CCNA Security or CCNA Routing and Switching

In order to consider which the best one is, first we will have to know certain things about both the certifications.

CCNA Security:

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security or the CCNA Security will be validating the associate level skills and knowledge that they are required so as to secure Cisco networks. With a CCNA Security certification, the network professional will be demonstrating the skills required to develop a security infrastructure, distinguish threats and mitigate security threats, and vulnerabilities to networks. The CCNA Security curriculum is going to emphasize on the core security technologies, the installation, troubleshooting, and monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality, and availability of devices and data, and competency in the technologies that Cisco uses in its security structure.

Prerequisites

So as to appear in the CCNA Security Exam, the candidates would be needed any valid Cisco CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching, or any CCIE certification can act as a prerequisite.

CCNA Security Training:

The best way to get prepared for the CCNA Security certification is to consider taking the Cisco-approved training:

Implementing Cisco Network Security or IINS examination:

The focus of this course would be on the security technologies and principles, using the Cisco security products in order to provide the candidates the hands-on examples. Using instructor-led discussions, wide-ranging hands-on lab exercises, and supplemental materials, this course allows candidates to enable them to understand common security concepts and deploy the basic security techniques that would be utilizing a variety of popular security appliances within an infrastructure of the real-life network.

CCNA Routing and Switching:

As the Enterprises are migrating towards the controller based architectures, the role and skills required of the core network engineer are going to evolve and are considered as more vital than ever. So as to prepare for this network transition, the CCNA Routing and Switching certification will not only be able to prepare you with the knowledge of foundational technologies, but it would also ensure that you stay relevant with skill sets that would be needed for the adoption of next-generation technologies.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for gaining the CCNA Routing and Switching examination

CCNA Routing and Switching Training:

The best way to get prepared for the CCNA Routing and Switching certification is to consider taking the Cisco-approved training:

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 or ICND1 Training:

This course is going to provide you with the foundational knowledge of network layers 1-3 that would be applicable to core routing and switching and introduces advanced technologies.

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 or ICND2 Training:

This course is going to provide the candidates the knowledge and skills that would be needed to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot a small enterprise network.

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated or CCNAX E Training:

This is a composite course which has been derived from both the ICND1 and ICND2 content and merged into a single five-day training program.

CCNA Security or CCNA R&S

Talking about the value and worth, both the CCNA R&S as well as the CCNA Security Cisco Certification are best. But I would like to make a suggestion that if you want to pursue both, you should first complete your CCNA R&S because CCNA R&S is going to cover the basic topics of the networking starting from the OSI Model, IP Addressing, router basic, VLAN, EIGRP, RIP, and VTP. It is an associate level certification that would be designed so as to train the individuals to provide better network solution to the industry and you must have the knowledge of these basics before doing CCNA Security. As the CCNA Security is going to cover the basic of security technologies like cyber attack, IOS firewall, VPN technologies.

Also, in order to do the CCNA Security, the candidates are required to have the knowledge of CCNA Routing & Switching because CCNA R&S covers a practical part that helps in CCNA Security.

For further help, you could join the SPOTO CCIE Club, and enhance your chance of passing any of the above exams in the first attempt.