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 55,000 CAP 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 will be released in quarterly cohorts to help encourage completion and to help with recruiting new members to join CAP. 

Quarter 1 2023 will run from 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2023 and will feature the courses listed below. 

Why These Courses are Important

Don’t take just our word for it! Second 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!”

IMPORTANT CHANGE!! Please read below. 

If you have a NetAcad.com account, you can use your NetAcad.com login credentials to sign into Skillsforall.com. If you DO NOT have a NetAcad.com account, please read the directions below PRIOR to enrolling in a Skills For All course.

IMPORTANT Directions for creating a Single Sign On (SSO) account on NetAcad.com to then access SkillsforAll.com: It is important that you self-enroll yourself into the Get Connected, Linux Unhatched or Linux Essentials course, PRIOR to enrolling in the Skillsforall.com courses. The reason for this as NetAcad provides a SSO into Skills for All. It does not work in the opposite direction. If you are a new user, you should create an account with NetAcad.com before taking any courses on SkillsforAll.com. 

After enrolling in a NetAcad.com You will receive an email to create your NetAcad.com profile & password, please follow the directions in that email. Once you have created your NetAcad.com profile & credentials you will then be able to use your Single-Sign-On (SSO) into Skillsforall.com and then enroll into the www.skillsforall.com courses below.

SkillsForAll FAQ

Q: Will courses I take in NetAcad show in SkillsForAll?

A: No, the courses you take in NetAcad currently do not show up in SkillsForAll, or vice versa. 

Q: What happened to the Cybersecurity Essentials course?

A: It is now in four parts, as part of the cybersecurity pathway in SkillsForAll. 

Courses are self-paced but units can work on them together. 

NetAcad Courses

NetAcad: Get Connected

The digital world is upon us both personally and professionally. Having a better understanding of the Internet, computers and social media can be a big help toward acquiring digital skills. And, once you have these skills there are many more possibilities opened to you as far as career advancement. Learn how to use a computer, connect devices, and access search, email, and social media. Enjoy course content that is very user-friendly and interactive with lots of illustrations! No previous knowledge is needed for this introductory course.

Enrollment: https://www.netacad.com/portal/web/self-enroll/m/course-1726655

NetAcad: Linux Unhatched

Ever considered a career in Linux? Or, stuck in a dead-end job and exploring options for a career change? NDG Linux Unhatched allows students to wade into the shallow end of Linux, the back-end operating system used by global titans such as Facebook, Google, Microsoft, NASA, Tesla, Amazon and more.

Graduates walk away with a clear understanding of whether Linux is for them or not, without having to commit to more than 8 total hours of self-paced learning. To ensure you don’t get stuck, you’ll be guided step-by-step through a series of hands-on virtual machine activities. The course aligns well with the Linux exam objectives found in the LPI Linux Essentials Exam Certification. 

Enrollment: https://www.netacad.com/portal/web/self-enroll/m/course-1726455

NetAcad: Linux Essentials

As one of the most successful open source collaborations, Linux has evolved into the most reliable operating system on the planet. It’s used for embedded systems to virtually all supercomputers for a good reason. NDG Linux Essentials quickly builds your Linux knowledge and prepares you for the LPI Linux Essentials Professional Development Certificate (PDC), your proof to employers that you know Linux! Many concepts in this course are covered at a more demanding pace in NDG Linux I. No prerequisites required.

Enrollment: https://www.netacad.com/portal/web/self-enroll/m/course-1722123

Skills for All Courses

Cybersecurity Pathway:

This Cybersecurity pathway prepares you for an entry-level cybersecurity position, such as a Cybersecurity Technician, Junior Cybersecurity Analyst, or Tier 1 Help Desk Support role. 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! (FREE, 160 hours to complete the entire pathway, Appropriate for anyone eager to propel into new career opportunities, Certification aligned.)

SkillsForAll: Introduction to Cybersecurity

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/introduction-to-cybersecurity?userLang=en-US&instance_id=ad6c1fc7-49e8-4205-b984-11f6291d860e

SkillsForAll: Networking Basics

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/networking-basics?userLang=en-US&instance_id=c8eb126d-0a88-40db-8a5a-c86aa7adf047

SkillsForAll: Networking Devices & Initial Configuration

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/networking-devices-and-initial-configuration?userLang=en-US&instance_id=93d435a0-bf27-4a2e-823f-5000572c371c

SkillsForAll: End Point Security

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/endpoint-security?userLang=en-US&instance_id=ec158191-7e64-4bf1-82d0-ee020b6b577f

SkillsForAll: Network Defense

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/network-defense?userLang=en-US&instance_id=f7bbad2e-ff33-4e2a-86cd-038aaec1c733

SkillsForAll: Cyber Threat Management

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/cyber-threat-management?userLang=en-US&instance_id=0ee157db-406c-411b-8c10-6592fc44282f 

After completing the Introduction to Cybersecurity, Network Basics, Networking Devices & Initial Configuration, End Point Security, Network Defense & Cyber Threat Management, you can enroll yourself in the Cybersecurity Pathway Exam. This exam is 50 questions, offered FREE and will test your knowledge of the Cybersecurity Pathway. Successfully passing this exam earns you a digital badge to verify your cyber skills. Display your digital badge on your resume or LinkedIn to let employers know your knowledge is verified by Cisco.

After completing the Cybersecurity pathway, you are ready to earn your pre-associate IT Specialist Certification in Cybersecurity. Learn more here: https://skillsforall.com/resources/it-specialist-cybersecurity

SkillsForAll: Introduction to IoT & Digital Transformation

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/introduction-iot?userLang=en-US&instance_id=86adc205-19f8-4639-a88f-1f5728dd9586

SkillsForAll: Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/getting-started-cisco-packet-tracer?userLang=en-US&instance_id=8a919310-4c25-4769-a695-8fe286071e46

SkillsForAll: Exploring Internet of Things with Cisco Packet Tracer

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/exploring-iot-cisco-packet-tracer?userLang=en-US&instance_id=a6ea4d06-4e46-4e9d-923a-b5904169a2b5

SkillsForAll: Exploring Networking with Cisco Packet Tracer

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/exploring-networking-cisco-packet-tracer?userLang=en-US&instance_id=e35d6b66-7429-4bf7-92cb-094b0b05e951

SkillsForAll: Python Essentials I

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.

Enrollment: https://skillsforall.com/course/python-essentials-1?userLang=en-US&instance_id=8deb345b-9710-4630-b1db-ee6b5b4c51d2 

Badges

Check out this video about Cisco Networking Academy badges: https://youtu.be/DdLdezrQUK0 

Full list of NetAcad badges: https://www.youracclaim.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, students will need to complete all quizzes 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 quarterly cohorts?

A. The courses are being released on a quarterly basis 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 the students complete all required activities within the course, 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. NetAcad accounts cannot be merged. 

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 [email protected] or reach us on our Slack team for assistance.