Level Up with Cisco CyberOps Training

Networking is the foundation of IT, and Cisco is the industry leader in networking technologies and practices. Organizations across various sectors rely on Cisco solutions, making it a smart choice to learn Cisco technologies and earn their certifications. The Cisco CyberOps Professional certification is designed to validate your knowledge and skills in active defense security roles, making you a valuable asset in the field.

Step 1: Assess Your Skills and Experience

Before pursuing the Cisco CyberOps Professional certification, it’s important to evaluate whether it aligns with your current skills and experience. This certification is recommended for professionals with at least five years of experience in IT security.

While there are no official prerequisites, having a solid foundation in CyberOps experience is crucial. If you have less experience but are still interested in Cisco certifications, consider starting with the Cisco CyberOps Associate certification, which is designed for network engineers with at least one year of experience in security best practices.

Step 2: Register for the Exams

To earn the Cisco CyberOps Professional certification, you need to pass two separate exams. The first exam is the CBRCOR, which costs $300. The second exam can be either the CBRFIR or the CBRTHD, also priced at $300 each. It’s recommended to sign up for both exams and schedule them for a comfortable timeline in the future. Giving yourself around eight weeks to prepare for each exam is a good rule of thumb. These exams are tailored to validate various cybersecurity professions and require a solid understanding of different domains.

Step 3: Master the CBRCOR Exam

The first step to earning the Cisco CyberOps Professional certification is passing the CBRCOR exam. This exam tests your general knowledge of cybersecurity and is divided into four domains: Fundamentals, Techniques, Processes, and Automation. The exam format includes multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. To succeed in this exam, you need to demonstrate a broad understanding of cybersecurity principles.

Step 4: Choose the CBRFIR or CBRTHD Exam

After passing the CBRCOR exam, you can choose between the CBRFIR and CBRTHD exams. The CBRFIR exam focuses on conducting forensic analysis and incident response using Cisco technologies. This exam evaluates your abilities in various domains, including Fundamentals, Forensic Techniques, Incident Response Techniques, Forensics Processes, and Incident Response Processes. This exam is suitable for professionals experienced in reviewing security breaches and managing teams investigating and mitigating breaches.

Alternatively, you can opt for the CBRTHD exam, which covers threat hunting and defending techniques. This exam assesses your knowledge in domains such as Threat Hunting Fundamentals, Threat Modeling Techniques, Threat Actor Attribution Techniques, Threat Hunting Techniques, Threat Hunting Processes, and Threat Hunting Outcomes. This exam is ideal for professionals who want to focus on mitigating threats before they compromise systems.

Final Thoughts

The Cisco CyberOps Professional certification is a valuable achievement that can greatly enhance your career prospects in the IT security field. Remember, continuous learning and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices are key to maintaining your cybersecurity expertise. 

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Top 10 Cybersecurity trends

Tips & Strategies to Pass the CSPO Certification Exam

Study the Scrum Guide

The Scrum Guide is the definitive source for understanding Scrum. It is essential to thoroughly read and understand the Scrum Guide as it provides the foundation for the CSPO certification exam. Pay close attention to the roles and responsibilities of the product owner, the Scrum events, and the artefacts.

Take notes while reading the Scrum Guide and create a summary of the key concepts and their interdependencies. Regularly review your notes to reinforce your understanding and ensure that you can recall the information during the exam.

Engage in Practical Application

Scrum is a highly practical framework, and to succeed in the CSPO certification exam, it is essential to have hands-on experience. To gain this practical experience, apply Scrum principles and practices in your professional projects. Make sure to actively participate in Scrum ceremonies, collaborate closely with the development team, and engage with stakeholders. This hands-on experience will not only strengthen your understanding of Scrum but also provide you with real-world examples that can be referenced during the exam.

In addition, it would be beneficial to seek opportunities to shadow or assist an experienced product owner. This will give you valuable insights into their day-to-day activities and further enhance your understanding of the role.

Practice Sample Questions

In order to evaluate your understanding and preparedness for the CSPO certification exam, it is recommended to practice sample questions that are tailored for this exam. Various online platforms provide such sample questions and practice exams that closely resemble the actual format of the exam. Engaging in timed practice sessions can help recreate the exam atmosphere and enhance your ability to manage time effectively.

It is important to analyze the answers you got wrong and review the relevant Scrum concepts to reinforce your comprehension. By practicing sample questions, you can identify any areas where your knowledge may be lacking and gain confidence for the real exam.

Join Study Groups and Discussions

Working together with other individuals who are also aspiring to become Certified Scrum Product Owners (CSPO) can be incredibly advantageous as you prepare for your exam. Consider joining study groups or participating in online forums where you have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and exchange knowledge and experiences. By discussing various Scrum concepts with your peers, you can gain a deeper understanding and gain insights from different viewpoints.

Promote group discussions, encourage the asking of questions, and challenge each other’s comprehension to create a lively and dynamic learning environment. Engaging in study groups not only enhances your understanding, but it also provides valuable support and motivation throughout the entire preparation process.

Conclusion

To successfully pass the CSPO certification exam, you need a combination of knowledge, practical experience, and effective preparation strategies. Taking the product owner certification offers various benefits, such as improving your Agile product management skills, expanding your career opportunities, and gaining recognition for your expertise in Scrum principles.

To increase your chances of success, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the exam format, attend training courses, study the Scrum Guide, apply your knowledge in practical situations, practice sample questions, join study groups, take mock exams, and effectively manage your exam day.

Always remember that becoming a Certified Scrum Product Owner is more than just passing the exam. It involves embracing the Agile mindset and continuously enhancing your skills as a proficient product owner. Best of luck on your CSPO certification journey!

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How To Get Started with a Cloud Computing Certification?

Why Cisco certification is important?

Yes, if you are reading this article, you are using cloud services directly or indirectly. In other words, cloud computing services are crucial to everyone’s daily lives. In fact, a number of titans of the digital industry are using cloud computing to stay one step ahead of the competition and produce high-quality products. Cloud computing was created specifically to help organizations determine the best cloud option by moving their data quickly and safely. Regarding market expansion, cloud computing is a sizable sector of the economy with a $371 billion global market value that is constantly and quickly expanding. By 2025, the cloud computing market will be worth close to $832 billion, predicts researchandmarkets.com.

Cloud computing technologies are beneficial as they provide security, cost-saving services, flexibility, insights, mobility, increased collaboration, disaster recovery, quality control, scalability, innovation, improved DevOps, enhanced compliance, lowered complexity of IT infrastructure management, industry growth, and many other multiple service offerings. So there are numerous reasons that make cloud computing so important for businesses, including analytics, large-scale data storage, scaling the infrastructure, delivering web-based services, disaster recovery services, etc. Due to the increasing value of cloud computing, there is a high demand for cloud computing experts who have gained any cloud computing certification.

So this article will help you get started with a cloud computing certification.

What is Cloud Computing Certification?

It is known that cloud computing technologies are widely adopted by almost every organization, and the knowledge of working with the cloud is poised to become a valuable asset for IT professionals. Therefore it is necessary for professionals in this domain to consider cloud certification comes from many different cloud service providers. Cloud computing certification indicates your abilities to employers/hiring managers and helps you gain experience where you might be lacking. Ultimately these certifications help candidates land entry-level job positions in cloud-related jobs.

Basically, Cloud computing certifications are the credentials that can help you learn the basics and advanced tools and techniques of cloud computing services. They can help you demonstrate your expertise and skills in this domain. There are several cloud computing certifications available such as

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solutions Architect – Associate,
• Microsoft Certified: Azure fundamentals,
• Google Associate Cloud Engineer,
• IBM Certified Technical Advocate-Cloud v3,
• Cloud Security Alliance: Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK),
• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect, etc.

Ways to get Started with a Cloud Computing Certification

In the field of cloud computing, if someone is new or any professional wants to level up and certify their skills, all they want is to get started as quickly as possible. The following mentioned are some of the important steps to get started with cloud computing certification.

• Bachelor’s Degree is Essential- To take the first step toward a cloud computing certification, it is essential to earn a bachelor’s degree as formal education in a technical field. Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science or any related field is definitely the first step to becoming a cloud engineer or achieving a cloud computing certification. Bachelor’s degree can also be a prerequisite or criterion by many organizations for hiring. Most cloud engineers graduate with cloud computing certification or engineering.
• Prerequisites- Cloud computing is a vast field in information technology that involves the approaches of many important areas such as hardware infrastructure, software infrastructure, data center facilities, software engineering concepts, and virtualization technologies. These are just learning approaches that are connected with each other and provide a strong base to explore and work with the cloud computing platforms.
• Gain Technical Proficiency- Besides bookish knowledge, it is necessary to achieve hands-on practical knowledge of cloud computing approaches like operating systems, virtualization, and networking. First of all, it is required to get familiar with Operating systems like Windows, Linux, etc. Visualization skills also play a vital role in clown computing as they help you start your own virtual machine so that you can understand how a virtualized environment works. You can start learning virtualization concepts like Virtual machines, Visualization advantages, Hypervisor, etc.

After learning operating systems and virtualization, it’s time to get familiar with networking which is also an essential part of a journey toward learning cloud computing. It is a very complex topic that requires time to fully understand it.

• Have Clear Concepts of Types of Cloud Computing- To get certification in cloud computing, it is essential to have a deep understanding of each type of cloud computing, which are Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud.
• Learn programming language- Cloud computing is a technical field where it is essential to have experience in at least one Programming language like C, C++, Python, Java, and Clojure. Through videos, blogs, lectures, online and offline classes, and other resources, you can learn a programming language and clear your certification exam easily.
• Hands-on experience- It is a fact that hands-on experience is the best way to learn something. So get your hands dirty with some practical work, gain experience and learn the practical aspects of cloud computing environments.
• Get enrolled for Certification- Yes, it is an essential step to get any certification. There are several small and large steps that should be taken under this term. After achieving basic skills and fulfilling prerequisites, it is required to get enrolled in any cloud computing certification course. Fill out the application form as per guidelines at the proper time and have enough study plans to clear the certification exam on the first attempt. Making your cloud-related network stronger can help you with your queries and clear your doubts. Pay the course fee on time, make sure that all your preparations are done and set yourself all fit for the main exam day.

So these are some of the important steps towards getting certified with cloud computing technologies. Choose any reported cloud computing certification, get enrolled, get certified, and land your dream job in this drastic field. Cloud computing certification can help you get better job opportunities and get better salary packages compared to non-certified candidates.

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Top 10 Cloud Computing Trends: A Look Into the Future

How to make career in Cloud Computing?

Check out the Top Cloud Computing Certifications

Today’s tremendous growth in Information Technology (IT) proves the importance of Cloud Computing. Industrialists say “the cloud computing is in the starting phase and expected to expand further”. Infact, technical resources certifying in the Cloud related technologies have a bright future in addition to high remunerations in job. Here the top beneficial and popular Cloud Computing Certificates every IT Professional should have. 

List of Top Cloud Computing Certifications:

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect –Associate

From 2013 AWS certifications (Amazon Web Services) are considered an effective way or proof to define the expertise in Cloud Computing. The certificates have different levels of badges as Foundation, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. 

AWS Architect –Associate exams are ideal for individuals designing cloud infrastructure. It costs $150. By passing it, you can get hired for an Average Annual Salary of $130,000. It validates the following

• Knowledge of Architecting and developing applications
• Skills in defining design principles and implementation of user requirements. 

2. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

It is one of the most valued cloud certifications of 2020, which entered the top list of highest-paying IT certifications. This certificate is the best pick for the Solutions and Enterprise Architects, Operations team members, and System Administrators. 

You can sit on this exam for $200. It validates that you can design, develop, and manage dynamic and robust solutions to achieve user requirements. The Average Annual salary of the individuals with this certification is $139,000.

3. Google Certified Professional Data Engineer

This Google Certified Professional Data Engineer certificate validates the individual’s proficiency in the Google Cloud-based environment. And it asserts that he can build or design, operationalize, maintain and secure big-data transformation in data structures and databases.  

You need a minimum of three years of industry experience and at least one year of experience managing and designing solutions on Google Clouds to appear for this exam. The Examination fee is $200. And the Average Annual Salary is expected above  $127,000. 

4. Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure fundamentals

Nearly one-third of IT professionals will have this certificate. An Azure Fundamentals certificate asserts that you have basic knowledge of the cloud concept. Another advantage of this certificate is, it never expires. So there is no need to renew it. The cost of the examination starts at $100 and may vary. 

It validates that an individual has a basic knowledge of cloud services, Azure workloads, security, pricing, and support. There is a chance of securing a job with an Average Annual Salary of $126,000 with this certificate. 

5. AWS Certified Developer – Associate

Amazon Web Services provide role-based certifications like Architect, Developer, and administrator.  Among them, AWS Developer – Associate certificates remain to be the second most learned Cloud Certifications. You can secure an Average Annual Income of $148,000 with exam fees of $300. 

This certificate proves that you understand core AWS services and tests your programming knowledge language.  It is the best choice for cloud professionals with one or more years of experience in Amazon’s Cloud platform. 

6. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

 It is the fourth most-pursed Cloud Computing certification by the 2019 survey. Passing the exam means that you have the skills to deploy, manage, and operate, and control the scalable system and Data flow in the AWS cloud. 

It’s mainly focused on the administrators with at least one year of experience. However, Architect and Developers can also try this exam to diversify their skills. The cost of the examination is $200. And the Average Annual Salary is ranged above $130,600.

7. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Here is another role-based expert level certificate. It covers the individual’s ability to handle Azure’s identities, storage, resources, and configuration of virtual networks and monitors. The cost of the examination is $165 (may vary). And you can expect an Average Annual Salary of around $76,100. 

It is not a certificate that everyone can have. You should be a master and years of experience in the various aspects of IT operations and Cloud Computing. You need to appear for two exams to get this certificate – AZ 300 and AZ: 301.

8. Certified Cloud Security Professional

The Certified Cloud Security Professional, shortly called CCSP. It’s issued by the International Information System Security Certification (ISC) 2. You must have five years of experience in the IT field and at least three years of service in Information Security to appear for this exam. This exam costs $49 and there is a chance for an Average Annual Salary of $154,000.

Unlike the above-said certificates, it is not platform-specific.  Having this certification means you can demonstrate your skills in any environment and eligible for all the roles as an enterprise architect, security administrator, and system or data engineer, security consultant, and so on.  

9. CompTIA Cloud+

It is another vendor-free certification designed to validate the professional’s capability in managing and operating the Cloud related technologies. Like the previous one, it is also applicable for all the roles but mostly pursued by the Administrators. It is recommended to have two to three years of experience in the Cloud platform to appear for this exam. 

It is not a basic or introductory certificate. Securing this certificate is valued more than other basic understanding certificates provided by the AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.  The cost of the exam is $329. According to the pay scale, the Average Annual Salary is $80,090. 

10. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

The certifications prove that you can manage Azure Storage, Virtual machines and networks, and other application services. The perquisites for this exam are six months to one year of practical experience in Azure Cloud with a good understanding of the core services, securities, etc…

And this certificate is also considered as the prerequisite for the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification. The Cost of the Exam is $165. And there is a chance to secure a job with an Average Annual Salary of $100,000 above. 

Hope the list of popular Cloud certifications helps the technical community and enthusiasts looking to certify in this domain. All the very best for all the friends working or studying or else planning to start learning on Cloud certifications.

Changes in the certification programs of Cisco:

If you are one among the professionals who are looking forward to give new heights to their career then new portfolios of learning are foreseen for you. As per the company, this new portfolio can perform better in covering key areas in IT with in-depth critical skills and in newer technology addressing. In these changes, certain adjustments have been introduced in CCIE, CCNP and CCNA. Also, specialist certifications’ new layer is also added by Cisco between CCNA and CCNPs.oer. Here are the details of the changes:

Note – Old certification exams for CCNA, CCNP and CCIE were valid till 23Feb2020 will new corresponding Cisco exams will be valid from 24Feb2020 onwards.

CCNA changes:

In IT technologies, for the job roles of associate level, Cisco has designed new CCNA program. All the CCNAs existing variants have been consolidated by Cisco in one CCNA. Therefore wide range of updated technologies, IT fundamentals and software development are covered in single exam along with several job roles. With this, retirement of the previous certifications will also take place. This refurbish is quite extensive but nothing is there that professionals who are planning and studying already for the test have to worry about.

Below is the list of old CCNA certification which will be replaced by new CCNA:

• CCDA
• CCNA Cloud
• CCNA Collaboration
• CCNA Data Center
• CCNA Industrial
• CCNA Routing and Switching
• CCNA Security
• CCNA Service Provider
• CCNA Wireless
• CCNA Cyber Ops

The new CCNA target track will be single CCNA exam.

Changes in CCNP and CCDP:

There is revision in the options of CCNP and CCDP of professional level. Integration of CCNP wireless and CCNP routing and switching along with CCDP will take place in CCNP enterprise certification. This option is for two exams in which core enterprise technology test is included and one is on the concentration exam from the choice of professional for customizing the demands of student in better manner.

Below is the list of old CCNP certification which will be replaced by new CCNP/CCDP:

• CCNP Cloud
• CCNP Collaboration
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Routing and Switching
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Wireless
• CCDP Design

The new CCNP certifications will be:

• CCNP Enterprise
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Collaboration

Changes in CCIE:

Several significant changes have been introduced by Cisco in all the 6 tracks of CCIE program of expert level. In fact, a newer version has been introduced with revision in several CCIE certifications. Details of the changes are as under:

• Collaboration of CCIE v2.0 to CCIE collaboration v3.0: The candidate will earn the certification of specialist collaboration certified by Cisco after passing CLCOR 300-801. Validity of this certification is for 3 years.
• CCIE data center v3.0 from CCIE data center v2.1: after passing DCCOR 300-601, the candidate will get certification of center core Cisco certified specialist data with 3 years validity.
• CCIE security v6.0 from CCIE security v5.0: the candidate will get core certification of security specialist certified by Cisco after passing SCOR 300-701 which is having 3 years validity.
• CCIE service provider v5.0 from CCIE service provider v4.1: the candidate will get core certification of specialist service provider certified by Cisco after passing SPCOR 300-501 with 3 years validity.

Below is the list of old CCIE certification which will be replaced by new CCIE:

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

The new CCIE certifications are enlisted as below:

• CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
• CCIE Enterprise Wireless
• CCIE Collaboration
• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider

DevNet will be added to the certification program of Cisco:

This is a completely new track introduced by Cisco in the form of certification program of DevNet. It embraces software developers and network professionals while potentially developing future IT teams and one community. The mission of Cisco is also supported by this in which Cisco intends for supporting networking that is based on intent with alignment of goals of business with the results of network. In fact, the networking that is based on intent has its basis as the closing gap that lies between exact demand of business and the output delivered by IT infrastructure.

It is expected by Cisco that the program of DevNet certification can serve helpful for the professionals in combining expertise of infrastructure with programming power so that the possibilities present in networking that is based on intent could be taken advantage of. It is stated by Cisco that the program of DevNet cert (having certification of three levels) validates software developers skills along with automation specialists, DevOps engineers and other alike professionals are asked at present for handling several technologies, delivering solutions that are creative with a look at programmability. This is also helpful in shaping the workforce for the coming generations of business that are developed on Cisco technologies.

Related – Future of Network Engineers

The present day job market is highly competitive and in this scenario, it is not simple to enter the tech industry. There is no doubt that career in this industry offer high rewards but for getting the identity different from crowd, the stakes are also equally high. This is the reason that makes industry certification stand as one of the best ways to begin and get into the tech industry whether you are a beginner in job market or the one who is looking to make alternate and better career choices.

Influence on perception of employers when you have Cisco certification:

There are chances that you can enter the job market without getting certified but it is not enough in the present scenario. When you include certifications on a resume, you will stand out from others and be noticed by recruiters.

Career benefits:

Getting Cisco certification is not just beneficial in the process of hiring but go way beyond this. If you are looking forward to enter in networking field and make a wonderful career then following are the benefits that you can get from Cisco certification:

Firm technical authority:

You get exposed to several technologies with the help of Cisco certification including CCNA, CCENT, CCIE or CCNP. Cisco certification also allows you to develop the skills that serves useful all through the networking career, regardless of the job role. In the course of certification, you will go through the steps for configuring, installing, troubleshooting and operating the switched and routed networks. This real world experience and knowledge will help you in your work.

Significant non-technical skills:

Just technical skills are not the limitation of Cisco certification. Candidates are also exposed to innovative thinking and problem solving. You need to go for something innovative if the topologies do not offer tested and tried results. It also includes team work communication with members of team. These all are the skills that always remain higher on the wish list of employers.

Related – CCNP SECURITY Interview Q&A

Bigger technology picture:

When you enter in a job, there are chances that just 1 or 2 technologies will be there on which you focus will slender. However, this is not the case when you get certification since variety of technologies and topics are there for which you get exposure. This is helpful in giving more expertise and wider perspective that will help athwart your career.  You will also be able to get hands on experience with the latest trends in development and innovation that makes your career shine.

Accelerate fast on growth track:

The process of promotion in your job is accelerated when you have Cisco certification and this allows you to enjoy much higher hikes in salary.

Persevere with learning:

You can go as far as your expectation with the help of Cisco certification. This certification is industry’s most prestigious one, with CCIE and CCENT essentials, that help you in pursuing and developing on professional front, keep alive you learning and stay on track with the constant technology and innovations updates.

Related – CCNP R&S Interview Q&A

Be prominent from crowd:

There is intensifying competition in market for jobs and the task of recruiters is to have the talent pool narrowed. When the applicants are filtered by hiring managers, there are chances of them getting attracted to the candidates who have reflected staying power, initiative and determination for certification completion. Your passion is also demonstrated with this regarding the subject along with the sticking capability athwart the project.

Official stamp:

From the perspective of recruiter, a candidate might make claims on resume of possessing core knowledge and skills but guarantee for the same is given by this certificate of industry standard. The trusted leaders of industry offer this official stamp about your knowledge claims: at the level of intermediate, entry or expert.

Preference to certified candidates by employers:

It is found in hiring manager’s survey that performance of certified employees is better than those who do not posses any certification. As per several hiring managers and recruiters as well, Cisco certification serves to be a remarkable method to enter in the industry and reflect your passion for the subject matter.

All these reasons clearly state why Cisco certification is important for getting prepared for successful networking career.

Related – New Cisco Certifications