CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless Certifications

For those who are serious about obtaining the necessary knowledge to succeed in the computer industry, as well as the necessary qualifications to secure a desirable job, one of the most popular strategies in the past was to obtain the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Those who possess this certification are significantly more likely to have an immense amount of valuable knowledge to contribute to a company and had a much easier time acquiring a job.

In addition to the general CCNA certification, Cisco has recently released three add-on certs known as the CCNA Wireless, CCNA Security, and CCNA Voice. Although the general CCNA has one been seen as one of the most desirable computer networking certification for entry level professionals, the add-ons have slowly been rising in prestige as additional highly sought-after qualifications.

What exactly is the CCNA Voice and what are the benefits of becoming certified?

The CCNA Voice certification is specifically designed to test one’s skills in traditional telephony, primarily using Cisco Unified Communications. Those who complete the exam will be required to demonstrate knowledge with installing, configuring, and support a Cisco Unified Communications solution using between 8-250 phones. This knowledge is highly favorable for those in the IT field who wish to become dedicated voice technology specialists, such as Voice Administrators, Voice Engineers, or Voice Technicians.

In fact, according to Forrester Consulting, over the next five years roughly 70% of all companies will have a need for a dedicated voice technologies specialist, making the CCNA Voice certification immensely valuable. According to Certification Magazine, the average salary for those who receive the general CCNA certification is $74,810 per year, while those who go above the basic certification and seek out the CCNA Voice add-on average roughly $92,350 per year. Clearly, for those who wish to maximize their chances of obtaining a high-paying salary, the CCNA Voice certification is highly beneficial.

In order to pass the CCNA Voice certification, there are two options. For those who have already passed the general Cisco Certified Network Associate certification (640-802 CCNA), all that is necessary is to pass the specific Implementing Internet Unified Communications exam (640-406 IIUC). Alternatively, for those who have are not a Cisco Certified Network Associate, it is possible to pass both the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices (640-822 ICND1) and (640-816 ICND2) exams in order to become CCNA Voice certified.

What exactly is the CCNA Wireless certification and what are the benefits?

In addition to the CCNA Voice certification, another add-on to the CCNA qualification is the CCNA Wireless certification. Those who become CCNA Wireless certified will learn basic wireless fundamentals, how to install and configure a LAN, the security basics, authentication, and encryption procedures of a WLAN, WCS administration, how to configure standalone access points, and numerous other skills related to wireless networks. Considering high a value numerous companies place on the integrity of their wireless networks, obtaining a CCNA Wireless certification can be incredibly valuable for acquiring a job.

In order to become CCNA Wireless certified, candidates must first obtain the general CCNA certification or any other CCIE certification. Once this criteria has been met, the Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (640-721 IUWNE) exam must be completed. The exam costs $99 to take and can be prepared for in only a couple months of studying.

What exactly is the CCNA Security certification and what are the benefits?

Along with the CCNA Wireless certification, the third final add-on to the general CCNA qualification is the CCNA Security certification. The CCNA Security exam focuses entirely on how well one understands network security, and provides candidates with the knowledge of how to protect a company from malicious cyber attacks. Considering how easy it is for one malevolent hacker to destroy an entire company’s work, this is a skill that every established company will need, making the CCNA Security certification incredibly valuable.

As with the CCNA Voice and the CCNA wireless exam, those who wish to become CCNA Security certified must first either achieve the general CCNA qualification or else pass the two Cisco Networking Devices exams. After one of these options has been completed, candidates must then complete the CCNA Security exam (640-553 IINS Exam) in order to obtain the CCNA security certification.