Cisco Networking Academy
Cyber Education for All Members of CAP
Civil Air Patrol has partnered with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) to make cybersecurity support, training and curriculum resources available for free to ALL CAP members - that is both our cadet and adult members! Check out the announcement (PPTX) and read the full story on this exciting partnership between Cisco Networking Academy and CAP!
Cisco Networking Academy
The Cisco NetAcad courses are released in 2 annual 6 month cohorts to help encourage completion and to help with recruiting new members to join CAP.
ATTENTION: Cohort 2 2026 will run from 1 July - 31 December 2026 and will feature the courses listed below.
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Why These Courses are Important
Don't take just our word for it! First Lieutenant Stephen Beal, of North Carolina Wing's Tar River Composite Squadron, shared,
"Crazy thing: I started to get interested in cyber security/networking due to being a CAP member and having access to Cisco Academy through their partnership. I took some cohorts and I decided to go enroll in the local community college to get a secondary degree in IT because of it. I’m going into my second semester and so far, all my classes have used Cisco Networking Academy and are actually almost the very same courses I took with the CAP cohorts! Long story short: the cohort educational material is great and your given access to material and coursework that college students are paying to take!”
NetAcad tracks leading to Cisco Certifications!
CAP Cyber currently offers 2 self paced tracks that can lead to new opportunities in the Information Technology and Cybersecurity fields. Completing the courses in each track can prepare you for a specific certification from Cisco Systems. Interested? Well read on.
Cyber threats affect us all, and cybersecurity jobs continue to grow. In fact, cybersecurity failure is among the top 5 global risks according to the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report (2021). The world needs diverse, tech-savvy cyber professionals to defend against shrewd digital adversaries.
The Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path prepares you for the entry-level Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification and entry-level cybersecurity positions such as Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, or Tier 1 Help Desk Support roles. You will learn vital skills like threat intelligence, network security, and risk management to protect yourself and organizations from cyber attacks. If you enjoy solving puzzles, are passionate about technology, and like working in teams, the field of cybersecurity may be a great fit for you!
Completing these courses should prepare students for the CCST Cybersecurity Certification Exam (150 hours total)
- Networking Basics
- Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
- Endpoint Security
- Network Defense
- Cyber Threat Management
After completing the Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path, you are ready to earn your entry-level cybersecurity certification! For more information about the exam – see here: https://www.netacad.com/resources/program-info/ccst-cybersecurity?courseLang=en-US
The Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking certification is an entry-level credential. It validates the essential networking skills needed to start your IT career, making it a great choice for students, interns, and entry-level IT professionals. No prior knowledge is required.
The CCST Networking certification exam covers six key domains: Standards and Concepts, Addressing and Subnet Formats, Endpoints and Media Types, Infrastructure, Diagnosing Problems, and Security.
Earning the CCST Networking certification prepares you for roles such as Network Support Technician, Entry-level Help Desk Technician, or IT Support Specialist.
This certification can also help you advance in your career by paving the way for additional certifications like the CCNA.
Completing the following courses should prepare students for the CCST Networking Certification Exam (75 hours total)
- Computer Hardware Basics
- Operating Systems Basics
- Networking Basics
- Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
- Networking Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
- Network Support and Security
For more information about the certification and examination – see here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/exams/ccst-networking.html
Start your Cybersecurity career today with courses and resources that are online and free.
NetAcad Courses
Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer - Cohort 2 2026
Meet our innovative network simulation and visualization tool, Cisco Packet Tracer. This virtual lab is an interactive way to practice networking, IoT, and cybersecurity – no hardware required! This course introduces you to the Cisco Packet Tracer simulation environment. Learn how to use Cisco Packet Tracer to visualize and simulate a network using everyday examples. Practice your skills with interactive virtual lab activities, and hone your problem-solving skills, too. Get valuable tips and best practices and gain confidence to use this powerful tool in later courses or for your own practice.
Introduction to CyberSecurity - Cohort 2 2026
This 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.
Introduction to Data Science - Cohort 2 2026
This introductory course takes learners inside the world of data science. They will learn the basics in the fields of data science, data analytics and data engineering to better understand how machine learning is shaping the future of business, healthcare, education and more.
Data Analytics Essentials - Cohort 2 2026
This data analytics essentials course teaches you the fundamental tools of a data analyst. You will learn to transform, organize, and visualize data with spreadsheet tools such as Excel. You will also learn how to query data from a relational database using SQL and how to improve your data presentations using powerful business intelligence tools like Tableau. By the end of the course, you will have an analytics portfolio complete
Networking Basics - Cohort 2 2026
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.
Networking Devices & Initial Configuration - Cohort 2 2026
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.
Endpoint Security - Cohort 2 2026
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.
Network Defense - Cohort 2 2026
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.
Cyber Threat Management - Cohort 2 2026
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.
Introduction to IoT & Digital Transformation - Cohort 2 2026
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a fast-growing area of technology, with new companies, products, and job opportunities springing up all over the world. Discover how IoT, along with emerging technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, are digitally transforming industries and expanding career opportunities. Invest in learning IoT skills and you can transform any business in any industry, from manufacturing to environmental conservation. Today over 26 billion people, systems, and physical objects are connected and share data seamlessly over the Internet – and it’s rapidly changing our world. Learn the IoT skills you will need to land a well-paying job in this exciting field.
Exploring Internet of Things with Cisco Packet Tracer - Cohort 2 2026
In today’s digital world, more and more devices are connecting to the network than ever before. A smart home, city, or grid can have hundreds of Internet of Things (IoT) devices! The possibilities are endless. In this course, use your Cisco Packet Tracer skills to make a smart home network. Learn how to add IoT devices to a home network and connect, configure, and monitor them. You will also become more familiar with IoT devices, including what they are, what they can do, and how they are programmed. You will even create your own IoT device and use it in your smart home network.
Exploring Networking with Cisco Packet Tracer - Cohort 2 2026
Practice networking skills from your own computer. In this course, you will create and explore a branch office network in Cisco Packet Tracer. The Getting Started with Packet Tracer course introduced you to a home office network. Now let’s try something a little more complex to expand your networking knowledge. This course shows you how to connect and configure devices in your network, including wireless devices, and how to verify their connectivity. You will learn about packets and how they travel across a network. Plus, get introduced to a network controller and why it is so powerful to monitor and manage the devices in your branch office network.
Python Essentials 1 - Cohort 2 2026
Used by startups and tech giants like Google, Facebook, Netflix, and more, Python offers you endless possibilities for creating small and large-scale software projects. User-friendly with easy-to-read code, Python is a great first programming language to learn and requires no prior programming knowledge. Python skills open you up to careers in almost any industry and are required if you want to continue to more advanced, higher paying software development and engineering roles such as software engineer, systems administrator, and security engineer.
Python Essentials 2 - Cohort 2 2026
This course is the second in the two-course Python Essentials series and is designed for learners already familiar with the basics of Python. Dive into advanced Python concepts, learn Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), and develop your own programming portfolio. This course prepares you for the PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification (Exam PCAP-31-0x).
Computer Hardware Basics - Cohort 2 2026
Computers are everywhere! It is because the term “computers” refers to more than just a personal computer or laptop. Your smartphone is a mini-computer. A server is a super-computer. Cars, smart TVs, your game console – they all have a computer. Having a basic understanding for these devices and how they work is critical for success in today's digital world. This course is a great starting point for any IT career.
Computer Hardware Basics explores the fundamentals of computers and mobile devices, the components that comprise them, how they work, and basic troubleshooting tools and techniques.
Operating Systems Basics - Cohort 2 2026
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.
AI Fundamentals: Foundations for Understanding AI - Cohort 2 2026
Build your foundation in artificial intelligence. This course helps you understand the core concepts behind AI and how they apply in the real world.
You’ll explore what AI is, and how technologies like machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, computer vision, and generative AI power today’s AI tools. Beyond the technology, you will build skills in AI prompt writing and critical thinking, while learning to navigate AI ethics through bias detection and mitigation.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to recognize, explain, and apply different forms of AI to everyday and professional contexts.
This course is for anyone curious about the AI technologies shaping today’s world. No prior experience is needed.
This is the first course in a two-course series from IBM SkillsBuild. After completing this course, continue with AI Fundamentals: Language and Vision in AI.
(currently this course is only available in English)
Badges
Check out this video about Cisco Networking Academy badges: https://youtu.be/DdLdezrQUK0
Full list of NetAcad badges: https://www.credly.com/organizations/cisco/collections/netacad/badge_templates
FAQs:
Q: Are the courses open to both cadets and senior members?
A. Yes, all courses, as CAP releases them, will be open to all CAP members.
Q. What is the minimum age for cadets to participate?
A. Cadets must be at least 13.
Q. Can members work together on the course?
A. Yes, members can work together on studying the material and the courses make great squadron activities! However, in order to receive course completion credit, each student will need to login using their personal account and complete all quizzes, the course final exam, and the course survey within the course themselves.
Q. What happens if a student does not finish a course prior to the end date?
A. If a student does not finish a course before the end date, the student will need to enroll in the same course again but in the next cohort. The previous course will remain accessible so the student can refer to their prior work and complete it again in the new course.
Q. Why are the courses being released in cohorts?
A. The courses are being released in cohorts to encourage their timely completion and to be used in cohort recruiting of new members.
Q. Can the courses be conducted virtually as a squadron or higher echelon activity?
A. Yes, units or higher echelons are free to use the NetAcad courses as the basis of any style of instruction desired. For example, taking one lesson per week would make a great squadron meeting activity or an entire NetAcad course could be presented as a weekend activity. As long as each student completes all required activities, all quizzes, the course final exam, and the course survey per course under their personal account, they will receive course completion credit and receive the badge that can be shared on social media to build their professional resumes.
Q. I already have a NetAcad account; what should I do?
A. . If you already have an account with NetAcad (such as from CyberPatriot or the Learn-a-Thon), continue to use that account. If you do not yet have an account, sign-up using your CAP email address. This account can be used for CAP's Cisco Networking Academy, as well as any school or civic group outside of CAP. Multiple Cisco Networking Academy accounts cannot be merged which means courses completed in one account will not be available as credit in a different account.
Q. I am having some issues with accessing the content; what should I do?
A. Firefox is the recommended browser for NetAcad but clearing the browser cache with any browser can assist with issues on accessing content.
Q. I have some questions or need some assistance; who should I contact?
A. Email cyber-programs@cap.gov or reach us on our Slack team for assistance.
Exams and training links: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/certifications/support-technician/exams-training.html
