CCNA Security vs CCNA CyberOps: Is One Better than the Other?

There isn’t a lot of online content on CCNA Cyber Ops that doesn’t reflect Professor Messer’s framework, so when I came across Network Chuck I was hooked. He started in the customer service and is passionate about his work and very knowledgeable about the topics he covers. I’ve been following him for about a year now and I tend to agree with his views on the steps people in Networking should take. However, I will challenge some of your views in this video.

As the title clearly states, Network Chuck compares the experienced CCNA Security and the newly developed CCNA CyberOps certification. Seriously, this is as good a video as you’ll get breaking down the differences, so I won’t bore you with the details. However, the core difference between the certifications is that CCNA Security focuses on building a secure network, while CCNA CyberOps focuses on diagnosing and responding to network security issues. While the security track can lead all the way to the CCIE, the CyberOps trail ends at the CCNA.

Network Chuck disputes this point in his analysis of the two certificates. In my opinion, you are correct in stating that the CyberOps certification places the recipient in SOC status while the security track offers more room for growth. So far I agree with him on his analysis, but then he goes on to say that he thinks it would be better to skip the CyberOps certification. I get it, when deciding which certification to try, it’s smart to try one that offers a high ceiling; career growth. The thing is, I think it’s more nuanced than that.

Let’s get this out of the way early CCNA Cyber Ops

if you are already a network engineer, CyberOps Dumps certification is not necessary except for personal knowledge and interest. A number of additional authority certifications cover the same topic. I would hazard a guess that for the same reasons, those with a college degree in cybersecurity or cyber security don’t even qualify for this qualification. I think this qualification is perfect for those who are looking for a career change or simply don’t have the resources to complete a four-year degree.

It could be argued that this over-localization of qualifications to a particular position is more likely to stunt the candidate’s growth. However, if you are new to IT, getting your first job is just as important as future growth. As I mentioned earlier, the CyberOps certification seems to give you the knowledge you need to take a SOC position to monitor network resources for any type of attack or malicious activity. With a shortage of IT workers in almost any field, employers will only try to find candidates they know can do the job. This is why many employers require CompTIA A+ for customer support or Network+/CCENT for NOC positions instead of a full college degree for these entry level positions. I believe CCNA CyberOps tries to fill this role for entry-level SOC positions.

The real question I believe is, whether the CyberOps exam

The real question, I think, is whether the CCNA Cyber Ops exam is really the certification candidates need to take to get started in cybersecurity. Now Network Chuck strongly recommends and believes that anyone working in networking, regardless of their chosen path, should start with the CCNA Routing and Switching exam. This is Cisco’s strong test, and frankly, its bread and butter, as it has historically used it to advance through other Cisco tracks. However, as IT jobs become increasingly fragmented in focus, CCENT is taking on the role of gatekeeper, so to speak. With that in mind, I’m not so sure that taking the route and switch test is the route newbies should take, but that’s an argument for another time.

The CCNA CyberOps exam may not be the answer either, as it is vendor specific and likely not translatable to other systems. Most people who try their hand at Cyber Security find their way to CompTIA Security+, which many believe is a necessary first step. Where this certification is lacking is practical knowledge that can be used in the SOC position.

Rather, they are tests like the required annual safety training that employers force their employees to undergo. However, CompTIA recently released a cybersecurity exam, CySA+, that appears to be very similar to CCNA CyberOps. CompTIA’s exams are vendor-neutral, so they have broader information that covers more systems than Cisco’s CCNA, which can help candidates applying to non-Cisco heavyweight companies.

To answer which certification is better, it depends.

The applicant’s experience plays a big role. If you have a degree, already have CCNA Routing and Switching, or are an engineer, skip the CyberOps exam. If you are just starting out, it is more difficult. This decision is what employers want, and since both CyberOps Dumps and CySA+ are relatively new, it may take some time for the market to agree on the better option. I suggest you ask the recruiter and note the certification requirements in the job postings.