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.

News from Cisco Learning :

Cisco Introduces Four New Career Certifications
CCNP Wireless, Cisco Certified Architect, and two New Data Center Unified Computing Specialist Certifications Announced at this Week’s 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 four new certifications at the Cisco Live! show, held this week in San Francisco, CA.

Cisco Certified Architect, CCNP Wireless, and two new Cisco Datacenter Unified Computing Specialists reinforce Cisco’s commitment developing state of the art, technology driven, role based certifications that meet the demands of today’s network professional.

• 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.
• 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.
• DC Unified Computing Design Specialist, DC Unified Computing Support Specialist (Available Late, 2009) The Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist and the Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist validate a data center computing professional’s knowledge, expertise, and ability to run mission-critical computer operations.

New Certification Option for CCNA Voice Candidates

On June 24th, 2009, Learning@Cisco will implement program changes to the CCNA Voice certification. There will now be two options available for candidates wishing to achieve their CCNA Voice certification: A commercial option and an enterprise option. The new CCNA Voice Certification enterprise option assesses skills/knowledge related to the Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0 (CUCM 6.0). It is typically employed by large organizations such as governments, large companies, and colleges. Passing the CVOICE #642-436 exam will meet the requirements for this option. The CCNA Voice Certification commercial option continues to use the IIUC #640-460 exam and assesses skills and knowledge related to the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 4.1 (Cisco UME) and Cisco Unity Express (CUE), solutions typically used by medium & small organizations such as companies with less than 2,000 employees, retail businesses, and small school districts. Read More

CCVP 4.1 Path to Expire December 2009

On December 31, 2009, Cisco will formally retire the CCVP Cisco Unified CallManager 4.1 option path. As a result, the two (2) CCVP CallManager 4.1 option path exams, CIPT 4.1 #642-444 and GWGK #642-453, will no longer be available after that date. Professionals following that path must pass both exams by December 31, 2009 to use them towards the CCVP certification. Read More

Available on-Demand Now

Could your network be vulnerable to the Conficker bot and other new threats? How can you get “ahead of the curve” in the war against hackers and anticipate tomorrow’s cyberschemes? What are the primary technical elements making attacks such as this one so successful?

Get the inside story, as we reverse-engineer the newest attacks you face such as the insidious Conficker bot, highlight what makes them so successful, and show you how to control them. Discover how you can apply the “wisdom of crowds” to implement a dynamic solution that continually learns from the threats experienced by others.

See how the latest architectural approaches to network security can provide greater protection than point products and maximize the value of your existing technology investments by evolving with your business. Learn how you can avoid being “fat, dumb, and hacked” as we reveal:

• Why deep packet inspection is no longer dependable
• How to turn infrastructure access control lists (iACLs) into one of your most valuable defenses
• How standard methodologies can enable you to identify and control even threats you don’t understand
• New botnet enhancements for the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)

CCIE Routing and Switching Revised

Cisco announced revised certification requirements for CCIE Routing & Switching (CCIE R&S), the expert level certification for network engineers. The new certification standards reflect the job skills employers look for at the expert level. To support the certification changes, the Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE R&S is also being updated with new lessons on MPLS and Troubleshooting, additions to the instructor-led workshops, lab exercises for self-paced practice, and new performance assessments. Read More

Cisco Live! 2009 = San Francisco, California June 27- July 2, 2009

The US Cisco Live! is back. This year, the 20th anniversary of Networkers will be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. The expanded Cisco Live event continues the Networkers tradition with the Cisco Live programs: IT Management, Developer Services and a new Service Providers program. As always Learning@Cisco will be there to support you! This year we offer 25+ Techtorials and Sessions, Onsite testing, the Certifications Lounge and for our CCIE certification holders, the VIP CCIE party. We will also be offering the CCIE Routing and Switching Mobile Lab on June 27 and 28 (the first two days of the event) at our San Jose lab site. 20 seats are available! Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the “City by the Bay” while you engage in education, training, insights, and networking. Register Now