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SAN JOSE, Calif., June 17, 2003 - Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced the expansion of its security certification and training program to reflect the latest advances in Cisco security technology and industry expectations for IT professionals. Cisco has added two new comprehensive security design training courses, Designing Perimeter Security (DPS) and Designing VPN Security (DVS), and has also updated exams for the CCSP, Cisco Firewall Specialist, Cisco VPN Specialist and Cisco IDS Specialist certifications.

As Cisco's first training offerings in security design, the courses provide candidates with cutting-edge knowledge and skills essential to designing secure connectivity and network perimeters. Designing Perimeter Security is a three-day, leader-led course that conveys the knowledge and skills needed to secure network perimeters. The course outlines the function, features and limitations of firewalls, and details best practice firewall design guidelines and architectures based on a defined security policy. Guidelines on how to design high availability and high performance firewall systems and how to integrate applications with a particular firewall technology are also included.

Designing VPN Security is a four-day, instructor-led, task-oriented course that teaches the knowledge and skills needed to design secure connectivity in an enterprise network. After completing this course, students will be able to perform such tasks as recognizing services offered by cryptography and recommending those services to an organization to address their specific needs.

"Securing enterprise networks is a timely and critical topic around the world," said Rick Stiffler, senior manager of advanced technology training, Cisco Systems. "Cisco is proud to be one of the first to introduce security design courses, which keeps Cisco at the cutting-edge of training network professionals to design and implement robust network security solutions. Cisco is committed to keeping its portfolio of security courses and exams current so that IT professionals can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to build and deploy comprehensive security solutions."

Training Courseware and Exam Availability
Cisco Systems is updating the certification exams for SECUR, CSPFA, CSVPN, CSIDS and CSI. All updated exams except CSIDS are available starting June 17, 2003. The updated CSIDS exam will be available starting October 7, 2003.

Both security design courses are offered through a global network of authorized Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. Training may be purchased via Cisco Learning Credits and are redeemable at Cisco Learning Partner locations worldwide.

For training and certification information, visit www.cisco.com/go/training.
For Cisco Learning Credits information, visit www.cisco.com/go/learningcredits

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.