Cisco Networking Academy, VSB-TUO

What Cisco Networking Academy, VSB-TUO does

Cisco Networking Academy is an IT skills-to-career educational program operated by Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO). Founded in 1997-1998 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the program delivers technology training through the netacad.com e-learning platform, offering courses in cybersecurity, Python programming, and data science that culminate in internationally recognized certifications accepted globally. The platform targets job seekers, career changers, women in technology, and government workforces seeking foundational preparation for roles in networking, cybersecurity, and technical support.

The program distributes its curriculum through a multi-tier global partner network comprising governments, academic institutions, and nonprofits across Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, Asia, and Oceania. As of fiscal 2023, the academy had trained 7.7 million students worldwide and set a target to train 25 million by 2032. A representative initiative includes the 2023 partnership with Benue Digital Infrastructure Company in Nigeria, targeting 23,000 youth and 40,000 civil servants with curriculum delivery, internship placement, and an employer talent bank. Partner achievements are recognized at global conferences held across three regions, and career-development sessions feature industry experts.

The business is funded as a strategic program within Cisco Systems rather than as an independently revenue-generating entity; pricing, revenue model, and standalone financials are not publicly disclosed. GTM motion is community-led and channel-partner-driven, with self-serve individual learning via netacad.com supplementing institutional delivery. The program operates with a 51-100 employee headcount and is positioned primarily as a workforce-development and brand-building asset for Cisco's broader ecosystem.

Name

Cisco Networking Academy, VSB-TUO

Legal name

Cisco Networking Academy

Website

https://netacad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cisco Networking Academy is an IT skills-to-career educational program operated within Cisco Systems, delivering cybersecurity, Python, and data science courses through a global network of government, academic, and nonprofit partners to job seekers, students, and government workforces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Skills Training and Education

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Networking & Telecommunications (Routing/Switching, Wireless, VoIP) (EDABAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Technical Skills (Security Engineering, SOC, Pen Testing) (EDABAFAF), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

Keywords

• IT skills training
• Cybersecurity education
• Networking certification
• E-learning platform
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cisco Networking Academy is an e-learning platform that delivers technology training courses in cybersecurity, Python programming, and data science. The platform provides internationally recognized certificates and serves as foundational preparation for careers in networking, cybersecurity, and technical support. Courses are delivered through a global network of academic, government, and nonprofit partners as well as directly via the netacad.com online platform.

Product overview

Cisco Networking Academy is a unified e-learning platform offering technology-focused training programs. The platform provides courses in cybersecurity, Python programming, and data science, with training programs serving as foundational preparation for roles in networking, cybersecurity, and technical support. Certificates from the program are accepted internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cisco Networking Academy E-Learning Platform A unified e-learning platform offering technology-focused training programs in cybersecurity, Python programming, and data science. Provides internationally recognized certificates accepted globally and serves as foundational preparation for roles in networking, cybersecurity, and technical support.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023BDIC partnered with Cisco Networking Academy to implement a free digital skills program targeting 23,000 young people in Benue state, Nigeria. The partnership includes internship openings and a talent bank to connect trained youth with employers. The initiative is part of wider government reform efforts with civil servant digital training.
• AfDICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfDIC partnered with Cisco Networking Academy as part of the Benue digital skills initiative in Nigeria, contributing to the implementation of globally recognized technology courses.
• Government PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCisco Networking Academy is supported by government partners globally who implement digital skills training programs. The program has recognition through global conferences held in Latin America, Europe, and Middle East and Africa.
• Academic Institution PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversities and academic institutions globally partner with Cisco Networking Academy to deliver technology curriculum, with the program celebrating its 25th anniversary having trained 7.7 million students.
• Nonprofit PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organizations partner with Cisco Networking Academy to expand digital skills access to underserved populations worldwide, supporting the goal to train 25 million students by 2032.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AWS Training and Certification: Amazon's vendor-specific training and certification program for cloud, networking, and security skills. Most directly comparable to NetAcad as a hyperscaler-led, employer-recognized IT certification track with free and paid tiers and global reach.
• Linux Foundation Training: Provides vendor-neutral training and certification for Linux, Kubernetes, networking, and open-source/cloud infrastructure. Comparable as a high-credential, employer-recognized IT certification body targeting similar infrastructure and cybersecurity professionals.
• Microsoft Learn: Microsoft's free learning platform covering Azure, security, data, and developer skills with role-based certification paths. Directly comparable as another major-vendor, globally distributed IT training ecosystem with employer-recognized credentials.
• Google Cloud Skills Boost: Google's cloud-focused training and certification platform offering hands-on labs and skill badges. Comparable as a vendor-led training program competing for the same enterprise IT upskilling budget and learner mindshare as NetAcad.
• CompTIA: Vendor-neutral IT certification body (A+, Network+, Security+) widely accepted across employers. Comparable as a foundational IT certification ecosystem that competes with NetAcad for entry-level networking and cybersecurity candidates.
• Pluralsight: Technology skills platform offering courses and skill assessments in networking, cloud, and cybersecurity, often sold to enterprises for workforce development. Comparable as a paid IT skills training provider with similar enterprise buyer persona.
• (ISC)²: Cybersecurity professional certification body offering CISSP, SSCP, and related credentials widely recognized by employers. Comparable as a cybersecurity-focused credentialing organization targeting overlapping learner and employer audiences as NetAcad's cybersecurity tracks.
• Juniper Networks Education Services: Juniper's networking certification and training program (JNCIA, JNCIS). Directly comparable as another major networking-vendor training program targeting the same routing/switching and telecom operator learner base as NetAcad.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Large-scale online learning platform partnering with universities and companies (including Cisco) to deliver IT, data, and cybersecurity courses and certificates. Comparable as a broader incumbent in online tech education that both competes with and hosts NetAcad-adjacent content.
• edX: University-backed online learning platform offering computer science, cybersecurity, and data courses from top institutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent in online tech education competing for the same self-directed learners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cisco-networking-academy1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cisco Networking Academy, VSB-TUO