CCNA Obtained

On October 30, 2007, I obtained my CCNA. That was the original point of this blog; to aid me in my pursuit of my CCNA. However, this blog will continue on as I develop myself.

Now that I have my CCNA, I have a taste for Certifications. It is like a Shark; normally, they don't view humans as a source of sustenance. However, once they have tasted an arm or a leg, they will come back for more. At least, that is what I learned by watching Jaws.

Certification is only meaningful if you make it so. I am not making more money today, nor I am truly a better engineer just because I have certificate and wallet card from Cisco. However, my thinking is a little different. I am more confident. I have a sense of accomplishment from setting and achieving a goal. I also have more ammunition when presenting myself as an expert in a situation: Cisco says that I am a CCNA, what have you got?

My company wants us to obtain our Microsoft Desktop Support Technician certificate (MCDST). It is not something I am excited about, but it won't hurt. It consists of the 70-271 and 70-272 exams, and covers your skill at supporting Windows XP on individual PCs in workgroup and domain networks. Passing either exam designates you as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), which is another line on your resume and another logo under your email signature. Successfully passing both exams gets you the MCDST, which will make my VP happy.

Three more tests after that and you are a Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA). That is a little more interesting to me. From MCSA to Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is just a few more tests. Combining MCSE with a Cisco specialist certification will definitely help out in the marketplace.

Which brings me to what I want to do. I want to get up to speed on firewalls. I have a lot to learn on routers and switches, but I am competent enough now to get the job done. I am not very knowledgeable on VPNs and security using firewalls. In the future, I would like to spend a lot more time on network security. Therefore, in 2008 I will work earnestly towards passing the Cisco 642-552 Securing Network Devices (SND) exam. This will extend my CCNA certification past October 30, 2010. It will also count towards a Cisco Firewall Specialist designation, and ultimately towards the Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), which is like gold.

I have to pay the bills, and my current job is doing that well, so I am buckling down on the 70-271 right now. I hope to pass that during my two weeks of vacation at the end of November. That exam will spell out the rest of my journey. If it is as easy as I hope, then I will complete my MCDST by January and then focus on the Cisco SND exam. If the 70-271 is tricky and requires more brain cells than I am willing to commit, I will scrap it and try to convince the powers that be that my SND is much more valuable to them. Stay tuned.