TORONTO, ON - August 21, 2002 - Cisco Systems Canada today announced it has introduced a new, expanded Cisco Certification Program called "Make the Connection - Cisco Certification & Specialization." The program has been expanded to include Cisco specializations and greater certification rewards.

Launched in 1999, the Cisco Certification Program was designed to encourage resellers to obtain Cisco Career Certifications by rewarding them for achievement. For each level of certification completed resellers receive appropriate recognition and rewards.

The Cisco Certification Program has evolved to become one of Cisco's key channel partnering initiatives, encouraging more partners to increase the number of certified resellers in their organizations. There are currently more than 2,000 participants across Canada.

Cisco certifications are consistently rated as the most valuable and sought-after designations by IT professionals and employers. The July 29, 2002 issue of ComputerWorld magazine awards Cisco's Certification Program top score as the best high-end certification program in the industry.

"Networking 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 Steve Simmons, vice-president, channel operations at Cisco Systems Canada. "For many, the path to career growth is achieved by acquiring higher levels in Cisco certification. By adding specialization, we're now extending our program to provide resellers the expertise to plan, design, implement and support a specific networking technology."

Cisco's specialization programs are designed to give partners a structured training road map and verification process and to assure customers that a solution provider has the expertise to plan, design, implement and support Cisco technology in a given area of specialization.

The "Make The Connection" program has added specializations including Cisco Security Specialist (CSS) and Cisco Content Networking Specialist (CCNS). Additional specializations will be added over the coming months.

"Our commitment to continue to provide world-class customer service is dependent on our ability to make sure our certified professionals are well-trained on the latest networking technology," said Simmons. "Adding specializations to our partners' list of designations can only mean greater business opportunities for them and greater depths of expertise available to end-users."

The program has also added new brand name rewards from Sony, Black & Decker, Panasonic, Coleman, Broil King, Movado and Wilson. A re-designed web site has been launched as part of the program, including new self-service tools that allow partners to update their certification status, order rewards, check the status of reward claims, and get information on program expansion. Resellers will also be awarded a plaque with a brass plate for each certification and a separate plaque with a silver plate for each specialization achieved.

Effective August 1st , 2002, channel partners can apply for rewards under the new Cisco Certification & Specialization Program guidelines. To learn more visit www.cisco.com/ca/certification.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at www.cisco.com.

About Cisco Systems Canada

Cisco Systems Canada Co. has offices across Canada dedicated to customer support, sales, and service. In addition, Cisco Systems has a significant research and development centre in Ottawa, Ontario.

Press Contacts:

• Willa Black
  Cisco Systems Canada Co
  416-306-7732
  E-mail: wblack@cisco.com
  
  
• Monica Salvo
  Strategic/Ampersand Inc. (for Cisco Systems Canada)
  416-961-5595 ext. 438
  E-mail: monica@stratamp.com