Cisco networking gear can be found everywhere. Cisco networking gear can be found in almost all office environments. IT professionals who are skilled in network administration will most likely work in a Cisco environment. Cisco certifications are highly sought-after and appreciated because of this.
Cisco certifications are a validation of the knowledge and skills IT professionals need in order to manage and maintain Cisco technologies. This SPOTO certification guide explains how to earn Cisco certifications and what roles Cisco certifications can prepare you for.
What are Cisco Certifications?
Cisco offers a robust certification program to validate whether IT professionals are capable of managing, configuring, and maintaining Cisco equipment.
Cisco certifications are intended to validate the knowledge IT professionals have gained through their work experience. Network professionals learn Cisco systems, networking in the normal course of their job. Cisco certifications are a way to prove that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills for their career.
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Start training. It’s true that not all networking jobs are the same. Professionals may need to study new material for the exam. Cisco certifications are more valuable in these cases because they fill knowledge gaps and provide industry-wide expertise.
CCNA Certifications
Three Associate-level Cisco exams are available: CCNA, DevNet and CCNA CyberOps. The DevNet Associate and CCNA certifications validate the knowledge and skills that a networking professional should have in their first year. IT professionals often use their CCNA certification to increase their value as network administrators.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certified Network Associate certifications are for IT professionals who have at least one year of experience in business networks.
The CCNA certification validates a candidate’s knowledge of networking topics.
Configuring and verifying IPv4 subnetting and addressing
Interpreting the components in a routing table
Configuring L2 protocols, VLANS, LACP, and interswitch connectivity
Use of NTP, NAT and SNMP. SSH. TFTP/FTP.
Understanding the components of security programs
Automating and orchestrating tools

Requirement exam: To earn the CCNA, you must pass one exam — Implementing Cisco Solutions and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA).
Prerequisites: None.
Recommendation: Although Cisco certifications do not require any formal prerequisites, Cisco recommends that candidates who attempt the Associate-level exam have at most one year of IT experience.
DevNet Associate – Developer
The DevNet Associate – Developer certification is for IT professionals who have both networking and development skills. This is a valuable combination of skills in an IT environment.
The DevNet Associate – Developer certification validates a candidate’s knowledge of these programming topics and infrastructure.
Common data formats can be identified and used correctly
Python to call a REST API
To perform network operations, you need to create code
Dockerizing applications
Automate tasks and processes using Ansible, Puppet and Chef and Cisco NSO

Requirement exam: To earn the DevNet Associate certification, you must pass one exam — Developing Applications & Automating Workflows Using Cisco Core Platforms (200-901 DAVASC).
Prerequisites: None.
Recommendation: Although Cisco certifications do not require formal prerequisites, Cisco recommends that DevNet certified candidates have at least one year experience in IT roles and a solid grasp of the Python programming language.
CyberOps Associate
CyberOps Associate certifications are for entry-level cybersecurity professionals. CyberOps Associate is an approved certification