Today's Most Valuable Network Certifications for IT Professionals

Network technology is always evolving. Network certifications help professionals develop a deep knowledge of new and current tools, technologies, and practices.

The challenge facing any pro considering network certifications is finding the program that most closely matches their career goals. Unfortunately, the certification market is both challenging and confusing. To help guide you through the labyrinth and its positive and negative aspects, here's a quick guide to your current top options.

CCIE: A Hands-on Network Certification

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is the most significant network credential available today, says Larry Hartman, chief strategic officer at Pixel Free Studio, a firm that develops UI/UX and graphic designer software development tools. "Its strict criteria and great depth of knowledge reflect high respect," he notes in an email interview.

CCIE distinguishes itself as a practical, hands-on certification, proving a candidate's aptitude to manage challenging networking problems, Hartman says. "Globally, certified experts are regarded as top-notch personnel with the ability to construct and oversee most advanced networks."

CCIE shows that its holder has a thorough, practical grasp of difficult networking concepts," Hartman says. "It's well known worldwide, and individuals with this certification are usually regarded as elite experts, able to manage the most demanding network environments."

CCIE holders can use their certification to advance into a variety of different high-level positions, such as senior network engineer, network architect, network consultant, and even CTO, Hartman states.

Preparation Key to Many Network Certifications

While there's little doubt that a CCIE can open the door to serious career advancement, getting credentialed is far from easy.

"With a notoriously low pass rate—especially on the first try—the CCIE is famously difficult to acquire," Hartman warns. "It calls for not only academic knowledge, but also the capacity to apply it under pressure in real-time situations, as well as commitment, practical knowledge, and, frequently, months of preparation."

Tyler Houssian, an MLOps engineer at meteorological consulting firm DTN, agrees that acquiring CCIE certification is highly challenging, requiring extensive networking knowledge and experience. "The process involves passing a rigorous written exam and a hands-on lab test, which demand significant preparation and practical experience," he observes in an online interview.

Preparing for the CCIE typically calls for both formal instruction and hands-on lab experience, as well as self-study. A strong basis can be created by combining official Cisco resources—such as Cisco Press books and labs—with other training programs, Hartman says. "Especially for the lab test, practice is absolutely vital," he adds.

Advice on Acquiring Top Network Certifications

In most cases, combining formal instruction with practical experience is the best way to acquire the CCIE certification, Hartman says. "Many strong applicants spend a lot of time in lab settings that mimic real-world problems." Cisco's own training materials and practice labs can be quite helpful, he advises.

Houssian believes that the best way to obtain CCIE certification is to start with foundational certifications, such as the entry-level CCNA and CCNP Enterprise, and then engage in intensive study and hands-on practice. "Enrolling in preparatory courses, using study guides, and taking practice exams is also recommended."

Given the fast development of networking technology, ongoing education is critical. "Maintaining relevance in the field requires keeping current with new technologies, including software-defined networking (SDN) and network automation, even after earning a certification like the CCIE," Hartman says.

New Network Certifications in Emerging Areas

Looking beyond CCIE, several other valuable network certifications are available, depending on one's focus and career stage, says Yash Jethani, senior manager and principal analyst with global technology research and advisory firm ISG, via email. Available options include SD-WAN certifications from organizations like MEF and infrastructure automation certifications offered by companies like HashiCorp. "For beginners, CompTIA Network+ and CCNA/CCNP are strong starting points, but the Aviatrix Multicloud Network Associate certification stands out."

Jethani feels that Aviatrix certification is particularly valuable since it's vendor agnostic, covering all the major cloud services as well as multiple networking paths, enabling the certificate holder to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire cloud networking landscape. "The certification is available through the Aviatrix website and through dozens of professional trainers," he notes.

Some Final Advice on Network Certifications

Since network technology is constantly evolving, it's important to stay updated on the latest network technology developments, Houssian says. "Continuing education and staying current with industry trends will help you maximize the value of your certification."