How to Become a Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) in Cybersecurity

If you want to start or advance your career in cybersecurity, then consider earning the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification. This certification validates your entry-level knowledge and skills in cybersecurity and prepares you for more advanced certifications such as the CyberOps Associate.

In this post, I will explain what the CCST Cybersecurity certification is, what topics it covers, how to prepare for the exam, and what benefits it can bring to your career.

What is the CCST Cybersecurity certification?

The CCST Cybersecurity certification is one of the new entry-level certifications offered by Cisco, along with the CCST Networking certification. These certifications are perfect stepping stones to kick-start your career in IT, as they provide you with foundational knowledge and skills that are in high demand in the industry.

The CCST Cybersecurity certification validates your ability to support and assist with tasks related to cybersecurity, such as:

• Security principles: You will learn the basic concepts and terminology of cybersecurity, such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, threat actors, attack vectors, risk management, and security policies.
• Network security: You will learn how to secure network devices and protocols, such as routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and SNMP.
• Endpoint security: You will learn how to protect end-user devices and applications, such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, antivirus software, encryption software, and patch management.
• Vulnerability assessment: You will learn how to identify and analyze vulnerabilities in systems and networks, using tools such as scanners, analyzers, and penetration testing.
• Risk management: You will learn how to assess and mitigate risks in cybersecurity, using frameworks such as NIST SP 800-30 and ISO 27005.
• Incident handling: You will learn how to respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents, using best practices such as incident response plans, evidence collection, analysis, reporting, and remediation.

The CCST Cybersecurity certification is also a first step toward the CyberOps Associate certification, which is a more advanced certification that focuses on the role of a cybersecurity analyst.

How to prepare for the CCST Cybersecurity exam?

To earn the CCST Cybersecurity certification, you need to pass one exam: the CCST Cybersecurity exam (exam code: 200-201). The exam consists of 50 questions that you need to answer in 50 minutes. The exam fee is $125 USD.

To prepare for the exam, you can use the following resources:

• CCST Cybersecurity exam topics: This document outlines the topics that are covered in the exam and their weightings. You can use it as a guide to focus your study efforts on the most important areas.
• Cybersecurity Career Path from Cisco Networking Academy: This is a free online training program that covers the same topics as the exam. It consists of four courses: Introduction to Cybersecurity (15 hours), Introduction to Networks (70 hours), Introduction to Network Security (70 hours), and Introduction to Vulnerability Assessment (15 hours). You can enroll in these courses through the Cisco Networking Academy website.
• Official free Cisco training: This is a collection of free online resources that can help you review or supplement your knowledge of cybersecurity. It includes videos, webinars, white papers, blogs, podcasts, and more.

What are the benefits of the CCST Cybersecurity certification?

The CCST Cybersecurity certification can bring many benefits to your career, such as:

• Recognition: The CCST Cybersecurity certification is recognized by employers and peers as a proof of your entry-level competency in cybersecurity. It shows that you have the knowledge and skills to support and assist with cybersecurity tasks.
• Opportunity: The CCST Cybersecurity certification can open up new opportunities for you in the IT industry. According to Cisco’s 2020 Global Networking Trends Report, cybersecurity is one of the top skills that are required for network professionals in the next five years. By earning this certification, you can demonstrate your readiness for these roles and increase your chances of getting hired or promoted.
• Advancement: The CCST Cybersecurity certification can also help you advance your career in cybersecurity. As mentioned earlier, this certification is a first step toward the CyberOps Associate certification, which is a more advanced certification that focuses on the role of a cybersecurity analyst. By earning both certifications, you can prove your ability to perform complex tasks such as monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats.

How to schedule a CCST Cybersecurity exam

1. Visit the Certiport website and create an account. Log in if your already have one.
2. Once you are logged in, you will see a list of available exams. Select the “Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity” exam and click on “Next”.
3. You will then see a list of available testing centers near your location. You can use the filters to narrow down your search by distance, date, or time. You can also enter a different zip code or city name if you want to search for other locations. Once you find a suitable testing center, click on “Select” to proceed.
4. You will then see the details of the exam, such as the duration, fee, and cancellation policy. Review the information carefully and click on “Next” to continue.
5. You will then see a summary of your order, including the exam name, testing center, date, time, and fee. You can also add any voucher codes or promotional codes if you have any. Click on “Proceed to Checkout” to finalize your order.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen and complete the payment process.
7. You will then receive a confirmation email with your order number, exam details, and instructions on how to prepare for the exam. You should print this email and bring it with you on the day of the exam along with a valid photo ID.

Congratulations! You have successfully scheduled your CCST Cybersecurity exam. We wish you all the best in your certification journey!

How long does it take to prepare?

One question that many candidates have is how long does it take to prepare for the CCST Cybersecurity certification? The answer depends on several factors, such as your prior experience, knowledge level, study habits, and learning resources.

However, as a general guideline, we recommend that you spend at least 40 hours of study time before taking the exam. This includes reviewing the exam objectives, reading relevant books or articles, watching online videos or courses, taking practice tests or quizzes, and doing hands-on labs or simulations. You should also plan to review your weak areas and refresh your memory before the exam day.

Of course, this is just an estimate and you may need more or less time depending on your individual situation. The most important thing is to study consistently and effectively until you feel confident and ready for the exam.

Final thoughts

The CCST Cybersecurity certification is a great way to start or upskill your career in cybersecurity. It validates your entry-level knowledge and skills in cybersecurity topics such as security principles, network security, endpoint security, vulnerability assessment, risk management, and incident handling. It also prepares you for more advanced certifications such as the CyberOps Associate.

To earn the CCST Cybersecurity certification, you need to pass one exam: the CCST Cybersecurity exam. To prepare for the exam, you can use the free online training and resources provided by Cisco and Cisco Networking Academy.

The CCST Cybersecurity certification can bring many benefits to your career, such as recognition, opportunity, and advancement. It can help you stand out in the IT industry and achieve your career goals.