Welcome to the latest in the CCNP Security news series! This month, I’ve got exciting news for network security engineers and for all Cisco Certified engineers looking to recertify an existing cert.
New Duo course on Cisco U.
Cisco Duo Identity and Access Management (DUIOAM), a new course dedicated to Duo, is now available exclusively on Cisco U.
The DUIOAM course, targeted towards Duo operators, covers:
- Modern and Seamless SSO
- Multi-Factor and Passwordless Authentication
- Identity Verification, Intelligence, and Security
While this course is not mapped directly to a certification exam, Duo has been added to two Cisco Security certification exams, both launching August 27, 2026:
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Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (350-701 SCOR) v2.0: While SCOR is often referred to as the “core exam” in the CCNP Security Certification track, passing the SCOR exam also unlocks your eligibility for the CCIE Security Certification, acting as a prerequisite for the CCIE Security lab. Not to mention the Specialist cert you earn upon simply passing SCOR: the Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Core Certification. View 350-701 SCOR exam topics
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Designing and Implementing Secure Cloud Access for Users and Endpoints (300-740 SCAZT) v2.0: Passing the SCAZT exam fulfills the concentration exam requirement for CCNP Security certification, and earns you the Cisco Certified Specialist – Secure Cloud Access Certification. View 300-740 SCAZT v2.0 exam topics
If you are aiming for these certifications, you can start learning Duo today. View DUIOAM Learning Path
Free SDSI Learning Path on Cisco U.
More exciting news: The CCNP Security certification is getting updated, as previously announced. This SDSI Learning Path helps you prep for it.
With AI, automation, and cloud-native architectures rewriting the rules of defense, security is no longer separate from networking. It’s embedded. That means every network architect should have some security knowledge to help them, even if it’s not their specialty.
That’s why, as part of the quarterly Rev Up to Recert program, Cisco U. is offering Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure | SDSI for free from May 29 to July 13, 2026.
This is an especially big deal because it offers 41 Continuing Education (CE) credits—enough to recertify the following Cisco certifications:
- Practitioner: 15 CE credits
- Associate (CCNA): 30 CE credits
- Specialist: 40 CE credits
And more than halfway to CCNP certifications’ 80-credit requirement!
This Learning Path will teach you how to be a security architect—someone who can translate business objectives into secure network designs. These skills will make you more valuable on the job market.
Here’s some of what is covered:
- Designing secure infrastructure (Identity, VPN, Firewalls).
- Securing the cloud-native/microservices stack.
- Integrating AI, automation, and DevSecOps.
Through more than 40 hours of coursework, SDSI will move you beyond just product-specific configuration to holistic, scalable security design.
Why take advantage of SDSI?
Why else should you take advantage of taking SDSI for free? First of all, like all Cisco U. Learning Paths, this one is modular. If you want to work on it only outside of work hours, it’s simple to break it up into shorter study sessions.
- If you want to get the CCNP, this course moves you halfway there. It preps you for the 300-745 SDSI v1.0 exam, a concentration for the CCNP Security.
- Career mobility: Validates your ability to design enterprise-grade solutions, increasing your market value as a Security Architect or Consultant.
- The “translation” skill: Learning to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and technical security design, making you an invaluable asset to leadership.
With about six weeks to complete it (for free), this means you can spend about seven hours a week and still finish in time, or about an hour a day.
Who should enroll in SDSI?
Anyone in the world can enroll for free. If you have a group of networking-minded friends, why not make it a group effort? SDSI study nights, anyone? Bring your friends or bring your coworkers.
I also recommend the SDSI Learning Path for:
- CCNP Security holders seeking efficient recertification.
- Any Cisco certification holders who are working toward recertification and want to learn about security.
- Network/Security professionals looking to specialize and grow towards architecture.
- IT leaders aiming to cost-effectively upskill their team’s security skillset.
- People looking to obtain their CCNP Security certification who need exam prep for the SDSI exam.
Get started on SDSI now
It’s really easy to get in on the SDSI Learning Path. If you haven’t created a free Cisco U. account yet, you’ll be prompted to do so when you visit. No coupon code or credit card required.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Read next:
CCNP Security News Roundup: SSE, ZTNA, and ISE