Learn-A-Thon Leaders
Congratulations to current Top 15 Instructors leading the US and Canada Cyber Challenge Learn-a-Thon with the most student participants as of November 18, 2024. Please check back on Monday, November 25th for the latest updates.
NOTE: In the event of a tie, the instructor that achieved the most student participants at the earliest date will be awarded the prize.
INSTRUCTORS
INSTITUTION NAME
STUDENTS PARTICIPANTS
1
Latife Bechara-Medina
Del Mar College, Texas
105
2
Shandie Laseter
Calhoun Community College, Alabama
83
3
Melissa Rousu
Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence, Minnesota
75
4
Lakisha Ferebee
College of Southern Maryland, Maryland
60
5
Maritza De Oliveira-Almeida
John E. Dwyer Technology Academy, New Jersey
56
6
Marse Visnevac
National Able Network, Inc., Illinois
48
7
Edwin Kang
Eden Area ROP, California
45
8
Melissa DiCenzo
Bell Creek Academy, Florida
38
9
Peter McDevitt
Roy Vestal
Roy Vestal
New Brunswick Community College, Saint John
Civil Air Patrol, Alabama
Civil Air Patrol, Alabama
35
10
Ron Pike
Longwood University, Virginia
25
11
Angenien Huffstutler
Kaskaskia College, Illinois
24
12
Krishani Abeysekera
University of Houston Clear Lake, Texas
22
13
James Welsh
Langham Creek High School, Texas
19
14
Jeremiah Johnson
Kellie Dieutto
Kellie Dieutto
Mid-Maine Technical Center, Maine
Arkansas State University - Beebe, Arkansas
Arkansas State University - Beebe, Arkansas
13
15
Liban Abdi
DiverTek Solutions Inc., Ontario
10
At Cisco, we are dedicated to fostering the next generation of security experts through our innovative programs, such as the Cisco Networking Academy. In 2022, we proudly partnered with the U.S. White House to bolster the nation’s cyber workforce by enhancing education and training initiatives.
Aligned with our commitment to the White House, our objective is to significantly increase student enrollment by offering cutting-edge courses and career opportunities in cybersecurity. To this end, we are excited to announce the launch of a year-long Cyber Challenge, designed to support individuals with no prior knowledge or skills in cybersecurity.
This initiative will focus on introductory and entry-level courses, culminating in a career path exam that prepares participants for industry certification. Institutions with the highest number of overall learners will have the chance to win vouchers, allowing their participants to take the industry certification exam at no cost.
Participants who inform Cisco of their successful acquisition of the CCST Cybersecurity Certification will receive an exclusive invitation to a prestigious career fair. This event will provide a unique platform for them to showcase their expertise, skills, and potential to employers in the industry.
INFO SESSION & REGISTRATION DETAILS
Join us in this transformative journey to shape the future of cybersecurity and empower the next generation of professionals.
Register to participate now in the Learn-a-Thon here and read the terms and conditions to get started. To help educators get started, additional details about the new NetAcad.com are available in these resources and this quick overview video.
Other ways to get your students engaged.
We have developed an option for instructors who do not wish to handle their own courses that enables their students to still take part in the Cyber Challenge. This convenient solution is straightforward – just use our pre-created course enrollment links and distribute them to your students.
We offer a digital flyer with shortened URL’s and a print flyer that includes scannable QR codes for enrollment options.
By utilizing these resources, students have the opportunity to win a voucher for their CCST Cybersecurity Certification. Please note that this option does not include any prizes for institutions or instructors.
Cyber Challenge Info Sessions
Recording Link || Password: 8HbXkEyt || Slides
Learn-A-Thon Forum | cs.co/cyberchallengeforum
CCST Certification Validation Process
Calling all students!
If you have completed your Junior Cybersecurity Technician Career Pathway, consisting of five courses and one career path exam; firstly, Congratulations! Everyone here at Cisco Networking Academy is very proud of you!
All participants who inform Cisco of their successful acquisition of the CCST Cybersecurity Certification will receive an exclusive invitation to a prestigious career fair. This event will provide a unique platform for them to showcase their expertise, skills, and potential to employers in the industry.
To complete your CCST Cybersecurity Certification Validation, please fill out the following form and share your Public Credly URL with us: http://cs.co/
Participate in the Learn-a-Thon to help students prepare for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity exam that focuses on topics covered in six courses: Introduction to Cybersecurity, Networking Basics, Networking Devices and Initial Configuration, Endpoint Security, Network Defense, Cyber Threat Management. These courses form the core curriculum of the Cybersecurity Career Path.
Length of Learn-A-Thon
Participate in the Learn-a-Thon from the 1st of October until the 23rd of May, 2025.
Benefits of Cybersecurity
Teaches entry-level cybersecurity concepts and topics, including security principles, network security and endpoint security concepts, threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment and risk management, and incident handling.
Free to join
The cost to join the Learn-A-Thon is free.
In-Demand Skills
When you teach cybersecurity, you provide your students with valuable skills companies continually seek from professionals that can protect and defend an organization’s network. Entry-level job roles include Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Tier 1 Support Desk.
Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Incentives for students to join the Learn-A-Thon
Students who participate in the Learn-a-Thon and pass any eligible course exam with a 70% or above on any attempt will be awarded the respective course digital badge.
Students that participate in the Learn-a-Thon will receive a Cisco Learn-a-Thon experience digital badge.
A Cisco digital badge is an emblem distinguishing an achievement that can be shared and validated digitally on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Xing, via Email, shared link; embed code into web page or blog.
After the Learn-A-Thon, encourage students to continue to complete the participating courses. The CCST Cybersecurity exam certification is an excellent steppingstone for learners to validate their skills and then continue on to associate-level certifications like CyberOps Associate or CCNA.
Timeline
23rd September 2024
Registration Opens
1st October 2024
Learn-A-Thon Begins
23rd May 2025
Learn-A-Thon Concludes
30th May 2025
Winners announced
18th July 2025
Learn-A-Thon Experience badges issued to students who participated in the Learn-A-Thon
Awards
Prizes will be awarded to the Top 15 (1-15) instructors with the most student participants will win prizes and a certificate of recognition. Only one prize per instructor will be awarded.
How Academies Join the Learn-A-Thon
1
Host a 30-week event virtually or at your educational institute.
2
Assign a dedicated instructor to manage the Learn-a-Thon that will read the terms and conditions and set up the course.
3
Dedicate an instructor to set up any of the eligible Cybersecurity courses on NetAcad.com using the required naming convention as stated in the terms and conditions.
4
Dedicate an instructor to complete registration form to sign up its academy and class to participate in the Learn-a-Thon.
6
Allocates an on-site lab facility with internet connection, if applicable. Encourage students to complete course and earn a digital badge.
7
All students who complete and pass the Cyber Threat Management, Endpoint Security, Introduction to Cybersecurity, Networking Basics, Network Defense, or Networking Initial Configuration course will earn a digital badge to share on social media platforms.
8
Have the highest number of student participants and you’ll be in the running to win some great prizes.
Registration
The Learn-a-Thon is open to NetAcad Academies in United States and Canada who are able to host the event over a 30-week period virtually or on campus.
Promotion
Download these files to promote Cybersecurity Learn-a-Thon in your academy.
Promo Flyer - Digital Format
Promo Flyer - Print Format
eDM Banner
Microsite Banner
Social media
QR codes