Keith Barker
Networking & Network Security
Standardize your network team on Cisco
Cisco Certification Training & Courses for IT Teams
From CCST through CCIE, every Cisco certification path comes with structured training, virtual IOS labs, and team admin reporting. Build a Cisco-fluent network team — and prove the capability coverage your auditors and leadership ask for.
10
Certifications
6
Role paths
3
Levels
Cisco-credentialed team
Built for teams that need to prove Cisco coverage to auditors and leadership.
CertificationsCisco10 certs · Entry to Professional
Spotlight
Most popular Cisco certifications
6 certificationsThe Cisco certifications IT directors most often standardize their teams on. Each one comes with blueprint-weighted practice exams included, and the CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, and CCST paths include hands-on IOS labs.
CCNA
AssociateLabsPractice200-301
Network fundamentalsNetwork accessIP connectivity
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification validates a professional's ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks. It is ideal for network engineers, network administrators, and support technicians looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in networking.
Exam investment: 300 USD
CCNP Enterprise
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-401 ENCOR, 300-410 ENARSI, 300-415 ENSDWI, 300-420 ENSLD, 300-435 ENAUTO, 300-440 ENCC, and 300-445 ENNA
Network DesignNetwork SecurityNetwork Protocols
The CCNP Enterprise certification validates the skills and knowledge of network engineers to design, deploy, and manage complex enterprise networks, including infrastructure, routing, and security. It is ideal for network engineers, network administrators, and other IT professionals who want to advance their careers in enterprise networking. For this certification you will need to take the core exam, ENCOR, and then one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $400 USD
CCNP Security
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-701 SCOR, 300-710 SNCF, and 300-715 SISE
Network security design and implementationThreat detection and mitigationNetwork infrastructure security
The CCNP Security certification validates the skills required to secure and manage network infrastructure, and to respond to security threats. It is ideal for network security engineers, security analysts, and other security professionals who want to advance their careers. In order to obtain this certification you will need to pass the core exam, 350-701 SCOR, as well as one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $400 for SCOR, $300 for SNCF and SISE
CCNP Datacenter
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-601 DCCOR, 300-610 DCID, and 300-615 DCIT
Data center designData center securityData center virtualization
The CCNP Datacenter certification validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in designing, implementing, and managing modern data center infrastructure. It is ideal for data center architects, engineers, and network administrators who want to demonstrate their expertise in data center design, security, and management. This certification is designed for professionals who want to advance their careers in data center management and architecture. For this certification you will need to take the core exam, DCCOR, and then one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $300 USD
CCNA Cybersecurity
AssociateLabsPractice200-201 CCNACBR
Security monitoringNetwork intrusion analysisSecurity policies and procedures
The CCNA Cybersecurity certification validates the skills and knowledge required to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats, and is ideal for security analysts, incident responders, and security engineers who want to demonstrate their skills in threat detection, analysis, and response.
Exam investment: 300 USD
CCST Networking
EntryLabsPractice100-150
Networking fundamentalsIP addressingNetwork security basics
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking certification validates foundational networking knowledge and skills, making it ideal for individuals starting a career in IT or seeking to enhance their networking capabilities. It covers basic networking concepts, including network access, IP connectivity, and IP services.
Exam investment: USD 125
2
Entry3
Associate5
Professional2
Entry3
Associate5
ProfessionalEntry Level
1 certificationCCST Cybersecurity
EntryLabsPractice100-160
Network securityThreat intelligenceIncident response
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification is designed to validate foundational skills in cybersecurity. It is ideal for individuals starting their careers in cybersecurity or those looking to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals. The certification covers essential topics such as security principles, network security, and endpoint security.
Exam investment: USD 125
Associate Level
1 certificationCCNA Automation
AssociateLabsPractice200-901 CCNAAUTO
Software DevelopmentAPIsCisco Platforms
The CCNA Automation certification validates the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain applications built on Cisco platforms. It is ideal for software developers, network engineers, and IT professionals who want to enhance their skills in network automation and programmability.
Exam investment: $300 USD
Professional Level
2 certificationsCCNP Service Provider
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-501 SPCOR, 300-510 SPRI
Service provider network infrastructureMPLS VPNsIP NGN architecture
The CCNP Service Provider certification validates the skills and knowledge of service provider network engineers to configure, implement, and troubleshoot complex service provider network infrastructures. It is ideal for network engineers, network architects, and network administrators who want to advance their careers in the service provider industry. For this certification you need to take the core exam, SPCOR, and the one of the concentration exams.
Exam investment: $400 USD
CCNP Automation
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-901 AUTOCOR, 300-435 ENAUTO
Network programmabilityAPIs and data modelsAutomation and orchestration
The Cisco DevNet Professional certification validates the skills of developers and network engineers who develop and manage network applications, and automate network infrastructure. This certification is ideal for professionals who want to develop and deploy applications on Cisco platforms. To earn this certification you will need to pass the core exam, 350-901 DEVCOR, as well as one of the concentration exams.
Exam investment: Core exam: $400, Concentration exam: $300
Customer outcome
Cisco capability your team can prove on the job
Customer leaders describe Cisco training value in operational terms — faster troubleshooting, clearer onboarding, and a defensible view of who's ready to own which part of the network. That's the outcome leadership cares about, not seat-time or completion percentages.
Operational outcomes
Reported by IT leaders running Cisco environments
Role-based paths
Cisco certifications by IT job role
Match Cisco certs to the actual roles your team holds. Each path bundles the right certs plus the operational depth engineers need day-to-day.
Cisco certs for Network Engineers & Architects
3 certificationsThe routing, switching, SD-WAN, and architecture certs your network team should hold. CCNA establishes the team's shared baseline; CCNP Enterprise proves senior capability for design and operations.
CCNA
AssociateLabsPractice200-301
Network fundamentalsNetwork accessIP connectivity
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification validates a professional's ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks. It is ideal for network engineers, network administrators, and support technicians looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in networking.
Exam investment: 300 USD
CCNP Enterprise
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-401 ENCOR, 300-410 ENARSI, 300-415 ENSDWI, 300-420 ENSLD, 300-435 ENAUTO, 300-440 ENCC, and 300-445 ENNA
Network DesignNetwork SecurityNetwork Protocols
The CCNP Enterprise certification validates the skills and knowledge of network engineers to design, deploy, and manage complex enterprise networks, including infrastructure, routing, and security. It is ideal for network engineers, network administrators, and other IT professionals who want to advance their careers in enterprise networking. For this certification you will need to take the core exam, ENCOR, and then one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $400 USD
CCST Networking
EntryLabsPractice100-150
Networking fundamentalsIP addressingNetwork security basics
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking certification validates foundational networking knowledge and skills, making it ideal for individuals starting a career in IT or seeking to enhance their networking capabilities. It covers basic networking concepts, including network access, IP connectivity, and IP services.
Exam investment: USD 125
Cisco certs for Security Engineers & SOC analysts
3 certificationsDefend the Cisco-firewall stack with CCNP Security and the CyberOps-aligned CCNA Cybersecurity. Pairs with the CCST Cybersecurity on-ramp for new SOC hires.
CCST Cybersecurity
EntryLabsPractice100-160
Network securityThreat intelligenceIncident response
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification is designed to validate foundational skills in cybersecurity. It is ideal for individuals starting their careers in cybersecurity or those looking to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals. The certification covers essential topics such as security principles, network security, and endpoint security.
Exam investment: USD 125
CCNA Cybersecurity
AssociateLabsPractice200-201 CCNACBR
Security monitoringNetwork intrusion analysisSecurity policies and procedures
The CCNA Cybersecurity certification validates the skills and knowledge required to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats, and is ideal for security analysts, incident responders, and security engineers who want to demonstrate their skills in threat detection, analysis, and response.
Exam investment: 300 USD
CCNP Security
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-701 SCOR, 300-710 SNCF, and 300-715 SISE
Network security design and implementationThreat detection and mitigationNetwork infrastructure security
The CCNP Security certification validates the skills required to secure and manage network infrastructure, and to respond to security threats. It is ideal for network security engineers, security analysts, and other security professionals who want to advance their careers. In order to obtain this certification you will need to pass the core exam, 350-701 SCOR, as well as one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $400 for SCOR, $300 for SNCF and SISE
Cisco certs for Data Center & Virtualization Engineers
1 certificationUCS, ACI, Nexus, and storage capability for teams operating Cisco data-center infrastructure. CCNP Datacenter is the professional-level baseline.
CCNP Datacenter
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-601 DCCOR, 300-610 DCID, and 300-615 DCIT
Data center designData center securityData center virtualization
The CCNP Datacenter certification validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in designing, implementing, and managing modern data center infrastructure. It is ideal for data center architects, engineers, and network administrators who want to demonstrate their expertise in data center design, security, and management. This certification is designed for professionals who want to advance their careers in data center management and architecture. For this certification you will need to take the core exam, DCCOR, and then one concentration exam.
Exam investment: $300 USD
Cisco certs for Automation & NetDevOps Engineers
1 certificationBring NetDevOps practices to the network team. CCNA Automation and DevNet Professional cover Python, APIs, and infrastructure-as-code on Cisco platforms.
CCNA Automation
AssociateLabsPractice200-901 CCNAAUTO
Software DevelopmentAPIsCisco Platforms
The CCNA Automation certification validates the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain applications built on Cisco platforms. It is ideal for software developers, network engineers, and IT professionals who want to enhance their skills in network automation and programmability.
Exam investment: $300 USD
Cisco certs for Service Provider Network teams
1 certificationFor teams operating service-provider networks: SPCOR core plus advanced routing and automation specializations.
CCNP Service Provider
ProfessionalLabsPractice350-501 SPCOR, 300-510 SPRI
Service provider network infrastructureMPLS VPNsIP NGN architecture
The CCNP Service Provider certification validates the skills and knowledge of service provider network engineers to configure, implement, and troubleshoot complex service provider network infrastructures. It is ideal for network engineers, network architects, and network administrators who want to advance their careers in the service provider industry. For this certification you need to take the core exam, SPCOR, and the one of the concentration exams.
Exam investment: $400 USD
Hands-on Cisco practice
Human-led training is the point: engineers practice real skills with expert guidance, not just video playback.
Why CBT Nuggets
How CBT Nuggets is different for Cisco teams
The platform features IT directors comparing training platforms ask about most often.
Practitioner-led
Cisco training your team learns from
Built and taught by engineers who have spent decades running production Cisco infrastructure — not crowd-sourced contributors.
Jeff Kish
Data Center & Network Design
Lalo Nunez
Cisco Collaboration & Microsoft Teams Administration
Team outcome
Operational readiness for critical roles
Structured networking and infrastructure paths give teams a shared baseline before outages, migrations, and escalations test them.
Best fit for: leaders reducing single points of failure across network, cloud, security, and systems administration responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions about Cisco training
Common questions IT directors ask when evaluating Cisco training for their team.
Which Cisco certification should our team start with?
It depends on the team's current operating environment. For greenfield network teams or new hires, the CCNA is the right baseline — routing, switching, security fundamentals, and automation in one cert. CCNA-holders moving into specialized roles should pick a CCNP track that matches what your network actually runs (Enterprise for routed/switched campuses, Security for Cisco-firewall shops, Datacenter for UCS/ACI environments). Teams hiring brand-new technicians often start with CCST Networking or CCST Cybersecurity as an on-ramp.
How do you measure ROI on Cisco training for a team?
The metrics that matter aren't seat-time or completion percentages — they're operational. For Cisco teams, start with mean time to resolve, onboarding time for new network hires, incident volume, and certification coverage by role. CBT Nuggets gives managers the reporting surface to track completion and capability coverage while the training itself keeps engineers moving through the right Cisco path.
How does CBT Nuggets handle Cisco cert refreshes for a team?
Cisco certifications expire after 3 years. CBT Nuggets helps managers keep refresh work organized through assigned training paths, progress visibility, and updated Cisco catalog content as tracks change. When Cisco renames or restructures a track (DevNet → CCNP Automation, for example), updated courses stay aligned with the same team training plan.
Does this work for compliance training programs?
Yes. Team reporting helps managers document assigned training, completion, and certification coverage for internal governance or audit conversations. Teams in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, government) pair Cisco training paths with the broader CBT Nuggets platform features designed for team visibility, access control, and reporting.
Cisco renamed DevNet — is the training still current for our team?
Cisco aligned the DevNet tracks with automation terminology — DevNet Associate is now CCNA Automation, DevNet Professional is the CCNP Automation track. CBT Nuggets updates Cisco course titles and paths as the catalog changes, so manager-assigned training stays aligned with the language vendors and exam materials use.
Is the CCNA still relevant for IT teams in 2026?
Yes. The CCNA remains the most widely recognized entry-level networking certification and is updated regularly to include modern topics (network automation, security fundamentals, programmability). For most IT teams it's the baseline every network engineer should hold — it gives the team a shared technical vocabulary, proves capability to leadership and auditors, and is the prerequisite for the specialized CCNP tracks where your senior bench will live.
Can our team learn Cisco without prior IT experience?
Yes. The CCST tracks (Networking and Cybersecurity) are designed as on-ramps for new hires moving into network or security roles. After CCST, the natural progression is CCNA. Each course pairs expert-led video with hands-on virtual labs, so engineers can apply concepts immediately rather than just watching playback. Most teams budget 4–6 months from a cold start to CCNA pass.