Scope and Importance of CCIE

Scope and Importance of CCIE Certifications

Before we get into what is CCIE and what is Scope of CCIE in India, let us break down the funnel and understand some fundamentals. Networking is when two or more devices exchange data with each other. Networking had begun from the early 1950s and has been growing exponentially since then. Today, various companies are nailing the Networking game which includes Cisco, IBM, Larsen and Toubro, WIPRO, TATA Communications, AT&T, HCL, etc to name a few. Cisco is the largest single player among all the companies.

Cisco Certifications have certain levels before the candidate reaches the CCIE level. 

Entry Level – CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Level Technician) and CCT (Cisco Certified Technician) serve as entry levels for individuals interested to start their career in the Networking domain.

Associate Level – The associate level consist of CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) & CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate) . These are associate level certification which validates engineers skills and knowledge to operate, troubleshoot, maintain basic level operations in the networks.

Professional Level – Post the associate level there is CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional). The CCNP level is an advanced level of certification to meet networking skills.

Expert Level – The CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) and CCDE (Cisco Certified Design Expert ) level is the next level of Certification, accepted worldwide at all the global networking companies. These certifications validates expert level skills to manage complex enterprise networks.

Architecture – CCAr (Cisco Certified Architect) is the highest level Certification where Engineers can handle the most intricate designs and translate business strategies into evolutionary technical strategies.

What is CCIE?

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Certifications help provide organizations with expert level assistance to design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot the networks. CCIE Certification is the most prestigious certification worldwide, accepted by all the companies worldwide. The CCIE and CCDE community has built a reputation of leading the network industry with in-depth knowledge with highly technical skills. CCIE is continuously revised, and its tools are checked over and over again to provide quality, relevant and valued skills.

CCIE contains certifications in six domains which are-

• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Wireless
• CCIE Collaboration
• CCIE Routing and Switching
• CCIE Service Provider

CCIE Data Center – CCIE Data Center qualifiers play critical roles in complex Data Center environments. They design, implement, manage and troubleshoot modern IT data infrastructure. This certification focuses on Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity, network services, automation, and orchestration, etc. The CCIE Data Center professional works towards growing evolving technologies and their impact on network architecture, deployment models and operations.

CCIE Security – CCIE Security individuals, have skills to maintain high-end security networks using best practices to protect the systems against various threats and risks. There are no prerequisites for a CCIE where prior certifications or trainings are required. You only need to pass the written and hands-on lab exam. It is strongly recommended to have a three to five year relevant work experience before appearing for the CCIE Security Exam.

CCIE Wireless – CCIE Wireless candidates portray broad knowledge about wireless and WLAN technologies. Candidates who get through the CCIE Wireless Exam have a vast theoretical knowledge and in-depth understanding of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies from Cisco which is a market leader in WLAN technologies.

CCIE Collaboration – CCIE Collaboration is for Voice/Video Network Managers, Unified Communications Architects, and Collaboration Architects who plan, design and implement configurations on Cisco Collaborations. The CCIE Collaboration Certification makes sure that you gain all the knowledge and experience in collaboration solutions which will, in turn, prepare you to deploy, maintain and troubleshoot complex networks. Expertise in providing video, voice, IM, presence solutions will help you increase your productivity to help you offer your customers, a seamless video experience.

CCIE Routing and Switching – CCIE Routing and Switching experts are people who have the skills to plan, operate and troubleshoot complex enterprise networks. There are no formal prerequisites required to appear for the CCIE Routing and Switching Certification. The candidate needs only to pass the written exam first and then the hands-on lab exam.

CCIE Service Provider – CCIE Service Provider community possesses Expert Level Engineers who contain knowledge and skills to build a productive service provider infrastructure. Same as above there are no formal prerequisites required for the CCIE Service Provider needed in this Certification. You need to pass the written exam and the hands-on lab examination.

Who should opt for CCIE?

• Candidates who have a minimum high school diploma and have an inclination towards networking can opt for a CCIE Certification
• Candidates who have at least five-year experience in any Networking domain
• Candidates who have had the edge over technologies, CCIE is for you
• If you are a visual learner, then CCIE is the right choice as you can see everything that you learn
• People who are always curious about upcoming technologies can also opt for CCIE Certification

What is Scope of CCIE in India?

• Extensive Knowledge Base

The most important benefit of the CCIE Examination is the knowledge store of the certification. This certification intends to expand the candidate’s knowledge level. The excellent reputation of CCIE Engineers over the years have left an impression that they are extensively technical and understand network technologies and concepts.

• Availability of Jobs

End to end networks are in inevitable demand for candidates who can handle their networks. You may be surprised to know that the number of available candidates are far less than the number of available jobs in the networking industry. Hence a lot of jobs are available in the networking domain especially for the CCIE candidates.

• Growth Opportunities

There will be a huge growth in opportunities if the candidate achieves a CCIE Certification. Career opportunities are endless and the candidate will have more growth opportunities as the networking industry demands for CCIE candidates. If the candidate has more than five year experience in the relevant field then the salary packages would be excellent.

• Salary Packages

Cisco CCIE professionals are one of the highest paid professionals in the world. These professionals always get higher packages than other technical professionals. Even for a fresher the salary is very attractive.

• Innovation

The networking industry as a whole is undergoing innovation year-on-year. Due to this innovation rate the networking industry demands more certified engineers to handle their networks. Also, if you are an innovator yourself then you can expect exponential growth in your career graph.

What are the Job Roles for CCIE Engineers?

Here are some top listed job roles available for CCIE Engineers in India:

• Technical Subject Matter Expert
• Network Engineers
• Senior Network Engineers
• IT Consultants
• Network Security Engineers
• Network Architect
• Network Specialist

What is the Pay-Scale for CCIE Engineers in India?

Although the Pay Scale varies from city to city the median pay scale for Engineers in India is as follows

Which companies hire CCIE Engineers in India?

Here is a list of companies which hire CCIE Engineers in India:

• Cisco
• IBM India Pvt Ltd
• Tata Consultancy Services
• Larsen and Toubro
• Infosys Technologies
• Wipro
• TATA Communications
• Verizon
• AT&T
• Dimension Data
• Velocis
• Orange
• BT India Pvt Ltd
• Bharti Airtel
• Sophos
• CSS Corp

There is a misconception about networking that automation might take away all the networking jobs in the coming future, but that is not true since candidates like these will only have to upgrade their skills to sustain. But on the other hand, the scope of CCIE Certification is vast. Companies are falling short of CCIE candidates as compared to industry demand due to which there are higher paying jobs available. This industry is continuously changing due to which there are new opportunities and careers available in various companies and the Scope of CCIE in India is growing and will continue to do so.

A lot has changed in terms of knowledge and skills in the Networking Industry, but we assure that Scope of CCIE in India is bright and shining.