SAN JOSE, Calif., March 18, 2008 - Cisco® today announced enhancements to the CCVP® professional-level certification. The course and exam updates help to ensure a growing number of candidates have the knowledge, skills and credentials necessary to implement, configure, operate and troubleshoot advanced IP networks. Cisco IP telephony solutions are an integral part of Cisco Unified Communications that unify voice, video, data and mobile applications on fixed and mobile networks.

"With over 50,000 Cisco Unified Communications customers worldwide and more than 70 percent of all Fortune 500 companies using Cisco Unified Communications products, the demand for highly skilled IP Telephony professionals continues to grow," said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, general manager of Learning@Cisco. "CCVP provides individuals the opportunity to differentiate skills to potential employers and advance their careers in the IP telephony field. These better-prepared employees will in turn be able to help employers reduce business risk, improve productivity and maximize returns on technology investments."

To meet the need for today's skilled IP telephony professionals, CCVP recognizes the increased importance of integrating voice technology into underlying network architectures. The enhanced CCVP training focuses on creating Unified Communications solutions that are transparent, scaleable and manageable. Utilizing hands-on and scenario-based lab exercises to provide practical skills for real-world job situations, the updated CCVP curriculum includes content on Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0 and mobility features including single number reach and mobile voice access.

In addition, expanded coverage of operational tasks for single site, centralized and multi-site network deployments are included with leading edge topics such as PSTN, VOIP, signaling protocols, voice gateways, gatekeepers and the Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE). The program is augmented with enhanced dial plans, H.323 and SIP gateways, Call Admission Control (CAC) through locations and gatekeepers and connections to other sites with VOIP trunks.

Earning a CCVP certification requires holding an active Cisco associate-level CCNA® certification and passing five additional exams. Because Cisco recognizes that many customers have made significant investments around Cisco Unified CallManager 4.1, Cisco offers two learning paths, one for those utilizing Cisco Unified CallManager 4.1 and the other for those utilizing Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0. The following courses and exams comprise the CCVP certification:

For individuals utilizing Cisco Unified CallManager 4.1

• Quality of Service (QoS), Exam # 642-642
• Cisco Voice over IP (CVOICE), Exam # 642-436
• Troubleshooting Cisco Unified Communications Systems (TUC), Exam #642-426
• Cisco IP Telephony 4.1, Part 1 (CIPT1 4.1) and Cisco IP Telephony 4.1, Part 2 (CIPT2 4.1), Combination Exam # 642-444
• Implementing Cisco Voice Gateways and Gatekeepers (GWGK) Exam #642-453

For individuals utilizing Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0:

• Cisco Voice over IP (CVOICE), Exam # 642-436
• Cisco IP Telephony 6.0, Part 1 (CIPT1 6.0), Exam #642-446
• Cisco IP Telephony 6.0, Part 2 (CIPT2 6.0), Exam #642-456
• Troubleshooting Cisco Unified Communications Systems (TUC), Exam #642-426
• Quality of Service (QoS), Exam # 642-642

Additional certification requirements are listed at www.cisco.com/go/ccvp

To determine the current status of CCVP certification, visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking Systems at http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications/login.

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner Education Connection. For complete details on the Cisco Career Certifications program, visit: www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

Training may be purchased using Cisco Learning Credits, an easy method of payment for Cisco authorized training, redeemable through participating Cisco Learning Partners worldwide. For information about Cisco Learning Credits, visit www.cisco.com/go/learningcredits.

About Cisco Career Certifications

The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers and the organizations that employ them. Cisco offers three levels of general certification: associate, professional and expert, in various tracks such as Routing and Switching, Network Security and Service Provider. A variety of Cisco Specialist certifications are also available to show knowledge in specific technologies, solutions or job roles. For Cisco Career Certifications information, visit http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning.