The CISCO Academy was launched at our institute in 2001. For years, it has been offering for both intra- and extramural students the opportunity to participate in certified training conducted as part of the CISCO Networking Academy (CNA) programme. So far, over 10,000 people have taken part in the CISCO training conducted by our academy - many of them have participated in several training courses, periodically "returning" to the academy. The activity of the academy is dedicated to improving competences in the field of broadly understood network technologies.

The list of currently offered training courses:
• CCNA: Introduction to Networks
• CCNA: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials
• CCNA: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation
• IT Essentials
• Introduction to Cybersecurity
• Network Security.

The CISCO Academy educates IT industry specialists. Thanks to the high substantive level and world wide unification of the knowledge provided, network specialists participating in the courses are fully prepared to work with modern network solutions. It is also supported by the fact that training materials prepared by CISCO are available in many national languages. In order to conduct the training effectively, the list of equipment used for academy training is successively supplemented with devices operating in the latest standards and technologies. It is worth emphasizing that the available units, versions of network equipment and software at the academy's disposal go far beyond the requirements specifications published by CISCO. The list of available equipment includes routers: CISCO 4321, 2911, 2901, 1921, switches: Catalyst 3560G, Catalyst 2960, WS-C2950T-24, WS-C2924-XL-EN, firewalls: CISCO ASA 5506-X, CISCO ASA 5505, CISCO ASA 5510, CISCO CP IP phones -8841, wireless bridges, wireless access points, and hubs.

The academy has repeatedly participated in training projects financed by the EU. They were addressed to various groups of final beneficiaries, e.g., employees of the SME sector from the Lubuskie Province, our university's Faculty of Computer, Electrical and Control Engineering students, teachers and students of Lubuskie secondary schools, etc. Regardless of the characteristics of the training participants, the programmes were selected in such a way as to convey as much knowledge and as many skills as possible.

Additionally, valuable content taken from the certified training programs of the CISCO academy is provided to students of the Faculty of Computer, Electrical and Control Engineering. This is reflected in the subjects taught in all fields of study offered at the faculty.