Cisco's New Automation Certification Track

Cisco launched a major update to its certification portfolio on February 3, 2025. Cisco has officially rebranded its DevNet certification track under the new name “Automation”. The goal is to bring more clarity to the certification framework by focusing on the names you already trust: CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE.

This article covers Cisco’s major move to rebrand, the reasons behind the change, the new CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE Automation certifications, and many others. It also highlights how this transformation impacts career growth, job opportunities, and future learning paths for IT professionals.

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Cisco’s New Automation Certification Track

The new certification path mirrors Cisco’s established structure but introduces a stronger focus on automation, APIs, and orchestration technologies.

Here’s the new certification track:

CCNA Automation (formerly DevNet Associate) -> CCNP Automation (formerly DevNet Professional) -> CCIE Automation (formerly DevNet Expert)

Each level is designed to validate practical automation skills from scripting and configuration management to full-scale enterprise automation and orchestration.

Cisco’s goal with this rebranding move is to create a generation of network engineers who can automate, optimize, and manage complex hybrid networks using modern tools and code-based solutions.

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The Reason Behind Cisco’s Shift from DevNet to Automation

When Cisco introduced DevNet in 2014, the objective was to bridge the gap between software development and network operations. Over time, as automation technologies matured, the term “DevNet” began to create confusion among professionals and employers.

Many associated it primarily with software development rather than network automation, leading to a branding disconnect. By renaming the track “Automation,” Cisco is clarifying its purpose and making the certification more recognizable to recruiters and IT decision-makers.

Cisco’s Learning and Certifications team noted that automation is now central to every IT environment, from cloud and data center to security and SDN. The rebrand ensures the certifications reflect industry language and emerging operational realities.

How to Stay Updated with Changes?

To stay on track and informed:

1. Review the Release Notes in the Certification Roadmap tables for the latest updates.

2. Subscribe to the Cisco Certification Roadmap Newsletter for real-time exam announcements.

3. Engage with experts and peers on the Cisco Learning Network Community or reach out directly for guidance.

Top Advantages of Earning a Cisco Automation Certification

The following are many advantages of these certifications:

● Automation has become a must-have skill across networking and cloud operations. The new title makes it instantly clear what professionals specialize in, improving visibility in job markets.

● Automation-certified engineers are in high demand. According to Cisco, roles requiring network automation expertise have grown steadily, with many positions offering salaries 20–40% higher than those in traditional networking roles.

● Organizations are moving toward intent-based and self-healing networks, which depend on automation frameworks. Cisco’s updated certifications align perfectly with these goals.

● From Python and REST APIs to Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD pipelines, Cisco’s Automation track prepares candidates with practical, cross-domain skills relevant to real-world deployments.

● The new certification ladder, CCNA → CCNP → CCIE Automation provides a clear roadmap for professionals to advance from foundational knowledge to expert-level mastery.

Overview of the Latest Cisco Automation Certifications

The three certifications:

1. CCNA Automation (200-901 v1.1 CCNAAUTO)

The CCNA Automation certification, titled Designing and Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms, builds foundational knowledge in network programmability, APIs, and automation workflows.

While the content from the previous 200-901 DEVASC exam remains the same, the new name aligns with Cisco’s automation-driven certification roadmap.

2. CCNP Automation

At the professional level, the CCNP Automation track validates advanced automation skills across enterprise and data center environments. It includes:

● 350-901 v2.0 AUTOCOR: Designing, Deploying, and Managing Network Automation Systems

● 300-435 v2.0 ENAUTO: Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions

● 300-635 v2.0 DCNAUTO: Automating and Programming Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

Together, these certifications prepare engineers to design and manage scalable, API-driven network operations.

3. CCIE Automation

The CCIE Automation represents the expert tier of Cisco’s automation portfolio, focusing on large-scale network orchestration and lifecycle management.

● Exam Topics: CCIE Automation Practical Exam Topics

● Equipment and Software List: CCIE Automation v1.1 Equipment and Software

The content mirrors the former DevNet Expert v1.1 blueprint, with only the certification name updated to reflect Cisco’s automation-first strategy.

How the Cisco Automation Transition Impacts Your Career

The transition from DevNet to Automation is more than a name change. It reflects a fundamental shift in required skills for networking professionals.

Here’s what it means for your career, skill-wise:

Here’s what this means salary-wise:

Cisco DevNet vs Cisco Automation: Old vs New Certifications

The following table explains the gist of all changes made:

UniNets Can Help You Prepare

If you’re planning to transition from DevNet to Cisco Automation certifications, UniNets offers comprehensive, hands-on training tailored to the latest CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE Automation exams.

With expert-led virtual labs, real-world automation projects, and step-by-step mentorship, UniNets helps you master Cisco automation technologies in days.

Final Thoughts

Cisco’s rebranding of DevNet to Automation marks a pivotal point in the evolution of IT certifications. It brings clarity, market alignment, and a stronger focus on automation as the foundation of network engineering. With cloud-native, programmable, and AI-integrated systems, the ability to automate and orchestrate will define excellence.

For networking professionals, this rebranding is both an opportunity and a signal that the industry is moving rapidly, and those equipped with automation expertise will lead the transformation. Cisco's message is crystal clear: Automation is the future of networking, and the future starts now.