Failing the 642-564 exam means paying the registration fee all over again — plus weeks of lost momentum. Preparing with Real4Prep's Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) practice questions costs a fraction of one retake and helps you walk in ready the first time. Think of it as insurance for your exam budget.
Cisco 642-564 Exam Overview:
| Certification Vendor: | Cisco |
|---|---|
| Exam Name: | Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers (SSSE) Exam |
| Exam Number: | 642-564 |
| Related Certifications: | Cisco VPN and Security Solutions Cisco CCNP Security Cisco Security Sales Specialist |
| Certificate Validity Period: | 3 years (historical; certification program has been retired) |
| Exam Duration: | 90 minutes |
| Exam Format: | Multiple response, Multiple choice |
| Real Exam Qty: | 45-55 |
| Available Languages: | English |
| Exam Price: | USD 200-300 (varies by region, exam retired) |
| Recommended Training: | Cisco Security Learning Resources CCNP Security Training Path |
| Exam Registration: | Pearson VUE Cisco Exams Cisco Certification Portal |
| Sample Questions: | ![]() |
| Exam Way: | Proctored exam via Pearson VUE (historically available both online and testing centers; exam now retired) |
| Pre Condition: | No formal prerequisites required; foundational networking and security knowledge recommended. |
| Official Syllabus URL: | https://www.cisco.com |
Cisco 642-564 Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Section | Objectives |
|---|---|
| Topic 1: Firewall and Intrusion Prevention | - Cisco ASA architecture and features - IPS/IDS deployment and tuning - Stateful firewall concepts |
| Topic 2: Cisco Security Solutions Positioning | - Security solution design scenarios - Matching Cisco products to customer requirements |
| Topic 3: Security Fundamentals and Cisco Security Architecture | - Threat models and mitigation strategies - Enterprise security concepts - Cisco security portfolio overview |
| Topic 4: VPN Technologies and Remote Access | - Remote access VPN (SSL/IPSec) - Site-to-site VPN design - IPSec fundamentals |
| Topic 5: Secure Network Design and Implementation | - Secure network segmentation - Secure routing and switching considerations - Access control policies |
Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) FAQs: What Candidates Ask Most
The 642-564 exam is the official test behind the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers (SSSE) certification, a Professional-level credential from Cisco. Passing it validates the skills measured by the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) objectives and proves to employers that you can apply those skills in real-world scenarios, not just recite theory. The credential also sits alongside related certifications such as Cisco CCNP Security, Cisco Security Sales Specialist, Cisco VPN and Security Solutions, making it a strong building block in a broader Cisco certification path. For candidates planning a longer-term career move, the 642-564 exam is often the step that turns study effort into a verifiable, resumé-ready qualification.
The Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) blueprint is divided into 5 exam domains. The first three are Firewall and Intrusion Prevention, Secure Network Design and Implementation, and Security Fundamentals and Cisco Security Architecture. The weightings matter: they tell you where the bulk of your score comes from, so allocate study time in proportion rather than spreading it evenly. Scroll back to the exam topics section above for the complete domain-by-domain breakdown of the 642-564 exam.
The Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) exam gives you 90 minutes to work through 45-55 questions. Do the math before test day: divide the total time by the question count to set a steady per-question pace, and treat that number as a hard budget rather than a guideline. When a question eats more than its share, flag it and move on — a flagged question can be revisited, but lost minutes can't. Running two or three full timed mock exams in the Real4Prep test engine before your exam date is the most reliable way to make that pacing automatic.
According to Cisco, the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) exam uses the following question formats: Multiple choice, Multiple response. Different formats reward different habits. For scenario-based items, read the final sentence of the question stem first so you know what's actually being asked before you dig into the details, and never change an answer unless you can point to the exact clue you missed. The Real4Prep question bank lets you rehearse every format until each one feels routine.
Cisco currently offers the 642-564 exam in English. Choose the language you can reason in fastest under time pressure — reading speed matters more than most candidates expect. If you plan to test in English, working through Real4Prep's 70 English practice questions doubles as terminology training, so the phrasing on exam day feels familiar rather than foreign.
The credential you earn by passing the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) exam remains valid for 3 years (historical; certification program has been retired). That clock is worth protecting: set a reminder well before the expiry date and review the official recertification options early, so staying certified becomes a planned task instead of a last-minute scramble. Recertification policies are set by Cisco and can change, so confirm the current rules on the official certification page.
Every Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) product contains the same 70 expert-prepared practice questions; only the way you study with them changes:
- PDF version — printable format, prepared by experts, with instant access to download. Study anywhere, anytime, on any device that opens a document. Includes 365 days of free updates, and a free PDF demo is available.
- Desktop Test Engine — installable software that simulates the real exam environment, with two practice modes and full offline access. Supports MS Windows.
- Online Test Engine — instant online access from all web browsers, with test history and performance review to track your progress. Supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Many candidates combine the PDF for daily reading with a test engine for timed weekend mock exams.
Yes. Real4Prep offers a free PDF demo for the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) exam, so you can review the question style, difficulty level, and answer quality before you pay anything. Every purchase also includes 365 days of free updates — and if you'd like to extend updates after that period, you can renew at a 50% discount from your member zone. Trying first costs you nothing; it simply tells you whether our material matches the way you learn.
Cisco adjusts its exams over time, so Real4Prep reviews and updates the Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) question bank on a continuous basis to reflect the current skills being tested. Your purchase includes 365 days of free updates; after that, you can repurchase the expired product at a 50% discount from your member zone. To catch a fresh release, check the New Releases section on Real4Prep, the status on your product's download page, or the Real4Prep newsletter — and always look for an update a few days before your exam date.
Yes. Real4Prep is protected by McAfee security services, so your transactions and personal data stay safe throughout the purchase process. We never share customer information with third parties — the only emails you receive come from us, and you can ask to be removed from our mailing list at any time.
Real4Prep backs your purchase with a 100% Money Back Guarantee: if you take the corresponding exam within 60 days of your purchase and don't pass, you can apply for a full refund. To qualify, submit a scanned copy of your exam enrollment slip and the official Score Report PDF within 2 days after the exam — refunds are processed within 7 days of submission. Attempts made within 3 days of purchase, material for exams never actually taken, free items, and expired orders are not eligible, and the candidate name must match the payer name. Prefer new material instead of a refund? You can exchange your product for two free exam products of equal value and keep the update service on your original purchase. Delivery itself is instant: your Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) practice questions are available for download and emailed to you within one minute of payment — if nothing arrives within 2 hours, check your spam folder and contact our support team. There's no limit on how many computers you can install the product on.
Why Candidates Choose Real4Prep for Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) Preparation
One purchase covers the whole journey: a free demo to start, instant delivery when you buy, and a full year of updates while you study. Your 642-564 product arrives in your mailbox within one minute of payment — if it doesn't show up within 2 hours, our support team will sort it out — and you can install it on as many computers as you need. McAfee security services protect every transaction, and your personal information is never shared with third parties.
- PDF version: printable format, prepared by experts, instant access to download, study anywhere and anytime, 365 days of free updates, free PDF demo available.
- Desktop Test Engine: installable software that simulates the real Cisco Security Solutions for Systems Engineers(SSSE) exam environment, with two practice modes and offline access, supporting MS Windows.
- Online Test Engine: instant online access from all web browsers, with test history and performance review, supporting Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- Free updates: 365 days included with every purchase; after expiry, renew at a 50% discount from your member zone.
- 100% Money Back Guarantee: if you take the corresponding exam within 60 days of purchase and don't pass, submit your enrollment slip and official Score Report within 2 days after the exam for a full refund, processed within 7 days — or exchange your product for two free products of equal value instead.
Ready when you are: download the free 642-564 demo, pick the format that fits your routine, and start working through 70 practice questions today.



