INE Resources
11/11/2025
INE
Defending the Infinite Network Edge: Building a Proactive Security Posture
When even one edge device is compromised, it can become a bridge into the network’s core or cloud — turning small weaknesses into major incidents.
11/07/2025
INE
INE Refreshes CCNA Courses in Step with Cisco
CARY, NC — November XX, 2025 — INE, a global leader in IT training and certification, today announced updates to its Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) learning paths to align with Cisco’s recent rebranding of its associate-level certifications. Cisco has repositioned its Cybersecurity Associate and DevNet Associate programs under the CCNA umbrella, creating CCNA Cybersecurity and CCNA Automation. INE’s refreshed courses realignment of its learning paths ensure that learners and enterprise teams stay fully synchronized with Cisco’s evolving certification framework while addressing the renewed demand for networking fundamentals.<br />Supporting a New Era of CCNA TrainingCisco’s rebrand signals a strategic consolidation of associate-level credentials, emphasizing the centrality of networking across today’s cybersecurity, cloud, and automation disciplines. By immediately updating its CCNA learning paths, INE reaffirms its commitment to helping IT professionals master the foundations that underpin complex, modern infrastructures.“An associate-level engineer is now expected to wear a lot of hats related to the fields of networking, cybersecurity, and automation," said Keith Bogart, Technical Training Instructor – Networking at INE. "But the underpinning of all of these is networking. Networking remains the backbone of every modern IT environment, powering everything from security, virtualization, and automation. INE’s updates ensure learners are current with Cisco’s direction and ready for what’s next.”A Resurgence in Foundational IT SkillsAs automation, hybrid cloud, and cybersecurity continue to transform operations, organizations are rediscovering the importance of hands-on, first-principles knowledge. CCNA-level certifications are again in high demand as enterprises seek professionals who can connect hardware, software, and security layers seamlessly.Workforce data reflects this shift. Search interest and enrollment in CCNA courses have risen steadily since 2023, with employers reinstating requirements for validated networking skills in roles once dominated by tool-specific expertise. INE’s learner analytics show an 11% increase in adoption of its CCNA learning paths from 2024 to 2025, underscoring the growing demand for foundational networking training across both individual and enterprise audiences.Drivers Behind the CCNA ResurgenceMulti-Cloud Complexity — Hybrid architectures have exposed skill gaps in network design and segmentation. CCNA-trained engineers provide the clarity needed to unify connectivity across diverse platforms.Security Convergence — Zero Trust adoption blurs the line between networking and cybersecurity. CCNA Cybersecurity courses bridge that gap through practical device-hardening and segmentation labs.Workforce Modernization — Professionals are renewing or expanding credentials to maintain relevance in automated environments, where foundational networking fluency supports AI-driven operations.Skills Validation — Employers continue to report shortages of engineers proficient in routing, subnetting, and troubleshooting. Structured CCNA learning paths accelerate readiness for complex IT roles.INE’s Updated CCNA Learning PathsINE’s platform now offers updated learning paths for CCNA Cybersecurity and CCNA Automation, aligning with Cisco’s latest exam blueprints. Each path combines theoretical instruction with immersive virtual labs, enabling learners to configure, test, and troubleshoot real-world networks across hybrid environments.“Learners want contextual understanding — how IP addressing ties into access policies, how VLANs impact segmentation, how routing influences security posture,” said Bogart. “These new CCNA paths give them that complete picture.”<br />The Broader Workforce ImplicationINE’s alignment with Cisco’s certification expansion underscores a larger market correction: after a decade of deep specialization, the IT industry is returning to its roots. Foundational networking knowledge is again the prerequisite for innovation, automation, and resilience. As organizations confront multi-cloud complexity and AI-assisted infrastructure management, engineers fluent in networking fundamentals are indispensable.<br />About INEINE is an award-winning, premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity education, including cybersecurity training and certification. INE is trusted by Fortune 500 companies and IT professionals around the globe. Leveraging a state-of-the-art hands-on lab platform, advanced technologies, a global video distribution network, and instruction from world-class experts, INE sets the standard for high-impact, career-advancing technical education.
11/06/2025
INE
2026 Cybersecurity Forecast: The Expanding Attack Surface
As organizations enter 2026, cybersecurity leaders face an unprecedented expansion of the digital attack surface. INE’s 2026 cybersecurity forecast highlights the critical shifts transforming enterprise defense and underscores the urgent need for attack surface management and security team readiness across every sector.The coming year will test the limits of digital resilience. Driven by rapid cloud migration, hybrid infrastructure models, and the proliferation of AI-enabled tools, enterprises are contending with emerging cybersecurity threats that evolve faster than their defense frameworks. INE’s forecast reveals the top attack surface trends and the preparation strategies security leaders must prioritize to maintain operational continuity and trust.An Era of Expanding Digital ExposureAccording to TechTarget, the attack surface (defined as every possible point of unauthorized access to a system) has grown by more than 67% since 2022. This expansion is fueled by four key forces:Hybrid Cloud Complexity: As organizations balance on-premises systems with multi-cloud architectures, visibility gaps and inconsistent controls have created new vulnerabilities. Hybrid cloud security risks are now among the most critical threat vectors in enterprise environments.Third-Party and Supply Chain Expansion: The average enterprise depends on over 2,000 third-party applications and APIs. Without continuous external asset visibility, organizations remain blind to risks beyond their firewall.Shadow IT and Workforce Decentralization: The rise of remote collaboration tools, edge devices, and distributed endpoints has further fragmented traditional perimeter defenses.Proliferation of AI-Enabled Systems: While AI-driven cyber attacks increase the sophistication of threats, the rapid deployment of AI-enabled applications, models, and APIs across organizations introduces new, often unmonitored digital assets, directly expanding the attack surface.“These forces are transforming how security teams approach risk management,” said Alexis Ahmed, Red Team Instructor at INE. “Attack surface management is no longer a periodic audit. It’s a continuous, always-on discipline. Organizations must identify, monitor, and remediate exposures in real time to keep pace with an expanding threat landscape.”<br />Key Forecast Insights for 2026The 2026 Cybersecurity Forecast outlines six trends that will define the next phase of enterprise defense:Proactive Exposure Management Will Replace Reactive Defense.<br />CISOs will prioritize exposure management in cybersecurity, leveraging continuous discovery and automated remediation to neutralize threats before they escalate.Zero Trust Becomes the Standard, Not the Strategy.<br />The adoption of Zero Trust Security Strategy frameworks will accelerate as enterprises unify identity, device, and application control under adaptive policies. By 2026, zero trust will evolve from concept to configuration, integrated directly into platform architecture.Attack Surface Reduction Becomes Quantifiable.<br />Security leaders will begin benchmarking success by measuring “attack surface reduction” metrics, linking vulnerability closure to business resilience outcomes.Cloud-Native Security Shifts to Multi-Plane Defense.<br />Traditional cloud security challenges, such as misconfiguration and privilege sprawl, will expand to include data lineage tracking and container runtime protection across multiple clouds.AI Governance Emerges as a Core Security Pillar.<br />As AI-driven cyber attacks become more sophisticated, the same technology will be leveraged for predictive defense and autonomous response. Enterprises will establish governance frameworks to audit AI models and ensure ethical resilience.Readiness Training Defines Competitive Advantage.<br />The most successful organizations will be those that embed security team readiness into their operational DNA. Ongoing, scenario-based training focusing on detection, incident response, and red team simulations will close the skill gap that currently limits many SOCs.<br />Preparing for the Threat Landscape of 2026The threat landscape of 2026 will be defined not by the number of attacks, but by the sophistication of interconnected risks. Traditional defensive hierarchies like firewalls, SIEMs, and compliance checklists are giving way to unified, intelligence-driven ecosystems.“Cybersecurity is shifting from protection to prediction,” added Ahmed. “Organizations that integrate threat intelligence with attack surface visibility will have the agility to adapt faster than their adversaries. Those that don’t will face compounding vulnerabilities across every layer of their digital ecosystem.”INE’s experts emphasize that cloud, identity, and exposure management will converge into a single operational model by late 2026. This convergence will demand new skill sets, including cross-disciplinary fluency between network engineering, cloud architecture, and behavioral analytics.<br />Building Collaborative Defenders for the FutureThe skills required to defend tomorrow’s networks are no longer siloed. Today’s cybersecurity resilience depends on collaboration across disciplines — a reality explored in INE’s Wired Together: The Case for Cross-Training in Networking and Cybersecurity.Based on a global survey of nearly 1,000 IT and security professionals, the report reveals how organizations are breaking down barriers between networking and cybersecurity to stay ahead of complex, converging threats. Readers will learn how to:<br /> → Build integrated, cross-functional teams<br /> → Embed security into network design and operations<br /> → Adapt to the new era of network-security convergenceDownload Wired Together to learn why the future of defense depends on unified expertise.<br />About INE SecurityINE Security is the award-winning, premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification, trusted by Fortune 500 companies and IT professionals around the globe. Leveraging a state-of-the-art hands-on lab platform, advanced technologies, a global video distribution network, and instruction from world-class experts, INE Security sets the standard for high-impact, career-advancing technical education.
11/05/2025
INE
Entry-Level Data Science Certification Launched
We're excited to introduce the Junior Data Scientist certification, an entry level data science certification specifically designed to bridge this gap.
11/04/2025
INE
The Hidden Attack Surface: How Smart Devices Became Security Nightmares
The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how we live and work. From smart thermostats and voice assistants to industrial sensors and fitness trackers, billions of connected devices now communicate constantly with each other, and with us...
10/30/2025
INE
October CVE Alert: 175 Flaws & Active Zero-Days
Stay tuned for monthly updates from INE on the latest urgent CVEs and active exploitation campaigns. We'll continue highlighting the threats that matter most to help you prioritize your security efforts.
10/28/2025
INE
INE Launches Junior Data Scientist Certification
New Entry-Level Certification Validates Hands-On Competency in Python, Statistical Analysis, and Machine Learning for Aspiring Data Professionals<br />[CARY, NC] – October 28, 2025 – INE, a leading provider of technical training and certification, today announced the launch of the Junior Data Scientist (eJDS) certification, an entry-level credential designed to validate practical data science skills for professionals entering the field. The certification addresses the growing demand for data science talent by providing a structured pathway from Python fundamentals to job-ready competency.The data science field continues to experience explosive growth, with organizations across healthcare, finance, technology, and retail seeking professionals who can transform data into strategic insights. However, aspiring data scientists face significant barriers: traditional degree programs require years of investment, entry-level positions demand prior experience, and self-directed learning often results in skill gaps. The eJDS certification bridges this divide by validating comprehensive, hands-on abilities across the complete data science lifecycle."Organizations desperately need data science capabilities, but the talent pipeline hasn't kept pace with demand," said Lindsey Rinehart, CEO of INE. "The Junior Data Scientist certification solves a critical problem for both individuals and employers. We're giving aspiring data scientists a clear, achievable path to demonstrate job-ready skills, while providing hiring managers with validated proof of competency. This certification represents our commitment to building practical, career-focused credentials that deliver real value in today's competitive market."The eJDS certification emphasizes practical application over theoretical knowledge, with curriculum focused on the tools and techniques junior data scientists use daily. The comprehensive assessment covers four core competency areas:Data Analysis with pandas and NumPy (30%) – Validating ability to ingest, clean, transform, and prepare real-world datasets for analysisFundamentals of Statistical Analysis (30%) – Demonstrating statistical reasoning skills to extract reliable insights and distinguish signal from noiseMachine Learning (30%) – Proving competency in implementing classification, regression, and decision tree algorithms for predictive modelingAdvanced Python Programming (10%) – Confirming proficiency in Python concepts essential for data operations, including object-oriented programming and error handling"We designed the eJDS curriculum around what junior data scientists actually do in their first year on the job," said Tracy Wallace, Director of Content Development at INE. "Rather than spending 80% of training time on algorithms and theory, we focus heavily on the data manipulation and cleaning tasks that consume most of a working data scientist's day. Candidates learn to handle missing values, inconsistent formatting, and messy real-world data—the practical challenges that separate candidates who get hired from those who stay stuck. This isn't just another course completion certificate. It's validated proof that someone can do the actual work."The certification serves multiple professional audiences, including software developers pivoting to data roles, recent graduates seeking competitive differentiation, researchers formalizing analytical expertise, and career changers building new skill sets. The credential provides structured validation for individuals with foundational Python experience as well as beginners starting their data science journey.The Junior Data Scientist certification is available immediately for individual learners and team training programs. Organizations can implement standardized data science training across their teams, with measurable progress tracking and validated skill development.For more information about the Junior Data Scientist certification, including curriculum details and registration, visit ine.com/certifications/data-science/ejds-certification.<br />About INEINE x INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security’s suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career.
10/24/2025
INE
IT Career Growth 2025: Why Cross-Domain Skills Win
Master cross-domain IT skills for IT career advancement 2025. Discover the cybersecurity career path and network security professional development strategies you need.
10/22/2025
INE
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Cloud: Lessons Learned from the October 2025 AWS Outage
The 2025 AWS outage lasted 15 hours—here’s how multi-region, multi-cloud, and failover architectures kept smart businesses online. Learn how to prepare.
10/21/2025
INE
Regulatory Compliance Failures Linked to Fragmented Network-Security Operations
INE Security Research Reveals How IT Team Silos Create Systematic Compliance VulnerabilitiesCARY, NC – October 21 – INE Security, a leading provider of cybersecurity training and certification, released analysis showing how fragmented network and security operations directly undermine regulatory compliance efforts. Based on research with nearly 1,000 IT professionals, the findings reveal that the widespread operational silos between networking and security teams create systematic vulnerabilities in the technical controls that compliance frameworks require."Compliance frameworks like ISO27001, PCI, and SOC2 all assume integration between networking and security, especially as you scale," said Jamie Kahgee, VP of Technology and Product at INE. "But our research shows that only 33% of professionals feel well-prepared to handle the intersection of these disciplines, while 57% collaborate with counterparts only half the time or less. This fragmentation directly impacts an organization's ability to implement and maintain the technical controls that auditors expect to see."The research identifies a critical disconnect: while 75% of professionals recognize networking and cybersecurity as integrated disciplines, the majority operate in silos that create compliance blind spots across access control, change management, incident response, and monitoring—all areas that regulatory frameworks scrutinize heavily.How Operational Fragmentation Creates Compliance VulnerabilitiesThe research documented that nearly one in five professionals (18%) identified knowledge gaps as their primary challenge, while organizational misalignment affects nearly a quarter of respondents. These operational realities translate directly into compliance failures:Access Control Requirements: Compliance frameworks universally require comprehensive access control implementation and documentation. However, when networking teams manage network access separately from security teams handling application access, organizations struggle to demonstrate the unified access control posture that auditors require. The research identified access control as one of six critical areas where networking and security operations must integrate—yet most organizations maintain separate processes.Change Management Audit Trails: HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC 2 all require documented change management processes with security review. The research found that 57% of professionals collaborate with counterparts in the opposite specialty only "sometimes" or "about half the time." This limited coordination means network configuration changes often bypass security review, while security policy updates get implemented without considering network architecture constraints. The result: incomplete audit trails and controls that don't function as documented.Network Segmentation Controls: PCI-DSS mandates network segmentation for cardholder data environments. HIPAA requires ePHI isolation. SOC 2 demands logical access controls through network architecture. Yet the research found that when security teams specify segmentation requirements without understanding network topology, and network engineers implement configurations without grasping security intent, the resulting controls fail to satisfy compliance requirements.Incident Response Coordination: Every major compliance framework requires documented, tested incident response procedures. The research revealed that only 37% of professionals collaborate with their counterparts "most of the time" or "always." This fragmentation becomes acutely problematic during incidents when rapid coordination between networking and security teams is essential—and when auditors review incident response documentation looking for evidence of effective cross-functional processes.Monitoring and Logging Coverage: Organizations with high levels of security and IT complexity face breach costs averaging $1.2 million higher than those with streamlined, integrated environments. Much of this stems from monitoring gaps that occur when networking and security teams maintain separate systems. Compliance frameworks require comprehensive logging across infrastructure, but fragmented teams create coverage gaps, inconsistent retention policies, and incomplete log aggregation—all findings that trigger audit exceptions."The operational friction we documented isn't just an efficiency problem—it's a compliance risk," said Tracy Wallace, Director of Content Development at INE Security. "When teams struggle to communicate effectively, compliance controls that look good on paper fail in practice."The Cross-Training Imperative for Compliance ReadinessThe research demonstrates that cross-trained professionals eliminate compliance vulnerabilities by understanding how regulatory requirements translate into both network architecture and security controls. They implement changes that satisfy auditors because they grasp both security policy intent and network implementation reality.Organizations face downtime costs averaging $5,600 per minute when teams cannot coordinate effectively during incidents—a figure that escalates dramatically when compliance violations compound the operational impact. Cross-training addresses this by ensuring professionals can respond to incidents with both speed and compliance awareness."We're seeing growing recognition that compliance isn't about checking boxes—it's about operational reality," Kahgee concluded. "Organizations that develop professionals who understand both networking and security domains don't just pass audits more easily. They achieve the security outcomes that compliance frameworks intend to create, which is genuine risk reduction."Recommendations for Compliance and Risk Management LeadersBased on the research findings, INE Security recommends that compliance officers and risk management teams:Assess organizational fragmentation in the six critical convergence areas where compliance controls depend on networking-security integrationPrioritize cross-training initiatives that address documented collaboration gaps, particularly in change management and incident responseEstablish integrated documentation practices that reflect actual cross-functional processes rather than theoretical separationRecognize compliance readiness as an integration challenge requiring workforce development, not just policy creationThe complete research report, "Wired Together: The Case for Cross-Training in Networking and Cybersecurity," provides detailed analysis of operational fragmentation impacts and practical implementation guidance for building integrated capabilities. <br />About INE SecurityINE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security’s suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity. The company is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career.<br />
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