The College Board is partnering with Cisco to help it launch AP Cybersecurity courses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The company will support the effort through Cisco Networking Academy, which will serve as a free resource to classrooms across the country.
The AP course – or Advanced Placement course – will allow students to earn college credit and employer-endorsed credentials.
AP Cybersecurity is designed to equip students with the technical expertise and professional skills needed to pursue careers in the fast-growing cybersecurity sector. The year-long course aligns with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Workforce Framework.
“For those who choose Cisco Networking Academy as their instructional resource, the AP Cybersecurity course will also provide preparation for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity certification,” Cisco wrote in a May 21 blog post. “This industry-recognized credential signals job-ready skills in a competitive hiring market.”
“This dual approach reflects a broader shift in career-relevant education: students increasingly expect their academic experiences to have direct real-world applications, while employers are prioritizing candidates who can contribute from day one,” the company said.
According to the blog post, the AP Cybersecurity course reached 3,100 students across 183 schools in 30 states during the 2025-2026 pilot. Last year, the Mississippi Department of Education announced several high schools across the state would participate in the AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking pilot.
Ahead of the national launch of the AP Career Kickstart courses, Cisco said nearly 500 educators have registered for AP Summer Institutes.
“The cybersecurity workforce shortage remains a pressing challenge. In a competitive job market – one where the definition of ‘entry level’ is changing every day – we cannot ask interested students to wait until college to begin preparing for their cybersecurity careers,” Cisco said.
“The launch of AP Cybersecurity is a practical step toward addressing both student interest and a significant talent shortage,” the company added.
