The Cisco Learning Network

Listen in as we explore everything you need to know about the Cisco Certified Field Technician Certification – who this certification is for, the training that’s available, and how you can get started earning this certification. With the CCT or Cisco Certified Field Technician Certification, prove you have the skills to diagnose, restore, repair, and replace critical Cisco networking and system devices at customer sites. To learn more about this certification, please visit: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/cct

Michael Bowden, a Cisco Networking Academy support specialist and creator of the 'Debt Free in IT' podcast, shares his inspiring journey from being laid off to thriving in IT. He discusses how he transformed setbacks into opportunities, emphasizing the value of certifications like CCNA over traditional degrees. Michael also highlights financial literacy for tech professionals and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in an evolving job market. His insights about mentorship and networking provide invaluable guidance for aspiring IT specialists.

Pursuing a career in tech can be challenging, especially when you’re not prioritizing your mental health. Senior Technical Advocate Jason Belk shares his insights with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Tanner Swift on building a successful career in network automation while learning to prioritize mental health. Drawing from his own journey, Jason offers practical advice on staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field and cultivating resilience in the face of challenges. Tune in to learn how to avoid burnout, ignite career inspiration, and discover strategies to achieve balance in both your personal and professional life.

Whats the deal with Purple Team? Find out how this Cybersecurity ideology helps improve both offensive and defensive effectiveness in this episode by hearing Cisco Technical Advocate Kyle Winters talk with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders and Lead Tech Advocate Kareem Iskander about “What the Deal is” with Purple Team ideology. Get a foundational understanding of Purple Team, and find out what resources are available to you to learn more. Cisco U. Capture the Flag Challenges: https://u.cisco.com/challenges

Get a fundamental understanding of how artificial intelligence has changed the Cybersecurity Threatscape, and how AI can be leveraged to defend against attacks in this episode with AI Solutions Engineer Dan Stacks and Enterprise Solutions Engineer John Cuneo. Dan and John sit down with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Rigo Villa to discuss network security from an artificial intelligence standpoint including AI empowered attacks, tools like Cisco Hypershield, and what kinds of practices and solutions companies will be leveraging in the future as artificial intelligence flourishes in the security space.

An announcement about updates to the Cisco Certified Design Expert or CCDE certification was made in June of 2024. Find out what’s changed about the CCDE Exam Topics from Exam Program Manager Mark Holm as he sits down with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders. Together, they discuss concepts like network optimization to meet the demands of a network due to heavy requests from things like artificial intelligence.

Generative AI is everywhere now, but how did it explode into popularity, and how can it be leveraged in network operations? Guarav Khanna – a Solutions Engineer Leader at Cisco – takes us through the basics of Generative AI, and tells the story of how this emerging technology evolved. Understand the fundamentals of generative and predictive AI, and how artificial intelligence can help you manage your network.

Beginning August 20, 2024, the CCNA exam topics will include Generative AI, Cloud Network Management, and Machine Learning. In this episode of “What’s the Deal with?” Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders and Lead Technical Advocate Kareem Iskander discuss what the deal is with Cisco’s decision to include AI in the CCNA, and the specific details of the exam topics that have changed. If you have a tech topic that you’d like Matt and Kareem to cover, please leave us a comment on this episode, or on the Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/podcasts

In this episode of the "What's the deal with" series, Community Manager Matt Saunders, and Lead Technical Advocate Kareem Iskander answer the question, what’s the deal with Observability? Matt and Kareem dive deep into the finer details of Observability and discuss the resources and certifications Cisco has produced that ensure your learning and validate your skills in this emerging technology.

We’re continuing our series, “Women in Tech” in honor of International Women’s month by speaking with Rita Younger, the Practice Lead of Data Center Networking at a global technology service provider. Rita speaks with Learning and Certifications Marketing Specialist Stef Garraffa about her journey into a career in tech, the role of AI in the evolution of the field of networking and networking security, and the importance of mentoring and empowering women in IT.