Cisco has announced a major evolution of its certification portfolio, starting February 3, 2026, positioning its entire program around the realities of AI, network automation, and cybersecurity. It clearly indicates that modern networking careers are no longer limited to “routing/switching only.” Automation-first operations, cloud-connected architectures, and security-by-design increasingly define them.

The Big Picture: Cisco Is Reshaping Certification Around AI + Automation + Cybersecurity

Cisco frames this update as a portfolio shift that will “shape the next generation of networking careers” in the era of:

• AI
• Network automation
• Cybersecurity

Cisco also signals an important strategic direction: No matter which certification path you choose, the learning outcomes increasingly connect back to AI-enabled networking and operations.

DevNet Certifications Are Transitioning into “Cisco Automation” Certifications

Cisco’s DevNet certification track (DevNet Associate / Professional / Expert) will evolve into a new Automation track aligned to Cisco’s core three-level framework:

• CCNA Automation
• CCNP Automation
• CCIE Automation

This is shown directly in the “Current → Future” diagram: DevNet badges transition to CCNA/CCNP/CCIE badges branded specifically as Automation.

What stays the same

Cisco explicitly states that for the renamed exam (e.g., DevNet Associate → CCNA Automation):

• No changes will be made to the exam topics (only the exam name is updated).

In other words, this is primarily a relabeling/repositioning of DevNet as “Automation,” not an immediate content rewrite (at least at the point of this announcement).

What happens to people who already hold DevNet certs?

Cisco notes that active DevNet certifications will be automatically migrated to the new Automation-branded certifications starting Feb 3, 2026. So, if you already have an active DevNet credential, you should expect it to transition into the equivalent CCNA/CCNP/CCIE Automation designation on Cisco’s tracking systems.

Why Cisco is doing this

This move is more than cosmetic. It makes a statement about how Cisco sees the job market:

• DevNet (developer skills) is no longer a “separate niche.”
• Automation is now a core networking competency
• The classic ladder (Associate → Professional → Expert) is the organizing structure Cisco wants learners to follow

This is Cisco aligning “network programmability” directly with the CCNA/CCNP/CCIE brand equity.

Cybersecurity Certifications Are Becoming “CCNA Cybersecurity” and “CCNP Cybersecurity”

Cisco’s Cybersecurity Associate and Cybersecurity Professional certifications will be renamed to:

• CCNA Cybersecurity
• CCNP Cybersecurity

The diagram in your screenshots shows the “Current → Future” move clearly: Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Associate/Professional becomes Cisco Certified CCNA/CCNP Cybersecurity.

What stays the same

Cisco states:

• No changes will be made to the exam topics (only the certification name changes).

So again, this is a branding + framework alignment change rather than an immediate overhaul of tested objectives.

What happens to existing holders?

Just like DevNet, Cisco indicates that active Cybersecurity Associate and Professional certifications will automatically migrate to the new CCNA/CCNP Cybersecurity names on February 3, 2026.

Why this rename matters

This is a big signal to employers and candidates:

• Cisco is positioning cybersecurity as a mainline CCNA/CCNP pathway, not a side-label
• It emphasizes the synergy between network infrastructure and cyber
• It helps candidates “map” security skills onto a widely recognized career progression model

Practically, it also helps recruiters: “CCNA Cybersecurity” is easier to understand at a glance than a separate Cybersecurity Associate badge.

Collaboration Certifications: Major Updates + A New Specialist Certification

Cisco’s update summary also highlights Collaboration certifications:

Major updates

Cisco indicates “major updates” are coming to the CCNP Collaboration track, reflecting modern collaboration requirements, including cloud-based and hybrid collaboration and continued support for on-prem deployments.

New specialist certification

Cisco also announces a new Collaboration Specialist certification, specifically:

• Implementing Cisco Collaboration Cloud Customer Experience

This is important because it shows Cisco is expanding specialization around cloud collaboration experiences (often connected to platforms like Webex and contact center technologies), which aligns with enterprise demand for hybrid work and customer experience modernization.

Why This Change Is Bigger Than Just Renaming

Even though Cisco says the exam topics are not changing for the renamed exams, the portfolio strategy is changing in a meaningful way:

1. Automation becomes a first-class identity (not “DevNet as a side track”)
2. Cybersecurity becomes a CCNA/CCNP-branded pathway
3. Cisco’s certification story aligns with the reality that networking careers now sit at the intersection of:
   • infrastructure
   • automation
   • security
   • AI-driven operations

Cisco’s slogan-like closing line in the screenshots captures the intent well: “The future of networking is intelligent. Be ready.”Be ready.”