Cisco Networking Academy Courses
Careers IT is a Cisco Academy which builds job-ready skills in cybersecurity, programming, data and AI, networking, Linux and IT support through Cisco Networking Academy courses, taught live by our own facilitators on campus in Umhlanga Ridge, online from anywhere in the world, or as a private class for your team. Every course includes Cisco's hands-on labs and assessments.
- Instructor-led classes with a Careers IT facilitator, on campus in Umhlanga Ridge or online
- Full access to the Cisco Networking Academy course content, labs, quizzes and assessments for your class
- A Careers IT certificate of completion
- The Cisco Networking Academy certificate of completion and, where Cisco offers one for the course, a digital badge
- For eligible courses, a possible discount towards the related industry certification exam
Every course is taught live by a Careers IT facilitator. Choose how you want to attend, as the course content, labs, assessments and certificates are the same in every mode.
On campus
Learn in class with a Careers IT facilitator at our Umhlanga Ridge campus, working through the labs alongside other students.
- Face-to-face, instructor-led classes
- Hands-on labs with help on the spot
- Campus facilities and a set class timetable
Live online
Join live virtual classes with a Careers IT facilitator from anywhere in the world, with the same course, labs and assessments as on campus.
- Live, instructor-led sessions, not just videos
- Ask questions and get feedback in real time
- Study from home or work with a laptop and stable internet
Corporate & teams
Upskill a team on any of these courses as a private class, at our campus, online, or at your premises, with dates arranged around your business.
- A private class for your staff
- Dates and venue arranged with you
- One quote for the whole group
Introduction to Cybersecurity
A short, practical first step into cybersecurity: how cyber attacks work, how to protect your personal data and devices, how organisations defend themselves, and the career paths open in the field.
- Common threats, attacks and vulnerabilities
- Protecting your data, devices and online privacy
- How organisations protect themselves
- Careers and certifications in cybersecurity
- Junior Cybersecurity Analyst
- Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst Trainee
- IT Support Technician (security focus)
- Cybersecurity Awareness Champion
Prerequisites: None, open to anyone.
Ethical Hacker
Learn how penetration testers work, legally and ethically. Plan and scope an assessment, gather information, scan for vulnerabilities, test networks, applications and cloud environments in hands-on labs, and report findings professionally.
- Planning, scoping and rules of engagement
- Reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning
- Attacks on networks, web apps, wireless and cloud
- Post-exploitation and professional reporting
- Ethical Hacker
- Penetration Tester
- Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
- Cybersecurity Analyst
Prerequisites: Basic networking and computer skills recommended. Linux Essentials is a useful companion course.
Python Essentials 1
Start programming from zero with Python, one of the most in-demand languages. Learn to think like a programmer and write, test and debug your own programs.
- Programming fundamentals and computational thinking
- Variables, data types, operators and control flow
- Lists, functions, tuples and dictionaries
- Handling errors and debugging
- Junior Python Developer
- Automation / Scripting Assistant
- Junior Software Tester
- IT Support Technician (scripting)
Prerequisites: None, no programming experience needed.
Certification pathway: Prepares you for the PCEP™, Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer exam (Python Institute).
Python Essentials 2
Take your Python further with modules, packages, exceptions, strings, object-oriented programming and file handling, the skills used in real-world software and automation.
- Modules, packages and PIP
- Exceptions and string processing
- Object-oriented programming
- Generators, closures and working with files
- Python Developer
- Software Engineer
- Automation / DevOps Engineer
- Junior Data Analyst
Prerequisites: Python Essentials 1 or equivalent Python knowledge.
Certification pathway: Prepares you for the PCAP™, Certified Associate Python Programmer exam (Python Institute).
JavaScript Essentials 1
Learn the language of the web. Build a solid foundation in JavaScript programming, the first step towards front-end, back-end and full-stack software development.
- How JavaScript runs and setting up your environment
- Variables, data types, operators and control flow
- Functions and working with data
- Handling errors, testing and debugging
- Junior Front-end Web Developer
- Junior Full-stack Developer
- Web / CMS Developer
- Junior Software Tester
Prerequisites: None, no programming experience needed.
Certification pathway: Prepares you for the JSE™, Certified Entry-Level JavaScript Programmer exam (JS Institute).
Introduction to Data Science
Discover how organisations turn data into decisions. A short introduction to what data scientists and data analysts do, how data is collected and analysed, and the skills behind some of the hardest-to-fill roles in South Africa.
- What data science is and why it matters
- How data is collected, prepared and analysed
- How data and AI support business decisions
- Careers and next steps in data
- Junior Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
- Reporting Analyst
- Data Administrator
Prerequisites: None, open to anyone.
Introduction to Modern AI
Understand the AI tools changing every workplace. Learn what modern AI and generative AI are, how they work at a high level, and how to use them effectively and responsibly.
- What artificial intelligence and machine learning are
- How generative AI works and where it is used
- Using AI tools effectively at work
- Responsible and ethical use of AI
- AI-Enabled Office Professional
- AI Tools / Automation Support
- Digital Transformation Assistant
- Junior Data Analyst
Prerequisites: None, open to anyone.
IT Support Essentials
Build the practical skills for a first job in IT support and help desk: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and security basics, troubleshooting and customer service.
- Computer hardware and components
- Installing and supporting operating systems
- Networking and security fundamentals
- Troubleshooting and professional customer support
- IT Support Technician
- Help Desk / Service Desk Analyst
- Desktop Support Technician
- Field Service Technician
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills.
Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
Get hands-on with the devices that run every network. Learn how switches and routers work and how to set up and configure a small network, your stepping stone towards network administration.
- Network devices, media and how data moves
- Ethernet and IP addressing basics
- Initial configuration of switches and routers
- Building and testing a small network
- Junior Network Technician
- Network Support Technician
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills; an interest in networking.
Linux Essentials
Linux runs most of the world's servers, cloud platforms and security tools. Learn to work confidently at the Linux command line, essential for careers in cybersecurity, cloud and systems administration.
- Open source and the Linux operating system
- Working at the command line and managing files
- Users, groups and permissions
- Basic scripting and system administration
- Junior Linux Administrator
- Systems Administrator
- Cloud / DevOps Support Engineer
- Junior Cybersecurity Analyst
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills.
Certification pathway: Aligned to the LPI Linux Essentials certificate (Linux Professional Institute).
Cisco Networking Academy Course FAQs
Is Careers IT a Cisco Academy?
Yes. Careers IT is a Cisco Academy and teaches the Cisco Networking Academy curricula. Careers IT is one of thousands of academies in the Cisco Networking Academy program worldwide.
What study modes can I choose from?
All courses are instructor-led by Careers IT facilitators. Study on campus in Umhlanga Ridge, join live online classes from anywhere in the world, or book a private class for your team, and choose the option that suits you when you enquire. Either way, you are enrolled in a Careers IT class on the Cisco Networking Academy learning platform, where you work through the course content, labs, quizzes and assessments.
Can my company train a group of staff?
Yes. Any of these courses can run as a private class for your team, at our campus, online or at your premises, with dates arranged around your business. Ask us for a corporate quote.
What certificate will I receive?
On successful completion you receive a Careers IT certificate of completion, plus the Cisco Networking Academy certificate of completion and, where Cisco offers one for the course, a digital badge you can share on LinkedIn.
Are these courses SAQA or NQF accredited?
No. These are Cisco Networking Academy industry courses and are not NQF credit-bearing. They build practical, job-ready skills and, for several courses, prepare you for the related industry certification exams.
Is the certification exam included?
Industry certification exams (such as PCEP™, PCAP™, JSE™ and LPI Linux Essentials) are written separately through the exam provider and are not included in the course. Eligible Cisco Networking Academy students may qualify for an exam discount on completion, so ask us for details.
What do I need to attend?
A valid email address to register your free Cisco Networking Academy learner account, basic computer skills, a laptop or PC with a stable internet connection if you study online, and for Ethical Hacker and Python Essentials 2 the recommended prior knowledge listed on each course.
Cisco, the Cisco logo, and Cisco Systems are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. PCEP™ and PCAP™ are trademarks of the OpenEDG Python Institute. JSE™ is a trademark of the OpenEDG JS Institute. LPI and Linux Essentials are trademarks of the Linux Professional Institute. Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Courses are delivered by IT Careers SA (Pty) Ltd t/a Careers IT.