CCNP Security: Should You Take the Leap?

You’ve already conquered the CCNA. You’ve built the foundation, know all the basics, and proven your dedication to the field of networking. But now, you find yourself staring at the CCNP Security certification, wondering: Is this the right next step for me? Do I really want to commit to studying for another certification?

It’s a common crossroads; balancing your current workload with the daunting prospect of another exam cycle. But as two of our Cisco Designated VIPs can attest, the journey to CCNP Security is about much more than just a credential. For Mira Eilenstein (Network Security Consultant and Head of Academy and Product Development for nscon network, security and consulting) and Brahim Mellal (Network and Security Engineer L3 for Airbus), it’s about unlocking a deeper level of professional confidence and capability.

Who should get the CCNP Security certification?

The CCNA lays the ideal foundation for the CCNP Security. “I’m glad I started with the network because I cannot secure what I don’t know. And so, it’s good I have the CCNA, but the CCNP is more, for my job, more important,” Mira Eilenstein explains, emphasizing that you cannot automate or secure what you don’t fundamentally understand.

For networking engineers who want to protect the infrastructure they manage, the transition from CCNA to CCNP Security isn’t just a career move; it’s a necessity. The CCNP provides the “big picture” framework that moves you from simply knowing how to configure a device to understanding the security domains that keep an entire enterprise safe.

Does the certification apply to multi-vendor environments?

A common misconception is that Cisco certifications are only relevant in a 100% Cisco environment. However, in modern IT, most networks are multi-vendor. Rather than being a limitation, a Cisco certification serves as a powerful foundation for managing these diverse ecosystems.

Mira addresses this head-on: “As we say in German, ‘they all cook with water.‘ So, it might be another GUI, but behind that they’re following the same RFC.”

An RFC (Request for Comments) is a formal document that defines standards, protocols, and best practices for networking, published by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), and serves as the official rulebook. Despite its name, most RFCs are finalized, not drafts.

Because Cisco is a primary contributor to these standards, our training programs are deeply rooted in the universal protocols that power the entire internet. When you learn the protocols and standards behind the Cisco interface, you aren’t just learning a menu; you’re learning the language of networking that applies everywhere.

This expertise in interoperability and standards-based architecture ensures that you can apply your knowledge across any vendor’s hardware, making you a more versatile engineer in any infrastructure. By focusing on these universal best practices, you gain the ability to troubleshoot and manage complex, diverse environments with confidence.

How can the CCNP Security certification benefit my IT career?

Beyond technical skills, the CCNP Security certification acts as a powerful catalyst for professional growth. Eighty-one percent of employers associate IT certification holders with higher-quality, more valuable work contributions (Cisco data).

Brahim Mellal found this to be true in his career. “I received more opportunities and also, let’s say, more responsibilities because I became more confident and my manager became more confident about me,” Brahim shares.

“I have this higher level of knowledge, and so they just trust me and give me really challenging and serious projects.” Brahim went on to earn the CCIE as well, crediting the CCNP with giving him the solid foundation he needed to pursue that.

For Mira, the CCNP Security certification provided a sense of personal assurance.

“As a woman in IT, it is not that easy, and having that CCNP is like a hand on my back where someone is telling me, ‘Yeah, you can do it.’”

Along with greater confidence, certifications can level the playing field in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Cisco data shows that 84 percent of certified professionals are more attractive to hiring companies and managers.

The real-world test: When knowledge meets crisis

Certifications truly prove their worth in high-pressure moments. Cisco data shows that 92 percent of certified professionals feel more confident in their abilities and are more determined to succeed professionally.

In the real world, it shows. For Brahim Mellal, that moment came during a major incident involving Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) technology and phone authentication.

“The issue was that no phone was able to connect to our network,” he recalls.

With roughly 1,000 users impacted—including security offices and the personnel monitoring cameras—the stakes were high. Despite the stress and pressure to get everything working immediately, Brahim’s CCNP Security-based training and experience gave him the tools to identify the root cause. The configuration was working fine, so the problem lay elsewhere, he realized.

Brahim methodically troubleshot the problem, ultimately tracing it to a phone misconfiguration.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Tutorials

• Introduction to MAC Authentication Bypass on Cisco ISE
• Network Access Control Monitoring Using Cisco Identity Services Engine and Splunk

For Mira Eilenstein, her defining challenge was auditing a customer’s multi-vendor security environment. Rather than manually checking each Cisco ASA and Firepower export, she used her foundational knowledge to build a smart solution.

“I wrote a parser to check everything, both manually and automatically,” she reflects. The result?

“I had less to do, and I had a pretty good report for the customer. This was only possible because I know the basics… because of the CCNP.”

Automate security solutions with free, hands-on tutorials

• Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center REST API Token Authentication
• Cloud-Delivered Firewall Management Using Cisco Security Cloud Control

How to earn the CCNP Security certification

To earn the CCNP Security certification, you are required to pass two exams: one core exam and one concentration exam of your choice. This flexible structure allows you to tailor your path based on your specific professional focus.

If you currently hold a CCNA, passing these exams will contribute toward your recertification goals, helping you maintain your active status while you advance your technical expertise.

How can I overcome the fear of exams?

If the thought of another exam makes you hesitant to pursue the CCNP Security cert, you aren’t alone. Even our experts have felt that pressure.

Mira, now a learning coach, candidly admits that she is still afraid of exams. Her advice? Transform your mindset. Instead of studying just to pass, focus on the joy of discovery.

“My advice would be to have fun. If you are getting the CCNP just because you want to earn more money, you can do that, yeah,” Mira says.

“But having fun makes it easier to learn things. Most importantly, if you’re having fun, you’re not learning just to pass the exam, which makes you forget it immediately.”

For studying, Mira suggests using checklists based on exam topics to stay organized and simple mental techniques—like repeating calming words—to manage anxiety during testing.

It also might be helpful for you to tackle the CCNP Security concentration exam you’re passionate about first. Then, once you have that under your belt, you can complete the CCNP with the core exam.

How can I start my CCNP Security learning journey today?

Preparing for CCNP Security certification is challenging, but the reward is a career defined by expertise and the ability to solve complex, high-stakes problems. Whether you are troubleshooting Cisco ISE issues like Brahim or building security parsers like Mira, the knowledge you gain will be the tool that sets you apart.

Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Your future self will thank you for the confidence and the skills you build today.

Launch your CCNP Security certification journey with official Cisco Learning Paths in Cisco U.

Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine | SISE preps you for the 300-715 SISE v1.1 exam. If passed, you earn the Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Identity Management Implementation Certification and satisfy the concentration exam requirement for the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security Certification.
Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure | SDSI preps you for the 300-745 SDSI v1.0 exam. If passed, you earn the Cisco Certified Specialist – Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure Certification and satisfy the concentration exam requirement for the CCNP Security certification.

How else can I prep for the CCNP Security cert?

Learn with Cisco has guidance from experts and your peers to help. Get connected by joining the Security Certifications Community on the Cisco Learning Network for free.