Getting a Cisco Security certification is a great way to protect your network and your career. Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, shows you how to get certified as a Cisco Firewall Specialist.
Security is a big deal in networks today, and it will stay that way for a long time. With this in mind, you should think about getting a Cisco security certification and learning how to use a firewall.
From CCNA to CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional) is a big jump, but Cisco has made it easier with Specialist certifications. These certifications can give your resume and skill set a big boost, and they're a great way to "step up" to the CCSP.
Cisco currently offers four VPN/Security certifications: Cisco Firewall Specialist, Cisco IPS Specialist, Cisco VPN Specialist, and Cisco VPN/Security Sales Specialist. We'll start with this popular certification because every WAN engineer works with Cisco firewalls on a regular basis. (Those who want to become WAN engineers should also learn about firewalls.)
As of the date this article was written (October 21, 2005), Cisco gives you a choice for each of the two exams you need to pass to get this certification. You can take either the 642-551 SND (Securing Cisco Network Devices) or the 642-501 SECUR for the first test (Securing Cisco IOS Networks). December 19, 2005, is the last day to sign up for the SECUR exam.
For either, you'll need to know how to use Cisco security devices correctly and how to set up security on a Cisco switch and router, including syslog logging, AAA, ACLs, and security for router services and interfaces.
You can choose between the 642-522 SNPA (Securing Network with PIX and ASA) and the 642-521 CSPFA for the second exam. IPSec, NAT, firewalls, AAA, and policy mapping are some of the topics on these exams. (As always, you should check Cisco's website for the most up-to-date exam plans. On the main page, www.cisco.com, click "Learning and Events."
The only thing you need to do to get this certification is have a valid CCNA certification.
As always, the best way to prepare for your Cisco exams is to do some hands-on work. (Your boss will be a little upset if you use his or her PIX to try out your configurations. It would also be smart to find a good lawyer.) There are online services that let you rent racks with Cisco security devices already in them.
Getting a Cisco certification is a great way to protect your network and your career. The more you know and the more skills you have, the more valuable you are to your current and future employers. Use your CCNA certification as a starting point and keep adding to your skills.
