September 11, 2018. Earning a professional certification takes dedication and time. The CCNA credential is highly sought-after and highly valued. We have collected a list of frequently asked questions about the exam to help you in your research and decision-making process. This information will help explain the CCNA, what topics are covered, how to study and more.
What is CCNA Certification?
CCNA stands to Cisco Certified Network Associate. It is an IT certification sponsored by Cisco. The certification is a professional way to validate and present one’s skills in a variety of network-related topics.
The CCNA certification is one of the most coveted in the industry. This certification can lead to additional job opportunities, promotions, or client projects for individuals who have passed the CCNA exam.
What topics are covered in the CCNA Certification exam?
Cisco changed their certification process in 2013 to better align with job roles. There are now 9 CCNA topics.
CCNA Cloud – A focus on entry-level skills in provisioning, managing Cisco cloud solutions, as well as adapting to changing technologies.
CCNA Collaboration – For individuals who work in the convergence and integration of multiple media types – voice, data and video. Network engineers and people working in the IP Telephony and Network fields are most applicable.
CCNA Cyber Ops – Detecting and handling cyber events; cybersecurity analysts and employees of security operation centers are the main focus.
CCNA Data Center – Covers data center design, maintenance, network diagrams, and hardware implementation.
CCNA Industrial – This certification focuses on IT and industrial networks that provide common and widespread utilities like electricity, oil and gas, and large-scale plant operations. This certification focuses on understanding standard protocols and learning techniques for building a flexible network.
CCNA Routing & Switching – This exam is the core CCNA test, and the first area that the certification program was built on. This exam provides a solid foundation for network engineering and is a good starting point for all other areas.
CCNA Security – Validates testers skills in network threats and vulnerabilities. It also addresses security issues such as designing and building infrastructure. This exam focuses on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data over the network.
CCNA Service Provider – Designed for individuals or companies that provide network engineering, deployment, maintenance, and support. It is important to keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and service offerings.
CCNA Wireless – There is a growing demand for wireless networks that are strong and available in all locations. The exam covers configuration, monitoring, and sup
