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Compare certifications
Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
Cisco · expert
CCIE SecCisco Certified Implementation Expert - Security
Cisco Certified Implementation Expert - Security
Official pagePalo Alto · professional
PCNSEPalo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer
Official pageComparing
CiscoCCIE Sec
Palo AltoPCNSE
› Cost
Exam fee
CCIE Sec$1,750
PCNSE$200
Exam fee
$1,750
$200
Annual maintenance fee
CCIE Sec—
PCNSE—
Annual maintenance fee
—
—
3-year cost of ownership
CCIE Sec$1,750
PCNSE$200
3-year cost of ownership
$1,750
$200
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
CCIE SecVariable — written exam ~825/1000 + 8-hour lab pass/fail
PCNSE70%
Pass mark
Variable — written exam ~825/1000 + 8-hour lab pass/fail
70%
Retake policy
CCIE Sec$300 fee · 5d wait
PCNSE$175 fee · 14d wait
Retake policy
$300 fee · 5d wait
$175 fee · 14d wait
Study time
CCIE Sec1200–2400 hrs
PCNSE100–200 hrs
Study time
1200–2400 hrs
100–200 hrs
Validity
CCIE Sec3 yrs
PCNSE—
Validity
3 yrs
—
CPE / yr
CCIE Sec30 CPEs
PCNSE—
CPE / yr
30 CPEs
—
Delivery
CCIE Sectest center
PCNSE—
Delivery
test center
—
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
CCIE Sec$140K – $210K
PCNSE$115K – $175K
Range
$140K – $210K
$115K – $175K
Median
CCIE Sec$170,000
PCNSE$138,000
Median
$170,000
$138,000
Premium %
CCIE Sec—
PCNSE—
Premium %
—
—
Role context
CCIE SecSenior network security architect / consultant, US, 7+ years. CCIE-tier vendor lock.
PCNSENetwork security engineer (Palo Alto-focused), US, 3–5 years.
Role context
Senior network security architect / consultant, US, 7+ years. CCIE-tier vendor lock.
Network security engineer (Palo Alto-focused), US, 3–5 years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
CCIE Sec9.0
PCNSE8.0
Schema quality
9.0
8.0
Practice evidence
CCIE Sec9.0
PCNSE7.0
Practice evidence
9.0
7.0
Maintenance
CCIE Sec8.5
PCNSE8.5
Maintenance
8.5
8.5
Market recognition
CCIE Sec8.5
PCNSE8.0
Market recognition
8.5
8.0
Average
CCIE Sec8.8
PCNSE7.9
Average
8.8
7.9
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
CCIE SecGlobal
PCNSEGlobal
Recognition
Global
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
CCIE Sec—
PCNSE—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
—
DoD 8140 baseline
CCIE Sec—
PCNSE—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
—
Holders worldwide
CCIE Sec5,000
PCNSE—
Holders worldwide
5,000
—
Current version
CCIE SecCCIE Security v6.1 (2024-02)
PCNSEPAN-OS 11.x aligned (2024-01)
Current version
CCIE Security v6.1 (2024-02)
PAN-OS 11.x aligned (2024-01)
› Domain coverage
A2Network Security
CCIE Sec● core
PCNSE● core
A2Network Security
● core
● core
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
CCIE Sec● core
PCNSE·
A25Security Architecture & Engineering
● core
·
A3Zero Trust Architecture
CCIE Sec● core
PCNSE·
A3Zero Trust Architecture
● core
·
A6Identity & Access Management
CCIE Sec·
PCNSE● core
A6Identity & Access Management
·
● core
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