Experiential learning opportunity

Cisco Net Academy: CoE-Digital Innovation Offerings 2025-26

All of NB
On-going until June 26, 2026
Areas of interest: Artificial Intelligence, Careers, Coding, Computer Networking, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Programming, Technical Support, Technology

Looking to build you digital skills? Or hoping to gain certifications to enhance your career and education? Cisco Net Academy has options for beginners, advanced learners and everyone in between, all for FREE!

See our 2025-26 offerings below. Don’t see what you’re looking for or need support with enrollment? Email sarah.rankin@gnb.ca.

Cybersecurity Offerings 2025-26:

  • Introduction to Cybersecurity: (6 hours)

This course introductory course takes you inside the world of cybersecurity. You will learn cybersecurity basics to protect your personal digital life and gain insights into the biggest security challenges companies, governments, and educational institutions face today. Cybersecurity professionals who can protect and defend an organization’s network are in high demand. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Networking Basics (22 hours):

This course covers the foundation of networking and network devices, media, and protocols. You will observe data flowing through a network and configure devices to connect to networks. Finally, you will learn how to use different network applications and protocols to accomplish networking tasks. The knowledge and skills you gain can give you a starting point to find a rewarding career in tech. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Networking Devices & Initial Configuration: (22 hours)

This course covers the essentials of network devices and how to configure them. Learn the characteristics and benefits of Cloud and Virtualization technologies. Explore how to provide Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to devices both manually and automatically. Using this knowledge, you will calculate an IP addressing scheme, configure Cisco devices to create a small network, and test for connectivity issues. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Endpoint Security: (27 hours)

Build the skills to secure your network all the way to the edge, including hardware, software, and media. In this course you will learn how to assess the network, operating systems, and endpoints for vulnerabilities, and how to secure the network. You will also gain skills to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability in your network and your data. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Network Defense: (27 hours)

This course covers ways to monitor your network and how to evaluate security alerts. Dive into the tools and techniques used to protect a network including, access control, firewalls, cloud security and cryptography. These monitoring and defense tools along with others work together to create a layered defense cybersecurity strategy. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Cyber Threat Management: (16 hours)

Learn to develop policies and ensure your organization complies with ethical standards and legal and regulatory frameworks. You will also gain skills for managing threats, such as how to assess a network for vulnerabilities, manage risks, and respond to security incidents. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Ethical Hacker: (70 hours) *Must complete and pass Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path Exam to enroll

This course is designed to prepare you with an Ethical Hacker skillset and give you a solid understanding of offensive security. You will become proficient in the art of scoping, executing, and reporting on vulnerability assessments, while recommending mitigation strategies. Follow an engaging gamified narrative throughout the course and get lots of practice with hands-on labs inspired by real-world scenarios. By understanding the mindset of threat actors, you will be able to more effectively implement security controls and monitor, analyze, and respond to current security threats.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Offerings 2025-26:

  • Introduction to Data Science: (6 hours)
This introductory course takes you inside the world of data science. You will learn the basics of data science, data analytics, and data engineering to understand how machine learning is shaping the future of business, healthcare, education, and more. Data science professionals who can provide actionable insights for data-driven decisions are in high demand all over the world. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
  • Introduction to Modern AI: (6 hours)
If you are new to AI and ready to give it a try, look no further! Introduction to Modern AI is a beginner-friendly course designed to help you learn key AI concepts and get hands-on practice with AI-enabled apps. You will start with an overview of AI. Then you’ll explore computer vision using a photo app and machine translation with an online translation tool. Finally, take a deep-dive into chatbots–full of tips for writing better prompts and hands-on practice with 10+ popular chatbots and AI tools, including ChatGPT, Meta AI, Gemini, Google Translate, Claude, Hugging Chat, NotebookLM and more. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
  • AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild: (10 hours)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is among the hottest technologies reshaping the future of work! Here’s your opportunity to build your knowledge, understand what AI can mean for your future, and visualize yourself in an AI-driven career. You’ll begin by exploring AI’s history, then discover how it can change the world around you. As you progress, you will delve into how AI understands language, interprets images, and learns using neural networks modeled after the human brain. You’ll complete a series of simulations to build and test a machine learning model using IBM Watson Studio, then you’ll learn about AI ethics and finish with tips on how to navigate the fast growing AI job market.
Get started today and take the first step toward becoming an integral part of the future AI workforce. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

Programming Offerings 2025-26:

  • Javascript Essentials 1 and 2: (40-50 hours each)

JavaScript is a widely used programming language that makes it possible to embed videos and search boxes in your favourite website and even refresh your social media feed. Learn how interactive web and mobile applications are created with this text-based programming language. Then learn to program your own applications! This course is great to start learning programming – no prior knowledge required. This course is aligned to the JSE – Certified Entry-Level JavaScript Programmer Certification. Programming skills open you up to careers in almost any industry and are required if you want to continue to more advanced and higher paying web, mobile app, or game development roles. Javascript 1: CLICK HERE TO ENROLL Javascript 2:CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Python Essentials 1 and 2: (30-40 hours each)
Endless possibilities await when you acquire in-demand programming skills. Python is a multi-paradigm programming language used by startups and tech giants like Google, Facebook, Netflix, and more. With intuitive, readable syntax, Python is a great first programming language to learn. Having Python skills qualifies you for careers in almost any industry and is required for advanced and higher paying software development and engineering roles. The course also prepares you for the PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification.
Python 1: CLICK HERE TO ENROLL Python 2: CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
  • HTML Essentials: (30 hours)
HTML is the foundation of the web, used to structure and display content on websites. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course is for you! In HTML Essentials, you’ll learn how to create and structure webpages using HTML. You’ll start with the basics of tags and elements, then move on to forms, tables, and multimedia integration. By the end, you’ll have built your own functional web pages and be ready to continue your web development journey. This course prepares you for both the WDE™ – Certified Entry-Level Web Developer and WDA™ – Certified Associate Web Developer certifications from the OpenEDG JS Institute. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

Operating Systems Offerings 2025-26:

  • Operating Systems Basics: (12 hours)

Every smart device uses an operating system (OS) — smart devices like personal computers, smartphones, game consoles, smart TVs, and the list continues. Whether the OS used is Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, or iOS, knowing how it works is a key digital skill you will need. Take this course to build your foundational knowledge for success in any IT career. Operating Systems Basics teaches the fundamentals of operating systems. It covers basic concepts and skills needed to understand the purpose and characteristics of operating systems, the implementation of basic OS security, and how to configure mobile device network connectivity and email. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

  • Linux Unhatched: (8 hours)
Want to start a career at the cutting edge of innovation? Linux is an open-source operating system used by organizations worldwide, and it is the driving force behind technological progress in supercomputers, cloud computing, and much more. In as little as eight hours, you can learn the essentials of Linux while being guided step-by-step through a series of hands-on virtual machine activities. After completing this course, you are already on your way to getting certified. Continue on to the Linux Essentials or Linux 1 courses to keep learning and prepare for a Linux certification. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
  • Linux Essentials: (70 hours)
Linux, an open source operating system, has a global reach in the world of tech. It’s playing a major role in innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and much more. Whether you want to become a system administrator or enhance your skills for IT jobs in software development, network engineering, or cybersecurity, learning Linux is foundational. This course quickly builds your Linux knowledge and gives you real-world practice with the command line and virtual machines. No prior knowledge required. It also prepares you for the Linux Professional Institute Linux Essentials Certificate, a credible third-party certificate that will help you stand out in the job market and verify your new skills to employers. The Linux Essentials certificate is also a stepping stone to the Linux Professional Institute LPIC-1 certification. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL

What is the Cisco Net Academy?

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make the internet, phones and computers work? Cisco Net Academy is an e-learning platform where you can start learning all about technology like cybersecurity, networks, and programming. Cisco is a leading technology company that makes equipment and software that powers the internet. They created Cisco Net Academy to teach people of all ages more about how our digital world works.

On Net Academy, you can take fun online courses on beginner and advanced topics. You learn at your own pace through videos, games, and activities. There are also labs where you get to try things out, like building a computer network or stopping cyber hackers! Once you finish a course, you take a test to earn a digital badge to recognize your new skills. These badges look great on a resume one day when you apply for tech jobs.

The best part is Cisco Net Academy is 100% free for students 13 and up. So whether you want to uncover the secrets of the internet, code the next big app, or protect companies from attacks, this platform lets you explore all kinds of technology careers. Educators can also access all resources to incorporate into their lesson plans in subjects like IT, computer science, and more. This helps prepare students for the real-world by teaching in-demand skills. So unlock your technology potential today with Cisco Skills for All! It’s fun, free career learning for teens and teachers alike.

What are Cisco Digital Badges?

  • Cisco Net Academy digital badges are credentials you can earn to validate and communicate your skills in various technology areas. As you complete Cisco Net Academy courses and hands-on labs, you have the option to take exams and earn badges in topics like cybersecurity, networking, and programming.
  • These badges serve as virtual verification that you have the knowledge and competency in specific skillsets that employers are looking for. They allow you to stand out to companies and teams hiring for tech roles.
  • Cisco Net Academy is a leader in IT and cybersecurity education. By passing their exams and earning badges, you showcase real ability. Employers around the world recognize these credentials as signs you can perform the job duties.
  • On top of expanding career opportunities, Cisco Net Academy badges let you highlight skills on digital profiles like LinkedIn. You can share your credentials with professional networks and demonstrate your growth over time.
  • There are over 45 badges to unlock, allowing you to hone expertise in your interest areas. And they never expire, so the skills stick with you. Whether you’re a student exploring careers, a professional looking to reskill, or an educator integrating tech competencies into your teaching, Cisco Net Academy digital badges deliver flexible and pedigreed certification of your capabilities.

 

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