Cisco Offers Career Certification for Enterprise IP Telephony Support Skills

Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, announced today the launch of the Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist, the latest focused certification to be offered as part of the Cisco Career Certifications program. Demonstrating its technology leadership in IP Telephony, Cisco designed the new certification to address the increasing market demand for skilled network professionals who can plan, implement and support Cisco's advanced IP telephony network solutirogrent and support Cisclephony Support Specialist identifies significant competency levels across key areas of Cisco IP telephony technology including Cisco Voice over Frame Relay, ATM and IP for implementing and supporting data and voice integration solutions at the network-access level, and Deploying Quality of Service, providing a methodology of identifying the characteristics of future types of traffic and applying QoS design criteria to enable successful enterprise network tuning in IP phone environments.

"The new Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist certification extends Cisco's long-term commitment to help build and validate the skills and knowledge necessary for deploying, optimizing and managing enterprise-class converged networks," said Tom Kelly, vice president, Internet Learning Solutions Group, Cisco Systems. "Our new certification assures that network professionals will have access to proper training in optimizing IP telephony technology."

For Cisco Channel Partner employees, the new certification will be incorporated in the IP Telephony Specialization, allowing the channel organization to meet some of the role requirements in this Specialization.

"Every Cisco Specialization, including IP Telephony, has specific role requirements. The IP Telephony Support Specialist will prepare networking professionals to meet the requirements in this Specialization," said Surinder Brar, senior director, Worldwide Channels, Cisco Systems.

Training and Exams
Recommended training to prepare for the Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist exams is only available through authorized Cisco Learning Partners. Individuals are required to have a valid CCNP® (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certification to become a Cisco IP Telephony Specialist. Cisco Learning Partners offer recommended training in multiple formats, including instructor-led and e-learning. Recommended courses include Cisco IP Telephony, Cisco Voice over Frame Relay, ATM, and IP, and Deploying Quality of Service.

Authorized Cisco Learning Partners instructors are certified by Cisco to provide the recommended courses in preparation for the required exams. Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) and Prometric offer Cisco certification exams at locations worldwide.

For more information, visit www.cisco.com/go/training.

About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.