The cisco ccna security retired official announcement caught many IT professionals off guard when Cisco confirmed the certification's retirement date of February 24, 2020.
According to Cisco's official certification roadmap, the CCNA Security credential was consolidated into the broader CCNA program as part of a sweeping certification overhaul that reduced Cisco's associate-level offerings from ten tracks down to one unified CCNA.
The problem you face is straightforward: if you hold this retired credential, you need to know what it means for your career, how to transition, and what employers actually think about it today. This article covers what changed, why it matters, what replaced it, how to update your resume, and the fastest path forward.
What Happened to the CCNA Security Certification?
Cisco retired the cisco ccna security retired official credential as part of its February 2020 certification program restructure. The dedicated security track at the associate level no longer exists as a standalone certification.
The CCNA Security (exam code 210-260 IINS) required candidates to demonstrate skills in network security infrastructure, VPN configuration, firewall deployment, and Cisco's security product portfolio. When Cisco consolidated its associate-level certifications, security topics were folded into the new unified CCNA exam (200-301), which now covers security fundamentals as roughly 15% of its content.
The Cisco Learning Network states that "the new CCNA program replaces all previous CCNA concentrations, including CCNA Security, with a single comprehensive certification." This consolidation reflected Cisco's belief that foundational security knowledge belongs in every network professional's skill set, not just specialists.
How to apply this: If you currently hold the CCNA Security, your credential remains valid on your Cisco certification profile until its listed expiration date. Log into the Cisco Certification Tracking System to verify your status.
Why Cisco Made This Change
The retirement of the cisco ccna security retired official track stemmed from industry feedback and changing job market demands. Cisco gathered input from employers, hiring managers, and certified professionals over several years before announcing the restructure.
Industry surveys consistently showed that network engineers increasingly handle security tasks as part of their daily responsibilities. The traditional separation between "network" and "security" roles blurred as organizations adopted integrated approaches to infrastructure protection.
The old CCNA Security required passing the ICND1 (or holding a valid CCENT/CCNA) before attempting the security exam. This prerequisite chain created friction for newcomers. The unified CCNA removes these barriers — you can now earn a single certification that validates both networking and security fundamentals.
A common scenario: a network administrator at a mid-sized company previously needed two certifications to prove competence. Under the new structure, one CCNA demonstrates the same baseline knowledge.
How to apply this: Review the current CCNA 200-301 exam topics to see how security content now integrates with routing, switching, and automation topics.
What Replaced the CCNA Security Certification?
The cisco ccna security retired official credential left a gap that Cisco filled with multiple pathways. At the associate level, the unified CCNA now includes security fundamentals. At the professional level, Cisco offers the CCNP Security certification for specialists.
For those who want dedicated security credentials, Cisco now recommends the following progression:
- CCNA (200-301) — covers security fundamentals including threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques
- CCNP Security — requires passing a core exam (350-701 SCOR) plus one concentration exam
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate — focuses on security operations center (SOC) analyst skills
The CyberOps Associate certification emerged as a popular alternative for security-focused professionals who don't need the broader networking foundation. It validates incident response, monitoring, and threat analysis skills.
How to apply this: Compare your current skill level against the CCNP Security core exam blueprint to determine if you're ready to pursue the professional-level credential or should first earn the new CCNA.
How to Update Your Resume and LinkedIn
Holding a cisco ccna security retired official credential requires careful presentation on professional profiles. You cannot claim to hold an active CCNA Security after its retirement date, but you should still list the credential with context.
Best practices for listing retired certifications:
- Include the certification name followed by "(Retired)" or "(Earned 2017)" to show historical achievement
- List the credential under a "Past Certifications" or "Professional Development" section rather than current certifications
- Add your Cisco Certification ID so employers can verify your history
- Mention any current certifications you've earned since the retirement
A hiring manager reviewing your resume understands that Cisco discontinued the credential. What matters more is whether you've kept your skills current. Pairing the retired CCNA Security with newer credentials like the CCNP Security or CyberOps Associate demonstrates ongoing professional development.
How to apply this: Update your LinkedIn certifications section today by adding "(Retired by Cisco, Feb 2020)" after the CCNA Security entry and linking to your Cisco certification verification page.
Your Fastest Path Forward
If you held the cisco ccna security retired official certification, you have three realistic options for moving forward. Each path depends on your career goals and current role.
| Path | Best For | Time Investment | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| New CCNA (200-301) | Network generalists | 2-4 months study | Schedule exam through Pearson VUE |
| CyberOps Associate | SOC analysts, security ops | 1-3 months study | Download exam blueprint from Cisco |
| CCNP Security | Experienced security pros | 6-12 months study | Start with 350-701 SCOR core exam |
Cisco offers free training resources through the Cisco Learning Network including study groups, webinars, and practice questions. Many professionals report that their CCNA Security knowledge transfers well to the new CCNA's security section, reducing study time significantly.
The CCNP Security path offers the most direct continuation of your security specialization. However, Cisco recommends holding a current CCNA or equivalent knowledge before attempting CCNP-level exams.
How to apply this: Choose one path from the table above and schedule your exam within the next 30 days. Committing to a date creates accountability and momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions About cisco ccna security retired official
Can I still verify my cisco ccna security retired official credential with employers?
Yes. Your cisco ccna security retired official certification remains verifiable through Cisco's certification tracking system indefinitely. Employers can confirm you held the credential by using your Cisco ID number or the verification link you provide. The credential shows as "Inactive" or "Retired" but still appears in your certification history.
This historical record proves you passed the exam and held the certification during its active period.
Does the retired CCNA Security count toward recertification requirements?
No. Once Cisco retired the cisco ccna security retired official certification, it stopped counting toward recertification requirements for higher-level credentials. If you hold a CCNP Security, you must recertify using current exams and continuing education credits. Your retired CCNA Security cannot be renewed or used as a prerequisite.
This is a common source of confusion for professionals who let their credentials lapse and attempt to use the retired certification for reinstatement.
Will employers still value my cisco ccna security retired official certification on a resume?
Most employers recognize the cisco ccna security retired official credential as evidence of historical knowledge, but they prioritize current skills. A hiring manager evaluating candidates for a security role will look for active certifications and recent experience. The retired CCNA Security signals you once invested in security training, but it doesn't demonstrate current competency.
Pairing it with the CyberOps Associate or CCNP Security shows you've maintained your skills.
What happened to the 210-260 IINS exam content?
The 210-260 IINS exam content was partially redistributed into the new CCNA 200-301 exam and the CCNP Security core exam. Topics like VPN fundamentals, firewall configuration, and security policy appear in modified form across both exams. Some legacy topics, including certain Cisco-specific security appliance configurations, were removed entirely.
The cisco ccna security retired official exam content no longer exists as a standalone body of knowledge.
Can I take the old CCNA Security exam if I scheduled it before retirement?
No. Cisco stopped delivering the cisco ccna security retired official exam on February 24, 2020, with no extensions. Any exam vouchers for the 210-260 IINS became invalid on that date. Cisco did not offer grandfathering or transition exams for CCNA Security holders.
If you purchased a voucher, Cisco's policy allowed voucher transfers to other exams in some cases, but this window has long since closed.
Conclusion
The cisco ccna security retired official transition reflects Cisco's broader strategy to simplify its certification portfolio and align with modern job roles.
- Your retired CCNA Security remains verifiable and worth listing with proper context on your resume
- The unified CCNA now covers security fundamentals, making it the logical next step for most professionals
- The CCNP Security offers a direct continuation path for security specialists
- Cisco's free learning resources make transitioning more accessible than ever
Your next step is clear: log into your Cisco certification account, verify your status, and choose one of the three paths outlined above. Schedule your next exam within 30 days to maintain professional momentum.
