Cisco and Pearson VUE Chart a New Course in IT Certification to Grow Global Networking Talent

Cisco® and Pearson VUE announced they are teaming to create a new standard for individual information technology (IT) certifications, elevating them to the level of professional certification and licensure programs. Beginning Aug. 1, Pearson VUE will be the primary vendor of Cisco certification exams worldwide. Cisco CCNA® and CCIE® are two of the Cisco professional certification exams that will be delivered through Pearson VUE. Additionally, Pearson VUE will deliver other Cisco individual technical certifications and specialization exams previously delivered by multiple test-delivery companies.

“We are investing heavily in Cisco educational initiatives around the world to ensure proper coverage of technical skills for our customers, our partners and ourselves,” said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, senior director of Learning@Cisco. “Our overall goal for developing technical talent is to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time so that our customers and partners have the best possible experience with our technology. We’re confident that as a result of this collaboration, Cisco certifications will continue to be highly regarded and relevant to employers across the globe.”

To meet global demand, Cisco is moving to a primary-vendor strategy with Pearson VUE so that the two organizations can mutually expand their investments. This focused relationship will enable Cisco and Pearson VUE together to build a stronger infrastructure that will provide the following benefits:

Further innovation in technology to preserve the integrity and security of individual certification testing, thereby preserving the value of certification to employers
Better market penetration into remote locations, as well as concentrated marketing outreach and recruitment efforts
Greater convenience for Cisco customers and partners in testing locations (both mobile and fixed)

“Our certification strategy and its related partnerships are critical to achieving our objective,” continued Beliveau-Dunn. “We are dramatically expanding Cisco’s technical certification systems by improving the delivery of cutting-edge technical training curricula, developing professional learning communities, expanding global coverage and aggressively improving certification security worldwide. Ultimately, this will help in the recruitment and retention of solid technical talent as well as increase the overall brand value of Cisco certifications.”

The Cisco and Pearson VUE collaboration will take advantage of advances in technology to offer an unprecedented level of exam content protection, while at the same time greatly enhancing the ability to deliver exams at remote locations. One very visible innovation will be the worldwide use of advanced layered biometrics. In addition, the two companies will hold regular technology and security summits to discuss ongoing enhancements to Cisco’s program.

“Pearson VUE has robust security measures in place at its global testing centers and we constantly evaluate our processes and technology to ensure we’re staying one step ahead of the industry in protecting the integrity of the exams we deliver,” said Robert Whelan, president of Pearson VUE. “We’re working closely with Cisco to develop new processes that will not only safeguard Cisco’s exams, but those of our other test sponsors as well. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Cisco on this new initiative and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

About Cisco Systems
Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

About Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com) is the global leader in testing services for academic admissions, certification and licensure programs. Pearson VUE offers exams through the world’s largest network of test centers in 162 countries, providing testing services for information technology, regulatory and certification boards, academic, government, and corporate clients. Its innovative technology offers the security and control required by academic, licensure, and certification programs, while its commitment to service provides customers with an unmatched testing experience. In January 2006, Pearson acquired Promissor, which is now a business of Pearson VUE, extending its leadership in the testing and certification industry.

Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education, and the Penguin Group.