Are Cisco security certifications still in demand?

[siryu00]

Is it worth climbing the Cisco ladder for security or is it worth focusing on the cloud based certifications ladders such as the AWS ? I personally am interested in pen testing.maybe forensics. And still love my hardware . But alas outdated or dead end pathways. I'm a bachelor's student still so I have time to look around

UPD: THANK YOU ALL EVERY INPUT HELPED ME STOP FREAKING OUT AND ALSO SEE MORE POINTS OF VIEW SO VERY HELPFUL Y'ALL

[balaji.bandi]

My suggestion always - Routing and Switch is the basic concept of any other cert people progressing.

Most of the Cloud concepts are the same as per my personal view concern, different vendors do a different method. All will solve the same challenges, some have limitations like pros and cons, This is there for every product.

Security is the Future no doubt in the digital era, more devices connected to the internet have more security issues and flaws need to be protected.

Pen-testing, forensic required some understanding of the protocols and flows - deep analysis. (its a very interesting topic though required more time to spend to understand the captures)

Last - certification is may be important to take you to the interview level since organizations look for pre-qualification certs as a learner to start. maintaining certification is also important since most certs expire in 3 years' time.

[carstenlymann1]

Agree with what @balaji.bandi is saying here.

Would focus on the R&S since its the pure basic. If you already got the skills matching ccna or ccnp enterprise then it makes sense to specialize. But your knowledge is more important than a certification. Certification can open doors, but its what you do outside the multiple choice questions that defines you.

If pentesting is your end goal i would move towards that. The CCNP security covers some topics that you can use later on with pentesting. I dont know about the cloud. But if pentesting is the end goal, im not sure i would focus on more Cisco certs. Then i would problably work towards other certs.

Personally im working on getting my Security certification. Its to prove to my self that im better than what my brain tries to tell me. But also working 100% with Cisco Security products it makes sense. 

[Sheraz.Salim]

Everyone see things differently. so here is my 1 penny bet.

Networking technologies gone so much different compare to last few year. Today world we living in more of a cloud business. All vendor either network giants or retail etc do not want to miss this opportunity to go cloud. cisco itself have started so many services which are cloud based. those days are gone where you have to configure a single network and you have to allocate a time (few day etc). no things gone fast very fast. Business cant delay things and they do not like the idea of delaying. Time is become Gold and time is money. more focus is the Automation.

having a knowledge of Automation for AWS is +++. security is good filed but for going in deep security you need to be a multivendor experts or have some multi expert knowledge. to start it from CISSP etc is good start. Cisco security products are one is the best leading products in the world. however not each single company can affoard this due to high prices etc.

Pentest, yes its good.  remember do what you like most and be top of your game. the more advise you will get the more confused you get. do what you like and make sure you on top of your game in any field you like. Thats all i have to say and one last think. Always believe on yourself.

[Martin L]

If you need Cisco cert renewal, go for CCNP Encore. if not, follow your interests in "white hacking" which leads to cert in CEH, certified ethical hacking or do CISSP.

Regards, ML
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