Enhancements to the Cisco Certified Network Professional Program

IT workers know that the knowledge and skills it takes to design and operate a corporate network have undergone a number of radical changes in the past couple of years. During that same time period, the complexity of the applications deployed by large companies and service providers through their IT departments has changed dramatically as well. Networks are quickly evolving from closed systems to large integrated systems which allow organizations to work closely with users around the country and around the world.

These changes in the nature of the corporate network have also enhanced the importance of security, and security has indeed become a critical concern for many in the corporate world. It is essential today for IT workers to have solid skills in detecting, and preventing attempts at network intrusion.

In order to help meet the need for these highly skilled professionals, Cisco Systems has recently changed its premier certification, the CCNP, to integrate next generation Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), routers which are engineers dot provide fast delivery of data, voice, video and wireless services along with enhanced security. Cisco has embedded all these advanced technologies into one routing system, allowing for fast and highly scalable delivery of critical business applications.

The newly designed Cisco CCNP program is intended to go beyond simple routing and switching to include those applications deployed at the edge of the network, things like wireless networking, security procedures and voice. In addition, the new CCNP program will maintain its focus on the core skills needed to manage the routers and switches which form the core of the network.

Increasingly, the network is becoming a platform on which many of today's critical business applications are built, and the new CCNP program is designed to recognize that fact. In addition to the standard email and web surfing taking place through the corporate network, database applications and other mission critical items are increasingly taking place in the environment of the corporate network. The new CCNP program provides more of a focus on the platform nature of the network and prepares IT professionals to address the concerns and challenges raised by this new network environment.

In addition, the new CCNP provides an enhanced look at the security threats facing corporate networks today. The need for security has become paramount, and creating a network that is robust, vibrant, user friendly and resistant to attacks can be quite a challenge. The new CCNP program helps prepare students for the security challenges they will face in the real world.

The topic of wireless networking has also been introduced into the CCNP program, and with the continuing popularity of wireless connectivity this is expected to be a big growth area for IT employment. Those workers who possess the skills and training needed to secure corporate networks with wireless connections are expected to be in high demand.

The voice aspects of the corporate network is another area addressed by the new CCNP program. It is important for IT professionals to understand the challenges of enabling a network for voice communications, and this skill is expected to grow in importance in the coming years. The new CCNP curriculum has been designed to give students the background they need in this important job skill.

Those who want to start on the path to the CCNP certification may want to contact CBT Planet to discuss their training and certification needs. CBT Planet offers a variety of self paced computer based training courses, not only for Cisco Systems but for MCSE, Oracle DBA, A+, IBM, Sun and others. Contact CBT Planet today and discuss your training needs with one of our highly trained customer service representatives.