Cisco has rolled out one of the most significant restructurings of its certification portfolio in years, branded under the banner of Learn with Cisco, a sweeping transformation that took full effect on February 3, 2026. This overhaul reshapes how IT professionals earn, communicate, and build upon credentials that have long served as the gold standard within networking and security careers.
The changes touch nearly every level of the certification hierarchy, from entry level Associate tracks through Expert level CCIE credentials. Rather than a simple cosmetic refresh, this overhaul represents a structural rethink of how Cisco organizes its programs, consolidating previously separate tracks into a more unified naming convention that better reflects current industry priorities and technology trends.
The Driving Forces Behind This Industry Wide Shift
The overarching goal behind this update centers on three priorities, aligning certifications with real world artificial intelligence and automation demands, simplifying naming and structure across the certification ecosystem, and providing clearer career progression pathways for professionals at every stage. These priorities reflect broader shifts already reshaping enterprise technology environments worldwide.
Cisco leadership has acknowledged that artificial intelligence and automation are no longer optional skills for network professionals but operating realities within modern enterprise environments. Industry projections suggest the network automation market alone will grow substantially through the remainder of the decade, reinforcing why Cisco chose this moment to realign its entire certification structure around these emerging priorities.
DevNet Certifications Are Becoming CCNA and CCNP Automation
Perhaps the most symbolic change within this overhaul involves the retirement of the DevNet brand entirely. DevNet Associate has become CCNA Automation, covering Python for networking, REST APIs, network programmability, infrastructure as code, and AI integrated automation concepts. This rename extends across every level of the former DevNet track, including Professional and Expert tiers.
This change represents more than simple terminology adjustment, signaling that automation skills now sit alongside traditional networking knowledge as a core, mainstream competency rather than a specialized niche. Professionals who previously viewed DevNet certifications as optional supplementary credentials should reconsider this assumption, since automation literacy increasingly factors into baseline expectations across many networking roles.
CyberOps Certifications Are Being Renamed and Modernized
Cisco’s security operations certifications underwent a similarly significant rebrand alongside the automation track changes. CyberOps Associate became CCNA Cybersecurity, while CyberOps Professional was renamed Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Professional, aligning security credentials with the broader CCNA and CCNP naming structure used throughout the rest of Cisco’s portfolio.
Beyond the naming changes, exam content received meaningful updates reflecting how modern security operations centers actually function today. These updates include topics like AI powered threat detection, automation within security operations, and zero trust architecture principles, ensuring certified professionals understand contemporary tools rather than outdated detection methods no longer reflective of current threat landscapes.
The Return of Dedicated Wireless Certification Tracks
In a move that surprised many longtime Cisco certification holders, dedicated wireless credentials have returned to the portfolio after a notable absence. Beginning March 19, 2026, candidates can once again pursue both CCNP Wireless and CCIE Wireless credentials, addressing a gap that wireless specialists had voiced concerns about for several years.
The relaunched CCNP Wireless track introduced a new core exam, designated 350-101 WLCOR, replacing the previous wireless focused exam structure. This reintroduction reflects Cisco’s recognition that wireless networking expertise remains a distinct and valuable specialization deserving dedicated certification recognition rather than absorption into broader enterprise tracks.
Several Specialist Exams Are Being Retired
Alongside new additions and rebrands, several specialist level exams reached retirement as part of this broader restructuring effort. Six specialist exams retired on February 2, 2026, including CLAUTO, CLICA, CLCEI, SPAUTO, SAUTO, and DEVOPS, consolidating content previously spread across narrower specializations into broader, more comprehensive certification paths.
Candidates who had been working toward any of these retired exams needed to complete them before the retirement deadline or pivot toward equivalent content now incorporated within updated core or concentration exams. This consolidation simplifies Cisco’s overall certification map, though it required affected candidates to adjust their preparation timelines and study materials accordingly during the transition period.
What Happens to Certifications Already Earned
Professionals holding active certifications under the previous naming structure understandably worried about whether their existing credentials would remain valid following such a significant overhaul. Fortunately, certifications active on February 3, 2026 were automatically migrated to their new designations without requiring any retesting.
This automatic migration meant DevNet and CyberOps holders simply saw their existing credentials relabeled under the new Automation or Cybersecurity naming convention, preserving the value of prior exam efforts. Professionals should still update resumes and professional profiles to reflect new certification names, ensuring recruiters and hiring managers recognize credentials under their current, officially recognized terminology.
New AI Focused Content Across the Certification Portfolio
Artificial intelligence themes now permeate exam content across nearly every Cisco certification track rather than appearing as an isolated specialization. This shift builds on groundwork laid by earlier CCNA updates, which introduced foundational generative AI, cloud network management, and machine learning topics well before the broader 2026 overhaul took effect.
This consistent AI integration across tracks reflects Cisco’s belief that artificial intelligence literacy now belongs alongside fundamental networking knowledge rather than existing as a separate, optional skill set. Candidates preparing for any current Cisco exam should expect AI related concepts woven throughout exam content, even within tracks not historically associated with artificial intelligence or machine learning topics.
Updates to CCNP Enterprise and Core Networking Exams
Professional level certifications received substantial content refreshes alongside the broader naming and structural changes occurring throughout 2026. The CCNP Enterprise core exam, ENCOR, updated to version 2.0 as part of a broader refresh confirmed through Cisco’s official Learning and Certifications portal during the spring update cycle.
These core exam updates ensure foundational enterprise networking knowledge remains current with evolving infrastructure practices, including cloud integration and automated network management approaches. Candidates studying for CCNP Enterprise should verify they are working from updated study materials reflecting version 2.0 content rather than relying on older guides covering previous exam iterations no longer fully aligned with current testing standards.
Security Certifications Embracing Zero Trust Architecture
Security focused certification tracks received targeted updates emphasizing architectural approaches that have become increasingly standard within enterprise security planning. CCNP Security concentration exams were revised specifically to include zero trust architecture objectives, reflecting how security teams increasingly design networks around this modern security philosophy.
This emphasis on zero trust principles extends beyond simple terminology, requiring candidates to genuinely understand how identity verification, micro segmentation, and continuous monitoring work together within contemporary security architectures. Professionals pursuing security certifications should prioritize hands on familiarity with these concepts rather than memorizing definitions alone, since exam scenarios increasingly test practical application.
Collaboration Track Updates and New Specialty Options
Cisco’s collaboration certification track also received meaningful attention during this broader overhaul, introducing both updated content and entirely new specialty options for interested candidates. Updates affecting collaboration certifications included revised core and concentration exam content alongside the introduction of a new specialty option focused on emerging customer experience technologies.
These collaboration updates reflect how communication and customer experience platforms continue evolving alongside broader cloud and AI trends affecting the rest of Cisco’s portfolio. Professionals working within collaboration focused roles should review current exam blueprints carefully, since content alignment within this track shifted meaningfully compared to previous certification versions many candidates may still be familiar with.
How These Changes Affect Current Exam Candidates
Candidates actively pursuing certifications during this transition period faced unique timing considerations depending on exactly when their target exams underwent changes. Those close to completing exams scheduled for retirement generally benefited from finishing before official cutoff dates, avoiding the need to restart preparation under entirely new exam blueprints and content structures.
For candidates earlier in their preparation journey, pivoting toward updated content from the outset generally proved more efficient than studying outdated material destined for retirement. Staying closely connected to official Cisco communications throughout any preparation journey remains essential, since certification timelines and content can shift with relatively limited advance notice during active transition periods.
What This Means for Professionals Already Certified
Professionals holding certifications unaffected by direct renaming still benefit from understanding this broader context, since employer expectations around skill sets continue evolving alongside Cisco’s updated certification priorities. Even unchanged credentials now exist within a portfolio increasingly oriented around automation, AI literacy, and cloud native architecture.
This broader shift suggests that even certified professionals should consider supplementing existing credentials with continuing education focused on automation and artificial intelligence topics increasingly emphasized throughout Cisco’s updated portfolio. Staying genuinely current matters more than maintaining a static credential, since practical skills increasingly determine career advancement more than certification status alone within rapidly evolving technical fields.
Career Implications of the New Certification Structure
This overhaul carries genuine career implications beyond simple administrative renaming, since employers increasingly seek professionals comfortable working across automation, security, and traditional networking domains simultaneously. The consolidated naming structure also potentially clarifies hiring expectations, since employers can more easily map required skills to specific updated credential names.
Professionals entering networking careers today should view this restructured portfolio as a signal regarding which skills genuinely matter for long term career relevance within the industry. Automation, security awareness, and artificial intelligence literacy increasingly represent baseline expectations rather than optional specializations, making early investment in these areas particularly valuable for newer professionals planning long term career trajectories.
How to Decide Which Path Fits Your Goals
With renamed and restructured tracks now available, professionals should carefully evaluate which certification path genuinely aligns with their career interests rather than simply pursuing whichever credential seems most prominently marketed at any given moment. Automation focused roles benefit most from the renamed CCNA and CCNP Automation tracks, while security focused careers align naturally with Cybersecurity designations.
Professionals uncertain about specialization should consider starting with foundational CCNA level content covering core networking principles before specializing further into automation, security, wireless, or collaboration tracks based on genuine interest and available job market opportunities. This foundational approach provides flexibility while still building toward more specialized, higher value credentials over time.
Practical Steps to Prepare for the Transition
Professionals currently preparing for any Cisco certification should immediately verify they are studying from current, updated materials rather than older guides that may reference retired exam codes or outdated content no longer reflected within active testing blueprints. Checking official Cisco learning resources directly remains the most reliable verification method available.
Beyond verifying study materials, candidates should also build practical hands on experience with automation tools, AI integrated network management platforms, and zero trust security concepts increasingly emphasized throughout updated exam content. Theoretical knowledge alone increasingly proves insufficient given how heavily current exams emphasize realistic, scenario based application of these emerging technical concepts.
Conclusion
Given how significantly Cisco’s certification portfolio shifted during this overhaul, professionals should expect continued evolution rather than assuming current naming and content structures represent a permanent final state. Cisco has historically updated certification content periodically, and this pattern shows no signs of slowing given rapid technological change across the industry.
Following official Cisco communications, subscribing to relevant learning community updates, and periodically reviewing current exam blueprints helps professionals avoid being caught off guard by future changes. Building this habit of staying informed protects both current certification holders and active candidates from investing time into outdated preparation materials or misunderstanding their credential’s current standing within Cisco’s evolving portfolio.
Cisco’s sweeping certification overhaul represents far more than administrative rebranding, reflecting a genuine strategic response to how artificial intelligence, automation, and modern security architecture have reshaped the networking profession over recent years. The retirement of the DevNet and CyberOps brand names in favor of unified CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE naming conventions simplifies a portfolio that had grown increasingly fragmented across parallel specialized tracks. Meanwhile, the reintroduction of dedicated wireless certifications alongside updated enterprise, security, and collaboration content demonstrates Cisco’s effort to balance genuine specialization with broader structural consistency. For professionals already certified, automatic migration removed much of the immediate anxiety surrounding these changes, though staying current with evolving skill expectations remains important regardless of credential status. Active candidates faced more immediate decisions around timing and study material selection, particularly given the retirement of several specialist exams during the transition window. Looking forward, this overhaul signals that automation literacy, AI awareness, and zero trust security principles have moved firmly into mainstream networking expectations rather than remaining specialized niches. Professionals who genuinely internalize these priorities, rather than simply chasing updated credential names, will likely find themselves best positioned for sustained relevance within an industry that continues evolving at a genuinely rapid pace.