CCNP Security Bundle

If you are an IT professional who works with security solutions and wants to prove that you have all the needed skills, you can go for the Cisco CCNP Security certification. Holding this certificate shows that you have the required level of expertise. It covers the details of core security technologies as well as gives you the opportunity to verify your knowledge of an industry-specific topic. The certification can be obtained after dealing with the core exam that focuses on your knowledge of security infrastructure and one of the concentration tests, which evaluates your skills in an area of your choice.

The certification path is available for any individual interested in validating his/her level of expertise. The vendor does not require fulfilling any additional requirements besides preparing for the topics of the qualification exams. You should have a good understanding of the domains to be able to answer the questions. Usually, the potential candidates have 3-5 years of experience and are familiar with the implementation process needed for security solutions.

Exam Details

To get the CCNP Security certification, you need to pass two tests, and Cisco 350-701 is one of them. This is a 120-minute exam with about 100 questions of various types. You should clear as many of them as you can to earn about 825 points of the overall score. The test is available in English and Japanese and costs $400 for taking one time. To be sure in your result, you should master the following topics:

• Security Concepts – This subject area is all about the functions of cryptography components, basic Python scripts that are used to call Cisco Security appliances APIs, as well as common security vulnerabilities. The potential candidates should also have the skills in comparing remote access VPN and site-to-site VPN deployment types;
• Network Security – As for the next domain, it covers the details of network security solutions, which provide firewall and intrusion prevention capabilities, as well as the information of secure network management of perimeter security and infrastructure devices. Moreover, you need to have the skills in implementing management options for network security solutions, configuring AAA for device and network access, and implementing access control policies, segmentation, malware protection, URL filtering, and AVC;
• Securing Cloud – To answer the questions from this topic, you need to know about security solutions for the Cloud environments, application and workload security concepts, DevSecOps, Cloud logging and Cloud monitoring methodologies, as well as customer vs. provider security responsibilities;
• Content Security – This section evaluates your knowledge of traffic redirection and traffic capture methods, web security controls, Cisco Umbrella, email security features, web and email security deployment methods, and more;
• Endpoint Protection and Detection – If talking about this part, it includes the information related to EPP and EDR solutions, endpoint-sourced telemetry, MFA and endpoint patching strategy, IOC, antivirus, antimalware, retrospective security, and dynamic file analysis;
• Secure Network Access, Network Visibility, and Network Enforcement – The last objective covers the details of the components, benefits, and capabilities of various security solutions and products, as well as the benefits of network telemetry. You should know about the benefits of application control and device compliance.

After dealing with the core exam, you will need to choose one of the concentration tests to take and verify the industry-specific area you want to dive in. An individual can choose between several options, including Cisco 300-710, Cisco 300-715, Cisco 300-720, Cisco 300-725, Cisco 300-730, and Cisco 300-735. Each exam covers certain topics that you need to be ready for.

Further Career Path

Obtaining the CCNP Security certification opens up many new opportunities for the IT professionals, including higher salaries and more job options. However, it is important not to forget to recertify, because the certificate is valid for only 3 years. The vendor offers several options that should be done during the process, which is why you need to know what the Cisco Continuing Education program contains. By maintaining your certification, you will be a valuable asset to your company.