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At Cisco's Networkers and Cisco Live convention in Orlando, FL today Cisco has announced three CCNA level concentrations in addition to the general CCNA. They are in Voice, Security, and Wireless.  These new specializations will all be pre-requisites for their corresponding professional certifications (For example: CCNA Voice will be required for CCVP).

The general CCNA will be the pre-requisite for the individual concentrations.  Candidates will have to pass both the CCNA exam and a second exam for their concentration.  Below are the details from Cisco.

CCNA Concentrations Overview

Designed to build upon Cisco’s most popular career certification CCNA, these highly specialized; associate level concentrations offer individuals a career stepping stone in the converged technologies that make up today’s sophisticated network. In addition, IT professionals wishing to broaden or add specialized skills to their technology expertise while differentiating themselves in the marketplace will find these specializations a valuable addition.

While Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) remains the certification of choice for individuals who want to demonstrate their solid foundation in core routing and switching skills, the new CCNA Wireless, CCNA Voice and CCNA Security certifications build on core CCNA skills and provide a clear path for individuals to prepare for a specialized job role in wireless, security or voice technologies. In addition, these new CCNA concentrations represent the first step for individuals interested in a career in Voice, Security, and Wireless technologies and serve as prerequisites for Cisco professional level certifications including CCVP and CCSP.

• CCNA Voice validates skills in validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions. Candidates also get exposure to the Cisco Unified Communications architecture and design covering mobility, presence, and TelePresence applications.

• CCNA Security validates a candidate’s skills including troubleshooting and monitoring of Cisco network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of data.

• CCNA Wireless validates candidate’s skills in the configuration, implementation and support of wireless LANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment.

These new CCNA concentrations provide a stepping stone for individuals who want to enhance their skill set and prepare for new roles managing converged networks.

CCNA Security Overview

Cisco® CCNA® Security certification validates the knowledge required to install, troubleshoot, and monitor Cisco security network devices. In addition, CCNA Security confirms an individual’s skills for job roles such as network security specialist, security administrator, and network security support engineer.

CCNA Security Benefits:

• Takes full advantage of the CCNA certification as the foundation for career in Cisco security technologies

• Prepares you for new career opportunities in security networking

• Represents an important step toward the Cisco CCSP® and other professional-level Cisco certifications

Students completing the recommended Cisco training will get an introduction to core security technologies and also learn how to develop security policies and mitigate risks. Employers who hire people with CCNA Security certifications can feel confident that their staff has the skills needed to develop a security infrastructure, to recognize vulnerabilities in networks, and to detect potential security threats. In addition, obtaining a CCNA Security certification serves as a major step in obtaining the CCSP certification.

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) is recommended training for CCNA Security curriculum. You must pass the required IINS exam (640-553) and hold an active CCNA certification in order to achieve your CCNA Security certification.

Program Impact on CCSP:
CCSP Pre-Requisite: CCNA Security – CCNA + SND Through June 23, 2009
Candidates already Pursuing CCSP may leverage exams already passed for up to three years

CCNA Voice Overview

Cisco® CCNA Voice certification confirms an individual has the required skill set for specialized job roles in voice technologies such as voice administrator, voice engineer, and voice manager. It validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions. Candidates also get exposure to the Cisco Unified Communications architecture and design covering mobility,

CCNA Voice Benefits:

• Takes full advantage of the CCNA certification as the foundation for career in Cisco voice technologies

• Prepares you for new career opportunities in voice networking

• Represents an important step toward Cisco CCVP® and other professional-level Cisco certifications

Implementing Cisco IOS® Unified Communications (IIUC) is recommended training course for the CCNA Voice concentration. You must pass the required IIUC exam (640-460) CCNA Voice exam and hold an active CCNA certification in order get your CCNA Voice certification.

Program Impact on CCVP:
To accommodate candidates who may already be in progress preparing for a CCVP certification, CCNA will be accepted as the prerequisite in place of CCNA Voice for up to one year, June 24, 2009.

CCNA Wireless Overview (Available July 25, 2008)

Cisco® CCNA® Wireless certification recognizes the critical importance of the professionals who support wireless LANs, including networking administrators, wireless support specialists, and WLAN project managers. CCNA Wireless Benefits:>

• Takes full advantage of the CCNA certification as the foundation for career in Cisco networking technologies

• Provides training on the latest Cisco wireless technologies

• Prepares you for new career opportunities in wireless networking

Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (IUWNE) is recommended training for CCNA Wireless certification. You must pass the required IUWNE v1.0 (640-721) exam and hold an active CCNA certification in order to achieve your CCNA Wireless certification