Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

Trust a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) for your network performance, reliability and security

By Bob Younce
Certified network professionals are extremely common, but a CCIE is not. Knowing whether or not a particular networking candidate without the CCIE designation can keep your network running at its best is difficult.

The Cisco certified internet expert certification is the top of the line when it comes to network certifications. If your network runs on Cisco equipment, you should consider a CCIE to maintain that network.

Here are basics you should consider when you're looking for a CCIE:

1. There is a wealth of information about the Cisco certified internetwork expert certification available from Cisco trainers.

2. A Cisco certified internetwork expert has undergone rigorous practical exams in real CCIE labs, in addition to having passed certification exams.

3. The salary range for a CCIE is much higher than it is for professionals with lesser certifications. Consider offering CCIE training for existing personnel to save money.

 

Offer CCIE boot camps and educational programs to existing employees

The CCIE salary range varies, but starts in the low six figures. To have a CCIE at the low end of the CCIE pay scale, consider paying for an employee's CCIE training. You can do intensive training via a boot camp, slower training via traditional courses, or self-study courses via web or CD.
Try: If your network professional already has her CCNA certification, consider sending her to the Internetwork Expert boot camp to rapidly give her the educational experience she needs to get the CCIE. CBT Nuggets offers a self-study course for the CCIE.

Utilize a CCIE on a temporary basis if necessary

As high as the salary range for CCIEs is, you might consider finding a consultant that can help engineer your network or troubleshoot mission-critical applications.
Try: If you only need temporary network consulting, you can find CCIEs who will work on a short term basis from Rent A Cert. If you need long-term temporary CCIE consulting, consider Progent.

Make sure your network candidate is truly a CCIE

Unfortunately, there are people who will claim certifications who aren't certified. Fortunately, there are ways to know whether a candidate actually earned the CCIE certification.
Try: Use the Cisco verification tool to see whether an individual earned the CCIE.  Consider running candidates through a mock CCIE test like the one available from Test King to make sure their knowledge is current.