Cisco Certified Support Technician - Part 4: Trifecta

Now I pass all 3 CCST exams (IT Support, Networking and Cybersecurity), I am now officially the CCST (Cisco Certified Support Technician) Trifecta!

I got to say that I enjoyed the 3 exams because even they are entry level exams, to me it was worth doing and worth the money spend. I know people will disagree, however, to me I get to be Cisco Certified again because my old CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) expired in August 2019 and I chose not to renew it because at my workplace, there was no need for me to use the CCNA. I am glad not just I am 

Cisco Certified, but also the CCST Certifications are certified for life meaning these certifications does not expire. Unless Cisco change the rule, but I hope not.

The reason why the certifications is worth it because unlike CompTIA, these certificate does not expire and to me this was a skills refresher so I learn more because of new technologies.

Cisco Certified Support Technician - Part 3: Cybersecurity

This is the 3rd and the last of the CCST Certifications I studied and pass.

This is remind me of the CompTIA Security+ which I pass around 10 years ago but it was a CE (Continuous Education) version meaning a 3 year certificate and I did not renew because after I become the CASP (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) now renamed CompTIA SecuriyX+ I am done with CompTIA.

Now with is exam. I use Udemy to study this which took few days to study. Then I spend 2 weeks practicing the mock test using the G-Metrix. The test was complicated because they use too much acronyms. I had to understand the acronyms such as SOAR, SIEM and MITRE. Once I understand the full terms, then I get to know the fundamentals and the materials behind it.

Now I become more knowledgeable about the type of threats, attacks and virus. Also understand the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) and each usage of them.

I sat in the exams relaxed and the questions was tricky but I understood it very carefully.

I pass the exam in flying colours with the score of over 900 points. The high score is unexpected, but once you pass IT Support and Networking in correct order you will learn the concepts of Security.

Now I pass IT Support, Networking and Cybersecurity. I am now officially known as the CCST Trifecta!

Cisco Certified Support Technician - Part 2: Networking

This is the 2nd of the 3 CCST Certifications I studied and pass.

This is an interesting study as this was remind me of CompTA Network+ in 2010 where I was doing the 2005 version of Network+ (N10-003) as when I booked the exam the N10-003 was required and booked the 2009 version instead (N10-004) which I failed because there was very new stuff included IP6 and security side. Then resort to restudy again because of new technology. After the 5th attempt, I manage to pass. The best part was I was lucky because if I failed the 5th time I have to wait another year to resit and also CompTIA introduce the 3 year certification renewal so I got this CompTIA Network+ Certificate before 2011 or else Network+ will be under CE version (Continuing Education).

Now today, I am doing another Network exam, 14 years later. This time the Cisco Round.

There are lots to learn and throughout the years of Networking, a lot of things changed such as IP6, security and the cloud are in the picture.

I use Udemy for study and G-Metrix for practice test.

I spend 2 weeks to study the practice test before the exam.

On the exam, the exam covers network switch, screenshot of the command use in Cisco, understanding Address, Subnets, Diagnosis and the Concepts.

The subject itself is more Cisco based version of CompTIA Network+.

On the exam results, I though I fail because I did not get most questions correct, however I got a good score because of the partial credits accumulate the score which I did not see coming.

At the end I did pass the exam because of partial credit score.

It was a hard and shocking pass, but at the end of the day, 'Pass is a Pass'.

Cisco Certified Support Technician - Part 1: IT Support

 

This is the 1st of the 3 CCST Certifications I studied.

During my 20 years of doing Technical work, the practice test was very easy to pass.

I use Udemy for study resources and G-Metrix for practice tests. The same G-Metrix I use for Microsoft Office Specialist examinations.

On the exam and the practice test, you learn about not just basic technology, you need to understand the ticketing system when doing IT Support such as prioritising IT Support ticket when you work as an IT Helpdesk/Support, how you write and log Support Tickets, gather information from the end user when they had IT issues. Learn the troubleshooting tool, understanding basic security, Remote Tools and as well as basic networking.

By the way, they will briefly include Linux, MacOS and Android questions in the mix.

I did pass the exam successfully with a good score which is above 750 which is more than expected as the passing score is 700 points out of 1000.

I did enjoy the exam as this is similar to CompTIA A+. I remember doing the CompTIA A+ exam which was in 2009 which was few attempts to pass.

Since years goes pass the IT Support and CompTIA A+ exam has expanded because of all the new technologies evolved. Also, the IT Support is not longer about Desktop and Laptop, it is beyond that as this has include Mobile phones as my manager always say that 'Mobile Phones are just like PCs' which he is correct.

Since I pass this exam I have now regained my Cisco Certification Status since 2019 because I let my CCNA Networking Certificate expired and I did not renew it.

The next exam is the CCST Networking.

New Cisco Entry Level Certification

I was on my Facebook feed and I come across some new Cisco Certifications.

They are the Entry level Certifications. Unlike the CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician), Cisco created the new CCST Certification.

CCST is an acronym for Cisco Certified Support Technician.

Cisco Certified Support Technician was created in Late 2022 and I was not aware of this because I was focusing on Microsoft Server Hybrid Administrator Certification. I just found out recently (around November 2023).
Networking started in 2022, then Cyber Security. Now they are introducing the IT Technician Certification.

What is Cisco Certified Support Technician?
Basically Cisco Certified Support Technician is the new Entry Level Certifications for Cisco. I call it 'CompTIA' version of Cisco because the Cisco Support Technician Certification is the rival of CompTIA. Unlike CompTIA, CCST will be a bit of Cisco in it because it is Cisco based Certification.

Why do I call it CompTIA's rival?

Because the Certs and the subject matter experts are equivalent.

CCST IT Support = CompTIA A+
CCST Networking = CompTIA Network+ 
CCST Cybersecurity = CompTIA Securiy+

Some may disagree with me because they may assume CCST Cybersecuriy should be equivalent to CompTIA CySA+, however it is not because CompTIA CySA+ is more higher than CompTIA Security+.

The best part of them all is they do not expire. Meaning I will be 'Certified for life'.

It is the exam worth it?
The answer is 'yes' because this will teach you all the modern fundamentals of the subject and if you are new to IT. However if you want the Vendor Neutral style of IT which teach you the overall, then you can always choose CompTIA.

Also the cost of the exam is way cheaper than CompTIA and they do not expire.

I am planning on doing all the 3 Certification because I like to see how the exam goes and it is worth a try.