Every year, someone declares that traditional networking is fading because “everything is moving to the cloud.” It sounds convincing until you take one look at how these cloud systems actually run. Behind every virtual machine, every Kubernetes cluster, every remote connection, and every cloud workload is the same foundation that has powered IT for decades: routing, switching, IP addressing, and well-designed networks.
Here’s the thing. Cloud didn’t kill networking. Cloud runs on networking. And that’s why CCNA-level skills are not just alive, they’re more important today than at any other point in the last decade.
Cloud Still Runs on Networks: The Foundation Hasn’t Changed
When people say “the cloud handles everything,” they forget one key truth: the cloud is simply someone else’s data center. All the physical switches, routers, firewalls, and cables still exist. They’re just not sitting in your office anymore. Whether a company uses AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, the basics stay the same. Subnets have to be designed. Routing tables must be created. DNS must be configured correctly. Firewalls must be secured. If a workload in one region can’t talk to another, it’s not a “cloud issue”, it’s a network issue. And as organizations move toward hybrid and multi-cloud setups, the job becomes even more complicated. You’re no longer managing one network. You’re managing many networks that talk to each other. Without a solid foundation in networking fundamentals, troubleshooting becomes guesswork. With CCNA-level knowledge, you can see exactly where things break.
What CCNA-Level Skills Actually Teach (and Why They Matter)?
Students sometimes think CCNA is only about “old school devices.” But the topics covered in CCNA are the same skills powering cloud platforms today.
IP addressing and subnetting: Cloud networks force you to create accurate subnets, CIDR blocks, and IP ranges. If someone creates overlapping networks, workloads instantly fail.
Routing fundamentals: Whether you’re configuring Azure routing tables or AWS route tables, the rules follow the same logic as traditional routing. If you don’t understand how packets move, nothing works.
Switching concepts: Broadcast domains, MAC tables, STP these may sound old-fashioned, but they explain how devices communicate. Cloud environments still mimic these behaviours virtually.
VLANs and trunking: Segmentation is the backbone of modern security. The same logic applies to VPCs, subnets, and micro-segmentation in the cloud.
ACLs and NAT: Firewalls, security groups, and routing policies all follow these fundamental rules. Without this knowledge, “cloud security” becomes a guessing game.
CLI configuration: Whether configuring Cisco, a Linux server, or cloud resources through SDKs, knowing how systems respond at the command line builds real confidence.
CCNA-level skills build understanding not memorization. And that understanding follows students everywhere in their careers.
The Cloud Has Created More Demand for Networking, Not Less
Instead of eliminating networking roles, the cloud has created new ones that depend heavily on networking knowledge.
Multi-cloud architectures: Companies now run workloads across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Connecting them securely is a networking job.
Zero-trust security: Identity-driven access and micro-segmentation both rely on understanding network flows.
Remote work ecosystems: VPNs, SD-WAN, and secure access services depend on efficient network design.
SD-WAN and SASE solutions: These systems automate networking, but they still require engineers who understand what’s happening beneath the automation.
Container networking: Kubernetes clusters use complex networking layers like overlay networks, service meshes, load balancers, and ingress rules.
Edge computing and IoT: These environments require high-performance routing, segmentation, and device management; nothing works without networking foundations.
Cloud didn’t replace networking. It expanded it.
Why Pure Cloud Knowledge Isn’t Enough?
One of the biggest issues companies face is hiring candidates who understand cloud dashboards but don’t understand how networks actually work. Cloud interfaces can make things appear simple, but when something goes wrong, you need to know what’s underneath.
Common problems cloud-only learners struggle with:
- Misconfigured subnets that silently break workloads
- VMs unable to communicate because routing tables weren’t set correctly
- VPC connections dropping due to missing firewall rules
- Latency issues caused by misunderstood network paths
- Broken hybrid links due to incorrect NAT or gateway settings
Cloud platforms give you tools. Networking fundamentals give you wisdom. The combination is what employers trust.
Hands-On Labs: Where Networking Skills Actually Stick?
Networking isn’t something you learn by reading slides. It’s something you learn by typing commands, watching packets move, breaking things, and fixing them again.
Hands-on labs bring networking to life:
- You configure real routers and switches
- You build VLANs and watch how traffic moves
- You trace packets and diagnose issues
- You experience what “broadcast storms” or “wrong subnet masks” actually do
- You practice troubleshooting workflows step by step
This practical experience makes a tremendous difference. When learners finally jump to cloud networking Azure virtual networks, AWS VPCs, Google VPCs the concepts feel familiar instead of intimidating.
How Networking Powers Cloud Careers?
People think CCNA-level skills lead only to networking jobs. In reality, these fundamentals power almost every IT role today.
Cloud Administrators: Need networking basics to configure subnets, gateways, routing, and firewalls.
Cloud Engineers: Build secure, scalable virtual networks across multiple regions.
DevOps Engineers: Manage connectivity between services, pipelines, clusters, and environments.
Security Analysts: Investigate network flows, firewall logs, segmentation policies, and intrusion attempts.
Network Operations Roles: Still in high demand for hybrid and cloud environments.
Site Reliability Engineers: Depend heavily on understanding distributed systems and network behaviour.
Networking knowledge multiplies opportunities. It doesn’t restrict them.
Should Students Still Study CCNA in 2025? Absolutely—Here’s Why
Despite the growth of cloud certifications, CCNA remains one of the most consistently requested entry-level credentials. Job descriptions across helpdesk, support, cloud, and cybersecurity roles still list CCNA as a preferred or required skill. Why? Because CCNA proves you understand the fundamentals clearly, not just how to click through cloud dashboards.
It shows you can:
- Diagnose problems
- Think logically
- Understand how devices communicate
- Work across hybrid systems
- Implement security controls at the network layer
CCNA gives learners the base they need to climb higher whether they move into cloud, cybersecurity, DevOps, or systems engineering.
The Future of Networking: Automation, Cloud Integration, and AI
Networking isn’t standing still. It’s evolving with automation, AI, and cloud integration.
Tomorrow’s network professional will work across:
- Automated network configurations using Python and Ansible
- Cloud-native networking tools
- AI-driven monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Intent-based networking systems
- Software-defined networks
- Security-heavy environments
- 5G and edge deployments
But here’s the key: automation and AI don’t remove the need for networking fundamentals. They magnify it. If you don’t understand how networks work, you can’t automate them. If you don’t understand routing behaviour, AI monitoring tools won’t make sense. Foundations first. Always.
Conclusion: Networking Isn’t Old—It’s the Core of Everything
Cloud is growing fast. AI is reshaping operations. Automation is taking on repetitive tasks. But through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: every system still depends on well-designed, well-understood networks. CCNA-level skills continue to be the backbone of modern IT. They help students troubleshoot confidently, work effectively in cloud and hybrid environments, and understand the systems that power organizations worldwide. For anyone planning an IT career, networking isn’t optional. It’s the skill that makes everything else make sense.
FAQs
1. Is CCNA still worth it in 2025?
Yes. CCNA remains one of the most trusted foundational certifications and is still requested in job listings across IT support, cloud, and security roles.
2. Do I need CCNA if I’m only interested in cloud?
Absolutely. Cloud networking uses the same principles as traditional networking. You’ll struggle with VPCs, routing tables, and firewalls without CCNA-level fundamentals.
3. How long does CCNA take to prepare for?
Most learners take 3–6 months with consistent study and hands-on lab practice.
4. Can CCNA help with cybersecurity careers?
Yes. Network security, firewalls, segmentation, and traffic analysis are core security skills and CCNA provides the foundation.
5. Are labs necessary for CCNA?
Yes. Networking must be learned by doing. Labs help you master real troubleshooting and configuration skills, which employers value.
