DETAILED EXAMINATION PATTERN – CCIE SECURITY V5 BLUEPRINT

Since the update of CCIE Security version from CCIE Security v4 to CCIE Security v5, there have been many speculations of the added and removed topics. This article will help you with the CCIE Security v5 Blueprints and will give you the summary of its examination.
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert – CCIE – is an Expert Level Networking Certification of Cisco Systems. This certification was established in the year 1993, the CCIE experts are known for their dynamic skills and comprehending the vivid real life analytical situations.
That being said, Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts is a technical certification known with a unique definition which says, “The CCIE certified have the skills required by the Network Engineer to plan, operate and troubleshoot complex, converged network infrastructure on a wide variety of Cisco equipments.”
Cisco being a healthy package of notable networking certifications with its headquarters at San Francisco, it is hereby noticed that a person availing ; especially the expert level certification that is, the CCIE certification is vulnerable to immense opportunities that a person lands up into a state of dilemma as to which to grab and what to loose. Thus, providing a wide scope in the national and international corridors with decent remuneration packages, overwhelming designations, and decent financial and non-financial aids.
CCIE Tracks:
The entire program of CCIE is currently divided into 6 different areas of expertise or ‘tracks’ as we call them. The chosen track of CCIE opted by one determines that one is jack and master of the opted track with utmost sound knowledge and fine skills pertaining to networking technology. These tracks are namely:
- Routing & Switching
- Service Provider
- Security
- Collaboration
- Data Centre
- Wireless
Thus, one can opt for these tracks by individually adhering the different examination procedures for each of the noted tracks.
Description of the CCIE Tracks:

Cisco CCIE Certifications by I-Medita
- Routing & Switching:
The CCIE Routing & Switching professionals develop a unique ability to configure, validate and troubleshoot complex enterprise network infrastructure.
- Service Provider:
The CCIE Service Provider professionals are recognized for their expertise to design, implement, diagnose and troubleshoot complex service provider, highly network solution based on dual track solutions such as iPv4 & iPv6, thereby understanding the major functional requirements into specific device configuration.
- Security:
The exam tests here evaluates the knowledge of the security jargons in fields of designing, deploying, configuring, maintaining, implementing and troubleshooting the CISCO networking security solutions.
- Collaboration:
This certification under CCIE is the collaboration for Architects, architects of voice and video network managers who are responsible for the design, implementation and troubleshooting complex, particularly the collaboration solutions.
- Data Centre:
It certifies professionals with skills that entails proper planning, design, implementation and management of complex modern IT data center infrastructure, best skills required in organizations.
- Wireless:
It’s a two-hour test that evaluates the skills of an expertise to plan, design, implement, operate and troubleshoot complex WLAN networks.
Following are the examinations of the tracks:
Basis | Examination |
---|---|
Collaboration | 400-051 CCIE |
Wireless | 400-351 CCIE |
Routing and Switching | 400-101 CCIE |
Security | 400-251 CCIE |
Data Centre | 400-151 CCIE |
Service Provider | 400-201 CCIE |
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CCIE Security:
The CCIE Security Program provides a platform to all those professionals who have a keen interest in security networking standards with a sound knowledge and skills to architect, engineer, implement, troubleshoot and support the full suite of Cisco Security Technologies and interpret solutions by using the modern industrial practices to secure systems and environments against security risks, threats, vulnerabilities and requirements.
Thus, to be recognized as this certification candidate must first qualify the written examination, corresponding to hands-on lab examination. The candidate is expected to be a jack of all enlisted examination topics in order to qualify the aforesaid certification and become the holder for the same. Perhaps, it is strongly encouraged and recommended to have a 3-5 years job experience before attempting for this expert level certification.
Who are CCIE Security Professionals and what is expected of them?
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) certification was introduced in the year 1993, so as to distinguish the top echelon of internetworking experts worldwide.
Following are some tabular presentations for the same:
- Qualification required for this course:
Degree | Expected Salary approx. [In Rs] |
---|---|
BE. | Above 150,000 |
B. Tech. | Above 140,000 |
BS/B Sc. | Above 180,000 |
Bachelor’s degree | Above 140,000 |
MCA | Above 130,000 |
- Best companies for replacements:
POPULAR COMPANIES | SALARY in RS |
---|---|
Cisco Systems INC. | 595,976-18,64,469 |
HCL Technologies ltd. | 350,000-16,20,000 |
Orange Business Services | 13,00,000 |
Juniper Networks INC. | 20,00,000 |
Microland | 15,00,000 |
- Popular Indian Cities for recognition:
CITIES | SALARY [IN Rs. P.a] |
---|---|
Bangalore | 2,50,000-35,00,000 |
New Delhi/Gurgaon/Noida | 2,50,000-35,00,000 |
Mumbai/Pune | 1,96,000-15,70,000 |
Hyderabad/Chennai/Kolkata | 2,14,000-14,00,000 |
- Top Profile Designations:
The very standard set for internetworking expertise is the rigorous written examination and the on field lab-based performance. As the program continually updates and revises its various testing tools and methodologies to ensure unparalleled program with quality, relevance, and value.

CCIE Exam Description:
Cisco is in its move to enhance its pattern, onset of the next generation evolution, it has slightly enhanced the CCIE & CCDE Expert level certification programs. With regards to the dynamism and changing trends being noticed day in and day out, this step by Cisco is highly justified & reasonable as the repercussions of it shall be capable of moving workforce rapidly & flexible from the IT era to sound technical and digital era.
Hence it’s being noticed that Cisco enhancement module introduces and particularly describes an agile and modular approach to the curriculum. Here, enhancements are done in such a way that IT professionals do not face utmost difficulty in analyzing & executing the networking solutions; rather it’s doable enough with their intense ability to rapidly deploy new products and handle the emerging sophisticated technology.

Written Examination:
The written examination (400-251) version 5.0 is a two hour written test precisely, with 90-110 questions to be cracked. This examination is thereby closed book examination with all the outside references thus, strictly prohibited. The candidates now, in this complete 120 minutes have to put forth their skills and abilities to describe, design, implement, operate and troubleshoot complex security technologies and thereby, interpret and end up with a conclusion, perhaps!
Lab Examination:
The Cisco CCIE Security Lab Examination version 5.0 is an 8 hours intense examination, wherein the candidate is put into an offshore practical environment which tests their abilities to plan, design, implement, operate and troubleshoot complex security situations supplementing with particular specifications, knowledge, skills to comprehend, troubleshoot and thereby diagnose and anticipate issues, this is what is expected from the CCIE aspirants during the lab examination.
The 8-hour lab format consists of 3 modules that need to be taken during the day of the exam:
Module 1: Troubleshooting module (2 hours)
Module 2: Diagnostic Module (1 hour)
Module 3: Configuration Module (5 hours)

Below is the diagram which accurately explains the passing criteria:

CCIE Security V5 Blueprints:
Domain Number Domain Written Exam Percentage (%) Lab Exam Percentage (%) 1.0 Perimeter Security and Intrusion Prevention 21 23 2.0 Advanced Threat Protection and Content Security 17 19 3.0 Secure Connectivity and Segmentation 17 19 4.0 Identity Management, Information Exchange, and Access Control 22 24 5.0 Infrastructure Security, Virtualization, and Automation 13 15 6.0 Evolving Technologies 10 N/A Total % 100 100
Domain | Domain | Written Exam | Lab Exam |
---|---|---|---|
Number | Percentage | Percentage | |
(%) | (%) | ||
1.0 | Perimeter Security and Intrusion Prevention | 21 | 23 |
2.0 | Advanced Threat Protection and Content Security | 17 | 19 |
3.0 | Secure Connectivity and Segmentation | 17 | 19 |
4.0 | Identity Management, Information Exchange, and Access | 22 | 24 |
5.0 | Infrastructure Security, Virtualization, and Automation | 13 | 15 |
6.0 | Evolving Technologies | 10 | N/A |
Total % | 100 | 100 |
CCIE Security v5.0 unifies the written & lab examination topics into a unique curriculum which explicitly disclose different domains pertaining to which exam and what relative weight of each domain shall be?
As described in the entire process for availing this enormous certification and thus, be recognized as distinguished personnel, one has to learn jack and work on their toes to avail this certification of honor. I would like to conclude by quoting “As long as you have hard work in your stride, Good luck shall always be at your side.”