The Cisco CCIE Security credential is designed for those professionals who have the relevant skills and knowledge to maintain and implement extensive Network Security Solutions with the use of industry best practices. The certification recognizes security specialists who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge to engineer, architect, troubleshoot, support, and implement the full suite of the Cisco security solutions and technologies utilizing the latest best practices in the industry to secure environments and systems against contemporary threats, risks, requirements, and vulnerabilities.

There is no formal requirement for earning the CCIE Security certification. However, the candidates have to pass the written test along with the related hands-on lab exam. In addition to this, one should have a comprehensive understanding of the exam contents. The students are also required to have between three to five years work experience before writing the certification test.

The CCIE Security written (400-251) exam is a two-hour qualification test that covers network security concepts along with various equipment commands. It consists of 90-110 questions. The exam measures the applicant’s ability to architect, engineer, operate, troubleshoot, design, and implement complex security solutions and technologies. A full understanding of network security requirements, and how various systems and components interact must be demonstrated. In addition to this, one should know how to translate all these security prerequisites into device configurations. The students are expected to pass the 400-251 test before becoming eligible to write the lab exam. The Lab Exam 5.0 is an eight-hour test that evaluates the candidate’s ability to achieve a secure networking running within a timed test situation. It requires that you design, plan, operate, troubleshoot, and implement complex security scenarios for a particular specification. The individuals seeking the CCIE Security certification must attempt this exam within eighteen months of passing the written test. In case you do not pass the lab exam, you can retake it within twelve months after your failed attempt in order to retain the validity of your written test. If you don’t pass the lab exam within a period of three years after passing Cisco 400-251, you will be required to retake it before you take the lab exam again.