With the increase in the number of security threats organizations face digitally, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is also increasing. They are creating an enormous impact on various differences. Jobs in the cybersecurity domain include supporting and safeguarding organizational data and customers’ data. They are also responsible for managing organizational network infrastructure so that crucial information should remain secure from cyberattacks.

Cisco certifications are indeed the popular certifications as it is among the most sought-after IT sector certifications. Individuals choose Cisco certifications so that they can get good career growth in the IT domain.

If your goal is to make your career in the IT sector or other technical sectors that deals with and works closely in safeguarding networks digitally, CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate and CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional certifications are best in terms of significance:

CCNA vs. CCNP: Which Fits Best For You? Let’s see: 

CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate:

CCNA, which means Cisco Certified Network Associate, as the name tells itself, is one of the most coveted certifications for people in this field. An individual with this certificate can install, configure, firewall, and operate network routing and switches, which is firmly expected from the certificate holder. The CCNA certification includes Collaboration, Security, Routing and Switching, Industrial / IoT, Service Provider, Data Center, Wireless, Cloud, etc.

CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional:  

Cisco Certified Network Professional is the central level of Certification with Cisco’s wide range of authentication options. This Certification is for professionals working on WAN, LAN-based network infrastructure concepts. If a person demonstrates the ability to plan, implement, troubleshoot, and verify LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) infrastructure, they may receive this certificate. The CCNP certification Course includes the domains, i.e., Wireless, Security, Routing, Switching, Cloud and Data Center.

Let’s understand the merits of having CCNA and CCNP Certifications:

Merits of earning CCNA Certificate:

  • The CCNA Certification Training process will help you improve your knowledge of Cisco networking and understand the basic concepts. 
  • Once you receive the CCNA certification, you are qualified and recognized as a certified IT professional and can add it to your resume when applying for jobs in the Cisco networking domain 
  • Countries across the globe accept Cisco certification. CCNA-certified networking professionals are better able to demand high pay-outs for their services than those without CCNA certification. 
  • Certification also plays an important role in career development and opens up more opportunities for you. It also increases the speed of progress in your organization. 

Merits of earning CCNP Certificate:

  • There is a huge shortage of workers considering CCNP professionals. As the demand is high, so is the reward.
  • CCNP Certification Course verifies networking skills to an individual.
  • It keeps the holder up to date with advanced technological trends.
  • Professionals having CCNP certification earn 10 percent more in comparison to those who do not have the certification, as per the Cisco. 
  • Technological advancements are constantly evolving and skill upgrading is a must to stay competitive. This certificate gives you an edge in career

Job Opportunities After CCNA:

This is an associate-level certification designed to help enhance the skills of testing professionals related to routing and switching fundamentals. CCNP needs a certain level of experience in WANs and LANs. This certificate will initiate you in learning LANs and WANs. If you want to start your career early, you can choose this certificate. Career opportunities are larger after earning CCNA training in New York, i.e. Network Analyst, Network Associate, Network Engineer, etc.

Job Opportunities After CCNP:

The CCNP certification is an advanced Cisco certification, making professionals learn more about how networking works. It makes you achieve the skill for options related to wireless and security. The CCNP certification is ideal for IT professionals looking forward to boosting their careers. The career path for the certification holder after this CCNP is Network Manager, Network Specialist, and Senior Network Engineer.

CCNA Expected Salary:

Till now, you have understood so many good elements about CCNA Certificate, and you’re also confident of a good raise. It adds to your curiosity about the expected salary. An average salary for the CCNA certification holder depends upon his experience. Entry-level positions start at $60,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $110,744 per year, according to talent.com.

CCNP Expected Salary:

The salary of a networking professional is going to be higher than a networking associate because the position is too senior. The average network engineer CCNP salary in the USA is $102,438 per year or $52.53 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $82,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $141,668 per year, according to talent.com. It will definitely fly high in your career.

The key difference between CCNA and CCNP: 

CCNA focuses on offering pre-networked experience to beginners and enthusiasts only with an equivalent level of Certification. An individual will understand them with IT infrastructure and install, manage and firewall end-to-end network solutions, while CCNP applicants will aim towards a trained program as this CCNP is the higher level of Certification.

Cisco Associated Network Associate, CCNA, is an entry-level network engineering certification available for almost all network specialists. With this certificate, applicants can understand the networking basics. It also helps engineers advance their careers in networking as CCNA can seamlessly manage small and medium-range of networks. CCNA is a beginner certification for all other networking courses. CCNP, Cisco Certified Network Professionals, make engineers understand the network environment. This Certification covers the optimization of the network and is highly professional.

In short, the difference lies in the CCNA certification, which tests professionals on the routing and switching basic elements. CCNP is an advanced certification that requires increased knowledge and understanding and WAN-LAN collaboration.

Of the two Cisco certification standards, CCNP certification is considered higher because it covers network operations and content, such as security or wireless options, which is much deeper and more comprehensive than CCNA.

CCNA certification is larger than in-depth. This means evaluating the candidates at the surface level for concepts and basics of various techniques. CCNP certification, on the other hand, aims at technologies at the core and evaluates applicants on unclear elements.  

In general, passing the CCNP Certification Exam is more complicated than passing the CCNA Certification Exam. You can also ask Cisco questions, sometimes subjective, as mentioned somewhere in the certification guide or data page, instead of having to include more content.

While most CCNA certifications require one exam, most CCNP certifications require you to pass up to four exams! In addition, the time required for CCNP certification is at least 3-4 times longer than that of CCNA certification.

Summing up:

While foreseeing the growth CCNA and CCNA Certification enables for an individual in a career, you will see that both are a great career move for those who are aiming to mark their prints in the Information Technology domain. Also, keep in mind that CCNP certification is considered a good option because it is a professional-level certification. CCNP will be a smart way to multiply your career growth. But it is crucial to have CCNA certification to be there. If you are CCNA certified, you can get CCNP certification to find more opportunities, better salary, and better status. Since there are various CCNA and CCNP training programs available online, you can choose the best online courses and make the best career in networking and cybersecurity.

Vinsys, for you, always stands by your side and offers the best training for CCNA Certification in the USA and CCNP Certification so that you can clear the examination in one attempt and mark the best career growth. Contact us today.