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VPN Security

Return on Investment

Investing in Your Future Success

The following is a comparison of the time and out-of-pocket expenses* required to achieve a Cisco VPN/Security Specialization using either the Partner Education Connection (PEC) or Instructor-Led Training (ILT), where available.

Note: When you renew your specialization you may only incur exam costs. See below for details.

Cisco specializations and certifications represent a significant investment of time and resources. We highly recommend that you consult with your Cisco channel manager prior to committing to a particular specialization or certification to help ensure there is adequate opportunity in your geography and market.

* Times and costs are estimates for the purpose of comparison. Your organization's investment may vary depending on the career certifications that individuals may have.

Total Estimated Learning Hours and Investment
  Estimated Hours Investment
Partner Education Connection (PEC)
121
$8,587
Instructor-led Training (ILT)
194
$11,925
Out-of-pocket exam costs
6
750
Total Savings with PEC
73
$3,338

Break-Even Point

Based on the investment estimate above, the following are the revenue levels at which you would start to gain a return on your investment. The chart below illustrates gross revenue from the resale of hardware at an average of 5 percent margin or services revenue at an average of 20 percent margin.

  Hardware Only @ 5% Services @ 20%
Partner Education Connection (PEC)
$171,740
$42,935
Instructor-led Training (ILT)
$238,500
$59,625

Training & Exam Investment by Role

When you renew your specialization you may only incur exam costs.

Account Manager
Classes are available ONLY on PEC
PEC
Estimated hours of classes and exams

5
Out-of-pocket training cost
$0
Out-of-pocket exam cost
$125

System Engineer
Classes are available via PEC AND ILT
PEC
ILT
Estimated hours of courses and exams
0
0
Out-of-pocket training cost
$0
$0
Out-of-pocket exam cost
$0
$0

Field Engineer
Classes are available via PEC AND ILT
PEC
ILT
Estimated hours of courses and exams
121
194
Out-of-pocket training cost
$ 7,837
$ 11,175
Out-of-pocket exam cost
$ 625
$ 625

NOTE: Although training courses are recommended to improve the probability that you pass your exams, you are required only to pass exams to achieve specialization. Therefore, it’s possible that your cost and time investment will be less than stated above, leading to a faster return on investment.