CCNP Security Certification: Exams, Concentrations, and Training Options

What the CCNP Security Certification Covers

CCNP Security is designed around security infrastructure capabilities across several connected areas. Cisco describes the certification as covering network, cloud, and content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement.

Security Areas Included in the Track

The certification page identifies security concepts, network security, cloud security, and content security as related areas.

Security concepts include identifying common threats and vulnerabilities and understanding concepts such as encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and techniques used to prevent attacks.

Network security includes comparing security solutions, setting up and managing firewalls, implementing preventative security measures, and configuring secure remote access solutions.

Cloud security includes describing different clouds and services and understanding how to securely manage cloud applications.

Content security includes redirecting and capturing web traffic, verifying user identities, comparing security solutions, and setting up email security features such as spam filtering and encryption.

These areas connect the certification's broader infrastructure scope with specific topics involving network protection, cloud applications, content controls, endpoint protection, secure access, visibility, and enforcement.

How to Earn CCNP Security

Cisco states that earning CCNP Security requires passing two exams: one core exam and one of seven CCNP Security concentration exams.

Passing the core exam automatically earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core certification. Passing a concentration exam earns the specialist certification associated with that exam while also contributing toward CCNP Security.

The Core Exam: 350-701 SCOR

The required core exam is 350-701 SCOR, Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies.

Cisco describes the exam as testing knowledge of implementing and operating core security technologies, including network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement.

The supplied Cisco exam page lists the SCOR exam duration as 120 minutes, the price as US$400 or Cisco Learning Credits, and the available languages as English and Japanese. The page also states that the exam uses pass/fail grading.

Passing 350-701 SCOR earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core certification and meets the core exam requirement for CCNP Security.

Choosing a Concentration Exam

The concentration choice lets a candidate select one focus area after identifying the core exam path. Cisco lists concentration exams covering firewalls, identity services, email security, web security, VPN solutions, secure cloud access, and security infrastructure design.

Each listed concentration exam contributes toward CCNP Security and provides a related specialist certification when passed.

The concentration exams should be treated as distinct subject areas rather than as a ranked list. The appropriate choice depends on the area the learner intends to study and demonstrate within the supplied certification options.

CCNP Security Exam Options

The following options summarize the focus areas documented on Cisco's CCNP Security exams and training page.

Network, Identity, and Content Security Options

Exam	Documented focus
300-710 SNCF	Securing Networks with Cisco Firewalls
300-715 SISE	Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine
300-720 SESA	Securing Email with Cisco Email Security Appliance
300-725 SWSA	Securing the Web with Cisco Secure Web Appliance

The 300-710 SNCF exam focuses on securing networks with Cisco firewalls.

The 300-715 SISE exam focuses on implementing and configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine. Cisco describes its topics as including architecture and deployment, policy enforcement, Web Auth and guest services, profiler, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), endpoint compliance, and network access device administration.

The 300-720 SESA exam covers Cisco Secure Email Gateway, formerly Cisco Email Security Appliance. Its documented areas include administration, spam control and antispam, message filters, data loss prevention, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), email authentication and encryption, and system quarantines and delivery methods.

The 300-725 SWSA exam covers Cisco Secure Web Appliance, formerly Cisco Web Security Appliance. Its documented areas include proxy services, authentication, decryption policies, differentiated traffic access policies, identification policies, acceptable use control settings, malware defense, and data security and data loss prevention.

VPN, Cloud Access, and Security Design Options

Exam	Documented focus
300-730 SVPN	Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks
300-740 SCAZT	Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Access for Users and Endpoints
300-745 SDSI	Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure

The 300-730 SVPN exam focuses on implementing secure solutions with VPNs, including secure communications, architectures, and troubleshooting.

The 300-740 SCAZT exam focuses on designing and implementing secure cloud access for users and endpoints. Cisco lists cloud security architecture, user and device security, network and cloud security, application and data security, visibility and assurance, and threat response among its topics.

The 300-745 SDSI exam focuses on designing Cisco security infrastructure. Its documented areas include security architecture design, secure infrastructure, applications, risk, events, requirements, artificial intelligence, automation, and DevSecOps.

The supplied Cisco page lists a US$300 price or Cisco Learning Credits, English and Japanese languages, a 90-minute duration, and pass/fail grading for the SNCF, SISE, SESA, SWSA, SVPN, and SDSI concentration exams, with the listed language details varying by exam.

Cisco's supplied page marks 300-720 SESA, 300-725 SWSA, and 300-730 SVPN with a last date to test of August 26, 2026. Because exam information can change, verify current availability, exam topics, and scheduling information on the official Cisco pages before booking.

Training and Study Resources

Cisco documents several preparation options for CCNP Security candidates. These include Cisco U. guided learning paths, instructor-led training, practice exams or tests, hands-on labs, self-study resources, training catalogs, and the Security certifications community.

Cisco states that studying with Cisco U. is recommended but not required.

Guided Learning and Hands-On Practice

Cisco U. learning paths provide guided learning and include pre- and post-assessments. The assessments can help a learner identify existing knowledge and areas that still require study.

Cisco also describes hands-on labs that use real Cisco products. Practice tests are available for checking exam readiness and practicing questions before the certification exam.

The CCNP Security certification page also points learners to official Cisco training and self-study resources for the SCOR exam.

Instructor-Led Training and Community Support

Cisco lists instructor-led training delivered online or in person by Cisco and its Learning Partners.

The Security certifications community is presented as a place where learners can ask questions, share ideas, connect with other members, and receive training guidance while preparing for certification exams.

A self-study route can therefore use the documented Cisco study materials, while a more structured route can combine a Cisco U. learning path or instructor-led training with hands-on labs and practice tests.

Planning a CCNP Security Study Path

A source-supported preparation sequence starts with the certification structure: identify the core exam requirement, then select one concentration area that matches the intended focus.

Use the relevant Cisco learning path, instructor-led training, hands-on labs, practice tests, or self-study materials described in the supplied Cisco pages. The choice of resource can follow the learner's preferred study format and the concentration's documented subject area.

A practical checklist is:

• Confirm that the target is the 350-701 SCOR core exam plus one concentration exam.
• Review the documented focus of the seven concentration options.
• Select Cisco U., instructor-led training, self-study materials, hands-on labs, practice tests, or a combination of these resources.
• Use assessments and practice tests to identify study areas and check readiness.
• Verify current exam topics, availability, pricing, languages, duration, and scheduling information before committing to an exam date.

Check Exam Information Before Scheduling

The supplied Cisco pages list exam details such as price, duration, languages, grading, and last-test dates. These details belong to the supplied source snapshots and should not be treated as timeless information.

Cisco's CCNP Security page states that there are no formal prerequisites for the certification. It also states that learners often have three to five years of experience implementing security solutions.

The absence of formal prerequisites does not remove the need to understand the topics covered by the selected exams. Use the official Cisco exam pages to confirm the current requirements and exam information before scheduling.

Conclusion

CCNP Security follows a two-exam structure: the 350-701 SCOR core exam and one of seven concentration exams. The core exam covers fundamental security technologies, while the concentration choices cover areas including firewalls, identity services, email security, web security, VPNs, secure cloud access, and security infrastructure design.

Cisco's documented preparation resources include guided learning, instructor-led training, hands-on labs, practice tests, self-study materials, and a security certifications community. A preparation plan can begin with the core requirement, continue with a concentration aligned to the intended focus, and use the relevant Cisco resources while checking official pages for changing exam information.