SAN JOSE, Calif., February 12, 2001 - Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced a new initiative that extends its long-term commitment to help address the networking industry's demand for more qualified professionals. The Cisco Qualified Specialist initiative is designed to recognize and validate an individual's skills in specific technologies.

"Network professionals, and the organizations that employ them, need an increasingly diverse mix of skills to keep pace in today's rapidly changing technology landscape," said Tom Kelly, Vice President of the Internet Learning Solutions Group. "For most, the path to career growth is achieved by acquiring Associate, Professional, and ultimately Expert status in the Cisco Career Certifications program. Our new Cisco Qualified Specialist initiative extends our program to provide employees in technical fields with the skills that are specifically applicable to their organizations."

Individuals who earn a Cisco Qualified Specialist designation demonstrate a significant technical competency, validated by passing one or more secure, proctored, certification-quality exams. Each new designation requires that the individual possess at least a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification. Cisco Qualified Specialist designations are available to all technical professionals. For Cisco channel partners, the new designations will frequently be used as part of the requirement for individuals fulfilling a job role within a Cisco Channel Specialization.

Available Today -- Four New Designations

Individuals can currently earn Cisco Qualified Specialist designations in the following areas: cable, security and SNA/IP. The Cisco Cable Communications Specialist has the knowledge and skills required to deploy and support Cisco cable two-way data services. The Cisco Security Specialist 1 can build and maintain Cisco security solutions, including standalone firewall products and Cisco IOS. Software. The Cisco SNA/IP Support Specialist has the skills required for installing, configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting Cisco routers in SNA environments. The Cisco SNA/IP Design Specialist can translate complex SNA networking requirements into a network design. As part of its continuing commitment to help provide the industry with more qualified professionals, Cisco is dedicated to releasing more Cisco Qualified Specialist designations over the next several months.

Training & Exams

Preparation for Cisco Qualified Specialist designations is offered worldwide by Cisco Learning Partners, whose instructors are certified by Cisco to provide the recommended training courses in preparation for the required exams. Virtual University Enterprises and Prometric offer Cisco certification exams at locations worldwide.

For more information on the new initiative, available training as well as exam times and locations go to our training Web site at www.cisco.com/go/training.