Cisco introduced the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) program to give new IT professionals a modern, accessible starting point aligned with today’s enterprise needs. As of 2025–2026, CCST has become one of the most popular entry-level credentials because it covers real-world support skills in networking, cybersecurity, and IT troubleshooting—skills employers expect from day one.

This guide breaks down all three CCST exams—100-140 (Support), 100-150 (Networking), and 100-160 (Cybersecurity)—with exam details, salary insights, practical career paths, and preparation strategies based on current Cisco information.

⭐ CCST Exam Mapping

Exam Code	Official Name	Focus Area
100-140	CCST Support	IT support, device management, basic networking
100-150	CCST Networking	Routing, switching, wireless, connectivity
100-160	CCST Cybersecurity	Threats, SOC operations, security fundamentals

Introduction to CCST

What Is CCST?

CCST stands for Cisco Certified Support Technician. According to Cisco, this certification verifies the hands-on ability to solve common IT support issues, perform entry-level troubleshooting, and understand foundational networking and security concepts.

Why Cisco Created the CCST Program

Cisco observed a global talent gap in IT support and cybersecurity. CCST was launched to give employers a standardized benchmark for junior technicians and help new learners enter the IT workforce more quickly.

Who Should Earn CCST?

CCST is ideal for:

• College students
• IT beginners
• Help desk professionals
• Cybersecurity and networking career changers
• People preparing for CCNA or CyberOps Associate

Understanding All CCST Exams

Below is the structure of the CCST suite.

CCST Support (100-140)

The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support exam (100-140) primarily focuses on the following directions:

• IT Support Job Tasks and Responsibilities
  • (including queue and time management, documentation, and the problem-solving process)
• Hardware Issues
  • (including basic safety procedures, device information location, port/cable identification, component installation/upgrades, and hardware troubleshooting)
• Connectivity and Resource Access Issues
  • (including network-based resource access, troubleshooting peripherals, and examining basic end-device connectivity to the network)
• Operating System and Application Issues
  • (covering Windows, MacOS, mobile devices, virtualization/cloud terminology, and common application issues)
• Common Threats and Preventions
  • (focusing on describing security threats, avoiding social engineering, and recognizing confidentiality guidelines)
• Job Tools
  • (covering the use of remote access software and appropriate troubleshooting tools like search engines, technical forums, and internal knowledge base articles)

The exam also tests foundational knowledge and skills related to documentation, troubleshooting, assisting end users, managing computer components, and identifying security threats. Candidates are expected to perform their jobs using best practices in Interpersonal skills, such as demonstrating professional communication and active listening, and expressing technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

CCST Networking (100-150)

This exam validates:

• Standards and Concepts:
  • Focuses on conceptual building blocks like the OSI and TCP/IP models, frames, packets, addressing, comparing network types (LAN vs. WAN), and describing common protocols (TCP, UDP, DHCP, DNS).
• Addressing and Subnet Formats:
  • Covers differentiating private and public IP addresses (including NAT concepts), and identifying IPv4/subnet formats (slash notation, broadcast domain) and IPv6 addresses/prefix formats.
• Endpoints and Media Types:
  • Requires identifying common cables and connectors (fiber, copper, RJ-45), describing endpoint devices (IoT, servers), differentiating Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired technologies, and demonstrating connectivity checks using networking utilities on various operating systems.
• Infrastructure:
  • Involves identifying status lights and various ports (Console, SFP, PoE) on network devices, explaining basic routing concepts (default gateway), and basic switching concepts (MAC address tables, VLAN).
• Diagnosing Problems:
  • Assesses troubleshooting methodologies, performing packet capture with Wireshark, running and interpreting basic diagnostic commands (ping, tracert, nslookup), differentiating remote access methods (RDP, SSH, Console), and executing basic showcommands on Cisco devices.
• Security:
  • Addresses foundational concepts including the CIA triad and AAA, describing how firewalls operate to filter traffic, understanding threats (phishing, malware), and configuring basic wireless security (WPAx).

CCST Cybersecurity (100-160)

Covers:

• Essential Security Principles
  • Covers foundational concepts like the CIA triad and defense-in-depth, common threats (e.g., malware, social engineering), access management (AAA, MFA), and encryption methods.
• Basic Network Security Concepts
  • Focuses on vulnerabilities in TCP/IP protocols, secure network addressing and segmentation, defining key infrastructure components (DMZ, IDS, IPS), and implementing secure access technologies (ACL, firewall, VPN).
• Endpoint Security Concepts
  • Involves securing operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), using assessment tools (netstat), ensuring regulatory compliance (HIPAA, GDPR), interpreting system logs, and basic malware removal.
• Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management
  • Addresses vulnerability identification and mitigation, leveraging threat intelligence (CVEs), defining risk management strategies, and explaining Disaster Recovery (DRP) and Business Continuity (BCP) plans.
• Incident Handling
  • Requires monitoring events using tools like SIEM and SOAR, explaining digital forensics and attack models (Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK), managing digital evidence, and adhering to the incident response lifecycle.

Detailed Breakdown of Each CCST Certification

CCST IT Support (Exam 100-140)

CCST IT Support targets those entering help desk or technical support roles. While often considered the most “basic” CCST path, it actually builds crucial habits: structured troubleshooting, understanding user behavior, and documenting issues clearly.

From firsthand experience, many early-career technicians fail not because they lack knowledge, but because they lack methodology. CCST IT Support focuses on this exact gap—teaching consistent workflows for solving problems instead of jumping straight to random fixes. It also reflects the realities of modern IT support environments, such as remote troubleshooting, ticketing systems, and working with cloud-based apps.

Exam Format

Aspect	Description
Duration	50 minutes (time to complete the exam; additional time for instructions and survey).
Number of Questions	Approximately 60 questions (may vary slightly per exam version).
Question Types	Primarily multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and simulation-based questions focused on practical scenarios. No hands-on lab required.
Passing Score	825 out of 1000 (approximately 82.5%; Cisco uses a scaled scoring system).
Languages	English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil).
Delivery Method	Online proctored (via Pearson VUE) or at a testing center; available worldwide.
Cost	$125 USD (plus taxes; retakes follow standard Cisco policies).
Prerequisites	None (entry-level).
Certification Validity	3 years; renewable via continuing education or re-exam.

Practical benefits you’ll appreciate immediately:

• You gain confidence in diagnosing workstation, OS, and connectivity issues
• Soft skills—communication, empathy, escalation—are emphasized, not overlooked
• You understand how support teams function inside larger organizations
• It forms a solid bridge to CompTIA A+, which covers the same domain but more deeply

If you plan to transition into networking or cybersecurity later, starting with CCST IT Support builds strong user-centric reasoning skills that complement the technical depth of higher certifications.

CCST Networking (Exam 100-150)

CCST Networking validates that you truly understand how modern networks operate—not just memorized definitions. Compared with vendor-neutral networking exams, this one does a better job introducing practical scenarios: choosing appropriate cabling, configuring basic IP settings, or diagnosing why a device won’t connect.

Something many learners underestimate is how directly CCST Networking prepares you for the CCNA. If you’ve ever had to troubleshoot misconfigured gateways, misaligned VLANs, or DNS failures in a real environment, you’ll immediately see the relevance. Even experienced technicians say CCST Networking helps solidify the fundamentals that later prevent mistakes in more advanced certification studies.

Exam Format

Aspect	Description
Duration	50 minutes (time to complete the exam; additional time for instructions and survey).
Number of Questions	Approximately 60 questions (may vary slightly per exam version).
Question Types	Primarily multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and simulation-based questions focused on practical networking scenarios. No hands-on lab required.
Passing Score	825 out of 1000 (approximately 82.5%; Cisco uses a scaled scoring system).
Languages	English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil).
Delivery Method	Online proctored (via Pearson VUE) or at a testing center; available worldwide.
Cost	$125 USD (plus taxes; retakes follow standard Cisco policies).
Prerequisites	None (entry-level).
Certification Validity	3 years; renewable via continuing education or re-exam.

Real-world takeaways:

• You’ll become comfortable reading and interpreting network topologies
• IP addressing and subnetting start to feel intuitive, not intimidating
• You learn to distinguish between physical, data link, and network-layer issues
• Wireless concepts and small-office networking become second nature

For anyone touching cloud, security, or infrastructure, a solid networking base saves years of confusion later.

CCST Cybersecurity (Exam 100-160)

CCST Cybersecurity is designed for learners who want a structured, practical introduction to defending digital environments. Beyond theory, the exam reflects real entry-level tasks—identifying common attack patterns, validating security configurations, and interpreting security alerts.

From personal experience, what stands out about this certification is the balance between foundational knowledge and hands-on scenarios. You’re not expected to be a SOC analyst, but you should understand how threats appear in logs, what constitutes risky user behavior, and how basic mitigation works. This makes CCST Cybersecurity a strong starting point for anyone planning to pursue Security+, CCNA Security modules, or eventually CCNP Security.

Exam Format

Aspect	Description
Duration	50 minutes (time to complete the exam; additional time for instructions and survey).
Number of Questions	Approximately 60 questions (may vary slightly per exam version).
Question Types	Primarily multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and simulation-based questions focused on practical cybersecurity scenarios. No hands-on lab required.
Passing Score	825 out of 1000 (approximately 82.5%; Cisco uses a scaled scoring system).
Languages	English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil).
Delivery Method	Online proctored (via Pearson VUE) or at a testing center; available worldwide.
Cost	$125 USD (plus taxes; retakes follow standard Cisco policies).
Prerequisites	None (entry-level).
Certification Validity	3 years; renewable via continuing education or re-exam.

Key skill areas you’ll actually use on the job:

• Recognizing phishing indicators and social engineering attempts
• Understanding the “why” behind secure configurations (e.g., MFA, password policies)
• Reading basic alert outputs in tools like SIEM or endpoint protection platforms
• Knowing what to escalate and when

It’s foundational but practical—the exact combination beginner security hires need.

Comparison of All CCST Tracks

Skills Comparison Table:

Certification	Skill Strength	Ideal Candidate
Support	Troubleshooting, device support, OS basics	Help desk, IT support
Networking	Routing, switching, connectivity	Network-focused beginners
Cybersecurity	Monitoring, threat detection	SOC trainees, security beginners

Short Insights:

• CCST IT Support is the best “starting point” if you have no experience. It’s also surprisingly useful even for future security engineers because most alerts begin as user issues.
• CCST Networking is the most universally valuable track. In practice, cloud, cybersecurity, and DevOps all depend on the networking intuition this exam develops.
• CCST Cybersecurity is great for SOC beginners, but candidates with networking knowledge learn security concepts much faster.

CCST Salary Ranges (2025–2026)

According to Glassdoor & Payscale:

Job Role	Salary Range (US)
IT Support Technician	$45,000 – $58,000
Junior Network Technician	$50,000 – $65,000
SOC Tier 1 Analyst	$52,000 – $70,000

Quick Professional Takeaways

• Cybersecurity roles lead salary growth, but require better communication and analytical skills.
• Networking roles pay more consistently, especially in major cities and cloud-heavy companies.
• IT Support roles have the fastest “skill-to-promotion” path, meaning your salary can jump quickly once you master troubleshooting workflows.

Study Time and Difficulty

Many learners report:

Exam	Typical Study Time
CCST Support	3–6 weeks
CCST Networking	4–8 weeks
CCST Cybersecurity	5–10 weeks

Professional Summary

• IT Support is the fastest to complete and ideal for beginners.
• Networking requires more practice time but gives the strongest long-term benefits.
• Cybersecurity feels harder for learners without networking basics, but very manageable with structured study.

Best Ways to Prepare (Expert Advice)

Recommended Learning Resources

• Cisco Learning Network
• Cisco Networking Academy
• Hands-on labs
• Official Cisco blueprints

Importance of Practice Tests

High-quality practice exams dramatically improve performance because CCST exams test scenario comprehension.

A reliable resource is
👉 https://www.leads4pass.com/ccst.html
which offers updated CCST practice tests and exam simulations.

Real-World Success Stories

1. From Retail to IT Support (CCST Support)

Candidates with no IT experience transitioned into full-time support roles in under 3 months.

2. Networking Career Kickstart (CCST Networking)

Many entry-level technicians use this as a stepping stone into CCNA and NOC positions.

3. Cybersecurity SOC Entry (CCST Cybersecurity)

CCST Cybersecurity aligns closely with real SOC Tier 1 tasks, making it one of the fastest pathways into cybersecurity.

Is Cisco CCST Worth It in 2026?

Absolutely—because:

• IT support skills remain the backbone of all IT operations.
• Cybersecurity workforce shortages continue.
• Networking fundamentals are required across cloud, AI, and automation.

Conclusion

The Cisco CCST certifications—Support (100-140), Networking (100-150), and Cybersecurity (100-160)—offer one of the most practical, accessible, and industry-aligned starting points for anyone entering IT today. Backed by Cisco’s global credibility, CCST ensures candidates have verified skills that employers trust.

With the right preparation strategy—especially leveraging authoritative learning pathways and updated practice exams like those from Leads4Pass—you can confidently build the foundation for a long-term career in networking, cybersecurity, or IT support.

FAQs

1. Is CCST equivalent to a degree?

No. It’s an industry certification validating practical skills.

2. Can CCST help me get a job with no experience?

Yes—IT support and SOC trainee roles often accept CCST as a baseline credential.

3. Which CCST exam is hardest?

Most learners say Cybersecurity (100-160) due to unfamiliar threat concepts.

4. Is CCST good preparation for CCNA?

Yes, especially CCST Networking.

5. What is the best practice test for CCST?

Many candidates recommend Leads4Pass CCST practice tests for realistic exam simulations.