How to prepare the CCSP Certification

The CCSP certification has CCNA Security as a prerequisite, so you can’t start without that one. Then you need to take 4 more exams, 3 of them are fixed and the last one you can choose out of a list of elective exams.
1. CCNA Security – pre-requisite; Exam 642-553. This one is the entry-level certificate in the security train and introduces you to basic concepts about firewalls, securing the network, VPNs, ACS, network attacks and so on.
2. IPS (Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System) – mandatory; Exam 642-533. For this one you need to be familiar with the IPS sensors.
3. SNRS (Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches) – mandatory; Exam 642-504. This exam builds upon CCNA Security and further introduces you to a bit more advanced concepts like Layer 2 security, network thread mitigation, DMVPN, GETVPN and so on.
4. SNAF (Securing Networks with ASA Fundamentals) – mandatory; Exam 642-524.This exam introduces you to the administration, management and troubleshooting of the ASA security appliance.
5. SNAA (Securing Networks with ASA Advanced) – elective; Exam 642-515. This exam builds upon SNAF and introduces you to more advanced ASA topics such as dynamic routing, SSL VPNs, AIP and CSC modules and so on.