A six-course Cisco Networking Academy pathway covering cybersecurity fundamentals, networking basics, endpoint security, network defense, and threat management — preparing learners for the CCST Cybersecurity certification exam and entry-level cybersecurity roles.
Delivered over 15 consecutive weeks. Available instructor-led (live, synchronous) or self-paced (asynchronous) via Cisco Networking Academy, with online mentoring — both synchronous and asynchronous — available a minimum of 4 hours per week, with additional hours scheduled as needed.
| Course | Hours | Main Subject Content |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | 6 hrs | Foundations of cybersecurity: the need for cybersecurity, attack concepts and techniques, protecting personal data and privacy, protecting the organization, and exploring cybersecurity career paths. |
| Networking Basics | 22 hrs | Network components/types, wireless technologies, home network setup, protocols, network media, IPv4/IPv6 addressing, routing, TCP/UDP, and diagnostic tools using Cisco Packet Tracer. |
| Networking Devices and Initial Configuration | 22 hrs | Network design, cloud/virtualization, number systems, Ethernet switching, IPv4 addressing and subnetting, DNS/DHCP, Cisco IOS CLI, and building small networks. |
| Endpoint Security | 27 hrs | Cybersecurity threats and attacks, securing networks, TCP/IP and application-layer vulnerabilities, wireless security, Windows and Linux endpoint protection, and malware detection. |
| Network Defense | 27 hrs | Defensive fundamentals, access control and ACLs, firewall technologies, cloud security, cryptography, and analyzing network security data to evaluate alerts. |
| Cyber Threat Management | 16 hrs | Governance and compliance, network security testing, threat intelligence, endpoint vulnerability assessment, risk management, and digital forensics/incident response. |
| Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path Exam Prep | 4 hrs | Cumulative review and exam readiness for the CCST Cybersecurity certification exam. |
Total instructional hours: 124 — including dedicated exam-prep time before the certification exam.
Cybersecurity Technician, Junior Cybersecurity Analyst, Tier 1 Help Desk Support.
Threat intelligence, network security, endpoint security, network defense, risk management, and incident handling.
Cisco digital badge; prepares for CCST Cybersecurity certification. Upon completion, learners are eligible to sit the corresponding Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) exam — a separate US $125 fee paid directly to Cisco/Pearson VUE, available online-proctored or in-person.
This pathway is hosted on Cisco NetAcad and delivered by Next Steps Certification Training Centre, a verified Cisco Networking Academy (Academy Locator listing: 126 School Street, Canso, NS, Canada).
Don't have a NetAcad account yet? Follow our step-by-step setup guide →
Reach out to Soldiers in Tech to check your eligibility, or contact NSCTC directly with program questions.
Get in TouchFor eligibility, applications, and funding questions, contact the Soldiers in Tech team through the Roland Gossage Foundation.
For questions about this pathway or its course content, contact:
NSCTC