After the great success of our first version (September 2023 to March 2024), Cisco is happy to announce the return of the Cisco Cybersecurity Academy in Portugal—now greater, bolder, and extra inclusive than ever.
Constructing on the achievements of the inaugural program, the Academy’s second version is a six-month initiative designed to rework high-potential expertise into job-ready cybersecurity professionals. In shut collaboration with our companions—and, for the primary time, prospects—this Academy delivers hands-on coaching, industry-recognized certifications, and invaluable real-world expertise to deal with the rising cybersecurity abilities hole in Portugal.
Yves Mertens, EMEA Director of Associate Gross sales at Cisco, shares:
“This Academy is greater than only a coaching program. It’s an funding sooner or later. By upskilling expertise inside our ecosystem, we’re not solely serving to shut the cybersecurity abilities hole. We’re additionally strengthening the bonds between Cisco, our prospects, and our companions. Collectively, we’re constructing trusted, long-term relationships that foster innovation and resilience in a continually evolving menace panorama.”
The success of this initiative is due to the collective efforts of many individuals. Particular thanks go to the challenge staff: Irina Berlovskaya, Nadia Jamal, and Jose Antonio Cervantes, and our Cisco leaders Brian Feeney (VP of World Safety Associate Gross sales), Miguel Almeida (Portugal Nation Supervisor), and Bruno Paulo (Buyer Expertise staff), whose management and help have been instrumental. We additionally deeply respect the continuing backing from Cisco’s Nation Digital Acceleration (CDA) program and the Cisco Networking Academy, whose licensed trainers ship one of many core technical modules.
Why It Issues
Cybersecurity abilities are in important demand, each globally and in Portugal. The expertise hole is actual and rising. Solely three % of organizations globally have the ‘Mature’ stage of readiness wanted to be resilient towards at present’s cybersecurity dangers.
Readiness is important as 73% of respondents mentioned a cybersecurity incident is prone to disrupt their enterprise within the subsequent 12 to 24 months. Corporations are taking motion to deal with this as 97% of corporations plan to extend their cybersecurity budgets within the subsequent 12 to 24 months.[1]
At Cisco, we’re dedicated to constructing the way forward for cybersecurity by empowering the following era of execs and supporting our companions with world-class expertise.
The primary version of the Academy confirmed what’s doable when {industry}, companions, and college students unite with a shared goal. Over six months, our individuals achieved:
- Trade-leading certifications: CyberOps, CCNA, CEH, Cisco Fireplace Jumper
- 200+ hours of bootcamps, 86 hours of labs & Seize the Flag occasions
- TED-style talks from safety leaders, prospects, and companions
- Crew-building, mentorship, and real-world readiness
- A direct path into roles with Cisco companions
What’s New in Version 2?
We’re constructing on this momentum with a number of key enhancements:
- Contributors: 18 college students, now drawn from each companions and prospects
- Timeline: September 2025 to March 2026
- Format: Hybrid (70% distant, 30% in-person)
- Focus: Upskilling present staff with robust networking backgrounds into cybersecurity professionals
By the top of this system, college students will earn 4 technical certifications, together with: CyberOps Affiliate, CEH, and CCNP Safety (Core + Firewall), in addition to coaching in important gentle abilities comparable to human elements in safety, energetic listening, and persuasive communication.
A Shared Funding within the Future
This Academy is about greater than technical coaching; it’s about rising the cybersecurity ecosystem. Our companions have co-invested by using college students from day one, whereas Cisco has supplied the construction, coaching, and steerage. Collectively, we’re growing a group of expert cybersecurity professionals who can contribute instantly to the market.
Brian Feeney, VP of World Safety Associate Gross sales at Cisco, provides:
“Wanting forward, cybersecurity calls for greater than experience; it requires a group that may anticipate and adapt to rising threats. With the Cisco Cybersecurity Academy, Cisco is bringing collectively gifted people, companions, and prospects to form a future-ready workforce ready to safe our digital world.”
To our companions: thanks in your continued belief and funding.
To our prospects: welcome aboard – we’re excited to develop collectively.
To our college students, previous, current, and future – that is your second.
Let’s preserve constructing. Let’s safe what issues.
Version 2 of the Cisco Cybersecurity Academy begins now. Go to our Cisco Cybersecurity Academy
[1] Cisco Examine Reveals Very Few Organizations Ready to Defend In opposition to Immediately’s Quickly Evolving Menace Panorama
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