Top Networking Certifications in 2025: CCNA, CompTIA, and Beyond

HISILA BHANDARI

Sun, 01 Jun 2025

The world of networking has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past decade. With the rise of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced cybersecurity threats, the responsibilities of network professionals have expanded significantly. Today, it’s not just about connecting hardware and managing IP addresses it’s about ensuring seamless connectivity, securing enterprise environments, implementing automation, and integrating cloud platforms. As a result, IT professionals are seeking more sophisticated certifications to validate their expertise and adapt to these evolving challenges. Certifications serve as a benchmark for skills and knowledge in a specialized domain. They not only demonstrate technical proficiency but also help employers identify qualified candidates for specific roles. In 2025, networking certifications remain highly valuable for individuals looking to break into the IT industry or level up their existing careers. These certifications validate your ability to design, implement, manage, and troubleshoot enterprise-level networks and services. Moreover, the growing complexity of modern networks has led to the emergence of new certification programs that incorporate cloud, security, and automation elements.

Among the most respected and widely pursued certifications in the networking field are Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP, CompTIA’s Network+ and Security+, and emerging cloud-networking credentials from AWS, Microsoft, and Google. These programs are continuously updated to reflect the changing technological landscape and the growing need for hybrid networking skills. This blog post explores the top networking certifications in 2025, providing detailed insights into their content, requirements, job relevance, and overall value to professionals and employers alike. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) remains one of the most popular and respected networking certifications worldwide. Offered by Cisco Systems, a leading provider of networking equipment and solutions, the CCNA certification is considered an industry-standard entry-level credential. It covers a broad range of fundamental networking topics, including IP connectivity, network access, security fundamentals, and automation. The CCNA is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in networking or IT support, as it provides a solid foundation in the core concepts of networking technologies and protocols.

One of the key strengths of the CCNA is its relevance in enterprise environments that rely on Cisco equipment. While the certification itself is vendor-specific, the skills it covers—such as IP routing, switching, VLANs, and subnetting are applicable across a variety of networking environments. In 2025, Cisco has updated the CCNA syllabus to include cloud-based networking, software-defined networking (SDN), and network automation using Python and Ansible. This reflects the industry’s shift toward programmable infrastructure and hybrid cloud models.

The CCNA exam (code 200-301) is a single comprehensive test, which makes it accessible for newcomers who want to earn a certification quickly. The certification is valid for three years, and Cisco provides recertification options through continuing education or retaking the exam. In terms of job opportunities, the CCNA opens doors to roles such as Network Support Technician, NOC Engineer, Help Desk Analyst, and Junior Network Administrator. Its global recognition, affordability, and comprehensive content make it a must-have credential for aspiring network engineers.

CompTIA Network is another entry-level certification that holds significant value in the networking field. Unlike the CCNA, Network  is vendor-neutral, meaning it doesn’t focus on any particular manufacturer’s products. This makes it suitable for IT professionals who work in environments with a mix of networking technologies and platforms. CompTIA’s certification is designed to validate essential networking skills, including configuring, managing, and troubleshooting wired and wireless networks, implementing security protocols, and supporting network infrastructure. Network+ is often recommended for those new to IT who are pursuing a generalist role or plan to branch into systems administration or cybersecurity later on. The certification doesn’t require any formal prerequisites, though CompTIA recommends having the A+ certification and 9-12 months of networking experience. The Network+ exam (N10-008 as of 2025) covers topics like networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, network security, and network troubleshooting. CompTIA frequently updates the exam content to reflect new technologies and industry practices.

Earning the Network credential can lead to positions such as Network Field Technician, Network Analyst, and IT Support Specialist. Because it is DoD 8570-compliant, the certification is also recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and is often required for government IT positions. The broad scope of the certification and its vendor-neutral status make Network a good starting point for those who want to understand the fundamentals of networking across various platforms. For professionals looking to deepen their networking knowledge, the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise certification is the logical next step after the CCNA. This certification is designed for network engineers, technicians, and support staff with several years of experience. The CCNP Enterprise validates your ability to implement and troubleshoot advanced enterprise networking solutions, including dual-stack architecture (IPv4 and IPv6), virtualization, security, QoS, and automation.

To earn the CCNP Enterprise, candidates must pass two exams: a core exam (350-401 ENCOR) and a concentration exam of their choice. The concentration exams allow you to specialize in areas like advanced routing, SD-WAN, wireless networking, or network design. This flexible structure helps you tailor the certification to your career goals. The CCNP is highly respected by employers and often a requirement for mid- to senior-level networking positions such as Network Engineer, Network Consultant, or Infrastructure Architect. What sets the CCNP apart in 2025 is its integration of emerging technologies. Cisco has updated the curriculum to emphasize software-defined networking, network automation tools, cloud connectivity, and network telemetry. This reflects the changing nature of enterprise networks, which now span across on-premises and cloud environments. Professionals who hold a CCNP Enterprise certification are well-positioned to lead network modernization initiatives within their organizations.

Security+ by CompTIA is a valuable certification for networking professionals who want to specialize in network security. As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, employers are increasingly looking for IT staff who understand how to secure network infrastructure. Security+ covers topics such as threat detection, risk mitigation, identity and access management, cryptography, and network architecture. Security+ is also vendor-neutral and compliant with DoD 8570 standards, making it a top choice for security roles in both the public and private sectors. The exam (SY0-701 as of 2025) emphasizes hands-on skills and practical understanding of security principles, making it suitable for IT professionals in roles such as Security Analyst, Network Administrator, and Systems Administrator. It’s also a solid stepping stone toward more advanced certifications like CISSP and CEH.

In 2025, the need for cybersecurity awareness within networking roles has never been more critical. Security+ helps bridge the gap between general networking knowledge and security best practices, ensuring that network administrators can design and maintain secure network architectures. It also aligns with the growing trend of integrating security measures into all layers of IT infrastructure, known as a “security by design” approach. For those working in Linux-heavy environments or open-source ecosystems, the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Networking is an excellent choice. Red Hat’s certification focuses on networking concepts and tools in Linux systems, including configuring interfaces, IP routing, bridging, VLANs, firewall management, and VPNs. Given the dominance of Linux in data centers and cloud platforms, networking professionals are increasingly required to manage and secure Linux-based network services.

Red Hat certifications are performance-based, meaning you must demonstrate your ability to perform tasks in a real-world environment. This hands-on approach ensures that certified professionals possess practical skills that are directly applicable on the job. The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Networking is ideal for Linux administrators, DevOps engineers, and infrastructure architects who want to specialize in networking. Cloud networking is another fast-growing specialization in 2025, and several certifications cater specifically to this domain. The AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in cloud infrastructure. It covers complex networking topics such as hybrid IT networking, edge optimization, network automation, security, and AWS-specific services like VPC, Direct Connect, and Route 53.

To pursue this certification, candidates should have advanced experience in designing and implementing AWS and hybrid IT network architectures. The exam requires deep knowledge of networking protocols and AWS tools. The credential is ideal for roles such as Cloud Network Engineer, Solutions Architect, and DevOps Specialist. As enterprises migrate more services to the cloud, the demand for professionals who can design and manage secure, high-performance cloud networks continues to rise. Microsoft’s Azure Network Engineer Associate certification is another important cloud-related networking credential. It validates your ability to manage Azure networking services, implement hybrid network solutions, secure network traffic, and monitor performance. As Microsoft Azure grows in popularity among enterprises, this certification is increasingly relevant for IT professionals working in Microsoft-based environments.

The certification requires passing Exam AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions. Candidates are expected to understand virtual network design, VPNs, load balancing, private endpoints, and DNS services within Azure. This credential is ideal for Network Engineers, Cloud Administrators, and IT Architects responsible for implementing or supporting Azure infrastructure. With the rise of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud deployments, having Azure networking expertise on your résumé is a major advantage. Another notable certification in the network security space is the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA). This certification is focused on the configuration and management of Palo Alto firewalls and security appliances. The PCNSA validates your ability to deploy firewalls, manage rule bases, configure VPNs, and monitor network traffic.

Given the widespread use of Palo Alto’s products in enterprise environments, this certification is especially valuable for security professionals tasked with maintaining robust perimeter defenses. In 2025, the PCNSA exam includes cloud-delivered security services, application-aware filtering, and integration with network automation tools. Network professionals who work with advanced firewalls and require hands-on security skills will find this certification highly relevant. Juniper Networks also offers a respected entry-level credential: the Juniper Networks Certified Associate – Junos (JNCIA-Junos). This certification is ideal for professionals working in environments that use Juniper switches, routers, and firewalls. The JNCIA-Junos exam covers basic networking concepts, Junos OS operation, and configuration tasks. It serves as a strong introduction to Juniper’s product line and provides a path to more advanced certifications like JNCIP and JNCIE. In 2025, Juniper continues to innovate in network automation and AI-driven operations. As a result, the JNCIA certification includes elements of network programmability and automation using Juniper’s tools. This aligns with the industry's shift toward intent-based networking and AI/ML-driven network analytics. Professionals working in telecom, service provider, and large-scale enterprise networks can greatly benefit from Juniper certifications. One of the most prestigious certifications in cybersecurity and network architecture is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), offered by (ISC)². While not a pure networking certification, CISSP includes several critical domains related to network security, architecture, communication, and identity management. It is often required for high-level roles in IT governance, risk management, and infrastructure leadership.

The CISSP is ideal for experienced professionals with at least five years of experience in at least two of its eight domains. These include Security and Risk Management, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, and Identity and Access Management. CISSP holders are regarded as experts in designing and managing secure IT systems and are often hired for roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Security Consultant, and Enterprise Architect.