According to a global survey of IT professionals, 48% of those who received information technology training got raises compared to those who did not. Moreover, based on the same survey of over 19,500 respondents, 1,116 with CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate certifications have an average salary of $79,695. Take a look then at the benefits of this free Cisco Security Certification test.
Cisco Certifications and Job Salary Scales – 2010
In the TechRepublic 2010 IT Skills and Salary Report, where 92% of the +19,500 respondents came from the US and Canada, the following are the average or mean salaries of IT professionals with Cisco certifications:
- CCIE/ Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert/ 78 Respondents/ $110,283
- CCDP/ Cisco Certified Design Professional/ 106 Respondents/ $104,760
- CCIP/ Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional/ 41 Respondents/ $97,185
- CCSP/ Cisco Certified Security Professional/ 77 Respondents/ $95,730
- CCNA Wireless/ 70 Respondents/ $94,323
- CCDA/ Cisco Certified Design Associate/ 223 Respondents/ $93,953
- CCVP/ Cisco Certified Voice Professional/ 86 Respondents/ $91,773
- CCNA Security/ 110 Respondents/ $89,911
- CCNP/ Cisco Certified Network Professional/ 324 Respondents/ $89,864
- CCNA Voice/ 96 Respondents/ $88,020
- CCNA/ Cisco Certified Network Associate/ 1,116 Respondents/ $79,695
- CCENT/ Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician/ 133 Respondents/ $71,664
Free Cisco Security Certification Test
Take a careful note that this free Cisco certification is a Cisco Security Certification test; not a CCSP or CCNA Security certification. It is a non-proctored online test administered by a training certifications and human resources company and is not a Cisco company.
Despite the above disclaimer, the most obvious benefit of taking this exam is to get a free practice exam with a guaranteed certification when the test taker passes. Note that test takers are subject to the terms and conditions of the company.
The test covers the following:
- Appliances
- IPS/ IDS Management
- Secure Routing
- Security Protocols
- VPN Management
- Firewalls
- Secure Network Management
- Security Information
- Security Technologies
Proctored Versus Non-Proctored Certification Tests
What is essentially featured here is a free Cisco certification test that is non-proctored. Basically, this is an online exam where the exam taker takes the test under time pressure. On the down side, several issues have been raised that this non-proctored type of exam lacks integrity. Some assert that a test taker can be assisted by a professional during the exam.
However, it also appears that this issue can be resolved. Since the test is taken online, job recruiters or potential employers can require job applicants to retake the test under their close supervision.
Brainbench, the certifications company that gives out this test, asserts that its questionnaires are designed by professionals with specializations specific to the certifications being administered. The test procedure involves a questions database where sets of questions are retrieved. Hence, any test retake is different from the previous tests. Several questions though will have a tendency to be repeated when test takers repeatedly practice on the exam.
Repetition appears to be advantageous though because essential technical concepts can be well-ingrained and thus, fully mastered.
Meanwhile, carefully consider that proctored tests are traditionally administered under the close supervision of instructors, trainers or professionals. Standard certifications are proctored and these are generally accepted in many industries.
To prevent any fraudulent misrepresentations, test takers are advised that, should they include this certification in their resumé, this should be listed under the subheading Non-Proctored Certifications, if they have many, along with their Proctored Certifications.
Interestingly, Brainbench also has other free non-Cisco certifications and paid practice tests for Cisco Network Design and Cisco Network Support at $25 each.
Mike Littman, Brainbench vice president for marketing, claims that they have: "...over 6 million members" and work "...with Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, EDS, Ford Motor Company, H&R Block, IBM, Interwoven, JPMorgan, Kaiser Permanente, Manpower, Prometric, SAIC, Siemens, TAC Worldwide, U.S. Government Agencies, Verizon, and Wells Fargo..." among other companies.
Of course, these are unverified claims.
Great Job Improvement Opportunity Now
This free Cisco Security Certification test has a limited time offer. With the advantages and disadvantages provided above, the reader can better evaluate whether to take this exam or not. The decided test taker can access the test at the Cisco Security free test site. Just follow the procedures that Brainbench provides to take the exam.
Note: As of February 11, 2011, this certification test is no longer free. The website offers new free IT-related tests though.
Melvin Tandoc - Melvin currently works for the project management software company that makes 2-plan Desktop and 2-plan Team.
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