Cisco Systems Announces Recertification Policy Update for Professional-Level Certification

Certification Holders Who Pass Any Professional Level Certification Exam Will Recertify Their Active CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCSP, or CCVP Certifications

SAN JOSE, Calif., August 15, 2006 - Cisco Systems® today announced that effective Aug. 18, 2006, individuals who hold an active Cisco® CCNP®, CCDP®, CCIP^TM, CCSP®, or CCVP® certification will recertify their professional-level certifications when they pass any other Cisco professional-level certification exam. Certification holders will continue to re-certify their professional level certifications when they pass any CCIE written exam.

"The proliferation of advanced technologies such as network security has significantly increased the knowledge base required of networking professionals," said Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco. "The expanded professional level re-certification policy recognizes certification holders who have taken steps to diversify their networking knowledge and skills to keep pace with today's evolving networking environment."

Cisco requires that all professional-level certifications be re-certified every three years. This policy helps to maintain the integrity of Cisco certifications by verifying that those who hold active Cisco certifications possess up-to-date expertise.

Cisco advises its certification holders to make plans to recertify well in advance of the certification expiration date. To re-certify, certification holders must take and pass one of the professional-level exams or a CCIE written exam before the expiration date. Cisco will send a reminder six months prior to the date that a certification expires, and again one month before expiration.

Certification holders can check their current status by using their Cisco ID to access the Certification Tracking System at: www.cisco.com/go/certifications/login.

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Solutions Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. For complete details about the training and exam requirements for the Specialist and other certifications, visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

About Cisco Career Certifications

The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers and the organizations that employ them. Cisco offers three levels of general certification: Associate, Professional and Expert in various tracks such as Routing and Switching, Network Security and Service Provider. A variety of Cisco Specialist certifications are also available to show knowledge in specific technologies, solutions or job roles. For Cisco Career Certifications information, visit: http://www.cisco.com/web/learning.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo, CCDP, CCIE, CCIP, CCNP, CCSP and CCVP are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.