Learn More about CCIE Security Certification

What are the most significant things for healthy business functioning nowadays? While, there are several correct answers, these things can be joined into two general groups:

 

–          Fiscal data and

–          Intellectual property

 

When the Dot Com bubble first burst, a lot of businesses were hit by viruses and other attacks. Nowadays, most of these attacks are mostly concentrated on getting access to fiscal information and intellectual property. This is the reason why it is essential to have a reliable network security strategy set and running for every business.

 

Having a stable security plan is critical for every IT company in order to protect these two vital elements. In order to succeed in this, companies must have security engineers, who are capable of designing and controlling the execution of security practices within the company, using the latest techniques and technologies to always be one step ahead of violators, who only seek to access its financial data and intellectual property resources. Many companies, however, often overlook this protection and don’t take the situation seriously, until it’s too late.

 

IT security is always implemented in the network infrastructure first. Controlling accessible data, ways of access, and persons that are allowed to access it is initially controlled through the network.

 

How do individuals and companies know the best ways to implement security? First of all, they have to know what they have and then how to execute it. Both of these parts are attainable through the CCIE Security certification, a globally recognized networking expert preparation program. Companies that have a CCIE Security engineer employed and persons, who have spent their time to focus on achieving this certification, learn of security importance and begin to understand various aspects involved in the protection of the main business elements, which are intellectual property and fiscal data.

 

What does the knowledge gained through the CCIE Security certification represent? Here are several of the main principles an expert gets to learn:

 

–          Successful protection of the network using the advanced security equipment;

–          Successful protection of the network using the IOS firewall features;

–          Implementation of the Intrusion Prevention System for spotting network attacks prior to their occurrence;

–          Development and implementation of a secured infrastructure using VPN services and data encryption for a better company property protection;

–          Implementation of identity management to control where, to whom, and to what access is provided upon connection to the network;

–          Network equipment access security and implementation of practices meant to keep the network functioning;

–          Advanced security techniques to protect the network and resource access;

–          Detection of a threat or attack and implementation of new security policies for better network protection.

 

But, how does an expert get the CCIE Security certification? This is quite a simple question. Choose one of the top training organizations affiliated with Cisco. There are a lot of CCIE Security training centers out there. There are even institutes that provide CCIE training programs. The answer is simple, but be prepared for a truly grueling process of studying and a very difficult CCIE Security exam.

 

The Weight of the New World

Being a network engineer in today’s world is not an easy task nor is it a light responsibility. Together this fraternity of engineers forms the backbone of the world’s economy, health, survival and entertainment. Essentially, they form the core of our modern existence. In return for their invaluable service, the industry’s average remuneration package has been steadily rising. Network engineers earn anywhere from $48,000 per annum to over $100,000 depending on their location and experience.

 

A network engineer is required to hook up new systems as well as keep them optimally operational. They also have to keep ahead of innovation in this area and always provide full support to the development of their networks. But before they can rake in a lucrative career, they must go through the rigorous training that gets them ready to carry the weight of the networking world. It is worth, at this juncture, to note that network engineers do not face a static industry. The technology, the challenges and the environment are constantly changing. Maybe not on a daily basis, but the changes are rapid and the engineer must keep up.

 

The CCIE certification process is just the entry point. After that the learning never stops. That is why the initial certification is not something that should be underestimated. The CCIE Routing and Switch Lab portion of the certification involves an 8 hour practical test that will test the candidate’s ability to follow instructions, understanding of the system and the ability to diagnose and fix problems. Most people take the entire time allotted to get the task done; many find that the time is insufficient. The only way to beat the clock is to practice relentlessly before the day of the practical.

 

The best place to practice is off course purchasing you own system entirely and having it set up in your house or garage. It may be the best, but it is quite expensive to do it, off course once you’re done tinkering, the system can be sold, but it’s not work the hassle, especially when there are CCIE Rack Rentals available at the drop of a dime. They are not difficult to find and a simple search online will yield a long list of CCIE Service Provider options. The Cisco Racks you can get from these service providers are usually well set up and will not present any teething problems you may otherwise encounter if you purchased a system out of the box.

 

As an engineer in the real world it may just be worth your while to get your own system and think of it as an vestment rather than a cost. Having your own rack can get you intimately aware of the intricacies of the system and as you expand you can scale the system up and either sell it or rent it out to others. It would be a good start if you are going to set up your own CCIE SP.

 

Whatever it is you should penetrate this industry with both eyes fully open and with your entire heart in it. It can be exasperating to climb through the ranks but its well worth it. It is the ladder to six figure income and possibly more, in time, especially if you set up your own networking business.

 

 

Tips To Ace The CCIE

There are two parts in the certification process en route to being awarded the CCIE. It is a prestigious certification, and aside from being recognized worldwide, without exception, it is a certification process that is defined to truly acquaint the engineer with the most widely used switching and routing systems globally.

 

The first part of the certification test is a written exam that covers the theory. This part requires two skills only and hard work. The first skill is to be able to understand the fundamental architecture of the networking environment. Having an overview of the environment allows you to build upon that and drill down into the details of the networking architecture. After all that’s what this certification is, it’s a lot of details and networking nitty gritty.

 

The second part of the test is a grueling lab session. The exam itself is to be completed within 8 hours. It may seem like a lot of time, but if you know what you’re doing, that 8 ours is barely sufficient for your hands to do the walking. There is off course time for you to think of your next move, but the test is designed to evaluate just how much material you have internalized.  To overcome this there is only one solution, you must have practiced one a real rack or simulated one under all kinds of scenarios, specifications and settings. Only then will the fundamental nature and character of the system become second nature to you.

 

These are a few things you will need to ace your CCIE Routing and Switching Lab. First thing is to go out and get the necessary material and course outlines. Get a good understanding of what is required of you and what you should expect. Do not underestimate the work load. Next locate a cost effective CCIE Service Provider. This CCIE SP will be able to assist in getting all the materials and schedules for you. It is best to hear what they have to say and make the final determination on your own. The route to becoming an Internetwork Expert is paved with opportunities to make sound decisions and it starts right here – choosing the CCIE Rack Rentals.

 

These rentals provide you with the necessary practical, hands on training to get familiar with the architecture and response characteristics of the Cisco systems. The Cisco Rack will be an invaluable tool during your learning and practice stage. It will give you a good foundation to your long career. For you to adequately Pass CCIE Lab exams, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to acclimate. Do not rush into the exam – that is a sure route to failure.

 

The final tip to excel in the test is to use the workbook thoroughly. The information in the work book is meant to familiarize candidates with every aspect of the system. Look past the test in this scenario, and look at yourself as a certified professional on the job. Picture the real world scenarios and look at the challenges certified engineers face. Look ahead and that will help in getting accomplished as a CCIE.

 

What about the CCIE Security Lab Exam?

The CCIE Security Lab exam is an 8 hour, practical examination that demands the candidate to install, configure, and troubleshoot various complex networks according to particular requirements. Comprehension of troubleshooting is an essential part of it and candidates must be able to diagnose and solve problems in the networking. This is not about configuring end-user systems, but the security engineer is responsible for every single device contained in the network. Cisco provides all the point values and examination criteria. You may find more details about the exam in the CCIE Security lab exam blueprint and the list of CCIE Security lab equipment on the official Cisco website.

 

Cisco also provides a documentation CD in the lab room, but the examination suggests the knowledge of the more contemporary and common technologies and protocols. As of March ’06, you can only navigate the documentation via the index, while the search function has been removed. No outer reference materials are allowed in the laboratory room. You have to report any supposed equipment problems to the proctor in the time of the examination. Once the exam is over, no adjustments can be made.

 

The CCIE Security lab exam is all about configuring multiple secure networks to provided specifications. The candidate will need to configure, troubleshoot, and maintain secure networks on this exam. It is possible to request a result reevaluation for CCIE Security lab for up to fourteen days after completing the exam. In order to do this, the candidate simply has to use the “Request for Reread” link next to their lab record. Every reread costs $250 and can be added with the costs of any applicable local taxes. Payment is processed on the web through credit card, where the card is charged after the request is received. You can’t cancel the request for reread once initiating the process. Refunds are only provided, when the outcome changes from Fail to Pass.

 

Rereads are made by a second proctor, who loads your configurations onto a rack, recreating the test and rescoring the whole examination. The process can take up to three weeks upon payment receipt. Candidates can see the reread results in their score reports, where their success rates can either decrease or increase. CCIE Security lab exam passing score ranges from 300 to 1,000 points. Prior to requesting a reread, take into account that only 0.3% of exams have been altered to Pass from Fail for the entire time of CCIE certifications’ existence.

 

Understanding the CCIE Certification Process

If you’ve already obtained other Cisco career certifications like the CCNA, CCNP, or CCSP, then you probably already have an idea of how the CCIE certification process works. The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert or CCIE exam is the most difficult and most advanced certification exam Cisco has to offer. It is quite prestigious and people who have been certified in one of the CCIE’s 8 tracks can be considered experts in their chosen fields. People take this certification exam for various reasons. Some get certified for career advancement, while others want to improve their skills and challenge themselves further. Whatever the reason, the benefits of getting certified outweigh the sacrifice one has to make in order to pass the test and be a CCIE.

Who Can Take the CCIE Certification Exam?

 

People who are interested in taking any one of Cisco’s certification exams need to be at least 18 years old. Minors aged 13-17 can be tested and certified provided they have obtained parental consent. Cisco’s certification exams are available in most countries except in embargoed territories in compliance with U.S. Export Administration regulations. There are no necessary prerequisites in order to take the CCIE exam, but Cisco does recommend that candidates have hands-on experience with Cisco’s products and protocols. Lower level certifications are not required, but they can be an advantage as you will already be familiar with the testing methods and environment as you move up from the entry level certifications up to the CCIE or expert level.

What Does the Certification Process Involve?

 

A candidate needs to schedule an exam with an accredited testing center, provide them with the test number and personal details, and pay all the necessary fees. People who have had previous certifications should also provide the testing center with their certification number to avoid record duplication. Registration for tests can be done in person, by phone, or online depending on the testing center you wish to use. Accredited testing centers vary per country. In the US, Cisco’s testing center partner is Pearson Vue. Candidates may study on their own or get the services of a training center to help them master everything they need to know before taking the exams. There are 8 tracks that a candidate can specialize in. Due to the difficulty level of these exams, those who want to specialize in more than one track are advised to schedule tests one at a time to ensure that one has enough time to study and practice for each test.

 

The CCIE certification exam is divided into two parts, the written exam and the hands-on lab exam. Both of these tests are of the highest level of difficulty and it’s important to be prepared before taking these tests.

• Written Exam. Candidates are given two hours to answer 90-110 multiple choice questions. This test can be done onsite at the testing center or online. Results given out are marked either Pass or Fail and can be viewed immediately.

 

• Lab Exam. The lab exam is done at any of Cisco’s lab locations worldwide. One may have to go out of state or out of the country in order to take the lab exam. Candidates will need to shoulder their own travel and living expenses. The day-long test lasts for approximately 8 hours and involves performing certain tasks related to the track the candidate is specializing in. Points are awarded by proctors who hold the candidates up to the highest standards. Candidates can view the results within 48 hours of taking the test and need to obtain at least 80% of the total points that could possibly be awarded for each lab exam to pass.

There are a lot of benefits to becoming a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert. At the end of the day, obtaining a CCIE certification is both time and money well spent.

The New Economy

There are two things going on in the world today and both are related. The first is that the world is facing a huge decline in employment. The main reason for this is that most of the globe is moving away from third world industries and agriculture to high end intelligent industries. The second is the huge shortage of workers in the new world economy. There are huge worker displacements and it is being misunderstood by myopic economists and armchair pundits that the world is facing a recession and that the way to fix it is to get governments to inject funds and raise employment. The problem however is that there is a shift in labor need.

 

While the economy has gone from being reliant on grain and milk to being a high value new world economics, the average worker’s skills have not caught up. The huge demand for network engineers fro example, who when hired can demand $50,000 a year, are in severe shortage. The way to fill this shortage is for the labor force to more to these jobs.

 

The best way to do this is to get certified. One of the certifications that is in huge demand is the CCIE. This certification allows an engineer to either be gainfully employed by a CCIE Service Provider or maybe even set up his own business as a CCIE SP. It wouldn’t hurt to get some experience though working under a company before branching out. An engineer with fresh certification is in demand, but one with experience is even more so and in some cases can demand up to $90, 000 annually.

 

To get certified requires access to a Cisco Rack. This is so that one can get hands on experience beyond just the text in the books and manuals. As a professional it is really important that such experience is gained before being subjected to a test that is very practical in nature. This 8 hour test will seek to investigate exactly how competent a candidate is in trouble shooting and setting up a system. It is very important that this experience be gained otherwise the CCIE Routing and Switching Lab exams will be a total failure.

 

To get practical experience, it is not uncommon for students to get CCIE Rack Rentals instead of purchasing one. Off course its perfectly acceptable to buy one, but the cost may be prohibitive. These racks can be found at a CCIE Service Provider. Once can search for these online and find a provider that is cost competitive. Once the CCIE SP is awarded, take some time to get a very hands on job and get some professional and practical experience. This is the best way to get the resume built up. Once you feel sufficiently confident that you can handle being thrown in to the deep end, its time to start spreading your resume. The added experience will be a huge factor in getting your choice of employment.

Careers In Networking

Being recognized as a CCIE Service Provider is one way to ascend the ladder to being a success as a network engineer. The title is not conferred easily but at the tail end of a rigorous written test and practical exam that lasts eight hours. Candidates are given certain specifications or problems, and they are required to set up the network accurately and efficiently within the time allotted. This is no easy task to accomplish.

 

To be fair, the written part of the test is not something that evokes too much fear to preparer. The subject matter is straight forward and at this level of the game it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The hard part is to Pass CCIE Lab. This requires hands on tinkering to get familiar with things.

 

There aren’t many alternative when it comes to getting one’s hands wet with a Cisco Rack. They are not something you can just walk out and pick up at the nearest IT store. These are sophisticated equipment that cost quite a bit and unless you can afford it, it’s not something most aspiring engineers do. Instead they opt for CCIE Rack Rentals. This is where; you can get everything you need to get familiar with the rack and on your way to being a CCIE Service Provider.

 

Putting the lab requirements aside, it is one of the best ways to get hands on knowledge, especially when you do not have access to all the hardware. So, all that is needed is the rental packages – and that is available at the end of an online search. Then there is a need for a good workbook that will walk you through step by step. The quality of the book you get is essential in getting you through the test.

 

Spend lots of time with the workbook. For the next couple of weeks, you should do nothing but, eat, sleep, walk with this book. In fact you should get it before getting the Rack Rental. This way you do a dry run in your head without the clock ticking on the charges for the rack. When the day comes for your lab, remember, anything below 80% is a fail. To be certified, not only is it required you pass the written but also the labs.

 

On the day of the test, don’t bother to even pick up the work book. Just relax, if you have done everything you were supposed to then it’s time to relax. Besides, if you are not ready, the last couple of hours aren’t going to do anything for you. However, it is best that you keep your mind clear. Listen to music or play chess if you are into it. Be fresh when you get to your labs and be properly nourished and hydrated. You are going to be spending eight hours configuring and troubleshooting a system that forms the internet, be prepared to sweat a bit, but at all time do remain focused and calm.

 

 

CCIE Training And Career Advancement

One of the best avenues to advance an IT career is to undergo training as a CCIE professional. CCIE is short for Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert. Its not just something one should take lightly, there is a huge amount of work that goes into getting this certification. There are two parts to the certification process. The first is the theory, where you need to pass a written test. This is a synch and does not take too much effort when compared to the pay off. However, there is a more involved part to the certification process. This is the hands on part. To become a CCIE Service Provider you must Pass CCIE Lab. This is where things get tough.

 

The books are easy to find to get through the written part of the certification. Bu the hands on part requires you get your hands dirty in setting up and troubleshooting the system. The best way to go about this is to turn to CCIE Rack Rentals. This obviates the need to buy the equipment, which can get pretty expensive. A simple search for a CCIE Service Provider will yield competitive rates for CCIE Rack Rentals. It is very important to get this part of the training right as the certification to being an Internetwork Expert is not to be taken lightly. The certification is a prestigious one and as such not given away to those who have no clue what they are doing.

 

With the rack rentals, you can purchase the necessary workbooks to get you started on the practical part of the certification. Be prepared to spend the better part of an entire day tinkering with the settings and problem shooting the structures. The set up will very quickly become apparent are completely not the same as the theoretical part of things. It is pretty involved and you can be certain that to build a robust system, the CCIE SP must be current with current advancements know the ins and outs of the system. But do not give up, the hands on part, while daunting, is designed to make the novice into a seasoned professional.

 

Once you get the CCIE Rack Rentals sorted, daily access to it will ensure you Pass CCIE Lab in one sitting. It also comes with necessary information to tackle the CCIE Routing and Switching Lab tests. The Cisco Rack is the worlds most sought after systems and having hands on experience in building and troubleshooting will make you a valuable member of the IT community. It will lead to better job prospects with existing service providers, or it will open up the possibility to set up your own operations and provide services to customers directly.

 

The current state of affairs in global connectivity dictates in no uncertain terms that the future of this world is in the intricate communication of data and the internet forms the backbone of this data exchange. It is the Cisco systems and switches that support this backbone and being certified in this area would be a wise move in the right direction.