{"id":217965,"date":"2026-05-21T09:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/cisco-netacad-and-college-board-launch-ap-cybersecurity\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T09:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:55:17","slug":"cisco-netacad-and-college-board-launch-ap-cybersecurity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/cisco-netacad-and-college-board-launch-ap-cybersecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Cisco NetAcad and College Board Launch AP Cybersecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cisco NetAcad and College Board Launch AP Cybersecurity<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/learning\/cisco-partners-with-college-board-to-launch-ap-cybersecurity-and-expand-career-connected-learning<\/a><\/p>\n

Publish Date: 2026-05-21 09:46:00<\/a><\/p>\n

Source Domain: blogs.cisco.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: <\/a><\/p>\n

Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
\n\t\tCybersecurity professionals have become essential to protecting our society\u2019s critical infrastructure. Yet globally, 4.8 million cybersecurity-related vacancies remain unfilled, and organizations across industries are feeling the impact. As the demand for talent continues to grow, the pipeline isn\u2019t keeping pace.
\nAs AI introduces more sophisticated cyber threats, many students are eager to explore careers in the field. Too often, they lack access to learning experiences that help them build real-world skills. Instead, they\u2019re asked to choose between coursework that prepares them for college and learning that prepares them for careers.
\nWe have the opportunity to bridge that gap.
\nStarting in the 2026-2027 school year, College Board will launch AP Cybersecurity as part of a new set of Advanced Placement\u00ae (AP\u00ae) Career Kickstart courses. Cisco is proud to support this effort through Cisco Networking Academy, which will serve as a resource to bring industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on labs, and educator support to classrooms nationwide.
\nConnecting college readiness with career relevance
\nThe AP Cybersecurity course is designed to bring greater real-world relevance to foundational academic learning, ensuring students are prepared both for related college coursework and the demands of today\u2019s workforce.
\nStudents can earn college credit based on their AP Exam score and enter higher education with a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles. This allows them to build on that knowledge more quickly and intentionally as they progress through their academic and career journey.
\nFor those who choose Cisco Networking Academy as their instructional resource, the AP Cybersecurity course will also provide preparation for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification. This industry-recognized credential\u00a0signals job-ready skills in a competitive hiring market.
\nThis dual approach reflects a broader shift in career-relevant education: students increasingly expect their academic experiences to have direct real-world applications, while employers are prioritizing candidates who can contribute from day one.
\nExpanding access by supporting educators
\nThe successful implementation of cybersecurity education ultimately depends on the educators tasked with bringing it to life.
\nAcross the country, schools are working to introduce new career pathways. Still, many face common barriers: limited resources, a lack of specialized equipment, and the challenge of keeping pace with a field that is evolving at breakneck speed. Many educators have not had the opportunity to receive formal training in cybersecurity.
\nCisco Networking Academy helps address these challenges by providing a ready-to-teach curriculum, built-in hands-on labs, and professional development for educators, helping schools implement cybersecurity programs without the complexity typically associated with launching technical courses.
\nWe\u2019ve already seen the impact. During the 2025\u20132026 pilot, the AP Cybersecurity course reached 3,100 students across 183 schools in 30 states, with strong teacher adoption and high levels of student engagement. Nearly 500 educators have registered for AP Summer Institutes ahead of the upcoming national launch.
\nIn this pilot video, participating teachers describe the power of the AP Cybersecurity to bring cybersecurity concepts to life through hands-on learning and real-world application.
\nBuilding a future-ready cybersecurity pipeline
\nThe cybersecurity workforce shortage remains a pressing challenge. In a competitive job market \u2013 one where the definition of \u2018entry level\u2019 is changing every day \u2013 we cannot ask interested students to wait until college to begin preparing for their cybersecurity careers.
\nThe launch of AP Cybersecurity is a practical step toward addressing both student interest and a significant talent shortage. Through this collaboration, Cisco and the College Board are working closely to ensure that students are gaining academic knowledge while also building clear, sustainable pathways into cybersecurity careers.
\nWe remain focused on supporting educators and expanding access to high-quality, career-connected learning through Cisco Networking Academy. Strengthening this connection between classroom learning and real-world opportunity is a critical part of building a more resilient cybersecurity talent pipeline.<\/p>\n

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