BARCELONA, SPAIN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/22/08 -- Responding to
strong customer demand to collaborate on network architecture strategy, and not just implementation, Cisco(R) (NASDAQ: CSCO) is introducing today the new Cisco CCDE(TM) certification for design experts. On par with the award-winning CCIE(R) certification, CCDE applies a solutions-based educational approach and recognizes the growing number of networking experts who have in-depth infrastructure design knowledge, which enables them to assess network business
requirements and translate those requirements into effective network
designs.

"Networks are strategic and the role of a network designer is
becoming much more important," said Yankee Group Analyst Zeus
Kerravala. "People who take on design roles impact the strategic
direction of their organizations. This new expert-level certification
recognizes the importance of individuals to not only operate and
diagnose networks, but design them."

The CCDE certification provides further career advancements for
networking experts in the information technology (IT) industry.
Approximately 30 percent of today's CCIE community is responsible for
network design each day; however, these design experts are no longer
involved in hands-on configuration, but rather in strategic design
and architecture. The CCDE certification was created to provide IT
professionals who specialize in network design with a prestigious
credential that recognizes senior-level expertise and provides
incentives for the experienced practitioner to continue his or her
professional development.

"The need for an expert-level design certification is in great
demand," said Terry Slattery, CCIE 1026, renowned author and
networking expert. "The CCDE certification differentiates network
designers from implementation-focused professionals. It respects
designers' depth of knowledge while providing them with a clear path
through their professional development. This new certification
recognizes that implementing best practices at the design level is
far more efficient than tackling network problems after
implementation."

"Certifications provide a stamp of approval that validates the
quality of our organization's employees," said Phil Norton, chairman,
CEO and president of ePlus. "The CCDE isn't about operations; it's
about recognizing the value of network designers and honoring their
core skills that provide a real value to our business and our
customers."

The CCDE certification includes sophisticated, multi-vendor network
design principles, theory and analysis, as well as strategic
architecture concepts that go "beyond the network." Modeled after
Cisco's existing expert-level certification program, the CCIE
program, the CCDE credential includes a two-part exam: a
qualification exam and a practical exam. The qualifying exam,
(ADVDESIGN) 352-001, is a two-hour, multiple-choice test that
assesses fundamental knowledge of networking theories, principles,
protocols and technology. The second exam, the practical exam, is an
eight-hour, practical scenario-based exam available in late 2008. The
qualification exam is now available at Pearson VUE testing facilities
worldwide.

Additional information about CCDE is available at:
www.cisco.com/go/designexpert