Citrix, a cloud computing company offers solutions such as desktop virtualization, mobility, cloud platforms, cloud networking, data sharing, and collaboration that empowers the users to securely work from anywhere through a variety of smart devices. Citrix Systems was started in 1989 and has its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company didn’t fail to recognize the value of certifications to both the customers and IT professionals under it. It also backs up the motive of providing extensive certification programs that are recognized globally. This pattern is followed by other enterprise software companies too. Citrix’s products can be categorized into the following five parts: App Virtualization and VDI, Secure Digital Workspace, File sync and sharing, Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), and networking.
What is Citrix Certification?
Just like many other certification programs, Citrix certifications validate that a professional in IT has the expertise to install, configure and manage applicable Networking products or the Citrix Digital Workspace in networking environments and enterprise cloud. These certifications are solution-based that reflect the needs of the IT professionals as well as the organization. Certification topic areas include virtualization, mobility, and networking. These paths feature three levels of experience: Citrix Certified Associate (CCA), Citrix Certified Professional (CCP), and Citrix Certified Expert (CCE) and will showcase your skills level and knowledge. It also offers credentials exclusively for Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing. These certifications were introduced in the year 2018. The associate-level exams usually cost $200, whereas professional and expert-level exams will cost $300.
Citrix Certifications Overview
1. Citrix Certified Associate – Virtualization (CCA-V)
This certificate is exclusively designed for early-career IT-Professionals who install, configure and manage Desktops 7 and Citrix Virtual Apps, either on-premises or in the Citrix-Cloud. This certification will validate a candidate’s knowledge on the following skills and topics: Deploying The Site, Architecture Overview, Provisioning, and Delivering Desktop Resources And App, Apps And Desktop Images, Managing The Experience Of The User, Providing Access To Desktop Resources And Apps, Managing Printing For User Sessions, Citrix Profile Management, Managing Site, Citrix Virtual Apps And Desktop Basic Security Considerations, Monitoring Sites, Migrating To Citrix Cloud, Supporting And Troubleshooting The Citrix Virtual Desktops And Apps, Published App And Desktop Presentation And Management.
Prerequisites: none
Required exam: For earring the CCA-Virtualization, a candidate must pass the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop 7 Administration (1Y0-204)
Recommend experience: A candidate must have hands-on experience in installing, configuring, and managing high availability configurations of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and other Citrix virtualization and other cloud technologies.
2.Citrix Certified Professional-Virtualization (CCP-V)
This certification is designed for mid-career IT professionals, desktop virtualization engineers, and system administrators who work exclusively in a Citrix Virtual app and desktop environment. It will validate your expertise on the following topics: The Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA), App Layering, Workspace Environment Management (WEM), User Environment, Provisioning Services Infrastructure, Streaming the vDisk, StoreFront, HDX, Integrating Provisioning Services with XenApp and XenDesktop, Target Devices, FlexCast Management Architecture (FMA), and Advanced Provisioning Services Architecture, etc.
Prerequisites: You must have the Citrix Certified Associate- Virtualization (CCA-V) certification
Required exam: You must pass the Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15 Advanced Administration exam (1Y0-311) to earn this certification.
Recommend experience:You must have at least six months of hands-on experience with the XenDesktop 7.15 solution before attempting this exam.
3. Citrix Certified Expert – Virtualisation (CCE – V)
This certification is tailored for senior IT professionals i.e. the engineers, architects, and consultants. It will validate your understanding of the following topics: Designing Methodology and Readiness Assessment, User the Layer and Connectivity, Application Delivery, Accessing Architecture, and Store Design, Management of Image Strategy and Design, Physical Resource Design, Design Personalization, Accessing Layer Security, Scalability and Redundancy, XenApp and XenDesktop Site and Administrative Design, High-Availability and Multi-Location Solutions, and Disaster Recovery Planning and Design.
Prerequisites: You must have the CCP – Virtualization certification before your take this exam
Required exam: To earn the CCE – Virtualization certification, a candidate has to pass the Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15 Assessment, Design and Advanced Configuration exam (1Y0-402).
Recommend experience: You must have hands-on experience in designing and assessing Desktops Solutions and Citrix Virtual Apps based on Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15.
4. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on Citrix Cloud Certification (CC-VAD-CC)
Designed specifically for IT professionals who regularly use the Citrix Cloud Platform or have plans to move to the Citrix Cloud Platform, this certification validates the following skills: Providing Access to Apps, Apps and Desktops Images, Citrix Profile Management, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Monitoring Sites, Managing Printing for User Sessions, Managing User Experience, Managing Sites, Provisioning and Delivering Apps, Architecture Overview, and Deploying Sites.
Prerequisites: You must sit for one of the following compulsory training course before you sit for the exam for the CC-VAD-CC certification:
- CXD-252 Moving to the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on Citrix Cloud with MS Azure
- CWS-215: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 Administration On-Premises and Citrix Cloud
- CXD-250 Moving to the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on Citrix Cloud
- CMB-318: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7, App Layering, and WEM Administration
Required exam: You must pass the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Services on Citrix Cloud (1Y0-130)
Recommend experience: You must have hands-on-experience with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops technology before you attempt this certification.
5. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service Integration with MS Azure (CC-VAD-MA)
Exclusively designed for IT connoisseurs who constantly use Desktop Services and Virtual Apps or have plans to move to Desktop Service and Virtual Apps, this certification validates skills such as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops on Azure Overview, Deploying Apps and Desktops, Connecting to Microsoft Azure, Providing Access to End Users, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Integration with Azure Active, Planning for a Successful POC, and Maintaining Infrastructure.
Prerequisites: Before attempting for this certification, you must complete one of the following compulsory training courses:
- CXD-252 Moving to the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on Citrix Cloud with MSAzure
- CXD-251 Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on MS Azure
Required exam: For earning this certification, you just pass the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service Integration with MS Azure (1Y0-150).
Recommend experience: You should have hands-on experience with Citrix Virtual Apps and Technology with MS Azure.
6. Citrix ShareFile Certified (CC-SHAREFILE)
Professionals who regularly use the Citrix ShareFile in order to provide end-users with secured file sync and sharing can get this certification. It showcases your understanding of the following skills: Architecture, User Experience, Troubleshooting and Management, Storage Zones, User Management, Administration, Enterprise File Synchronization, and Endpoint Clients.
Prerequisites: You must complete the training program of CSF-201 Citrix Content Collaboration Essentials to be eligible for this certification.
Required exams: You are expected to clear the Understanding Citrix ShareFile (1Y0-100) exam to earn this certification.
Recommend experience: You must have hands-on experience with Citrix ShareFile before attempting for this certification.
7. Citrix Endpoint Management Certified (CC-CEM)
Those who regularly use the Citrix Endpoint Management in order to provide end-users with secure file sync and sharing to facilitate mobile application management, mobile device management, and secure productivity can opt for this certification. It will validate your following skills: Monitoring and Reporting, Common Device Management Tasks, Device Enrollment, Citrix Endpoint Management Architecture, Working with Apps, Integrating Citrix Content, Introduction to Citrix Endpoint Management, Cloud Components, Managing Device Security, Working with Apps, Integrating Citrix Content, Maintaining and Troubleshooting and Monitoring and Reporting.
Prerequisites: You must complete the training program of CEM-205 Manage Citrix Endpoint Management to be eligible for this certification.
Required exam: You must pass the Managing Citrix Endpoint Management (1Y0-170) to get this certification.
Recommend experience: Hands-on experience with administering a Citrix Endpoint Management environment before attempting this certification is essential.
8. Citrix XenServer Certified (CC-XenServer)
Information Technology professionals who manage, size, troubleshoot, install, and secure an enterprise XenServer implementation can opt for this certification. It will validate your skills on the following topics: XenServer Architecture, Installing XenServer, Storage, High Availability, Networking, Security, Sizing and Optimizations, Managing Virtual Machines and Resource Pools.
Prerequisites: You must complete one of the following toe training courses while preparing for this exam:
- Citrix XenServer Administration eLearning
- CXS-301 Citrix XenServer 7.1 LTSR Administration
Required exam: You have to pass the Administering Citrix XenServer (1Y0-120) to get this certification.
Recommend experience: First-hand experience in configuring, managing, and implementing an organization’s virtual server is recommended before you attempt for this certification.
9. Citrix Certified Associate – Networking (CCA-N): ADC 12
If you are an IT connoisseur who knows how to manage and implement the CitrixADV for load balancing, traffic management, SSL offloading, and content switching, then this certification is for you. It will validate your following skills: Basic Networking, SSL Offload, Troubleshooting, Rewrite, High Availability, Load Balancing, Responder and URL Transform, Content Switching, Classic and Default Policies, Optimization, Securing the Citrix ADC, and Global Server Load Balancing.
Prerequisites: It is recommended that a candidate must complete the training program of CNS-220 Citrix ADC 12.x Traffic and Essential Management.
Required exam: Passing the Citrix ADC 12 Essentials and Traffic Management (1Y0-240) is mandatory to get this certification.
Recommend experience: First-hand experience with fundamental security and networking, Citrix ADC 12, and Windows and Linux server administrator.
10. Citrix Certified Associate – Networking (CCA-N): Citrix NetScaler 12
IT professionals who manage, support, and install Citrix Gateway 12 environments and Citrix ADC should go in for this certification. It will validate your following skills and knowledge: SSL Offload, Troubleshooting, Rewrite, Citrix ADC Platforms, High Availability, Load Balancing, Responder, and URL Transform amongst others.
Prerequisites: It is recommended that a candidate must go for the training program of CNS-222 Citrix ADC 12.x Essentials and Citrix Gateway to get this certification.
Required exam: You must sit for the Citrix NetScaler 12 Essentials and Unified Gateway (1Y0-230) to get this certification.
Recommend experience: At least six months of experience with fundamental Citrix technologies like Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix ADC, Citrix Gateway, etc. is recommended.
11. Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N)
Those who manage and deploy Citrix Web App Firewall to secure applications in a Citrix ADC 12.x environment, administer and deliver management along with optimizing ADC-managed application delivery traffic, must go in for this certification. It will validate your following abilities and skills: Citrix Web App Firewall Overview, Regular Expression, Application Delivery Management: Introduction and Configuration, Managing and Monitoring Citrix ADC Instances, Front-End Optimization, Tuning and Optimizations, Monitoring and Troubleshooting, Attacks and Protections, Citrix ADC Web Logging, Integrated Caching, Citrix ADC Web Logging, Integrated Caching Citrix Web App Firewall Profiles and Policies, Citrix Web App Firewall Profiles and Policies, Managing Citrix ADC Configurations and Security and Filtering
Prerequisites: You must earn the CCA- networking certification beforehand.
Required exam: You must pass the Citrix ADV Advanced Topics- Security, Optimization, and management (1Y0-340) to earn this certification.
Recommend experience: You must have at least six months of experience with Citrix ADC 12 operations which incorporate attacks and protection, Citrix Web App Firewall, configuring and monitoring the Citrix ADC instances.
12. Citrix Certified Expert – Networking (CCE-N)
IT professionals who design and assess comprehensive architectures for a networking environment that is Citrix based and those who work on complex networking configurations should get this certification. It will validate your following skills: Citrix ADC Security, Advanced Traffic Management, VPN Configuration, Citrix ADC Deployment Architecture and Topology, Citrix Application Delivery Management Automation and Orchestration, Networking Methodology and Assessment and Advanced Authentication and Authorization
Prerequisites: You must have the CCP-Networking certification.
Required Exams: Passing the Architecting a Citrix Networking Solution (1Y0-440) is mandatory to get this certification.
Recommend experience: You must have extensive knowledge of Citrix ADC and networking to be able to sit for the exam
13. Citrix SD-WAN Certified (CC-SDWAN)
Senior IT professionals to configure the Citrix SD-WAN to increase the wide-area network, reliability, and performance, while improving the application experience must go for this certification. It will validate the following skills: Citrix SD-WAN Introduction, Deployment, Provisioning, Security, Quality of Service, and Optimizations
Prerequisites: It is recommended that a candidate must complete the training program of CNS-230 Deploy and Manage Citrix SD-WAN -Essentials to get this certification.
Required exam: Passing the Understanding Citrix SD-WAN (1Y0-140) exam is compulsory to get this certification.
Recommend experience: The first-hand experience in managing and deploying Citrix SD-WAN wide area network is essential to earn this certification.
14. Citrix Certified Services Delivery Professional
Consultants and engineers who work for consulting companies and Citrix Solution providers should get their hands on this certification. It validates your project execution, presentation, methodology, and communication skills.
Prerequisites: You must earn the CCP- Virtualization or CCP-Networking certificate before you attempt this certification. In addition to this, candidates are also expected to refer to professional service eLearning modules while preparing for this exam.
Required exam: Candidates are expected to pass the Service Delivery Professional exam (1Y0-500) to get this certification.
Recommend knowledge: Hands-on experience in executing and managing consulting projects related to Citrix products is essential.
The Career Path
Known to concentrate on their respective focus areas, Citrix certifications tend to focus on mobility, networks, and Virtualization. Citrix-certified connoisseurs are found in a broad spectrum of roles. They make their contributions as engineers, system administrators, architects, designers, etc. You can find such professionals across all the industry sectors. Citrix engineers are required in data centers, for desktop services, solutions, systems, operations, virtualizations, managed services, VDI, and converged infrastructure. Other roles include operators, analysts, managers, architects, infrastructure specialists, and mobile designers among others. Reports suggest that an average Citrix Certification salary for a CCE-V is $89,300 and for a CCE-N, the numbers go up, as much as $1,00,500.
Turn into an industry professional with Citrix certification programs that are showing a remarkable performance lately as most of the highest-paying certifications fall under it. So, stand out among the crowd with these certifications as they represent not only quality virtualization but also networking products.