A Quick Guide to Cisco’s CCIE Certifications
Explore Cisco's CCIE certifications, the organization's top-tier credentials. Learn what it takes to earn one of these certifications and relevant IT jobs you can pursue.
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Established by Cisco Systems, CCIE certifications are globally recognized credentials showcasing your mastery of Cisco products and solutions. With benefits ranging from increased career opportunities and salary potential to enhanced credibility and marketability in the IT industry, CCIE certifications offer professionals a pathway to advance their careers and stand out in a competitive job market.
What is a CCIE certification?
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications are the top credentials offered by Cisco Systems. To earn one of these certifications, you must pass two exams to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting Cisco-based networks. The first is a written exam with 90 to 110 multiple-choice questions presenting various scenarios you might encounter when working with Cisco networks. The second exam is a lab exam that assesses your practical skills.
Available tracks in CCIE certification
Cisco offers seven tracks in the CCIE certification program, covering topics ranging from network infrastructure to wireless networking.
| Track | What it validates | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Certified Design Expert | Business strategy design Control, data, management plane, and operational design Network design Service design Security design | Network architects Network design engineers Service provider network design engineers Solutions architects |
| Collaboration | Infrastructure and design Protocols, codecs, and endpoints Cisco IOS XW gateway and media resources Call control QoS Collaboration applications | Collaboration architects Unified communications engineers Voice and video managers |
| Data center | Network Compute Storage network Automation Security | Cloud network engineers Data center automation engineers Data center engineers Data center network architects Data security engineers |
| Enterprise infrastructure | Architecture Virtualization Infrastructure Network assurance Security Automation | Enterprise network engineers Network architects Network managers Network security engineers Wireless network specialists |
| Enterprise wireless | Architecture Virtualization Infrastructure Network assurance Security Automation | Technical sales personnel Wireless network architects Wireless network engineers Wireless security specialists |
| Security | Security concepts Network security Securing the cloud Content security Endpoint protection and detection Secure network access, visibility, and enforcement | Network security architects Penetration testers Security analysts Security engineers |
| Service provider | Architecture Networking MPLS and segment routing Services Automation and assurance | IP engineers Network engineers Service provider network architects Service provider network engineers Technical sales personnel |
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
One of Cisco's more popular credentials, the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification assesses your expert-level skills in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting complex wired and wireless networks for enterprises. Topics assessed on the qualifying exams include routing protocols, switching technologies, network automation, security fundamentals, network troubleshooting, and more. The test measures your knowledge of complex network technologies as well as how you apply this knowledge in practical settings (demonstrated through your work on the lab exam).
Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR) and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v.1.1.
Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1600-$1900 for the lab exam [1, 2]
Related jobs:
Enterprise network engineer: $118,602 [3]
Network architect: $114,223 [4]
Network manager: $107,576 [5]
Network security engineer: $107,811 [6]
Wireless network specialist: $84,389 [7]
CCIE Enterprise Wireless
The CCIE Enterprise Wireless certification validates your expertise in managing the entire lifecycle of wireless LAN networks for enterprise environments—from implementation to troubleshooting. Earning this credential involves passing a written exam and a hands-on lab demonstrating your ability to optimize Wi-Fi performance, mitigate interference, and ensure a reliable and secure wireless experience for enterprise users.
Requirements: Implementing and Operating the Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies exam (350-401 ENCOR) and CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.0.
Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [1, 2]
Related jobs:
Technical sales personnel: $95,389 [8]
Wireless network architect: $127,832 [9]
Wireless network engineer: $103,581 [10]
Wireless security specialist: $62,257 [11]
CCIE Collaboration
The CCIE Collaboration certification allows you to show your expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining collaboration solutions like voice, video, and unified communications within an enterprise network. You'll need to successfully pass an exam to demonstrate your ability to troubleshoot complex collaboration issues, ensure seamless communication, and integrate these solutions within an existing enterprise IT infrastructure. As of April 22, 2024, candidates will take the updated version of the CLCOR exam [12]
Requirements: Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (350-801 CLCOR v1.1 and CCIE Collaboration Practical Exam v3.1
Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [2, 12]
Related jobs:
Collaboration analyst: $75,320 [14]
Telecom engineer: $101,049 [15]
Network engineer: $101,751 [16]
Network architect: $114,223 [4]
Collaboration engineer: $97,768 [17]
CCIE Data Center
IT professionals who want to design and manage modern data centers may pursue the CCIE Data Center certification. In doing so, you validate your ability to work with the entire data center network, from physical architecture and network overlays to integrating AI and automation tools. Topics on the qualifying exam include the application of routing and switching protocols, the implementation of infrastructure monitoring, NFS and NAS concepts, and automation technologies.
Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (350-601 DCCOR) and CCIE Data Center v3.0 lab exam
Cost (US): $400 for the qualifying exam and $1,600 to $1,900 for the lab exam [2, 18]
Related jobs:
Cloud network engineer: $124.413 [19]
Data center automation engineer: $101,062 [20]
Data center engineer: $89,547 [21]
Network architect: $114,223 [22]
Data security engineer: $119,461 [23]
CCIE Security
The CCIE Security certification demonstrates your mastery of working with comprehensive security solutions for complex enterprise networks. It assesses your understanding of security concepts, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, and network, cloud, and content security. Specifically, you should be able to explain common threats and vulnerabilities, configure security methods for network infrastructure, deploy network security solution models, and more to pass the required tests.
Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701) and CCIE Security v6.0 lab exam
Related jobs:
Network security architect: $128,787 [25]
Penetration tester: $103,986 [26]
Security analyst: $108,687 [27]
Security engineer: $124,200 [28]
CCIE Service Provider
Earning the CCIE Service Provider certification proves you have the knowledge and expertise to deploy, operate, and optimize solutions for service provider networks. It validates your mastery of core routing protocols, network assurance and automation, and network resiliency. The exam assesses topics like implementing MPLS, segment routing, VPN services, and more.
Requirements: Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies (350-501 SPCOR) and CCIE Service Provider v5.1
Related jobs:
IP engineer: $95,349 [30]
Service provider network architect: $114,223 [31]
Network engineer: $101,751 [16]
Technical sales personnel: $95,389 [32]
Benefits to being CCIE certified
Earning a CCIE certification is a professional milestone, demonstrating your knowledge and expertise working with Cisco networks. Cisco is an IT industry leader and a top supplier of network infrastructure and wireless network solutions. With this certification, you may improve your job prospects and salary, potentially positioning yourself for a promotion. As a bonus, your CCIE certification gives you direct access to more experienced technical support engineers when you need help in the field and contact Cisco Technical Support.
Training options: How to prepare for CCIE
To prepare for a CCIE exam, you can use official Cisco training resources, which include in-person and online preparation classes. Through Cisco U, you can take advantage of self-paced learning options and enjoy community support from others preparing for or completing the certification exam. Cisco also has private group sessions available, and you can access them online or have a trainer visit your office for instructor-led training.
Getting started with Coursera
Earning one of Cisco's CCIE certifications demonstrates your mastery of designing, installing, and securing Cisco network solutions. These globally recognized credentials can lead to promotions and raises as you work through your IT career.
Although Cisco's CCIE certifications are targeted toward experienced IT professionals, you can begin building your knowledge of networking principles through courses like Basics of Cisco Networking from LearnQuest, available on Coursera. The course covers basic network components, Cisco router interface configurations, and network monitoring. You can also consider Cisco's Network Security course to learn more about network infrastructure and tools for security monitoring.
Article sources
Cisco. "350-401 Encor, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/exams/current-list/encor-350-401.html." Accessed April 18, 2024.
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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.