Cisco · Professional Certification · Expert
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Enterprise Infrastructure
Crydd Score 70
Demand High
Career Value High
Recognition High
CCIE Enterprise at a glance
- Provider
- Cisco
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Networking
- Level
- Expert
- Cost
- $1,600 lab + $450 qualifying exam
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time to earn
- 12–24 months
- Validity
- 3 years
- Format
- Written qualifying exam (120 min) + 8-hour hands-on lab
- Prerequisites
- None formally; 5–7 years of networking experience expected
What is CCIE Enterprise?
Cisco's expert-tier networking certification and one of the most demanding credentials in IT. It is earned through an eight-hour hands-on lab that has candidates build, secure, and troubleshoot a live enterprise network under time pressure.
Skills it covers
- Advanced routing and switching
- Network automation
- SD-WAN
- Troubleshooting at scale
Is CCIE Enterprise worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 70Choose it if
You are a senior network engineer aiming for architect-level roles or specialist consulting, and you want the credential that still functions as a career capstone and a salary lever.
Consider alternatives if
You are earlier in your career — CCNP Enterprise is the right rung first; the CCIE lab assumes years of production experience and a serious study commitment.
Why we say so
Despite automation reshaping networking, the CCIE remains a rare, respected proof of deep hands-on mastery, and its scarcity keeps it commanding attention and pay at the top of the field.
Market demand
CCIE holders are relatively few, and senior network-architect and consulting roles still single the credential out; it is one of the clearest expert signals in networking hiring.
Where CCIE Enterprise takes you
- Network Architect
- Network Engineer
- Solutions Architect
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to CCIE Enterprise, so you know why it’s here.
Careers CCIE Enterprise leads to
The professional paths this certification genuinely serves — browse every relevant credential for each.
A sensible order
Where CCIE Enterprise sits on the path — build up, then step on.
Build the foundation first
Earlier steps on the same path
