Cisco NetAcad Learn-A-Thon Draws Nearly 1,000 CAP Participants

Nearly 1,000 Civil Air Patrol members participated in the first ever Learn-A-Thon with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad). 

In August, CAP announced a partnership with Cisco NetAcad giving all members free access to its cybersecurity training materials and resources. To kick off the arrangement, a Learn-A-Thon was launched Sept. 14 for members to complete the Introduction to Cyber Security course.

Wings and regions were challenged to compete to have the highest number of course completions. 

The North Dakota placed first with 11.11% participant completions, followed by the Montana and Kansas wings. Illinois, Arkansas, Vermont, Maine, Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia rounded out the 10 wings. 

“I believe everyone should have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity, because I bet most people are like I was and think they know about it, but are incorrect,” said Lt. Col. Joanne Janchus of the Georgia Wing’s Peachtree DeKalb Senior Squadron. “After taking the Cisco course I found out how little I knew about cybersecurity. It’s very much needed, and it seems every day it’s necessary to be one up on data and digital crime.” 

Lt. Col. Paul Creed III, national cyber mission deputy for education and awareness, called the Learn-A-Thon “just the beginning in the expansion of cyber security education opportunities for every member of CAP.

“As CAP’s cyber mission continues to grow, partnerships such as with Cisco will be vital in providing the skills necessary to support that mission,” Creed said.

All members who completed the course will receive the Introduction to CyberSecurity badge and a Learn-A-Thon digital badge. Members are encouraged to complete the Cybersecurity Essentials course next.

More courses and content will be made available in the future as planning and coordination continues.

More information on CAP's cyber program can be found online or on Facebook.