CCIE Security Certification Guide 2026: Exam, Cost, Training & Certification

The CCIE Security certification is Cisco’s expert-level credential for designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing enterprise security networks. Candidates must pass the 350-701 SCOR core exam and an eight-hour practical lab, currently listed as CCIE Security v6.1. Cisco lists the core exam at US$400 and the standard lab at US$1,600, making the minimum examination cost US$2,000 before taxes, training, travel, or retakes. There are no formal prerequisites, but extensive hands-on experience is essential for developing the practical skills required to complete the certification.

What Is CCIE Security Certification?

The CCIE Security certification, officially known as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security, validates advanced expertise in securing complex enterprise networks. Offered by Cisco, this expert-level credential focuses on network security architecture, security policy implementation, threat protection, identity management, secure connectivity, and automation. Unlike certifications that primarily assess theoretical knowledge, CCIE Security requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to design, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize security solutions in practical environments. Cisco identifies several important capabilities associated with the certification, including centralized security policy management, cloud-delivered security, threat identification, secure API development, and automated configuration. The certification is relevant to experienced network security engineers, security architects, infrastructure specialists, and professionals responsible for enterprise security solutions.

CCIE Security Certification Path in 2026

The CCIE Security certification path requires candidates to pass two examinations: a qualifying core examination and a practical laboratory examination.

The current pathway begins with the 350-701 SCOR Core Security Technologies examination, followed by the CCIE Security Lab v6.1, an eight-hour practical examination.

After successfully completing both examinations, candidates earn the CCIE Security certification.

Passing the core examination also earns the Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Core certification.

Candidates must complete the qualifying core examination before attempting the CCIE practical examination.

Step 1: Pass the 350-701 SCOR Examination

The 350-701 SCOR examination assesses knowledge of implementing and operating Cisco security technologies.

It covers network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement.

The examination lasts 120 minutes and is available in English and Japanese. Its listed fee is US$400.

Step 2: Pass the CCIE Security Lab Examination

After passing SCOR, candidates must complete the eight-hour practical lab examination.

The lab evaluates the ability to design, deploy, operate, and optimize enterprise security solutions across IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

Candidates must apply their technical knowledge to interconnected security technologies rather than solve isolated configuration questions.

The current Cisco certification page identifies the practical examination as CCIE Security v6.1.

CCIE Security Exam Format and Details

The following table summarizes the published examination structure.

Exam Detail

Core Examination

Practical Examination

Examination

350-701 SCOR

CCIE Security Lab

Version

SCOR v1.1

v6.1

Duration

120 minutes

8 hours

Standard Fee

US$400

US$1,600

Main Focus

Core security technologies

Advanced security implementation

Assessment

Knowledge-based

Hands-on practical

Requirement

First examination

Pass after qualifying core

Cisco also offers the lab through selected mobile testing arrangements, which may have different pricing.

CCIE Security Certification Cost in 2026

The CCIE Security certification cost includes two mandatory examination fees. The standard qualifying examination costs US400,whilethestandardpracticallaboratoryexaminationcostsUS1,600. The minimum standard examination cost is therefore US$2,000, excluding applicable taxes, preparation costs, travel, accommodation, and retakes.

For candidates asking about the CCIE Security lab exam cost, Cisco lists the following options:

Laboratory Option

Fee

Cisco testing facility

US$1,600

Mobile lab – Bring Your Own Device

US$1,600

Mobile lab – Cisco kit

US$1,900

The mobile Cisco-kit option increases the combined core and lab examination fees to US$2,300. Candidates should budget separately for their CCIE Security certification training, software access, practice labs, and travel arrangements.

CCIE Security Lab Exam Topics

A strong CCIE Security exam certification guide must address the practical technologies candidates need to master. The v6.1 blueprint covers several interconnected security domains.

Perimeter Security and Intrusion Prevention

This area focuses on firewall technologies, security policies, intrusion prevention, network address translation, and advanced threat protection. Candidates should understand Cisco Secure Firewall technologies, including ASA and Firepower Threat Defense, alongside deployment and troubleshooting considerations.

Secure Connectivity and Segmentation

Candidates must understand secure connectivity between users, networks, and organizational locations. Important technologies include IPsec VPNs, remote-access VPNs, secure tunneling, network segmentation, and Cisco TrustSec. The objective is to maintain secure communication while enforcing appropriate access restrictions.

Infrastructure Security

Infrastructure security involves protecting the network devices and protocols that support enterprise connectivity. Candidates should understand device hardening, secure management access, control-plane protection, Layer 2 security, and techniques used to limit unauthorized traffic.

Identity Management and Access Control

Identity-based security is a major component of enterprise protection. Candidates should develop practical experience with Cisco Identity Services Engine, authentication, authorization, accounting, access policies, and network access control.

Advanced Threat Protection and Content Security

This area connects enterprise security with threat prevention, monitoring, and cloud-delivered protection. Cisco Umbrella, DNS security, web security, and related protective controls form part of the v6.1 scope. Automation and programmability are also integrated into the practical examination, including API operations and Python-based automation.

CCIE Security Training: What Should You Study?

Effective CCIE Security training should combine theoretical knowledge with repeated practical implementation. Candidates should begin with the current SCOR objectives before progressing toward advanced lab preparation. An effective CCIE Security certification training program should provide access to security appliances, virtual laboratories, realistic network topologies, configuration exercises, and troubleshooting scenarios. Cisco offers official training through Cisco U., instructor-led courses, practice assessments, and hands-on labs. One important preparation technique is to test how multiple security technologies interact. For example, a VPN tunnel may establish successfully while application traffic fails because of an access policy, routing problem, identity rule, or NAT configuration. Understanding the complete traffic path is more valuable than memorizing individual configuration commands.

Benefits of CCIE Security Online Training

CCIE Security online training allows experienced professionals to prepare while maintaining their regular employment responsibilities. A structured online program should provide access to virtual equipment, guided technical sessions, practical assignments, troubleshooting demonstrations, and mock laboratory examinations. Candidates should also practice working without constant instructor assistance. The actual practical examination requires independent technical judgment, so preparation must develop the ability to identify problems, implement corrections, and verify outcomes. Cisco provides official CCIE Practice Labs for Security candidates. These allow eligible learners to work with laboratory environments designed to support practical examination preparation.

How to Prepare for the CCIE Security Lab Exam

The practical examination is a different challenge from the qualifying written examination.

A useful preparation process involves:

1. Review the current blueprint. Identify every technology and practical skill included in the examination.

2. Build your laboratory environment. Arrange suitable virtual appliances, networking devices, and management platforms.

3. Practice configuration independently. Develop the ability to deploy technologies without relying on step-by-step instructions.

4. Introduce deliberate faults. Troubleshoot routing problems, policy conflicts, VPN failures, and authentication issues.

5. Practice automation. Develop familiarity with secure APIs and Python-based configuration tasks.

6. Complete timed mock labs. Simulate examination conditions and review incomplete or incorrect tasks.

Technical accuracy is essential, but time management also matters.

Candidates should learn to verify configurations efficiently rather than repeatedly rebuilding solutions that already work.

CCIE Security vs CCNP Security

Both certifications share the same 350-701 SCOR qualifying examination, but their final assessment requirements differ.

Feature

CCNP Security

CCIE Security

Certification Level

Professional

Expert

Core Examination

350-701 SCOR

350-701 SCOR

Additional Requirement

Concentration examination

Practical lab examination

Primary Assessment

Specialized security knowledge

Integrated expert-level implementation

Practical Examination

No separate CCIE lab required

Eight-hour lab

Candidates who pass SCOR can use that qualifying examination toward either certification pathway, subject to Cisco's eligibility and validity requirements.

CCIE Security Certification Requirements

Cisco does not impose formal prerequisites for beginning the CCIE Security pathway. However, candidates must pass the qualifying examination and complete the practical examination within the applicable eligibility period. Cisco currently provides a three-year window after passing the qualifying core exam to complete the CCIE lab. Continuing Education credits used for recertification do not extend that examination eligibility window. Extensive experience with network infrastructure, enterprise security architecture, firewall technologies, and troubleshooting is therefore important before attempting the laboratory examination.

Maintaining Your CCIE Security Certification

The Cisco CCIE certification remains valid for three years. Credential holders must complete Cisco's applicable recertification requirements before expiration. Cisco provides recertification options through qualifying examinations and Continuing Education credits. Candidates should also monitor examination updates. Cisco has announced further development involving AI-assisted capabilities in the CCIE Security practical examination, with blueprint and implementation details to be communicated through its certification channels. Training providers and candidates should verify the active examination version before scheduling.

Start Your CCIE Security Certification Preparation

The CCIE Security certification demonstrates expert-level knowledge of enterprise network security, secure connectivity, identity management, threat protection, and automation. Passing the 350-701 SCOR examination establishes the qualifying technical foundation, while the practical lab validates the ability to integrate and troubleshoot complex security solutions. Begin with the current Cisco examination objectives, strengthen your technical knowledge, and develop practical experience through realistic laboratory exercises. Prepare with updated CCIE Security study material, expert-led online training, hands-on labs, and realistic mock examinations to build the technical skills required for the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security certification.