CARY, N.C. - Global Knowledge, the world's leading IT and business training provider and the designated Top Quality Cisco Learning Partner in the Americas, today announced the availability of four new courses to support the redesigned Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) pathway.

Redesigned to address the quickly advancing challenges of securing complex and expanding enterprise networks, Cisco's CCNP Security certification will meet the training and application needs of IT professionals as online criminals become increasingly savvy in exploiting vulnerabilities across multiple entry points. The update reflects a holistic shift from product- to solutions-based requirements interwoven throughout an organization's complete environment. Results from the 2014 Cisco Annual Security Report highlight a critical skills deficit among, and a general shortage of, security professionals. The redesigned certification requirements will equip network security engineers with on-the-job preparation to deploy, maintain and oversee comprehensive network security solutions, mitigating risk and preventing fatal system attacks.

"Enhancing the CCNP Security certification facilitates an advanced framework with which security and IT professionals can achieve the expertise required to proactively address managing today's increasingly complex and evolving networks," said Michael Watkins, Cisco senior product director at Global Knowledge. "We are pleased to continue offering advanced Cisco security training that meets both career and on-the-job skills development for professionals seeking this critical certification."

To help network engineers, analysts and product specialists prepare for this requirement, Global Knowledge offers:

• SENSS - Implementing Cisco Edge Network Security Solutions
• SITCS - Implementing Cisco Threat Control Solutions
• SISAS - Implementing Cisco Secure Access Solutions
• SIMOS - Implementing Cisco Secure Mobility Solutions

Watkins added, "As Cisco continues to evolve its products to meet the demand for specialized skills across a rapidly changing and increasingly aggressive environment of network breach and theft attempts, we are committed to delivering training on these new requirements to our customers quickly. With our proven strength in rapidly launching a worldwide schedule and engaging exceptional instructors, we are ready to serve this need."

Global Knowledge enhances its Cisco training courses with hands-on exercises and labs designed by educators with real-world professional Cisco networking experience. Training courses for the new CCNP Security certification are available in Global Knowledge classrooms worldwide or via private on-site delivery.

About Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge is the world's leading IT and business training provider. Offering the most relevant and timely content delivered by the best instructors, we provide customers with their choice and convenience in class times, delivery methods and formats to accelerate their success. With more than 1,500 courses that span foundational and specialized training and certifications, our core training is focused on Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, Avaya, VMware, Red Hat, business process improvement and leadership development.

Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,300 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm MidOcean Partners.