By acquiring a range of certifications, you not only bolster your professional trajectory but also gain recognition within the technology industry.
Among the many IT certifications available, one ongoing topic of discussion revolves around the merits of CCNA vs CompTIA as advanced certifications.
In this article, we’ll discuss Cisco vs CompTIA, so you can choose the certification that meets your needs. So, let’s get started!
Cisco Certifications: An Overview
Cisco certification is one of the significant and applicable certifications for IT professionals to boost their careers. The multinational certification is famous for its advanced networking system. Let’s have a look at Cisco's different certifications:
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
The CCNA certification is an entry-level IT certification by a Cisco hardware company. The goal of this certification is to assess the fundamental networking accepts of individuals that are a must for an IT network administration career.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
Now, let’s discuss some of the knowledge and skills that you need to have to pass the CCNA exam:
3. Benefits of CCNA Certification
CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
CCNP is an intermediate-level certification by Cisco Systems to assess an individual’s capability as a network professional. This certification aims to provide individuals with skills to design, implement, and troubleshoot enterprise networks.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
3. Benefits of CCNP Certification
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is an expert-level certification for senior networking professionals who want to get a job in enterprise infrastructure technologies.
The aim of this certification is to access individuals in designing, creating, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting enterprise infrastructure.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
Comparison of Cisco Certifications
Now, you might be confused about which certification to choose. Let’s see how they differ and which certification suits you best.
ParticularS | CCNA | CCNP | CCIE |
|---|---|---|---|
Difficulty Level | Beginner-level certification | Intermediate-level certification | Expert-level certification |
Prerequisite | none | Cisco CCNA required | CCNA & CCNP aren’t necessary |
Examination Module | 1 exam | 3 exam | 2 exam |
Examination Fees | $300 per exam | $400 for the core exam | $400 for the written exam & $1600 for the lab exam |
CompTIA Certifications
CompTIA is a non-profit trade association that offers a range of certifications for IT professionals. CompTIA certifications are significant in the IT industry. Let’s have a look at some of its certifications.
A+ Certification
The CompTIA A+ certification is a widely accepted and respected entry-level qualification in the information technology (IT) industry. Offered by CompTIA, a renowned IT association.
This certification is considered a standard requirement for starting a career in IT. It provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in IT roles.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
3. Benefits of A+ Certification
Network+ Certification
This CompTIA certification is also an entry-level certification. The Network+ certification goal is to assess the skills to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
3. Benefits of Network+ Certification
Security+ Certification
The Security+ certification is an entry-level cybersecurity credential provided by the non-profit organization, CompTIA.
By obtaining this certification, you demonstrate to prospective employers that you possess fundamental skills essential for a cybersecurity position.
1. Exam Details and Cost
2. Skills and Knowledge Tested
3. Benefits of Security+ Certification
Comparison of CompTIA Certifications
Now, you might be confused about which certification to choose. Let’s see how they differ and which certification suits you best.
ParticularS | A+ Certif. | Network+ Certif. | Security+ Certif. |
|---|---|---|---|
Exam Codes | CompTIA A+ 220-1001, 220-1002 | CompTIA Network+ N10-008 | CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 |
Job Roles | Help Desk Technician | Network Engineer | Security Administrator |
Associate Network Engineer | Telecommunications Technician | Network Administrator | |
Technical Support Specialist | System Administrator | Cybersecurity Specialist | |
Prerequisites | none | none | Recommended: Network+ |
Exam Cost | $492 | $338 | $349 |
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Certification
When choosing an IT certification, you have to consider several factors. Let's discuss some important factors:
- 1
Career Goals
Consider how your career goals align with the certification you choose. Explore in-demand certifications in the IT field like Cisco, CompTIA, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and so on.
- 2
Time and Money
Evaluate the time and money required to prepare for and complete the certification. Some certifications may require weeks or months of study and preparation.
- 3
Difficulty Level
Some certifications are entry-level that require little knowledge of IT and some are expert-level that requires a technical background. So, choose wisely according to your skills and expertise.
- 4
Job Market and Salary
Both Cisco and CompTIA certifications can contribute to better job opportunities and potentially higher salaries, the specific impact can vary based on individual factors and market conditions.
How to Prepare for the Exams
To pass the certification exam with flying colors, you need to have different training and courses from reputable resources.
1. Cisco Certifications
Let’s explore some of the best resources for Cisco certifications:
Pluralsight
It is one of the best platforms to prepare for any IT certification. It offers different courses and paths from experts for different Cisco certifications. Here, you can find the best training to ace your exam.
Udemy
Udemy is a top IT certification platform. Here you can find a lot of Cisco courses and tutorials. So, choose the best course that suits you and enroll yourself to maximize your chances to pass the Cisco exam.
2. CompTIA Certifications
Let’s explore some of the best resources for CompTIA certifications
Coursera
Coursera offers several courses to prepare for your IT career. From courses for CompTIA A+, and CompTIA Network+ to CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, this platform offers courses for all.
NetCom Learning
NetCom Learning offers the best online training and courses for CompTIA certification. Enroll yourself in the desired course and maximize your probability of passing the exam with flying colors.
Exam Tips and Strategies
The followings are the tips and best strategies to prepare for Cisco and CompTIA certification exams:
Conclusion
Now, come to the conclusion which certification is best for you. Well, the value of each certification depends on your career goals.
If you want to work with Cisco networking technologies, then Cisco certification is best for you. On the other hand, if you want to learn a vast range of IT topics, then CompTIA certification is your best bet. So, choose wisely.
