The new set of certifications from Cisco Systems Inc., whose exams will be available for the first time on February 24, seeks to provide a common language for software developers and networkers to bring the two together, according to Mandy Whaley (pictured, left), senior director of developer experience, DevNet, at Cisco.

“It’s a whole new set of certifications that are more focused on the software,” she explained. “So, there are about 80% software skills, 20% knowledge of networking, and then how you really connect up and down the stack.”

Announced at last year’s Cisco Live event in San Diego, the new DevNet certifications aim to help professionals combine infrastructure expertise with programming to take advantage of the possibilities of intent-based networking. Changes to the Cisco certification program also include new training and certifications in five key technology tracks.

Whaley and Par Merat (pictured, right), senior director of DevNet ecosystems development at Cisco, spoke with John Furrier and Stu Miniman, co-hosts of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during the Cisco Live event in Barcelona. They discussed what’s new in certifications, what the professional of the future should look like, and how innovations should help Cisco partners. (* Disclosure below.)

Preparing for new roles

The new certifications will prepare technology professionals for new job roles as a network automation developer, Whaley explained.  “Everyone we ask in our sessions wants a network automation developer on the team,” she said. “Now you can combine your CCNP Enterprise with a definite certification and build up the skills to be that developer.”

In the traditional Cisco network program, the certifications range from the associate level to the expert level. The new certification involves a DevNet Associate and a DevNet Professional, and soon there will also be a DevNet Expert certification. As all the certifications are part of the same program, and they have the same rigor, according to Whaley.

In addition to being important for professionals who want to update and improve their careers, the new certification will be valuable to Cisco partners and the industry, according to Merat. This will help partners deliver what customers are looking for, which is a guidance towards automation and digital transformation, she said.

“What we found is that our partners are at different levels of maturity along that progression of program ability,” Merat explained. “And this new DevNet specialization, which is anchored in the individuals that are now certified as that partner, allows them to demonstrate from a go-to-market standpoint and from a recognition standpoint that, as a practice, they have these skills.”

Cisco also believes it will help partners attract talent. “It’s no secret that there is a talent shortage right now,” Merat pointed out. “Smart people like working on smart things, so this has really been a big traction point for them.”

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the Cisco Live event. (* Disclosure: Cisco DevNet sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither Cisco nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE