CCNA Security

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security) validates associate-level knowledge and skills required to secure Cisco networks. With a CCNA Security certification, a network professional demonstrates the skills required to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats. The CCNA Security curriculum emphasizes core security technologies, the installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of data and devices, and competency in the technologies that Cisco uses in its security structure.

Prerequisites

Any valid Cisco CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching, or any CCIE certification can act as a prerequisite.

Exams & Recommended Training

For a complete list of available network security training, visit the Security Training page.

The best way to prepare for this certification is to take the Cisco-approved training:

Implementing Cisco Network Security (IINS)

The course focuses on security principles and technologies, using Cisco security products to provide hands-on examples. Using instructor-led discussions, extensive hands-on lab exercises, and supplemental materials, this course allows learners to understand common security concepts, and deploy basic security techniques utilizing a variety of popular security appliances within a "real-life" network infrastructure.

CCNA Security certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:

• Pass any current Associate-level exam except for ICND1 exam or
• Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
• Pass any current 642-XXX Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams or MeetingPlace Specialist exams, Implementing Cisco TelePresence Installations (ITI) exams, Cisco Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction exams, or any 650 online exams), or
• Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
• Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
• Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications

When using a higher level of certification to extend other certifications, the expiration date of other certifications will extend to the expiration date of the higher certification (i.e.: If you have one year left on your CCNA Security certification and you earn a CCIE certification (which has a two-year certification life) then both your CCIE certification and your CCNA Security certification will expire two years from the date you achieved the CCIE certification).

CNSS 4011 Recognition

The US National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) recognizes that the Cisco CCNA Security certification courseware meets the CNSS 4011 training standard.

DoD 8570 Recognition

The United States Department of Defense has certified the Cisco CCNA Security, Cisco CCNP Security, and Cisco Cybersecurity Specialist (SCYBER) Certifications as DoD 8570.01-M compliant.