Cisco Expert Certification

CCDE
Design Expert400-007 — Cisco Certified Design Expert

The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) certification shows the world you've got what it takes to be an elite designer of complex IT solutions across business, technology, and infrastructure.

Start Your Learning Path

Business-AlignedStrategy-driven design decisions

Architecture MasteryResilient, scalable network design

Cloud & SecurityHybrid services and secure design

28 Video Classes35:30 hrs of expert instruction

Get your license to design

To design a truly transformative IT solution, you need to know more than just the technology. CCDE 400-007 arms you with the breadth of knowledge to navigate complex IT projects in network architecture and design.

No formal prerequisites required

5-7 years designing and architecting network solutions recommended

Ideal for engineers with pre-sales or solution-design experience

Cisco's most advanced design-track certification

Expert Design Skills

Design comprehensive, future-ready solutions

Demonstrate how to think outside the box, gather requirements across business and engineering teams, and design solutions that drive digital transformation.

Business Strategy Alignment

Translate business continuity, ROI, and risk/reward analysis into actionable design decisions.

Control & Automation Design

Design data, control, and management planes with controller-based and SD-WAN architectures.

Resilient Network Design

Architect scalable, secure modular networks across traditional and software-defined infrastructure.

Cloud & Hybrid Services

Design service placement, connectivity, and governance across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.

Security Integration

Embed segmentation, access control, visibility, and compliance into every design.

Network Re-Engineering

Analyze existing networks for weaknesses and produce updated high-level design documents.

Exam Blueprint

Five domains. Elite design expertise.

The curriculum tracks the official CCDE 400-007 blueprint, covering business strategy through network, service, and security design.

Explore the curriculum

DOMAIN 0115%

Business Strategy Design

Translate project methodologies and business continuity needs into design decisions.

DOMAIN 0220%

Control, Data, Management Plane & Operational Design

Design end-to-end traffic flows and automation across data, control, and management planes.

DOMAIN 0325%

Network Design

Design resilient, scalable, and secure modular networks across traditional and SD architectures.

DOMAIN 0420%

Service Design

Design IP network services and cloud/hybrid solutions for business-critical operations.

DOMAIN 0520%

Security Design

Integrate network security design covering segmentation, access control, and compliance.

Domain percentages can change. Always review Cisco's official exam page before scheduling.

What You Will Learn

A clear, exam-aligned curriculum

Expand each domain to see the strategic, technical, and design skills you will master throughout the course.

Impact of project management methodologies (waterfall, agile) on design and rollout
Solutions based on business continuity and operational sustainability
RPO and ROI considerations in design decisions
CAPEX/OPEX cost analysis for proposed solutions
Risk/reward analysis for design alternatives

End-to-end IP traffic flow in feature-rich networks
Data, control, and management plane technologies
Centralized, decentralized, or hybrid control plane design
Automation/orchestration design and integration (APIs, controllers, CI/CD)
Software-defined architecture and controller-based solutions (SD-WAN, overlay, underlay, fabric)

Resilient, scalable, secure modular networks (traditional & SD)
Technical and operational constraints and requirements
Application behavior and needs in network design
Business requirements alignment with technical design
Implementation, migration, and transformation plans

Modular network design supporting voice, video, backup, DC replication, IoT, storage
Cloud/hybrid solutions for business-critical operations
Regulatory compliance and data governance (sovereignty, ownership, locale)
Service placement across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS
Cloud connectivity options (direct connect, cloud on-ramp, MPLS, WAN integration)
Security considerations for cloud and hybrid services

Network security design and integration
Segmentation strategies for secure network design
Network access control design
Visibility and policy enforcement across the network
Apply the CIA triad to design decisions
Regulatory compliance based on provided regulations

Career Outcomes

Lead complex network design initiatives

CCDE is for senior professionals aiming for leadership roles in network architecture and solution design.

Who should learn?Senior network designers and architects aiming for leadership or pre-sales roles

Solutions Architect

Design, describe, and manage the technical solution to a business problem.

Network Architect

Design and implement computer networks that meet the needs of an organization.

Network Designer

Design, create, maintain, and troubleshoot customized networks and computer systems.

Pre-Sales Consultant

Translate customer business requirements into compelling, technically sound network designs.

Your Roadmap

From business strategy to elite design

Follow a structured progression from business strategy alignment through network, service, and security design mastery.

Business Strategy

Translate business continuity, ROI, and risk/reward analysis into design decisions.

Operational Design

Design control, data, and management plane architectures with automation in mind.

Network & Service Design

Architect resilient networks and cloud/hybrid services for business-critical operations.

Security Design

Integrate segmentation, access control, and compliance, then prepare for the CCDE exam.

Exam domains and weightings are based on Cisco's official CCDE 400-007 page.

Ready to become an elite designer?

Talk with a course advisor about prerequisites, the CCDE learning path, and how 400-007 fits your career roadmap.

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CCDE Design Expert400-007 — Cisco Certified Design Expert

Get your license to design

Design comprehensive, future-ready solutions

Business Strategy Alignment

Control & Automation Design

Resilient Network Design

Cloud & Hybrid Services

Security Integration

Network Re-Engineering

Five domains. Elite design expertise.

Business Strategy Design

Control, Data, Management Plane & Operational Design

Network Design

Service Design

Security Design

A clear, exam-aligned curriculum

01. Business Strategy Design15% OF EXAM

02. Control, Data, Management Plane & Operational Design20% OF EXAM

03. Network Design25% OF EXAM

04. Service Design20% OF EXAM

05. Security Design20% OF EXAM

Lead complex network design initiatives

Solutions Architect

Network Architect

Network Designer

Pre-Sales Consultant

From business strategy to elite design

Business Strategy

Operational Design

Network & Service Design

Security Design

Ready to become an elite designer?

CCDE
Design Expert400-007 — Cisco Certified Design Expert