What's Happening?
The College Board is expanding its Advanced Placement (AP) Cybersecurity course for the 2026-27 school year, incorporating Cisco technology into the curriculum. This expansion is part of the College Board's AP Career Kickstart initiative, which aims to align
courses with specific career and technical education programs. Initially piloted in the 2025-26 school year with 3,100 students across 183 schools in 30 states, the course will now be offered in 800 schools. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to cybersecurity, covering network security, device protection, and threat response. The new partnership with Cisco will offer students instructional resources and labs that align with Cisco's entry-level cybersecurity certification. Students will have the option to earn college credit through the AP test or a workforce credential by taking the Cisco Certified Support Technician exam.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of the AP Cybersecurity course is significant as it addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. workforce. With over 500,000 cybersecurity job openings reported in 2024-25, the need for skilled professionals is evident. By integrating industry-aligned training and certifications, the course provides students with practical skills and credentials that enhance their employability. This initiative also aims to increase accessibility to cybersecurity education, which was available to only 4% of U.S. high school students in 2025. By preparing more students for careers in cybersecurity, the program supports the development of a skilled workforce capable of addressing the increasing cybersecurity threats faced by businesses and government agencies.
What's Next?
The College Board plans to continue building teacher capacity to support the expanded course offering. This includes incorporating cybersecurity training into its AP Summer Institutes, which are optional 30-hour training events for teachers. The focus will be on equipping existing computer science, math, and science teachers with the skills needed to teach cybersecurity effectively. Cisco will play a key role in this process by providing training materials through its Networking Academy, helping teachers connect theoretical concepts to practical skills. The collaboration with industry partners will also continue to inform course development and exam design, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant to current industry needs.
