About CCNP Security

The Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) is a professional-level certification. Credential holders possess the skills necessary to manage and maintain security in network devices and appliances, such as routers and switches. CCNP Security professionals are qualified to recommend and choose networking solutions for firewalls, VPNs, and IDSs/IPSs, as well as deploy, support, and maintain such solutions.

Certification Update Announcement

On February 28, 2012, Cisco announced a major update to the Cisco CCNP Security certification. The goal is to deliver job-ready training designed to provide the most up-to-date information on new security products and best practices to meet evolving threats and compliance requirements.

New topics that are included in the updated training include Cisco ASA adaptive security appliance version 8.3 and 8.4 software, Cisco AnyConnect(TM) 3.0 and traditional IPsec clients, EtherChannel and the latest firewall features.

CCNP Security courses and exams have been updated to include 642-648 Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN v2.0) as well as 642-618 Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL v2.0).

• Prerequisite Certification: Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security) or Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) plus Securing Cisco Network Devices (SND) exam pass (retired in November 2008)
• Recommended Years of Experience/Knowledge: 2 to 4 years

Test Track

Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL v2.0) 642-618
     • Exam cost: $200 USD (or worldwide equivalent)
     • Exam overview from cisco.com
     • Exam Profile from Pearson IT Certification
     • Update video from the Cisco Learning Network

Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System v7.0 (IPS v7.0) 642-627
     • Exam cost: $150 USD (or worldwide equivalent)
     • Exam overview from cisco.com
     • Exam Profile from Pearson IT Certification

Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (SECURE) v1.0 642-637
     • Exam cost: $200 USD (or worldwide equivalent)
     • Exam overview from cisco.com
     • Exam Profile from Pearson IT Certification

Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN v2.0) 642-648
     • Exam cost: $200 USD (or worldwide equivalent)
     • Exam overview from cisco.com
     • Exam Profile from Pearson IT Certification
     • Update video from the Cisco Learning Network

Recertification

Cisco professional-level certifications (CCDP, CCNP, CCSP, CCIP, CCVP, CCNP Security, CCNP SP Operations, CCNP Wireless) are valid for three years. To recertify, pass any 642-XXX exam that is part of the professional-level curriculum, or any CCIE lab or written exam, or the CCDE Written or Practical exam, or the Architect interview AND the Architect board review, before the certification expiration date.

CCNP Security Official Training and Self-Study

Candidates can prepare for the CCNP Security exams by taking a course from an Official Cisco Training Partner. Find a training course.

Self-Study Resources from Cisco Press

CCNP Security FIREWALL 642-618
• CCNP Security FIREWALL 642-618 Official Cert Guide—print
• CCNP Security FIREWALL 642-618 Official Cert Guide Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test—eBook and practice test
• CCNP Security FIREWALL 642-618 Quick Reference—eBook

CCNP Security IPS 642-627
• CCNP Security IPS 642-627 Official Cert Guide—print
• CCNP Security IPS 642-627 Official Cert Guide Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test—eBook and practice test
• CCNP Security IPS 642-627 Quick Reference—eBook only

CCNP Security SECURE 642-637
• CCNP Security SECURE 642-637 Official Cert Guide—print
• CCNP Security SECURE 642-637 Official Cert Guide Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test—eBook and practice test
• CCNP Security SECURE 642-637 Quick Reference—eBook only

CCNP Security VPN 642-648
• CCNP Security VPN 642-648 Official Cert Guide—print
• CCNP Security VPN 642-648 Official Cert Guide Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test—eBook and practice test
• CCNP Security VPN 642-648 Quick Reference—eBook

Quick Links

• About CCNP Routing & Switching
• About CCNP Voice
• About CCNP Wireless
• Free Webcasts with Cisco Press Authors
• Free Video Podcasts
• Register at PearsonVUE.com

Cisco Learning Network

The Cisco Learning Network is an online community for Cisco-certified customers that helps customers and partners interact, collaborate, learn, mentor peers, and prepare for certification exams via discussion forums, blogs, video interviews, wikis, and other interactive Web 2.0 technologies.

Save 50% on Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests

The exciting new Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test series is a digital-only certification preparation product, combining an eBook with enhanced Pearson IT Certification Practice Tests. This special combined product is only available from ciscopress.com, pearsonITcertification.com, and InformIT.com. For a limited time, all Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test products are available for 50% off the suggested list price. Learn more.

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Cisco Authorized Learning Partners and Programs

Cisco Learning Partners are the only authorized commercial sources for Cisco training. These organizations and their instructors are uniquely qualified to offer market-leading training on the latest advances in Cisco technology and can prepare students to take a wide variety of Cisco Certification exams.

Two courses are recommended for CCNA 640-802 certification: Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICND1), and Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 2 (ICND2).

• Locate Cisco Training Courses Near You
• Find a Cisco Authorized Learning Partner