| You don't need me to tell you that security | | | | Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) exam.In |
| is the #1 concern in today's networks. With | | | | October 2005, the final exam is scheduled to |
| that in mind, your career path must include | | | | change from a VPN exam (CSVPN, Cisco Secure |
| some security certifications, or you will be | | | | Virtual Private Networks) to Securing Hosts |
| left behind.Cisco's Cisco Certified Security | | | | Using Cisco Security Agent (HIPS). If you're |
| Professional (CCSP) certification demands a | | | | just getting started on the CCSP track, |
| candidate be well-rounded and well-versed in | | | | you'll be taking the HIPS exam. (Insert your |
| Cisco security measures. Besides the | | | | own joke here.)The CCSP is valid for three |
| difficultly we've all come to expect from a | | | | years; to recertify, you'll need to pass the |
| Cisco exam, this five-exam path covers every | | | | 642-541 CSI exam or any CCIE written exam. As |
| major aspect of network security (from | | | | always, this is subject to change, and you |
| Cisco's viewpoint, anyway!)You must hold a | | | | should bookmark Cisco's Learning page (found |
| valid CCNA certification to earn your CCSP. | | | | off the main Cisco webpage) to make sure |
| | | | you're aware of the latest changes to Cisco |
| Typically, the first exam CCSP candidates | | | | certification and recertification |
| take is Securing Networks With Cisco Routers | | | | requirements.Not only must you know how to |
| An Switches (SNRS), followed by Securing | | | | secure your network, you also need to secure |
| Cisco Network Devices (SND). After you've | | | | your current job and the possibilities for |
| nailed these two exams, which obviously focus | | | | your future. By pursuing and obtaining the |
| on devices more familiar to CCNAs and CCNPs, | | | | CCSP, you will do all three at once.Chris |
| you'll be faced with three exams that are | | | | Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The |
| more specific to Cisco security devices.Your | | | | Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP |
| PIX knowledge will be tested with the | | | | tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, |
| Securing Networks With PIX and ASA (SNPA) | | | | and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. |
| exam, followed by the Implementing Cisco | | | | |