Is a CCNA Certification Worth it?

Most people have the same question: is CCNA certification really worth it in 2022 or upcomming years. To answer this question we need to first see what is CCNA certification, what are the benefits of doing CCNA certification? What are the disadvantages of doing the CCNA certification? And why CCNA certification still worth it?

In this blog we will learn about all the aspects of CCNA certification, so let’s get started with what is CCNA certification and what different types of CCNA certification are available?

CCNA Certification details

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. People can do CCNA 200-301 training in both online and classroom mode. The certification is valid for three years and for all types of engineers can able to do this certification. After clearing the certification exam, you will receive the certificate of completion. That will ensure that you have the skills needed to start a career in the IT industry or in the networking domain.

Doing CCNA certification gives you the concept of computer network, switching and routing, gives a clear understanding of using switch, routers, hubs and other cisco devices.

CCNA certification is the first step to getting started in IT domain. It helps to get job as a network engineer, system engineer, technical support engineer, network administrator, senior network engineer, or network security specialist.

Different types of CCNA certification:

The original focus of CCNA was on Routing and Switching, and now there are different types of CCNA courses focused on:

CCNA Routing and Switching

A network professional with a CCNA certification can use his knowledge about network layers 1-3 which are applicable to core routing and switching, skills needed to install, configuration, and operate a small enterprise network. The candidate can evolve into the role of a network engineer with this certification.

CCNA Industrial

The certification gives candidates the skills to successfully implement and diagnose the most common industry standard protocols while using the best practices needed for today’s connected networks.

CCNA Data Center

CCNA Data Center certification describe the knowledge of basic data center networking concepts, configuration and troubleshooting of data center virtualization, configuring cisco MDS switches, NPV nodes and many more.

CCNA Collaboration

This certification is for network video engineers, IP telephony, and IP network engineers. It’s help students to learn and work more effectively in voice, video, data, and mobile apps.

The CCNA collaboration certification also helps students to gain knowledge in installation, configure, operate and maintain Cisco’s Unified Communications solutions.

CCNA Cloud

CCNA cloud certification is for individuals who wants to develop their cloud skills. It is the only certification that covers all major cloud technologies such as Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), OpenStack, and Cloud Management System.

This certification is mainly focused on helping cloud engineers, cloud administrators, and network engineers enhance their cloud skill set.

CCNA Cyber Operations

This CCNA Cyber Ops certification focuses on educating applicants for associate-level roles in cyber security operations centers.

It will help you understand how an enterprise network infrastructure is designed, implemented, and used. You will be familiar with key security technologies such as firewalls, Network Access Control (NAC), intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), and virtual private networks.

CCNA Wireless

This certification will help you dig deep into wireless LAN technologies, Cisco Prime Infrastructure & Identity services, and Meraki cloud-managed services. The programme has basic security features, including rogue SSID broadcast control and a layer-11. It has wireless intrusion prevention systems, air quality monitoring tools, and location tracking services.

The course teaches students how to set up a WLAN controller in stand-alone mode as well as in mobility group mode.

CCNA Service Provider

This CCNA Service Provider certification focuses on configuring and operating the Juniper Networks M320 router. This certification also teaches the deployment of IPv46 and Ipv41 services in branch offices, including VPNs internetworking technologies such as MPLS layer and VPN Pass-through secure sockets layer/virtual private network protocols are included.

The course will teach you how to make decisions when planning enterprise campus core and remote access network deployments.

CCNA Security

This certification provides specialised training beyond the basics of entry-level network support. Candidates are taught how to secure router and switch networks using industry best practices.

Strong security is implemented for endpoints, applications, cloud services, data center environments and more.

Benefits of doing CCNA certification:

Lots of benefits are there for obtaining a certification. When a person becomes CCNA certified, they can try for a better job, or they can raise or negotiate a higher salary than other IT professionals. Different types of technologies are coming every year, like SDN (Software-defined Networking) and cloud infrastructure.

Disadvantages of doing CCNA certification

We have seen all the types of CCNA certification and the benefits of having certification. Now let’s see what the disadvantages of CCNA certification are:

If a person wants to take the CCNA certification exam, he has to pay a large amount of $300, i.e., Rs. 22,885. This amount is just for giving the exam. The expense of this exam can be justified by the value of the exam. You can apply for a lot of job positions once you get the certification.

When you get the certification, it’s valid for only three years. After that, you have to recertify the certification. You must upgrade to a newer version of the certification if you want to take advantage of it.

There are many certifications that are available in the same range. You don’t want to keep taking the certification exam if you don’t have experience in a specific field. It is not easy to give exams. It requires a lot of money and mental effort. It is difficult to crack the certification exams. You might need to get other levels of the certification to get an entry-level certification.

Certification exams are not easy to crack. You need to study hard to pass the exam. You will need a better understanding of the network in order to understand the concepts on the exams. It takes a lot of hard work to have good knowledge. The exam process takes a long time. You have to pass the certification. It is necessary to work hard. You may want to take classes for the exam, and the classes are expensive.

Why CCNA Certification still worth it?

The CCNA certification is the most valuable certification to get when entering into networking domain and it’s also an entry level certification. As I mentioned above, there are plenty of job oppotunities out there in market to get start in IT domains.

The CCNA certification opens the door for other certifications like CCNP, CCIE, and many more. Most professionals want to take the higher certification, but before enrolling in the higher certification, a person should have the fundamental understanding and skills to get started. So it’s highly recommended by highly trained professionals that a person should have basic level of knowledge and skills.

This certification is required for anyone who wants to work in the IT industry as a network engineer, system engineer, senior network engineer, technical support engineer, and so on. Most companies want to hire certified professionals, so they have to give minimal training to a person. It also improves your skills and knowledge while keeping you up to date on the latest technology used by businesses.

So it’s better to start your carrer with a begineer level of certification.