Cisco Systems announced this week that it has instituted a new policy which will take effect over the next 12 months, whereby all candidates must have a digital photo taken and provide a digital signature at the Pearson Vue test center before being allowed to sit any Cisco exam.

This new identity authentication appears to take aim at those who may attempt to have others take their exams for them as well as help track those who are taking or retaking exams just to memorize questions to sell on or give away to other candidates.

A Pearson Vue statement said that the company estimates the process will add approximately 5 minutes to the testing check-in time. “We’re dedicated to candidate authentication procedures that allow us to quickly verify a test taker’s identity, without compromising candidate privacy and convenience,” the company stated.

Cisco is the only major IT certification vendor to implement this policy and they have indicated that these are the first of many new procedures that will be taken to further improve test security.

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The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a worthwhile addition to the resume and an important step towards career progression for many networking professionals.This certification provides employers with a measure to identify qualified individuals who have the appropriate skills to be successful and earn recognition in the industry.

To achieve CCNA two options are available

The Two exam track

• INTRO – Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies exam 640-821, available until 6 November 2007

or

ICND1 – Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 exam 640-822, available from 1 August 2007

• ICND – Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices exam 640-821, available until 6 November 2007

or

ICND2 – Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 exam 640-816, available from 1 August 2007

The Composite one exam track

• 640-802 CCNA, available from 1 August 2007

or

640-801 CCNA, available until 6 November 2007

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Candidates who choose to go the two-exam route will be able to “mix and match” between the current and new exams until the older ones expire

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