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This page helps you choose between the full Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 Lab Exam Course and the shorter Mega Lab practice course. Use it to decide whether you need structured blueprint training across ASA, FTD/FMC, ISE, VPNs, infrastructure security and Cisco security platforms, or focused lab rehearsal before the exam.
All 2 CCIE Security courses, with about 63 hours of video training, are included in one membership. You can compare the paths here and join from the membership page when you are ready to study.
CCIE Security is not a single-product firewall course. It validates whether you can design, configure, integrate and troubleshoot Cisco security controls across the routed network, remote-access edge, campus access layer, segmentation points, visibility tools and threat-protection stack.
The important shift from lower-level security study is integration. You are expected to make ASA, FTD with FMC, ISE, VPN technologies, routing, NAT, certificates, logging, NetFlow-based visibility, DNS-layer security, endpoint protection and infrastructure hardening work together under time pressure.
The lab mindset is different from normal production operations. In production you usually change one security domain at a time; in a CCIE Security lab you must move between policy, identity, reachability, encryption, high availability and troubleshooting without losing the topology-wide picture.
These courses focus on Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 tasks. The full lab exam course builds the technologies section by section, then ties them together with Mega Lab work; the dedicated hands-on course is the condensed Mega Lab track for engineers who already know the blueprint topics and need repetition.
| Area | What you must handle in CCIE Security training | Where engineers usually get stuck |
|---|---|---|
| Network Security & Infrastructure | ASA, Zone-Based Firewall, NAT, routing, switching security, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection, IP Source Guard, uRPF, NTP and syslog hardening. | Forgetting that security policy fails when routing, NAT order, interface mode or control-plane services are wrong. |
| Secure Connectivity & VPN Technologies | Site-to-site IPsec, GRE over IPsec, DMVPN, FlexVPN, GETVPN, VRF-aware VPN, AnyConnect, clientless SSL VPN and certificate-based VPN. | Mixing IKEv1 and IKEv2 logic, missing tunnel protection details, or troubleshooting encryption before checking reachability and identity. |
| Identity, Access & Network Visibility | ISE, AAA, 802.1X, MAB, downloadable ACLs, AD integration, device administration, Stealthwatch and NetFlow visibility. | Treating authentication, authorization and profiling as separate topics instead of one access-control workflow. |
| Advanced Threat Protection | FTD/FMC policies, intrusion policy, URL filtering, application visibility, file policy, AMP, Umbrella, WSA and ESA. | Knowing the product GUI but not understanding policy order, logging, traffic direction and what evidence proves enforcement. |
| Cisco Security Technologies | ASA failover, ASA clustering, FTD high availability, FMC integration, ISE integration, DNAC/ISE segmentation and automation with Python. | Passing individual configuration tasks but losing time when the scenario combines high availability, policy and troubleshooting. |
Both paths are Cisco-focused and advanced. The difference is whether you need the full v6.1 blueprint build-up or a shorter Mega Lab practice track.
Cisco blueprint path
Start here if you need structured coverage across ASA, VPNs, FTD/FMC, ISE, WSA, ESA, infrastructure security, Stealthwatch, AMP, Umbrella, DNAC/ISE and automation before attempting full lab scenarios.
Start with this courseCisco Mega Lab path
Use this path when you already know the major technologies and want concentrated Mega Lab repetition: ASA failover and clustering, AnyConnect, site-to-site VPNs, FlexVPN, 802.1X/MAB, syslog, NTP, WSA redirection and optimization troubleshooting.
Practice with this courseUse the course cards below to compare the full blueprint course with the shorter Mega Lab practice course.
For engineers who need the full CCIE Security v6.1 blueprint path. You build and troubleshoot ASA, FTD/FMC, VPNs, ISE, infrastructure security, visibility, threat-protection and Mega Lab tasks.
For candidates who already know the CCIE Security technologies and need focused lab repetition. You practice Mega Lab tasks across ASA HA, clustering, VPNs, dot1x/MAB, NTP, syslog, WSA and troubleshooting.
You do not need to choose a separate subscription for the blueprint course and the Mega Lab practice course. Both are part of the same membership, so you can study the technologies first and then repeat the lab scenarios.
Pick the course based on your current readiness, not by duration alone. The full course is the safer starting point unless you can already configure and troubleshoot the blueprint technologies without guidance.
If you are starting serious CCIE Security preparation
→ Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course
Take the full course first because it builds the v6.1 blueprint section by section before the Mega Lab. It is the better path if you need coverage of ASA, VPNs, FTD/FMC, ISE, WSA, ESA, infrastructure security, Stealthwatch, AMP, Umbrella, DNAC/ISE and automation.
If you already understand the blueprint and need lab speed
→ Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 Hands-On Lab Practice Course
Take the Mega Lab practice course when your weak point is execution, not theory. It concentrates on multi-technology tasks such as ASA failover, ASA clustering, AnyConnect, site-to-site VPNs, FlexVPN, dot1x, MAB, NTP, syslog and WSA redirection.
If VPNs are your biggest gap
→ Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course
Use the full course because its VPN series covers GRE-based VPN, GRE over IPsec, site-to-site IPsec, DMVPN with EIGRP and OSPF, GETVPN, VRF-aware VPN, certificate-based VPN, IKEv2, FlexVPN and ASA VPN variations.
If identity and access control are weak areas
→ Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course
Use the full course because the ISE section includes AAA, 802.1X, certificate management, profiling probes, RADIUS switch access, downloadable ACLs, AD integration, AnyConnect authentication and TACACS device administration.
If you need final exam-style rehearsal
→ Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 Hands-On Lab Practice Course
Use the dedicated Mega Lab course after the main blueprint topics are familiar. It is shorter, scenario-focused and built around the same Mega Lab workbooks, topology and questions supplied for practice.
If you want one ordered study plan
→ Full course first, then Mega Lab practice
Start with the Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course, then use the hands-on practice course for repetition. This order avoids using the Mega Lab as a guessing exercise before you understand the products and protocols behind each task.
The supplied courses explicitly target the Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 certification and lab preparation.
CCIE Security v6.1
This expert-level Cisco security certification validates design, deployment and troubleshooting across Cisco security technologies. The Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course maps broadly to the v6.1 lab blueprint and includes section-by-section technology study plus Mega Lab preparation.
Prepare for CCIE SecurityCCIE Security v6.1 Lab
The hands-on lab practice course is for final-stage preparation against v6.1 Mega Lab-style tasks. It is best used after you can already work through ASA, VPN, ISE, infrastructure security and visibility tasks without needing introductory explanation.
Practice the Mega LabThe instructor information below is limited to the supplied course data.
Mohsin Mushtaq teaches both CCIE Security courses in this hub. His course material focuses on Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 lab preparation, Cisco security product configuration, design, deployment, troubleshooting and Mega Lab practice.
View the main courseVerified learner reviews for the supplied CCIE Security courses are inserted here by the platform.
“Great. The instructor is thorough and explains each subject and variance to understand how it works and what to look for.”
“As of right now, everything is going well, and I can't wait to begin practicing in the lab.”
“This is the first course I have seen with theory related to DNAC. Much appreciated”
“Very well explained, I only miss some debugging commands/output.”
“I just listened the first ASA video and it is very nice”
“This is great content and easy to understand”
“Very good information from a great teacher!”
Start with the Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course. It is the full blueprint-oriented course and covers the major technology areas before you work through the Mega Lab material.
The hands-on Mega Lab course is better as a second step unless you already have strong Cisco security experience.
The Cisco CCIE Security V6.1 Lab Exam Course is the broad preparation path. It includes technology sections for ASA, VPNs, FTD/FMC, ISE, WSA, ESA, infrastructure security, Stealthwatch, AMP, Umbrella, DNAC/ISE and automation, plus Mega Lab resources.
The Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 Hands-On Lab Practice Course is shorter and focused on Mega Lab execution. Use it for final-stage repetition, not as your only source if you still need to learn the blueprint topics.
Yes. The supplied course data explicitly states that the full course is built around the Cisco CCIE Security v6.1 Lab blueprint and prepares you for the CCIE Security certification journey.
The Mega Lab practice course also targets the latest CCIE Security v6.1 lab-style preparation, but it assumes you are closer to exam readiness.
The catalogue does not list a separate written-only course. The full course description says it prepares for both the written and lab stages, but the course itself is built around the CCIE Security v6.1 lab blueprint and practical configuration.
If your immediate need is written exam theory only, review the full course outline first and use the sections that map to your weaker technologies.
The full course covers ASA, Firepower Threat Defense with FMC, ISE, WSA, ESA, Stealthwatch, AMP, Umbrella, DNAC/ISE integration and Zone-Based Firewall topics. It also includes infrastructure security and network automation lessons.
The Mega Lab practice course focuses on scenario tasks such as ASA failover and clustering, AnyConnect, clientless SSL VPN, site-to-site VPN, FlexVPN, 802.1X/MAB, NTP, syslog, WSA redirection and troubleshooting.
The full course has a dedicated VPN series. It includes GRE-based VPN, GRE over IPsec, transport mode, site-to-site VPN, native IPsec tunnel interface VPN, DMVPN, GETVPN, VRF-aware VPN, certificate-based VPN, IKEv2, FlexVPN, AnyConnect, WebSSL VPN, ASA VPN and FTD site-to-site VPN.
If VPNs are a weak area, do not skip directly to the Mega Lab. Build the VPN variations in the full course first.
Yes, you should have basic Cisco network security knowledge before starting. The full course is advanced and the requirements state that you should be willing to learn expert-level Cisco network security products and technologies.
You do not need to be an expert in every product before starting the full course, but you should already understand routing, switching, security policy concepts and basic troubleshooting.
The full course catalogue includes lab files, workbooks, topology files, PDF slides and resource sections for areas such as Mega Lab, ESA/WSA, infrastructure security, VPNs, ISE, FTD/FMC and ASA. The Mega Lab practice course includes Mega Lab videos, questions, topology and workbook sections.
Exact lab access and setup details are handled inside the course pages and membership platform.
The hub contains 2 courses with about 63 hours of video. Completion time depends on whether you are watching only, rebuilding every lab, or repeating the Mega Lab until you can complete tasks without prompts.
For CCIE Security, the useful metric is not watch time. Track whether you can configure, verify and troubleshoot each technology from the CLI and management tools under time pressure.
Yes. Both supplied CCIE Security courses are included in one membership, so you can use the full v6.1 lab exam course for structured study and the hands-on Mega Lab course for repetition.
You can review the membership options on the pricing page.
Choose the full v6.1 lab exam course if you need structured blueprint coverage, or add the hands-on Mega Lab course when you are ready for repetition and exam-style execution. Both courses are included in one membership.
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