Cisco Systems has long been one of the most influential companies in the networking industry, and its certification program has served as a benchmark for technical excellence in enterprise networking for decades. In 2017, the Cisco certification portfolio represented a comprehensive hierarchy of credentials that spanned from entry-level associate certifications through expert-level designations that only a small percentage of networking professionals ever achieve. The program was organized into distinct technology tracks covering routing and switching, security, collaboration, data center, wireless, and service provider networking, among others. Each track provided a structured progression that allowed professionals to build and validate their expertise in a systematic way that aligned with the actual demands of networking careers across different specializations.
The year 2017 represented a particularly interesting time in the Cisco certification landscape because the networking industry was in the midst of significant technological transition. Software-defined networking was beginning to move from concept to practical reality in enterprise environments, cloud computing was accelerating the shift away from purely on-premises infrastructure, and automation was emerging as an increasingly important skill for network engineers who had traditionally focused exclusively on hardware configuration. Despite these changes, the core Cisco certification framework remained highly relevant because the fundamental networking knowledge validated by these credentials provided the essential foundation on which new technology skills were being built. Organizations continued to value and actively seek Cisco-certified professionals across all levels of the certification hierarchy.
CCENT as Starting Point
The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician, known as the CCENT, served as the ideal starting point for professionals who were new to networking and wanted to begin building a foundation of Cisco-specific knowledge. Earned by passing the ICND1 exam, the CCENT validated fundamental networking knowledge including the operation of small networks built from Cisco routers and switches, basic IP addressing and subnetting, introductory routing concepts, and essential network security fundamentals. The credential was designed to be genuinely achievable for motivated beginners without requiring years of prior networking experience, making it an accessible entry point for career changers and recent graduates entering the networking field.
The CCENT held value in 2017 not just as a standalone credential but as the first half of the pathway toward the CCNA Routing and Switching, which required passing both the ICND1 and ICND2 exams as separate steps. This modular pathway allowed candidates to earn a recognized credential at the midpoint of their CCNA preparation rather than waiting until both exams were passed. For employers hiring entry-level networking staff, the CCENT provided a useful baseline signal of fundamental competence that went beyond having no certification at all. Many IT professionals who went on to build successful networking careers began their Cisco certification journey with the CCENT and built progressively on that foundation throughout the years that followed.
CCNA Routing and Switching Value
The CCNA Routing and Switching was widely regarded as the most important and impactful certification in the Cisco portfolio for professionals at the early stage of their networking careers in 2017. It validated a comprehensive set of skills covering network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies, IPv4 and IPv6 routing, WAN technologies, infrastructure services, infrastructure security, and infrastructure management. The breadth of topics covered in the CCNA curriculum made it an exceptionally thorough preparation for entry-level and junior networking roles, and its widespread recognition among employers made it one of the most consistently valuable certifications a networking professional could hold regardless of the specific industry or organization they were working in.
The CCNA could be earned through two pathways in 2017, either by passing the single composite CCNAX exam or by passing the two-part ICND1 and ICND2 sequence. Each pathway had advantages depending on the candidate’s preparation style and timeline. The single exam approach was more efficient for candidates who had already built a strong foundation and wanted to validate their knowledge in a single testing event, while the two-exam approach allowed candidates to break the preparation into more manageable stages and earn the CCENT credential as an intermediate milestone. Regardless of the pathway chosen, the knowledge validated by the CCNA Routing and Switching remained the same, and the credential carried the same professional weight in the job market. For the majority of networking professionals in 2017, the CCNA Routing and Switching was the single most impactful certification investment they could make.
CCNA Security Career Impact
The CCNA Security certification addressed the growing demand for networking professionals who possessed both general networking competence and specific knowledge of network security technologies and practices. In 2017, cybersecurity had become one of the fastest-growing areas of concern for organizations of all sizes, and professionals who could bridge the gap between traditional networking and security were in high demand. The CCNA Security validated skills in security concepts, secure access, VPN technologies, firewall technologies, intrusion prevention systems, and endpoint security, all within the context of Cisco’s security product portfolio. It was an ideal credential for network engineers who wanted to expand their responsibilities into security or for security professionals who wanted to deepen their understanding of network-layer security controls.
Earning the CCNA Security required first holding a valid CCNA Routing and Switching or any CCIE certification as a prerequisite, which ensured that candidates had a solid networking foundation before specializing in security. This prerequisite structure reflected the important reality that effective network security requires a deep understanding of how networks actually function before adding the security dimension. Candidates who earned both the CCNA Routing and Switching and the CCNA Security in 2017 positioned themselves effectively for a wide range of roles that sat at the intersection of networking and security, including network security engineer, security analyst, and firewall administrator positions that were being created in large numbers as organizations invested in strengthening their security postures. The combination of these two credentials represented a particularly compelling professional profile in the employment market.
CCNA Wireless Specialization
The CCNA Wireless certification provided networking professionals with a focused credential that validated their knowledge and skills in enterprise wireless LAN technologies built on Cisco infrastructure. In 2017, wireless networking had become an increasingly critical component of enterprise network infrastructure as mobile devices proliferated and organizations sought to provide reliable wireless connectivity across their facilities. The CCNA Wireless covered radio frequency fundamentals, wireless LAN standards, Cisco Unified Wireless Network architecture, wireless security protocols, and the configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco wireless access points and wireless LAN controllers. This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical configuration skills made the credential highly relevant for professionals working in environments where wireless infrastructure was a primary connectivity medium.
The certification was particularly valuable for network engineers at organizations that had standardized on Cisco wireless infrastructure, as the vendor-specific knowledge validated by the CCNA Wireless was directly applicable to the equipment and systems these professionals worked with every day. The wireless networking field was evolving rapidly in 2017 with the widespread adoption of 802.11ac and the early discussions about the emerging 802.11ax standard, which meant that certified professionals needed to stay current with the latest developments even after earning their credentials. For professionals whose roles focused primarily on wireless infrastructure, the CCNA Wireless provided a recognized validation of specialized expertise that complemented the broader networking knowledge represented by the CCNA Routing and Switching.
CCNP Routing and Switching
The CCNP Routing and Switching represented a significant step up in both technical depth and professional recognition from the CCNA level, and in 2017 it remained one of the most sought-after credentials in the enterprise networking field. Earning the CCNP required passing three separate examinations covering route technologies, switch technologies, and troubleshooting and maintaining networks respectively. Each exam tested advanced knowledge that went considerably deeper than the CCNA curriculum, covering topics such as advanced BGP configurations, complex OSPF multi-area designs, Layer 3 high availability mechanisms, advanced switching features, and systematic troubleshooting methodologies for enterprise network issues. Together, the three exams validated a comprehensive body of professional-level networking knowledge.
Professionals who held the CCNP Routing and Switching in 2017 were positioned for senior networking roles that carried significantly more responsibility and compensation than entry-level positions. Network engineer, senior network administrator, and network architect roles all regularly listed the CCNP as a preferred or required credential, and certified professionals typically commanded salaries that reflected the genuine scarcity of individuals with validated expertise at this level. The CCNP also served as a natural stepping stone toward the CCIE, with many candidates using their CCNP preparation as the foundation for the even more demanding expert-level study that the CCIE required. The credential’s combination of broad professional recognition and genuine technical rigor made it one of the most valuable investments a networking professional could make in their career development in 2017.
CCNP Security Professional Path
The CCNP Security certification addressed the enterprise security domain at the professional level, validating advanced knowledge of Cisco security technologies including firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, VPN technologies, identity management, and secure access control systems. In 2017, earning the CCNP Security required passing four examinations covering firewall technologies using Cisco ASA, intrusion prevention using Cisco IPS, secure access using Cisco identity services engine, and VPN technologies. Each exam tested deep knowledge of specific security technology domains and required candidates to understand both the architectural concepts behind the technologies and the specific configuration procedures needed to implement them on Cisco security appliances.
The CCNP Security was particularly relevant for professionals working in dedicated security roles at organizations that had deployed Cisco security infrastructure. Security engineers responsible for managing Cisco ASA firewalls, identity services engine deployments, or enterprise VPN solutions found that the CCNP Security curriculum closely aligned with the technologies they worked with daily, making the preparation process directly useful for their professional responsibilities. The credential also carried significant weight when professionals were seeking advancement into senior security engineering or security architecture roles where demonstrated expertise with enterprise security platforms was a meaningful differentiator. In the competitive cybersecurity job market of 2017, holding the CCNP Security alongside the CCNA Security represented a compelling combination of credentials that spanned the associate and professional levels of Cisco’s security certification track.
CCNP Data Center Relevance
The CCNP Data Center certification addressed the specialized domain of data center networking and infrastructure, covering technologies and architectures that were specifically relevant to the operation of enterprise data centers and cloud connectivity environments. In 2017, data center networking was a highly specialized field that required knowledge of technologies that differed significantly from traditional campus networking, including Cisco Nexus switching platforms, data center fabric technologies, unified computing systems, storage networking, and data center virtualization. The CCNP Data Center validated expertise across these domains at a level that qualified professionals for senior data center engineering and architecture roles.
The relevance of the CCNP Data Center in 2017 was closely tied to the significant investments that large enterprises were making in modernizing their data center infrastructure to support growing workloads and the transition toward hybrid cloud architectures. Organizations that operated Cisco-centric data center environments needed professionals who understood both the hardware and software components of their infrastructure at a deep level, and the CCNP Data Center provided a recognized framework for developing and validating that knowledge. Professionals who combined data center networking expertise with knowledge of virtualization platforms and cloud connectivity were particularly sought after as organizations navigated the complex transition from purely on-premises data center infrastructure toward hybrid environments that bridged traditional data centers with public cloud platforms.
CCIE Routing and Switching Status
The CCIE Routing and Switching stood at the pinnacle of the Cisco certification hierarchy in 2017 and represented the highest level of technical recognition available to networking professionals in the enterprise routing and switching domain. Earning the CCIE required passing a written qualification exam that tested deep theoretical knowledge across the entire enterprise networking domain, followed by a grueling two-day practical lab exam conducted at a Cisco testing facility where candidates were required to configure, optimize, and troubleshoot complex network scenarios under strict time constraints. The practical lab exam was renowned for its difficulty and the depth of technical expertise it demanded, with historical pass rates that reflected just how challenging the examination truly was.
The professional recognition associated with the CCIE in 2017 was exceptional, and certified professionals were treated within the industry as an elite group whose technical credentials were beyond question. CCIE holders commanded premium salaries that reflected both the genuine scarcity of certified professionals and the depth of technical capability that the certification validated. Many organizations specifically sought CCIE-certified engineers for their most complex and critical networking projects, knowing that the certification represented a level of expertise that would translate directly into high-quality technical outcomes. For professionals who had built their careers through the CCNA and CCNP levels and were looking for the ultimate validation of their networking expertise, the CCIE represented an aspirational but achievable goal that would define the peak of their technical career trajectory.
CCIE Security Expert Level
The CCIE Security represented the highest level of recognition available to professionals specializing in Cisco-based network security, and in 2017 it was one of the most demanding and respected credentials in the entire cybersecurity field. Like other CCIE tracks, it required passing both a written examination and a highly challenging practical lab exam that tested the ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot complex security solutions in a live environment. The CCIE Security lab exam covered a comprehensive range of security technologies including perimeter security, intrusion detection and prevention, identity management, VPN architectures, and security operations, all tested at a depth that required candidates to have genuine mastery of each technology area rather than surface-level familiarity.
In 2017, the CCIE Security was particularly valuable because it existed at the intersection of two high-demand domains — Cisco networking expertise and advanced cybersecurity knowledge. Organizations looking for professionals who could architect, implement, and operate enterprise security infrastructure at the most sophisticated level recognized the CCIE Security as an unambiguous signal of genuine expert-level capability. The combination of deep technical knowledge validated by the written exam and the demonstrated practical ability assessed in the lab exam created a credential that was difficult to dismiss or overlook in any serious evaluation of a security professional’s qualifications. For dedicated security professionals who had built their careers on Cisco platforms, the CCIE Security represented the ultimate professional achievement.
Cisco DevNet Associate Emergence
While not yet formalized into its current structure in 2017, the seeds of what would become the Cisco DevNet certification program were beginning to emerge as the networking industry grappled with the growing importance of programmability and automation. Cisco was actively promoting the concept of network programmability through its DevNet developer program, which provided resources, sandbox environments, and learning materials for networking professionals who wanted to develop skills in software-defined networking, API-driven network management, and network automation using tools and languages like Python, REST APIs, and YANG data models. This emerging area represented a significant evolution in the skills expected of networking professionals.
Forward-thinking networking professionals in 2017 who recognized the trajectory of the industry were beginning to supplement their traditional Cisco certifications with programming and automation skills that would position them well for the changes coming to the networking field. Organizations that were early adopters of software-defined networking and network automation were already seeking professionals who combined traditional networking expertise with software development capabilities, and this combination commanded a premium in the job market. While the formal DevNet certification track had not yet been fully established in 2017, the professionals who invested in developing these emerging skills alongside their traditional Cisco credentials were building a foundation for long-term career resilience that would prove increasingly valuable in the years ahead.
Choosing the Right Certification
Selecting the most appropriate Cisco certification to pursue in 2017 required a thoughtful assessment of several factors including current skill level, career goals, industry context, and the specific technology domains most relevant to the professional’s work environment. For someone just entering the networking field with little prior experience, the CCENT or CCNA Routing and Switching represented the natural and most impactful starting point that would provide the foundational knowledge needed to build a networking career. Attempting to skip directly to higher-level certifications without this foundation was a common mistake that led to inadequate preparation and a shallow understanding of concepts that would eventually create gaps in more advanced work.
For professionals already established in the field with a valid CCNA, the choice between pursuing the CCNP in their current specialization versus branching into a different technology track required careful consideration of where the job market in their region was strongest and which direction aligned most closely with their genuine professional interests. Security was a particularly compelling direction in 2017 given the explosive growth in demand for security skills, while data center was valuable for professionals in large enterprise environments making infrastructure investments. Those who were already considering the CCIE should honestly assess whether they had reached the level of depth and breadth in their chosen domain that would make CCIE preparation a realistic and achievable goal rather than a premature aspiration. The right certification choice was always the one that built authentically on existing knowledge while stretching the professional toward genuinely new capabilities.
Conclusion
The Cisco certification program in 2017 represented a mature, comprehensive, and highly valued framework for validating networking expertise across a wide range of technology domains and career levels. From the entry-level CCENT through the elite CCIE designations, each credential in the portfolio served a distinct purpose in the professional development journey of networking professionals and provided recognized and respected validation of technical capabilities that employers actively sought when building their networking and security teams. The breadth of the certification portfolio meant that professionals at every stage of their careers and across every networking specialization could find a credential that aligned with their current level and pointed toward meaningful advancement.
Looking beyond the specific certifications available in 2017, the broader significance of the Cisco certification program lay in its role as a structured framework for professional development that guided practitioners through a logical progression of increasingly advanced knowledge and skills. The discipline required to prepare for and pass Cisco certification exams developed habits of systematic study, hands-on practice, and deep technical engagement that served professionals well throughout their entire careers. Professionals who pursued Cisco certifications with genuine commitment to learning rather than simply credential acquisition emerged from the process as substantially more capable practitioners whose improved skills translated directly into better job performance and greater professional impact.
The networking industry was clearly evolving in 2017 in ways that would eventually lead to significant changes in the Cisco certification portfolio, including the major restructuring that Cisco would announce in 2019. But the fundamental technical knowledge validated by the 2017 certification framework remained deeply valuable because it described the actual infrastructure that enterprise networks were built on and would continue to be built on for many years to come. Routing protocols, switching technologies, security architectures, and wireless systems did not become obsolete because software-defined networking emerged as a complementary approach — they became the substrate on which new automation and programmability capabilities were layered. Professionals who built strong foundations through the Cisco certification program in 2017 were well-positioned to absorb and apply the emerging technologies precisely because they understood the underlying systems those technologies were designed to manage and optimize.
For anyone evaluating Cisco certifications in 2017 as a career investment, the conclusion was clear and consistent regardless of which specific credential was under consideration. Cisco certifications represented among the best returns available on a professional development investment in the networking field, combining rigorous technical content, widespread industry recognition, and direct applicability to the real-world responsibilities of networking professionals across every industry and organizational context. The certification that fit best was always the one pursued with genuine commitment to mastering the material, supported by hands-on practice that brought the concepts to life in real network environments, and applied to career opportunities that allowed the knowledge to be used, refined, and built upon over the years ahead.
