What was the Cisco CCNA Cloud Certification? Purpose, History, & Alternatives

Editor's Note: Cisco retired the Cisco CCNA Cloud certification. This certification is no longer available, and Cisco has not announced a direct replacement. The CCNA Cloud certification was designed to prepare IT professionals to perform entry-level provisioning and support for Cisco cloud solutions. Cisco now focuses on a broader range of cloud skills within their DevNet and other certification tracks, which cover cloud infrastructure, automation, and software development.  

As more organizations use cloud solutions to improve scalability, flexibility, and performance, the need for IT professionals equipped to support those solutions is soaring. The Cisco Certified Network Associate Cloud (CCNA Cloud) certification is designed to ensure learners have the skills and knowledge to provision and support Cisco Cloud solutions.

What was the Cisco Certified Networking Associate Cloud (CCNA Cloud)? (Now Retired) 

The Cisco CCNA Cloud certification was designed for IT professionals who specialize in cloud solutions to develop, advance, and validate their cloud skill set and enable them to meet ever-changing business needs from technology transitions.

The CCNA Cloud certification required two exams: 

210-451 CLDFND

• Time allotted for the exam: 90 minutes

• Number of questions: 55-65 questions

• Passing score: Cisco does not publish the passing score for its exams

• Question types: Multiple choice/single answer; Multiple choice/multiple answer; Drag and drop; Fill-in-the-blank; Simulation; Testlet; Simlet

• Exam registration: Pearson VUE

• Exam cost: $250 (USD) per exam

210-455 CLDADM

• Time allotted for the exam: 90 minutes

• Number of questions: 55-65 questions per exam

• Passing score: Cisco does not publish the passing score for its exams

• Question types: Multiple choice/single answer; Multiple choice/multiple answer; Drag and drop; Fill-in-the-blank; Simulation; Testlet; Simlet

• Exam registration: Pearson VUE 

• Exam cost: $250 per exam

What Certifications Should You Get Instead of the CCNA Cloud? 

Several years ago, Cisco retired many of its CCNA and CCNP specialist exams to streamline their certification paths and better align with the changing IT landscape. They also retired several other exams, including CCNA Collaboration, CCNA Security, CCNA Service Provider, and CCNP Security.

Which might leave you wondering, "What now?" You can pursue several other certifications to gain similar skills and knowledge in cloud technologies and network infrastructure. Here are some recommendations:

1. Cisco DevNet Associate (200-901 DEVASC)

This certification validates your skills in developing and maintaining applications built on Cisco platforms. It covers software development, APIs, Cisco platforms, and automation. It's ideal for those looking to blend networking and software development with a focus on automation and DevOps.

2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

This entry-level certification provides a foundational understanding of cloud services and how they are provided with Microsoft Azure. It's ideal for beginners looking to understand the basics of cloud services and the Azure platform.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (200-301 CCNA)

This associate-level certification covers fundamental networking concepts, including IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. This certification is ideal for those interested in pursuing roles such as network administrator, network engineer, or network support specialist.

4. Google Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE)

This certification focuses on deploying applications, monitoring operations, and managing enterprise solutions on the Google Cloud Platform. It is recommended for professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to perform common tasks on the Google Cloud Platform. 

5. CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-003)

This vendor-neutral certification covers the skills needed to deploy and automate secure cloud environments, integrating cloud operations and governance frameworks. It's ideal for IT professionals seeking to validate expertise in maintaining and optimizing cloud infrastructure services.

These certifications can help you stay relevant in the field of cloud technologies and network automation. They cover a broad range of skills and knowledge areas, ensuring you can adapt to various roles and responsibilities in cloud computing and network management.

Career Considerations for CCNA 

Payscale.com provides a helpful salary guide to help learners determine appropriate pay scales for job opportunities associated with the CCNA. Depending on professional experience, Payscale.com reports a range of salaries for employees holding any CCNA certification between $59,000 and $150,000. 

Typical roles for those with CCNA certification include network engineer, network administrator, IT manager, IT director, and systems engineer.

Cisco Recertification

Cisco's associate-level certifications are valid for three years from the certification date. Learners can recertify by passing the same exam, any professional concentration exam, or any Cisco Certified Specialist exam. 

Additionally, you can combine earning Continuing Education (CE) credits with exams, where you need to accumulate a specified number of CE credits and pass an exam. This ensures that your certification remains valid for three years, keeping your skills and knowledge up-to-date with the latest technologies.

Deciphering Cisco Certifications 

Cisco certifications are structured in layers, with each layer building upon the knowledge and skills developed at previous levels, forming a pyramid-like structure. The layers are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect. Associate-level certifications now include CCNA and DevNet Associate, covering foundational skills in networking, software development, automation, and programmability.

Once learners have earned an Associate-level certification, they can pursue Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certifications. Cisco offers a variety of Professional-level certifications, including Enterprise, Security, Service Provider, Data Center, Collaboration, DevNet, and CyberOps.

Cisco provides an excellent certification overview that succinctly outlines each certification, its prerequisites, and related careers.

Concluding Thoughts

The cloud is a growing area of expertise within the IT industry. Learners who demonstrate their skills and understanding of cloud solutions and technologies can open up a world of career opportunities.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial of CBT Nuggets and start training for your next certification today.