Explore trending CCNP specializations—from automation to wireless and security—to guide your IT career decisions with insight into growth, roles, and value.
Trending CCNP Specializations: From Automation to Wireless and Security
Introduction: Finding Your Path through the CCNP Maze
I remember when I first stared at the sprawling CCNP options—feeling like a network explorer faced with a choice: should I go into automation, wireless, security, or even collaboration? Over time, those specializations have shifted. Today, I'm walking you through what’s truly trending so you can confidently pick a path that fits your goals.
How CCNP Is Structured Today
Since February 2020, Cisco streamlined CCNP into several professional-level certifications, each combining a core exam with a choice of specialization or concentration examCCNP Enterprise: includes concentration tracks like Automation, Wireless, SD‑WAN, Advanced Routing, and Cloud Connectivity
And beyond Enterprise: CCNP Security, Data Center, Collaboration, Service Provider, CyberOps, and DevNet
Each track requires a Core exam (e.g. ENCOR for Enterprise) plus one concentration-specialist exam to earn the full CCNP. Passing either earns a Cisco Specialist badge as well
Enterprise Automation: The Growth Engine
CCNP Automation (e.g. 300‑435 ENAUTO) is perhaps the most forward‑looking choice. With networks shifting to programmable and AI-driven architectures, automation skills are increasingly critical. Roles like Network Automation Engineer or DevNet Professional who can script deployments, manage intent‑based networks, or integrate tools like Ansible, Python, and APIs are in high demand.
Recent industry blogs highlight that combining traditional networking knowledge with automation makes your resume stand out in both enterprise and cloud networking roles
Wireless (Enterprise) – Not Quite Dead, Just Evolving
Though CCNP Wireless no longer exists as a standalone track, the wireless concentration lives on within CCNP Enterprise via exams like ENWLSD or ENWLSI—for designing and implementing wireless networks For anyone managing enterprise Wi‑Fi, IoT connectivity, or campus redesign projects, it’s still highly relevant.
What has changed is that wireless study now folds in SD‑WAN, network assurance, automation, and virtualization within the enterprise core—making it more strategic than ever
Security – Where the Stakes Are Highest
The CCNP Security Certification remains a key specialization for network professionals focused on securing routers, switches, cloud gateways, firewalls, and threat visibility Recent salary benchmarks place CCNP Security holders comfortably among top-paying CCNP credentials for 2025, typically between $95K–$130K depending on region and role.
Choose one core exam and then a specialized path like VPN, secure access, or firewall technologies to strengthen your leadership in enterprise or hybrid environments.
Other Rising Specializations Worth Highlighting
CCNP Data Center: Focuses on infrastructure, storage, computing, automation, and orchestration in cloud-connected environments. Ideal if your career moves into server farms or corporate data center operations
CCNP Collaboration: Great for engineers working with Unified Communications, Webex suites, and hybrid collaboration technologies—especially now with new cloud-based cloud‑customer exam paths launching in early 2026
CCNP DevNet: Automation-focused, with deeper emphasis on APIs, programmability using Cisco platforms. It’s bridging the gap between coding and networking—very much trending as “network engineers who code” grow in demand
So… Which CCNP Should You Choose?
Let me break this down based on your career goals:
Love scripting, APIs, tools like Ansible and Python?
→ Go with CCNP Enterprise + Automation. You’ll boost your traction in roles like DevNet Specialist and Automation Engineer.Focused on connectivity, Wi‑Fi, wireless architecture?
→ Pick CCNP Enterprise + Wireless concentration, then keep studying automation and assurance to stay competitive.Aiming for security-heavy roles or risk management?
→ CCNP Security Certification is a direct route—covering threats, firewall implementation, secure access, cloud security.Interested in data center or server orchestration?
→ CCNP Data Center pairs well with automation for roles in cloud and hyperscale infrastructure.Pivoting towards collaboration (video, voice, hybrid work tools)?
→ Explore CCNP Collaboration, especially with upcoming cloud-certified tracks.
A Real-Life Example: My Journey
Here’s a personal snapshot: I began with Enterprise routing/switching, but noticed my company pivoting to SD‑WAN and network automation. So, I’d taken CCNP Enterprise + Automation, and later CCNP Security, blending them into hybrid roles where I designed automated firewall deployments and secure SD‑WAN configs. That combo made me uniquely valuable—and it’s exactly the kind of edge the market rewards today.
Conclusion: Pick a Specialization That Fits Your Future
CCNP today isn’t just one path—it’s a personalized credential mapped to where networking is going. Whether you're drawn to automation, wireless infrastructure, or security stewardship, each CCNP specialization opens a focused career track.
What you can do next:
Review the core + concentration exams for your chosen track.
Sign up for CCNP Training or a focused CCNP Boot Camp that includes hands-on labs.
Start labs or practice scenarios (especially for automation and security).
Pair CCNP with Cisco Certified Network Professional learning platforms and local study groups.
