Importance of Cisco Certification For IT Operational Professionals

The world of technology has never been more exciting than it is today. Words like digital transformation may be overused and boring, but there is no denying that we live in a digital age where technology is consistently and drastically changing.

Cloud platforms are a great example of such technology. The cloud has advanced from its virtual existence to a key influencer of data centres, networking, analytics, virtualisation and cybersecurity. Simultaneously, cybersecurity has grown in importance across IT domains and is evolving regularly in response to increasingly sophisticated malicious attacks.

Cisco Systems provides certifications for both general and specialised offerings, which demand that candidates clear an exam to achieve. General certifications are categorised into 4 different expertise levels offered across 7 certification paths that include design, routing and switching, storage networking and security.

There are several role-based cloud certifications offered by various vendors in the IT sector. Out of all the available options, the most popular ones are CCNA, CCNP and CCIE. These certifications assure employers that you are skilled in the concepts and fundamentals of networking. 

There are several reasons to attain a Cisco certification to enhance your career. 

Reason 1: It Sharpens and Validates Your Knowledge of Networking

Enhancing and increasing your knowledge base is one of the most important reasons for enrolling in a Cisco training and certification course. Cisco certifications generally cover a diverse range of protocols and technologies. Earning any of these credentials teaches you about installing, configuring, operating and troubleshooting networks. A Cisco certification also provides professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for tackling problems in real-world environments, accounting for the risks and pressures related to deploying and maintaining networking in large organisations. 

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Reason 2: It Opens up New Career Growth Avenues

Getting a Cisco certification fast tracks your career towards roles that you aspire towards, in that it qualifies you to get much better jobs and salaries than you would get without a certification. This results in better visibility for your profile among recruiters. You will be equipped to carry out a range of networking operations at an advanced level with more responsibilities while taking ownership of more tasks. While it’s not impossible to get promoted without a certification, having a credential speeds up your career growth rate.

Reason 3: It Increases Your Remuneration

The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US reported that back in 2014, the average salary of a network or system administrator was about $79,770 per annum, with some professionals earning $120,000 or more. There was also a prediction of a 12% growth in demand for network professionals between 2012 and 2022. This number has increased since the spread of the global pandemic. 

According to data shared by the InfoSec Institute, on average, a certified CCNA professional can make about $ 118,830 per annum. Meanwhile, recent PayScale data has indicated that certified network professionals who specialise in Cisco solutions make anywhere between $50,971 to $101,017 in a year.

Reason 4: Employers Choose Certified Professionals More

Data shared by IDC (International Data Corporation) showed that certifications and training make a positive impression on employers and signals a stronger return on investment, higher productivity and reduced costs.

According to about 66% of hiring managers, Cisco certifications improve the level and quality of services that are offered to end customers and IT users. Organisations with about 40-55% of certified employees in the team have higher than average performance. A Cisco certification helps increase customer satisfaction by training employees to better understand the customer’s issues and solve them to ensure a high success rate. 75% of managers agree that Cisco certifications are fundamental for improving team performance.

Reason 5: The Benefits of a Cisco Credential are Much Greater than Opportunity Costs Considered

There are huge long-term benefits of getting a Cisco certification. However, the learning experience will vary from person to person, depending on several factors. For an average professional without any experience with IT or networking, it would take about 1500 hours to complete the entire CCNA Routing and Switching certification path. This includes 3 certifications – CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNP Routing and Switching and CCIE Routing and Switching.

In the US, the average wage paid to graduates is $16 per hour. If a professional were to quit a full-time job for preparations, the opportunity cost comes to $24,000. A Cisco professional earns an average of $50,000 per annum. This means that after taking an entire year off to prepare for the exam, you can break even within six months at your new job.

The information technology domain today is focused on tech development. Regardless of their size, companies cannot afford situations that bring their business to a halt, especially if it relies on networking or cloud-related technologies. Most companies are scaling up at a rapid pace using networking. Thus, the demand for networking certifications is growing by the day compared to other professions. Give your career the jump it needs and enroll in a Cisco certification course today.