Cisco Announces Its Latest Certification Track

Designed specifically for Cisco service provider customers and partners, and Cisco networking engineers, the new Cisco CCIE Service Provider Operations track is focused on developing the ability to operate complex service provider IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) infrastructures. The Cisco Service Provider Operations certification assesses and validates core IP NGN service provider network operations expertise, including the skills required of an expert (Tier III or Tier IV support) operations engineer to troubleshoot and maintain complex service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures in both Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XR operating environments. In addition, it validates broad theoretical knowledge of operations management processes, frameworks, and network management systems. Learn More

Cisco Networkers Event Premiering in Bahrain

Learning@Cisco is delighted to announce that Cisco Networkers, Ciscos leading training, education, and networking event for IT, networking, and communications professionals, will be held for the first time in the Middle East. Join us at Cisco Networkers 2010 Bahrain, from March 28-31, at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), home to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Special benefits are available for CCIE delegates. More Information

Get Informed About the Latest Changes to the CCNP Program

I’ve been received this below email from “The Cisco Networkers Bahrain Team” about Cisco Networkers Bahrain 2010‏ and I want to share with you here.

With only six weeks to go don’t miss the opportunity to make an impact on your career and company by attending Cisco Networkers Bahrain. This is your opportunity to stay ahead of the competition by building on your knowledge and skills in a unique platform.

Cisco Networkers Bahrain is being held from 28-31 March at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), home to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. This industry leading event is under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, The Crown Prince.

We are pleased to announce a unique Keynote with a fantastic Para-Holographic Demonstration!
Join our host Paul Mountford, Cisco’s Senior Leader and President of Cisco’s Emerging Markets in welcoming this event for the first time to the Middle East alongside, our guest speaker the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa.

Paul will then introduce Marthin De Beer, Senior Vice President, Emerging Technologies Group through a fantastic Para-Holographic demonstration based on a live TelePresence call between two geographic locations.

Learning@Cisco Mobile Labs Save Time and Expense

Mobile labs for the Cisco CCIE® Routing and Switching and CCIE Security lab exams provide a more convenient testing alternative to extensive travel for individuals in countries without permanent testing facilities. Upcoming mobile labs are planned for Chicago, January 25-29; Moscow, February 8-12; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 6-10; and Johannesburg, South Africa, April 19-23. [Learn More]

Cisco CCNA Best Seller Now on Sale

A new edition of the top-selling Cisco certification title is now available! CCNA 640-802 Exam Certification Library, Simulator Edition combines the popular Cisco CCNA® Certification Library with network simulator software containing 250 simulation labs in a discount-priced package. Both created by Wendell Odom, the library and software will let you learn and get hands-on experience from the most popular CCNA author of all time! [More Information]

Sale Extended: Cisco Mind Share Game

Cisco Learning Network members : There is still time to purchase the Cisco Mind Share Game for Cisco CCENT™ and CCNA preparation at 30 percent off the regular price. Visit the Cisco Mind Share page now to learn more about the most comprehensive learning game from Cisco yet. This extended offer ends on February 15. [Get it Now]

Core Knowledge Questions Now Available for All CCIE Labs

Effective January 4, 2010, the Cisco CCIE^® Service Provider, Storage, and Wireless lab exams will add a new type of question format in a section called Core Knowledge. In this new section, candidates will be asked a series of four open-ended questions that require a short written response to be entered into the computer, typically several words. The questions will be randomly drawn from a pool of questions on topics eligible for testing. Candidates can review the topics by visiting the CCIE track information on Cisco.com or the Cisco Learning Network. No new topics are being added as a result of this change.

Candidates will have up to 30 minutes to complete the Core Knowledge section and may not return to it once they have moved on. A passing score on the Core Knowledge section is required to achieve certification. Core Knowledge questions were implemented on Routing and Switching labs in February 2009 and Security labs in June 2009, and allow Cisco to maintain strong exam security and ensure that only qualified candidates are awarded CCIE certification. Candidates with exam dates on January 4, 2010 or later should expect to see the new question format on their lab exam. [More Information]

New Video Track Certifications and Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice

In response to sharply increasing market demand for advanced video and collaboration solutions, Cisco announces the upcoming release of two Video specialist certifications and the new Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice. The Cisco TelePresence Installations Specialist and Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist certifications offer IT professionals and students a career opportunity to integrate, operate, and manage Cisco TelePresence systems and solutions. Both certifications will be made available in early 2010. The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice provides experienced network engineers with an effective, job-relevant, and proven program to build expert-level skills and to prepare for the rigorous Cisco CCIE Voice lab exam. The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice will be made available on December 7, 2009. [Read More!]

Cisco 360 Learning Program Products Now Available at the Cisco Learning Network Store

 The Cisco 360 Learning Program, the only authorized training program for networking experts, has released individual learning products available at the Cisco Learning Network Store. Two graded performance labs have replaced the former Cisco CCIE^® Assessor Lab product and can be purchased individually. Also available are the latest self-paced learning lessons, an expert-level practice exercise workbook, and a 2000-page reference library. A complete bundle of self-paced learning products titled “Essentials” is also available, complete with expert mentoring from a certified CCIE instructor. [Learn More!]

The correct release date for the Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice is December 7, 2009.

In response to sharply increasing market demand for advanced video and collaboration solutions, Cisco is pleased to announce the release of two forthcoming Video specialist certifications and the new Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE® Voice.

The Cisco TelePresence Installation and Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist certifications offer IT professionals and students a career opportunity to integrate, operate and manage Cisco TelePresence systems and solutions. Both certifications will be made available in early 2010.

The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice provides experienced network engineers with an effective, job-relevant, and proven program to build expert-level skills and to prepare for the rigorous Cisco CCIE Voice lab exam. The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Voice will be made available on December 7, 2009.

For more information access the Cisco Learning Network.

New! CCIE R&S Certification v4.0 Exams Now Available

Effective October 19, 2009 Cisco CCIE® Routing and Switching  v4.0 certification exams are now available in all VUE testing locations worldwide. Both the written and lab exams have been refreshed with new questions covering MPLS and VPN networking. The written exam includes new scenario-based questions. The lab exam now requires hands-on troubleshooting of preconfigured networks, in addition to configuration.  Exam duration and pricing will remain the same, with the two-hour written exam at USD $350.00 and the eight-hour lab at USD $1400.00

[CCIE R&S v4.0 Written Exam Topics]
[CCIE R&S v4.0 Lab Exam Topics]

Cisco Learning Network News

The Cisco Learning Network now has a new domain name and a new Profile field to allow you connect and share common interests and skill sets with other registered community members. The domain name has changed from https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com to https://learningnetwork.cisco.com. Any site pages you’ve bookmarked will still work, and saved URLs will redirect to the new domain. Users now also have the ability to custom edit a new “Expertise” field in their profile. Share your areas of career and or personal interest or passion so others can learn more about you!

NEW! Cisco Career Certifications Study Groups Now Available

Online study groups for CCENT™, CCNA®, and more are now available to members of the Cisco Learning Network. Join free and prepare with others studying for Cisco Certification exams. [Register Now!]

Cisco Expands Talent Development Initiatives to Raise Competitiveness of Mexico’s IT Industry

On September 3rd, 2009 at Cisco Networkers Acapulco, Cisco announced the expansion of talent development initiatives developed to improve the global competitiveness of Mexico’s information technology (IT) industry. Furthering its goals of cultivating world wide technical talent, Learning@Cisco is providing more than 135,000 former Cisco® Networking Academy® students and other potential new IT workers with access to certification training and exams at a significantly reduced cost through its participation in Mexico FIRST, a program developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Mexico (MoE), the World Bank and local state governments throughout Mexico.. [Read the Full Story]

TechWiseTV Video Webcast: Insider’s Guide to Cisco Career Certifications

Which Cisco Career certifications are most valuable in today’s technical and economic environment and most appropriate for your personal career path? Where can you get access to the best resources and networking gear for your next exam? Get the answers to these and other questions on this 60-minute episode of TechWiseTV. [Register now!]

Update: Cisco Live! - San Francisco

Another great Cisco Live has occurred! 10,000 members of the Cisco Community attended the San Francisco event, taking advantage of training, education, connection, and community of Cisco Live. The Learning @ Cisco team offered onsite testing, sessions, labs, techtorials, and the popular Certifications Lounge. Learning@Cisco is committed to continued connection and communication with the certified community. Now on to Networkers Mexico, September 2-4, 2009! [See Mexico Information!]

New Certifications announced at Cisco Live

In response to the growing demand for IT professionals who can design, manage, and maintain converged technologies across global network infrastructures, Cisco announced the release of new certifications at Cisco Live!, held in San Francisco, CA.

Cisco Certified Architect (Available January, 2010) Cisco Certified Architect is the pinnacle for individuals wishing to establish formal validation of both design and IT skills in Cisco technologies and infrastructure. [Read More About Cisco Certified Architect]

CCNP Wireless (Available July 24th, 2009)
CCNP Wireless recognizes the expertise and technical acumen of wireless professionals who support and manage Cisco wireless LANs and networks. [Read More about CCNP Wireless]

As a Cisco-certified IT professional, you already understand the importance of training and technical certifications. Cisco has partnered with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries in Europe, North America and Asia, to foster professional development in the global IT industry.

The IET is pleased to announce the ICTTech, a brand new professional standard for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practitioners. ICT practitioners support or facilitate the use of ICT equipment and applications in a range of roles that includes network technician, systems testing specialist, software developer, telecoms engineer and security administrator.

The ICTTech qualification is an assessment that considers not only your technical expertise, but also your wider skill set such as business knowledge, commitment to professionalism and personal communication. It will complement your Cisco certifications and provide you with an additional, globally recognized qualification as formal recognition of your skills and abilities. It will assure global businesses that you have demonstrated a high level of professional and technical competence.