare for your Cisco exams. (Your employer is going to get a little upset if you practice your configs on his or her PIX. It would be a good idea to have a great lawyer, too.) There are online rack rental services that consist of Cisco security gadgets in their pods.

Cisco accreditations are a fantastic method to assist secure your profession as well as your network. The more you understand, and the more diverse your abilities, the better you are to your present and future companies. Utilize your CCNA as a structure, and keep building on your skills!