As we have a good time the 30-year anniversary of the Cisco Qualified Internetwork Skilled (CCIE) certification and two decades of the CCIE Collaboration certification, we replicate now not handiest on our previous achievements but additionally on our dedication to conform and innovate. Embracing a cloud-native framework, Cisco Studying and Certifications is taking strides to modernize the CCIE certification enjoy, making sure it remains related and empowers the following technology of CCIE certification holders.

My adventure with Cisco started 24 years in the past with the CCIE certification. On the time, turning into Cisco Qualified felt much more precious than my engineering stage. It gave me the credibility to constitute Cisco applied sciences in addition to affect and educate our consumers. The CCIE wasn’t only a certification to me. It was once a transformative enjoy that exploded my occupation trail in additional tactics than I ever will have predicted.

This isn’t with regards to my tale, alternatively. That is concerning the reputation, the features, and the alternatives Cisco certifications open for such a lot of folks within the tech business. That being stated, I’ve the distinction and duty of making sure the CCIE certification stays as impactful and related these days because it was once for me again then.   

A cloud-native way 

The CCIE certifications’ shift to concentrate on cloud applied sciences will also be traced again to 1 pivotal dialog at Cisco Reside after I heard this buyer’s robust commentary:

If you happen to’re asking us to undertake cloud applied sciences, shouldn’t Cisco certifications additionally align with that shift? 

With that, the wheels have been set in movement. Spotting the importance of staying forward within the business, in addition to our consumers’ evolving wishes, we set out at the trail to modernize the CCIE certification enjoy. And thus, the Cisco certification modernization initiative was once born.

The Cisco certification modernization initiative was once a collaborative enterprise in partnership with Par Merat, Vice President of Cisco Studying and Certifications. From the start, we understood the worth of accumulating enter from other voices and studies from an international standpoint to make sure a well-rounded, complete way. We regarded to the enjoy of 20-year CCIE professionals with deep wisdom of Cisco cloud-based packages, in addition to the recent insights from CCIE certification holders early of their occupation. Their numerous vary of views allowed us to handle more than a few demanding situations, together with safety issues and our dedication to creating the CCIE out there to everybody within the cloud.  

Modernizing the CCIE certification enjoy 

As Cisco Collaboration applied sciences proceed to conform, new developments are taking form in expert-level abilities. For one, interoperability has turn into a an important focal point, enabling seamless integration with cloud platforms like Microsoft O365 and Azure. Then there’s the explosion of synthetic intelligence (AI). AI may be now not handiest riding innovation, however basically converting the way in which we be in contact and paintings in combination. As an example, AI brings Cisco Collaboration many complex features, akin to clever noise removing, transcription, real-time translation, assembly summaries, code technology and real-time agent help.  

After I first pursued my CCIE certification 24 years in the past, it was once a grueling, two-day sensible examination keen on hardware-based applied sciences. Lots of the ones protocols I studied and examined on are now not supported. Speedy ahead to these days, the CCIE lab examination is streamlined to a unmarried day consultation. What’s extra, the lab is delivered from a virtualized surroundings with are living connections to the cloud.

These days, Cisco certification will also be accomplished with out proudly owning bodily apparatus for the labs. Those adjustments align with transformation within the business, integrating state-of-the-art applied sciences like Webex Calling, Webex Touch Heart, and AI. Consequently, the CCIE has turn into achievable for people international, irrespective of their location or to be had assets. Additionally, our Skilled-level lab examination redesign—its evolution from a hardware-based to cloud-based certification—mirrors the transformation of our business, of generation, and of Cisco’s promise to adapt, innovate, and lead. 

The CCIE certification adventure: Unharness your doable and form the longer term 

Having a look forward, I need to percentage some precious recommendation for CCIE applicants. By no means surrender—pastime and patience are key on your luck. The CCIE lab examination is designed to be onerous for a reason why; it exams you at the most powerful features within the business. However be mindful, the CCIE certification adventure is extra about who you turn into alongside the way in which as opposed to what you succeed in.

CCIE certification will outline and form your occupation, construct self belief, and open doorways to thrilling alternatives. So, embody each and every a part of your adventure, from the educational and labbing to connecting with the tech studying neighborhood. The have an effect on for your non-public {and professional} enlargement will also be profound.

As we have a good time those two CCIE certification anniversaries, we take a second to replicate on our legacy; a technology of IT careers, constructed through Cisco. Then again, those vital milestones additionally function one thing extra. They’re reminders of our doable to stick at the leading edge of recent applied sciences and affect the business’s long term. 

As CCIEs, we stand united on this interconnected global. We foster the connections from individual to individual, cloud to cloud, and gadget to gadget. This yr’s birthday celebration isn’t only a pat at the again. This can be a name to motion for the following technology of Cisco Qualified professionals. In combination, we’re writing the following bankruptcy of networking historical past, one connection at a time.

The newest CCIE Collaboration v3.1 lab examination launches on July 20, 2023. Uncover what’s new in the most recent examination subjects blueprint, or consult with Cisco Certification Roadmaps to join certification signals and in finding further find out about fabrics.  

Thank you for studying,

Brad Bonin

VP Gross sales Methods Engineering

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