"The CCIE is the elite of all internetworking industry certifications. It
designates the holder as having an "expert level of technical knowledge and
skill"

"Network Engineers holding the CCIE earn recognition throughout the
internetwork industry, gain privileged access to Cisco technical support, and
have access via Cisco Connection On-line(CCO) to a dedicated CCIE
discussion database."

"The Cisco® Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is the blackbelt of the
networking/data communications industry. No other technical certification is as
difficult or as prestigous as the CCIE.
A CCIE is a best of breed certification which puts its holder into
an elite class of network experts”.
Networkstudyguides.com
 
"No discussion of network certification would be complete without
a nod to the ultimate, the apex of nerds, the god of geeks, the guru’s guru,
by far the most difficult (and valuable) – the CCIE "
George Spalding

CCIE: the blackbelt of the networking/data communications industry.
CCIE: No other technical certification is as difficult or as prestigous as the CCIE.
CCIE: a nod to the ultimate, the apex of nerds, the god of geeks, the guru’s guru.
CCIE: by far the most difficult (and valuable)
CCIE: the gold star, the master level
CCIE: the elite of all internetworking industry certifications

• CCIE is the most respected high-level certification, recognized worldwide as the "doctorate" of networking.
  
• Certified CCIEs are a highly-select group. Less than 3% of Cisco certified professionals become CCIEs.
  
• Passing the exams is not easy. Hands-on experience is the best preparation.