On August 19th, I finally found time to sit and take my written exam for Security (350-018). In just 2 years, the amount of depth required to take this test has changed for the better, IMHO. When I first took the Security written in 2006, I was faced with many R&S type questions. This time around the content was completely security focused and had me using every minute in the amount of time allotted. I can honestly say that I passed by only one question. The materials I used were:

CCIE Security Exam Quick Reference Sheets

NLI’s CCIE Security Written Exam Study Guide v2.0

Network Security Technologies and Solutions

RFCs

Cisco’s website for NAC, MARS, and IPS

In the process of passing the written exam, I managed to recertify for another 2 years:

Dear Barry *****:

Congratulations, you have successfully recertified as a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert! Periodic recertification ensures that the CCIE designation remains a valid measure of expertise in the networking industry.

Your next CCIE recertification deadline will be November 26 2011. Current recertification policies require you to pass one written CCIE exam within the 24 months preceding your deadline. However, you may not schedule the same exam you just passed for at least six months. You may take the written exam for a track different from the one you are certified in to meet the recertification requirement. Written exams are scheduled through Ciscos authorized testing partner, Pearson Vue.

…

Now that I managed to get passed that hurdle, I needed to make a decision on when to take the lab. Yesterday morning, I finally committed to scheduling a lab date and reserved my seat:

RESERVATION INFORMATION:
Name: Barry *****
Track: Security
Lab date: December 10, 2008

Just as I was about to start my 2nd journey, I figured I would peruse through everyone’s blog on my blogroll in case any Cisco related news presented itself. Low and behold, I see the announcement on InternetworkExpert’s blog about the Policy Change to Payment for CCIE Labs which is effective on September 6, 2008.

Hmm, I’ve got a serious decision to make in the next week or so. Am I ready? I’m about 50% ready. The driving force pressuring me into taking the lab before the end of the year are the rumored CCIE Security Changes Coming that were announced by the IE folks at Networkers. Ideally, I’m hoping the official annoucement doesn’t come out until January which will allow me more time to prep due to my workload. I brought it upon myself and took a contract position that has kept me fairly busy. The exposure to MPLS and Voice have been great which is the main reason I haven’t been blogging much these days. I’m now more inclined to start Voice after my Security lab having this new exposure. Plus, I plan on taking the CCIE Wireless Beta Written Exam in October since my contract client has the technology in-house already. It probably sounds like I’m already committed to taking the lab next year, but I’ve been in high-pressured situations before and manage to balance everything out so I may still go through with it this year. Stay tuned…