INE Resources
08/04/2025
INE
Network Segmentation Strategies for Modern Networks
Today's infrastructure spans on-premises data centers, multiple clouds, remote workers, and containerized applications. Your old segmentation playbook? It's not going to cut it anymore.<br />Here's what modern network segmentation looks like and how to implement it without breaking anything…
08/04/2025
INE
INE Security Alert: Measuring the Impact of Cybersecurity Training
INE Security Releases Four-Step Approach to Demonstrate Measurable ROI from Cybersecurity TrainingINE Security, a premier provider of cybersecurity education and training solutions, today released a four-step measurement approach for organizations looking to demonstrate the real-world ROI of cybersecurity training programs. The actionable approach helps organizations maximize security training effectiveness and build stronger justification for cybersecurity education investments.Strategic Cybersecurity Training Investment with Measurable OutcomesCompanies that regularly invest in cybersecurity education see substantial returns. In fact, organizations that use comprehensive security training for robust incident response testing and planning are able to reduce breach costs by an average of $1.49M (IBM 2023 Cost of Data Breach). Unlike technology purchases requiring lengthy procurement cycles, cybersecurity training programs can be deployed immediately while delivering measurable security improvements that compound over time."Organizations looking to maximize their remaining 2025 security budgets should prioritize training investments that deliver immediate and long-term value," said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. "Our enhanced certification programs, including the newly updated threat hunting (eCTHP) and mobile security (eMAPT) tracks, provide organizations with concrete opportunities to deploy budget allocations while building measurable competencies. While 68% of breaches involve a human element (Verizon), hands-on training and certification programs demonstrate measurable risk reduction and skill development that strengthen security posture for years to come."Actionable Steps for Measuring Cybersecurity Training ROIWith 87% of organizations reporting skills gaps within their security teams (McKinsey & Company), organizations need concrete metrics to evaluate training effectiveness. INE Security's measurement approach identifies specific steps organizations can take to demonstrate security training value and ensure measurable returns:1. Establish Baseline Metrics Before Security TrainingDocument current incident response times and mean time to detectionAssess existing skill gaps through competency evaluations and technical assessments for roles like pentester and network security specialistsTrack security incident frequency and severity levels across network security domainsMeasure current compliance readiness and audit performance for cybersecurity certifications2. Implement Continuous Assessment During Cybersecurity TrainingDeploy hands-on lab assessments with measurable skill validation for technical rolesMonitor completion rates and engagement metrics across different cybersecurity education modulesDocument skill progression through practical exercises and real-world network security scenariosTrack competency improvements in specific technical domains and cybersecurity certifications preparation3. Measure Post-Training Business ImpactMonitor decreased incident response times and improved threat detection capabilitiesCalculate cost avoidance from prevented security incidents across network security infrastructureAssess compliance improvements and cybersecurity certifications readinessTrack enhanced technical proficiency in specialized security areas including pentester methodologies4. Demonstrate Long-Term Value CreationTrack career advancement and retention rates of trained security personnelMeasure improved cross-team collaboration and technical communication in cybersecurity training contextsDocument enhanced organizational security capabilities and network security expertiseCalculate ongoing ROI through reduced breach costs and improved operational efficiency from cybersecurity education investmentsAddressing Modern Security Challenges"Organizations that invest strategically in their people consistently outperform those focused solely on technology solutions," added Warn. "Security leaders have a clear measurement approach to deploy cybersecurity training investments that deliver demonstrable ROI while building long-term organizational resilience. The question isn't whether you can afford to invest in cybersecurity education – it's whether you can afford not to measure and optimize the security training capabilities your organization is building."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.
07/29/2025
INE
Critical CVE Alert: July 2025 Active Threat Roundup
Security teams face significant challenges this month as multiple critical CVE vulnerabilities demand immediate attention. Four distinct threat categories have emerged as top priorities, each representing active exploitation campaigns targeting enterprise environments. This roundup provides essential threat intelligence and mitigation guidance for the most pressing security concerns.
07/28/2025
INE
Building Your Ultimate CCIE Data Center v3.1 Lab: A Complete Guide
With the advent of network virtualization technologies, though, most of the topics covered in the CCIE exams can be learned and tested in virtual environments. One of the outliers, however, is the CCIE Data Center certification, which still requires at least some physical equipment to learn and practice these topics for advanced networking training.
07/28/2025
INE
New eCTHP Certification: Master Real-World Threat Hunting
Organizations need defenders who can proactively hunt for threats rather than simply react to alerts. Today, we're announcing the launch of our updated Certified Threat Hunting Professional (eCTHP) certification—designed to validate the advanced skills needed to excel in this critical security discipline.
07/28/2025
INE
INE Security Alert: Real-Time Visibility is Critical for Security-First Teams
INE Security, a recognized leader in online IT training and cybersecurity certification, today responded to the increasing need for network observability expertise within security-focused teams. In an environment where every second counts—and organizations face an average of 277 days to detect and contain data breaches—INE Security equips professionals with the real-time visibility skills essential for effective, modern cyber defense. Through its comprehensive network security training programs, INE empowers teams to stay ahead of evolving threats with confidence and precision.Industry Challenge: The Network Visibility CrisisThe cybersecurity landscape is facing a pivotal turning point. Most organizations report that it takes over an hour to resolve production issues, while 63% of security analysts cite insufficient visibility into network and infrastructure as a top source of stress (Ponemon Institute). As environments grow more complex, maintaining a strong and proactive security posture has become a mounting challenge.“Traditional monitoring tools are failing security teams when they’re needed most,” said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. “With cyberattacks occurring every 39 seconds and breaches taking an average of 277 days to identify and contain, real-time network observability is no longer optional—it’s essential for survival. Security-first teams need the skills to detect, interpret, and respond to threats in real time—before they escalate into serious damage.Elevating Network Defense Through ObservabilityNetwork observability transcends traditional monitoring by delivering real-time, end-to-end visibility into network behavior, performance, and security posture. While conventional monitoring systems typically alert teams after an incident has occurred, observability empowers security professionals to proactively hunt threats and respond rapidly, powered by continuous telemetry and intelligent data analysis.INE Security’s advanced network security training program is purpose-built to close critical skill gaps by blending core network security principles with modern observability techniques. The curriculum equips professionals with hands-on capabilities in four key areas:Real-Time Telemetry Analysis: Learn to collect, correlate, and interpret network telemetry data to detect threats instantly and accurately.<br />Security-Integrated Monitoring: Develop the ability to merge security and performance indicators to uncover anomalies and potential vulnerabilities before they escalate.<br />Automated Threat Response: Gain the skills to design and deploy automated response mechanisms that can neutralize threats in real time.<br />Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster alignment between network and security teams through a shared, security-first operational framework.<br />Through this integrated approach, INE Security empowers organizations to move from reactive defense to proactive resilience.<br />Measurable Impact: Turning Observability into Organizational AdvantageOrganizations that invest in comprehensive network observability programs are seeing clear, measurable improvements in their security posture and operational efficiency. Industry data reveals that advanced observability implementations dramatically reduce downtime-related costs while also enhancing threat response capabilities.According to the Enterprise Strategy Group, organizations leading in observability report a 69% improvement in mean time to resolution (MTTR) for unplanned outages and performance degradation, directly addressing one of the most persistent challenges in cybersecurity: slow incident response.<br />“The most effective organizations are embedding security into their architecture from day one—and equipping their teams with the skills to sustain that vision,” said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. “When network observability is embraced as a mindset—not just a toolset—organizations gain resilient infrastructure and agile teams. That’s the foundation of security-first operations: how we train, empower, and evolve our people.”Closing the Cybersecurity Skills GapThe cybersecurity talent shortage has become a critical threat in itself. Gartner forecasts that by 2025, more than half of all significant cyber incidents will stem from a lack of skilled talent or human error. As threats become faster and more sophisticated, the need for capable, observability-savvy professionals has never been more urgent.INE Security’s hands-on network training program is purpose-built to bridge this gap, equipping security teams with the practical skills to harness advanced monitoring, detection, and response technologies. This program delivers real-world training for professionals across the cybersecurity spectrum, including:SOC Analysts: Enhance threat detection accuracy and accelerate response times with telemetry-driven insights.<br />Network Security Engineers: Build broader visibility across network infrastructure to proactively identify and contain vulnerabilities.<br />Incident Response Teams: Gain real-time situational awareness and operational coordination during active security events.<br />DevSecOps Professionals: Integrate observability into security-first architecture and ensure continuous protection across the development lifecycle.<br />By aligning technical education with real-world needs, INE Security empowers teams to meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s threats.Training That Delivers Real-World ImpactINE Security’s training methodology is rooted in immersive, hands-on learning, empowering professionals to operate confidently in real-world enterprise environments. Through realistic lab simulations and guided practice, learners build practical expertise using industry-standard observability tools, focusing on actionable intelligence over alert fatigue.The program is fully aligned with leading industry frameworks—including Zero Trust Architecture, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and MITRE ATT&CK—ensuring that graduates are equipped to apply their skills immediately in production environments.Key features of the program include:Hands-On Lab Environments: Access to over 100+ virtual labs replicating authentic network observability and incident response scenarios.<br />Expert-Led Instruction: Courses designed and taught by seasoned industry professionals with real-world security operations experience.<br />Progressive Learning Path: Structured curriculum that evolves from foundational network security concepts to advanced observability implementation, including Cisco-aligned training for enterprise-grade deployments.<br />Certification Readiness: Preparation for both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific certifications, equipping learners to validate their skills and advance their careers.<br />With a focus on practical skills and immediate applicability, INE Security ensures that learners don’t just train—they transform into high-impact contributors to their organizations’ cybersecurity readiness.About INE SecurityINE Security is an 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.With a comprehensive suite of structured learning paths, INE delivers unparalleled depth and breadth across the cybersecurity landscape. It empowers learners to build critical skills, earn industry certifications, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving threat environment. INE Security remains committed to advancing technical excellence through immersive, real-world training experiences.
07/28/2025
INE
INE Security Launches Updated Certified Threat Hunting Professional (eCTHP) Cybersecurity Certification
INE Security, a leader in cybersecurity education, is announcing the launch of its updated Certified Threat Hunting Professional (eCTHP) certification. This advanced cybersecurity certification is designed to equip cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and hands-on experience required to proactively hunt for and identify threats in enterprise environments.The eCTHP certification is built for professionals with intermediate experience in defensive cybersecurity, including security analysts, SOC analysts, incident responders, and cybersecurity engineers. The updated program emphasizes practical skills, real-world engagement, and advanced methodologies such as MITRE ATT&CK and the Cyber Kill Chain to equip professionals with the tools necessary to anticipate and neutralize emerging threats in network security.“Organizations need cyber teams that are prepared to not only defend against but also proactively hunt for threats,” said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. “With the updated eCTHP certification, we're providing professionals the hands-on training and methodologies that will make them indispensable in the intensifying threat environment.”Key Features of the eCTHP Certification:Hands-on, Simulated Labs: Candidates will work in simulated enterprise environments, conducting live threat hunts and analyzing data to uncover and understand incidents, providing practical experience in real-world cybersecurity training scenarios.Comprehensive Coverage of Five Critical Domains: The certification covers Threat Hunting Methodology, Threat Hunting Strategies, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Network Threat Hunting, and Endpoint Threat Hunting to ensure complete preparation for professional roles.Focus on Decision-Making Skills: Unlike other certifications that focus solely on procedures, the eCTHP teaches candidates not just "how" to perform threat hunting techniques, but "why" specific actions should be taken. This approach enables informed decision-making during actual threat hunts.Real-world Application: The certification challenges candidates to apply their skills in hunting network and endpoint threats using industry-standard tools like Wireshark, Splunk, and ELK stack in practical scenarios.The certification addresses the growing industry demand for skilled threat hunters, as organizations increasingly recognize that proactive threat detection significantly reduces dwell time and prevents advanced persistent threats from causing major damage. eCTHP-certified professionals are positioned for expanded career opportunities in high-demand roles such as threat hunting analysts, security operations center managers, and cybersecurity consultants.The updated eCTHP certification is now available for purchase and can be paired with INE Security's comprehensive cybersecurity training programs. These programs include everything from introductory materials to advanced hands-on training designed to prepare professionals for the evolving demands of the cybersecurity industry.For more information or to enroll in the eCTHP certification program, visit ine.com. About INE SecurityINE Security is a leading provider of online cybersecurity education, offering a comprehensive suite of hands-on courses and certification programs designed to meet the needs of professionals at all levels. INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IS/IT professionals looking to advance their careers. With a global community of learners, INE Security equips individuals and organizations with the skills necessary to defend against and combat modern cyber threats, offering a wide range of security certifications to build and elevate cybersecurity careers.
07/21/2025
INE
INE Security Alert: Critical Cisco ISE Vulnerabilities Demand Immediate Attention
Three maximum-severity vulnerabilities allow unauthenticated remote attackers to gain complete system controlINE, a leading provider of enterprise IT training, cybersecurity education, and network security training, today responded to Cisco's urgent security advisory regarding three critical vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) that pose an extreme threat to enterprise network security.The vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2025-20281, CVE-2025-20282, and CVE-2025-20337, have each been assigned the maximum Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 10.0, representing the highest possible severity rating. All three flaws allow unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on affected systems.Expert Analysis: The Worst-Case Scenario"These vulnerabilities represent a cybersecurity nightmare scenario," said Brian McGahan, CCIE in Security and Director of Networking Content at INE. "When you have three separate bugs, each scoring a perfect 10 out of 10 on the CVSS scale, you're looking at the worst possible combination of factors: maximum exploitability, zero authentication requirements, and complete system compromise. This is effectively a master key that hands over the entire network infrastructure to any attacker who can reach these systems. For professionals with Cisco training and network security expertise, this represents exactly the kind of scenario we prepare organizations to prevent and respond to."McGahan continued, "What makes this particularly alarming is that ISE sits at the heart of network security infrastructure for most enterprise environments. Compromising ISE doesn't just give an attacker access to one system—it potentially gives them the ability to control who gets access to what throughout the entire network. We're talking about a single point of failure that could unravel an organization's entire IT security posture. This incident highlights why comprehensive network security training and ongoing Cisco training are essential for modern IT professionals."Technical Details and ImpactThe three vulnerabilities affect different components and versions:CVE-2025-20281 and CVE-2025-20337: Affect ISE and ISE-PIC releases 3.3 and 3.4, exploiting insufficient input validation in specific APIsCVE-2025-20282: Affects only ISE and ISE-PIC release 3.4, allowing arbitrary file uploads to privileged directoriesAll vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely without authentication, requiring only that an attacker can reach the affected system over a network. Successfully exploited, these flaws grant attackers:Complete root-level access to the underlying operating systemAbility to execute arbitrary commandsPotential for lateral movement throughout the networkAccess to sensitive identity and authentication dataCapability to modify or disable security policiesImmediate Action RequiredOrganizations running affected versions must take immediate action:Critical Patches Available:ISE Release 3.3: Upgrade to 3.3 Patch 7ISE Release 3.4: Upgrade to 3.4 Patch 2Important Notes:Organizations currently running Release 3.4 Patch 2 require no further actionThose on Release 3.3 Patch 6 must upgrade to Patch 7 immediatelyPrevious hot patches (ise-apply-CSCwo99449_3.3.0.430_patch4-SPA.tar.gz and ise-apply-CSCwo99449_3.4.0.608_patch1-SPA.tar.gz) do NOT protect against CVE-2025-20337 and have been deprecated by CiscoIndustry Impact and ResponseThe vulnerabilities were discovered through responsible disclosure by security researchers Bobby Gould of Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative and Kentaro Kawane of GMO Cybersecurity by Ierae. Cisco's Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) reports no evidence of active exploitation in the wild at this time.However, given the critical nature of these vulnerabilities and the central role ISE plays in enterprise security infrastructure, security experts anticipate these flaws will become high-priority targets for threat actors.INE's Commitment to Cybersecurity EducationAs organizations race to patch these vulnerabilities, INE emphasizes the critical importance of comprehensive IT training, network security training, and incident response preparedness for cybersecurity teams."This situation underscores why continuous education and specialized IT training in vulnerability management and incident response are not optional; they're business-critical," McGahan noted. "Organizations need teams that can quickly assess, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities like these. The window between disclosure and exploitation continues to shrink, making skilled cybersecurity professionals with solid network security training and Cisco training more valuable than ever."Recommendations for OrganizationsINE recommends that organizations take the following immediate steps:Inventory and Identify: Immediately inventory all Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC installations to determine versions in usePrioritize Patching: Treat these vulnerabilities as critical security incidents requiring emergency maintenance windowsMonitor Networks: Implement enhanced monitoring for unusual activity around ISE systemsReview Access Controls: Audit and restrict network access to ISE systems where possibleIncident Response Planning: Ensure incident response teams are prepared for potential compromise scenariosStaff Training: Verify that cybersecurity teams are equipped with the latest knowledge through comprehensive IT training programs covering network security, Cisco training, and vulnerability managementAbout INE SecurityINE Security is the award-winning 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 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’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.
07/17/2025
INE
Security-First Network Design: A Practical Roadmap
Here's the thing: when you design security into your network from day one, you're not just preventing breaches. You're building infrastructure that performs better, scales more efficiently, and costs less to maintain. Pretty compelling, right? Let's talk about how to actually do this.
07/17/2025
INE
INE Networking Expertise Essential as Enterprises Struggle with AI Infrastructure
INE, a global provider of IT training for networking, cybersecurity, and cloud professionals, today highlighted how its established network security training and Cisco training programs directly address the critical skills gap facing enterprises as they upgrade network infrastructure to support artificial intelligence workloads. This statement comes as new research reveals significant readiness challenges across enterprise networks."The convergence of AI and networking represents one of the most significant shifts we've seen in enterprise IT," said Brian McGahan, 4x CCIE and Director of Networking Content at INE. "What many organizations don't realize is that successful AI implementations depend fundamentally on solid networking foundations. The protocols, architectures, and automation skills that we've been teaching for years are exactly what enterprises need to support AI workloads effectively."A recent survey by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) of 269 North American IT professionals found: Only 49% of respondents believe their data center networks are ready for AI traffic48% believe their wide area networks are fully prepared for AI traffic. 74% of surveyed organizations have at least some AI applications in production.The EMA study reveals that the top business challenges to networking for AI are:Security risk (39%)Budget issues (34%)Difficulties with keeping up the pace of AI innovation (33%)Addressing the Skills CrisisThe skills shortage presents a dual challenge for IT leaders: attracting new talent while upskilling existing teams. Industry analysts project a significant shortage of AI-skilled workers, with McKinsey & Co. projecting that demand will outpace supply by two-to-four times through at least 2027. Meanwhile, 53% of organizations report skills gaps in managing specialized computing infrastructure, creating pressure on training budgets and employee retention strategies.For IT decision-makers, this translates to direct business impact. The EMA study found that the top business concerns around AI networking include security risk (39%), budget constraints (34%), and difficulties keeping pace with rapid technology evolution (33%). Organizations struggling with these challenges face delayed AI implementations, increased security vulnerabilities, and competitive disadvantage.According to Shamus McGillicuddy, vice president of research for network infrastructure and operations at EMA, "Networks will make or break enterprise investments in AI technology. IT organizations are well-aware of this fact. However, preparing networks for AI will be expensive and complex."Centers of Excellence Drive Strategic AlignmentA growing number of companies are establishing AI centers of excellence to lead strategy across technical teams and business units. These organizations recognize that successful AI implementation requires coordination between networking, security, application development, and business stakeholders."Centers of excellence represent a best practice approach to AI adoption," McGahan explained. "However, these teams are only as effective as the technical expertise they can draw upon. Having networking professionals who understand both traditional enterprise requirements and AI-specific needs is essential for these initiatives to succeed."McGahan points out that AI workloads behave fundamentally differently from traditional enterprise applications. They require east-west bandwidth for model training, ultra-low latency for inference operations, and sophisticated traffic management for distributed AI workloads. “Many networking professionals haven't encountered these requirements before,” McGahan says. Strategic Workforce Development Over Technology ChasingThe research reveals a critical insight for IT leaders: organizations that hired networking experts with deep technical foundations reported more success than those focused solely on AI-specific training. This finding validates a cost-effective approach to workforce development that builds lasting capabilities rather than chasing technology trends."IT training budgets are under pressure, and leaders need strategies that deliver sustained value," McGahan explained. "Investing in foundational networking expertise creates teams that can adapt to any technological shift – whether it's today's AI requirements, tomorrow's quantum networking, or technologies we haven't even imagined yet. Our IT training programs build the analytical thinking and technical depth that make professionals valuable across their entire careers."INE is developing targeted training programs to address these specific challenges, building on its established leadership in advanced networking education, including:AI Infrastructure Networking: Covering specialized protocols like RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) and NVMe over FabricsHigh-Speed Ethernet Technologies: Training on 800 GbE implementations and optimizationNetwork Automation for AI: Programming and orchestration skills for dynamic AI workload managementSoftware-Defined Networking (SDN): Critical for the flexibility required in AI environments"We're seeing a growing demand for training in areas like InfiniBand, GPU interconnects, and AI-optimized network fabrics," McGahan noted. "Our hands-on lab platform allows networking professionals to gain practical experience with technologies they'll encounter in production AI environments. For IT leaders, this isn't just about training – it's about risk management."Industry-Leading ExpertiseINE's approach leverages the expertise of world-class instructors, including McGahan, who achieved CCIE Lifetime Emeritus status in 2022 after earning four CCIE certifications. The company has trained tens of thousands of networking professionals globally and maintains partnerships with leading technology vendors."We're not just teaching theoretical concepts," McGahan emphasized. "Our training programs provide hands-on experience with the actual technologies enterprises are implementing. Students work with real equipment configurations and scenarios they'll encounter when supporting AI workloads in production environments."Competitive Advantage Through Technical ExcellenceThe business case is clear: as AI becomes integral to competitive strategy, the organizations with the strongest networking foundations will capture market opportunities while others struggle with technical debt and implementation delays. INE's network certification training programs provide the technical depth that transforms AI investment risk into competitive advantage.About INE SecurityINE Security is the award-winning 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 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’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.<br />
INE Webcasts
Browse all of webcasts about popular IT topics, industry trends, and more.
INE Webcasts
