INE Expands Academy Partner Program With New Cyber Defense Track and eSOC Certification

New offering prepares job-ready SOC analysts for AI-driven security environments

CARY, N.C. — February 10, 2026 — INE, a global provider of networking and cybersecurity training and certifications, today announced an expansion of its INE Academy Partner Program with the introduction of a cyber defense track designed for Information Security Analysts and Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts. The expanded program is powered by INE’s new Security Operations Certified - Level 1 (eSOC) Learning Path and Certification, enabling cyber academies worldwide to deliver structured, job-focused training that culminates in a tangible credential for foundational cyber defense roles.

The expansion aligns with INE’s Year of the Defender initiative, which focuses on helping organizations and training partners build skilled, job-ready defenders as cyber threats become more automated and complex.

Rising Demand for SOC-Ready Professionals

SOC roles represent a significant portion of the cybersecurity workforce, with an estimated 15–20% of professionals working in a SOC. Demand continues to grow, with SOC roles projected to increase 30% through 2030, compared to approximately 8% growth across the broader technology sector. At the same time, expectations for Tier 1 analysts are rising as AI-driven tools automate routine tasks.

What’s New in the Academy Partner Program

The expanded program introduces a cyber defense track focused on practical SOC readiness. Cyber Academy partners can now offer:

• Cyber Defense training aligned to foundational SOC and IS Analyst roles

• Curriculum centered on real SOC workflows and modern Tier 1 expectations

• The eSOC certification as a measurable outcome
  
  

“As AI reshapes how SOC teams operate, Tier 1 analysts are expected to bring stronger technical judgment from day one,” said Lindsey Rinehart, Chief Executive Officer at INE. “With the Cyber Defense track and eSOC certification, we’re helping our partners train defenders who are ready for today’s SOC environments—not yesterday’s.”

Why SOC Hiring Is Changing

Traditional Tier 1 SOC roles focused heavily on manual alert triage and ticket routing. That model is shifting as AI-driven tools filter large volumes of data, leaving analysts responsible for higher-quality triage, context gathering, and escalation.

At the same time, hiring pipelines are tightening. In 2025, 70% of SOC roles required two or more years of experience, reducing the number of true foundational opportunities and creating long-term talent gaps for employers.

How eSOC Supports Candidates and Employers

The eSOC certification is designed to signal readiness for modern SOC work.

For candidates, eSOC helps:

• Differentiate in a competitive market

• Demonstrate the ability to operate in AI-enabled SOC environments

• Build skills aligned to real Tier 1 responsibilities

For employers, eSOC provides:

• A consistent benchmark for evaluating SOC readiness

• Greater confidence that candidates can perform beyond basic foundational expectations
  
  

Availability

The expanded INE Academy Partner Program Cyber Defense track and eSOC certification will be available to Cyber Academy partners worldwide beginning March 2026.