The ATA Blog
Cyber, AI and IT training insights, certification guidance and industry perspective from our practitioner instructors — 112 articles and counting.
Applied Technology Academy Named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, Ranking No. 36 Among Education Companies
Applied Technology Academy has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 — No. 36 among U.S. education companies and No. 2,370 overall — in…
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CMMC Phase 2 Is Paused: What Defense Contractors Should Do Next
CMMC Phase 2 Is Paused: What Defense Contractors Should Do Next The Pentagon’s decision to suspend Phase 2 of the Cybersecurity Ma…
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Question-Based Cyber Range Assessments for Blue Team Skill Validation
What Are Question-Based Cyber Range Assessments? Blue teams face pressure during holidays, long weekends, peak business seasons, …
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Evening Cyber Classes That Build Real Blue Team Skills
Build Real-World Blue Team Skills After Work Evening cyber classes provide working professionals, veterans, and aspiring cybersecu…
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How to Build Cyber Labs for Realistic Blue Team Training
What Are Cyber Labs for Blue Team Training? Blue team training works best when the lab feels like the job. Real defenders do not …
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How to Choose a Cyber Range for Blue Team Training
How to Choose a Cyber Range for Blue Team Training Choosing a cyber range for blue team training can be difficult because many pl…
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Signs Your Blue Team Cybersecurity Skills Need a Refresh
Signs Your Blue Team Cybersecurity Skills Need a Refresh Blue team cybersecurity work does not slow down, even when our skills do…
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6-Week SOC Lab Roadmap: From Beginner to First Interview
Breaking into cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, but the first real step is smaller than many people think. With a few focused e…
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Question-Based vs. Scenario-Based Cyber Ranges: Which Measures Readiness?
Cyberattacks do not take a summer vacation. As the weather heats up, many teams juggle vacations, new hires, and major projects. I…
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Cyber Range vs. Home Lab vs. CTF: Which Best Prepares You for a First SOC Job?
Starting in blue team cybersecurity can feel confusing. People keep saying you must build a home lab, grind CTFs, and get time on …
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How to Balance Cyber Training While Working Full Time
Cyber training while working full time is challenging, but it is absolutely doable when you treat it like a serious career project…
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Why Live Instructor Cyber Training Outperforms Recorded Courses
Many IT and security professionals discover this problem with recorded cybersecurity courses. They often fall apart at the exact m…
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How Employers Really Judge Cybersecurity Certifications
Cybersecurity certification value is not measured by acronyms alone. For employers, the real question is whether a certification h…
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Are Evening Cybersecurity Classes the Right Fit for You?
Building a cybersecurity career when you already have a full-time job, family responsibilities, and everyday commitments can feel …
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How Cyber Ranges Transform Defensive Cybersecurity Training
Cyber range training gives defensive teams a way to practice responding to real attacks before they hit production systems. As a f…
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Essential Cloud Security Skills Every Defender Needs
Cloud is where attackers are focusing, so defenders have to treat cloud security skills as a primary discipline, not a side projec…
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Inside the SOC: How Blue Team Roles Work in Real Life
Explore blue team cybersecurity roles inside a real SOC, including Tier 1 analysts, incident responders, threat hunters, engineers…
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CEH vs. Blue Team Certs for Defenders: How to Choose Your Path
Choosing between CEH vs. Blue Team certifications can be tricky when you live on the defensive side of security. You want to stop …
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6 Costly OSCP Prep Mistakes to Avoid Before Exam Day
Avoid common OSCP prep mistakes that waste time and points. Learn how to train smarter, improve lab performance, and build an exam…
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Why Hands-On Cyber Labs Are Essential for Offensive Security Training
Discover how hands-on cyber labs improve offensive security training. Learn real penetration testing skills, attack chains, and re…
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What to Expect From an OSCP-Style Hands-On Course
Preparing for OSCP is very different from watching security videos or running tools in a controlled lab. OSCP training online is d…
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OSCP vs. CEH: Which Is Better for Pentesting?
OSCP is generally the better choice for pentesting roles because it proves hands-on exploitation skills in realistic exam conditio…
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What Entry-Level Cyber Jobs Really Look Like Day to Day
Explore what entry-level cyber jobs actually look like day to day, including real tasks, tools, and skills you need to succeed.
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PMP Exam Changes 2026: Key Dates, Updates, & How to Prepare
If you’re thinking about getting your PMP certification, 2026 will be an important year of change.
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Online Cybersecurity Training: Live Instructor vs. Self-Paced
Choosing how you train is just as important as what you train on. If you are working full-time, juggling family and other responsi…
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How to Break Into Cybersecurity: A Realistic Timeline, Skills, and Certifications
Switching careers is a big deal, especially if you are feeling stuck, burned out, or worried that your current job could be automa…
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CompTIA Network+ vs Security+: Which Should You Take First?
Choosing between CompTIA Network+ and Security+ as your first certification is a big decision, especially if you are just breaking…
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Build Real Skills with Practical AI Certification
Tech changes faster than most of us can keep up with. Just when we get used to one tool or system, a new update or platform takes …
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Tips for Successful CompTIA Network+ Training for Working IT Pros
Finding time for training when you already work in IT can feel tough. Workdays are full, and evenings disappear quickly. Still, bu…
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Who SOC Analyst Certification Fits and What It Covers Today
A SOC analyst plays a key role in helping organizations stay safe from cyber threats. Short for Security Operations Center analyst…
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How to Choose IT Security Certification Programs for Your Role
Picking the right IT security certification programs can feel like a lot to figure out, especially if this is your first time look…
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Building Information Security Skills Through ISC2
Building strong information security skills helps us protect digital systems, prevent problems before they start, and support the …
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CISA Training: Build Real-World Information Systems Auditing Skills
CISA training helps professionals build the IT audit skills needed to review systems, understand risk, and support stronger busine…
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Implementing AI Solutions in Business Through Training
It is exciting to see businesses using new tools to help with tasks, solve problems, and save time. But there is a catch. Without …
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Mastering Threat Intelligence Through Professional Training
Cyber threats do not stay still. They change fast, grow quietly, and often show up where we least expect them. That can make secur…
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How Online Cybersecurity Bootcamps Prepare You for Relevant Cyber Threats
As we near the end of the year, many of us are juggling project deadlines, vacation schedules, and final reviews. But there's one …
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Cybersecurity Certifications That Matter: Industry Trends and Career-Boosting Credentials
Not every job in tech changes as quickly as cybersecurity. Threats grow, tools shift, and what worked last year might already feel…
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Mastering Threat Analysis Through Professional Training
Threats don’t stand still. They shift, change, and come from new places every day. That can make staying ahead of them feel tricky…
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CompTIA Security+ Training Tips for Passing Your Fall Exam
Fall is a great time to buckle down and finish strong, especially if your CompTIA Security+ training is already underway. Whether …
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Future-Proof Your IT Career with CompTIA CloudNetX
CompTIA CloudNetX is a name a lot of tech pros are starting to hear. It’s built for anyone working with both cloud systems and sta…
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Developing Cybersecurity Skills Through Online Training Programs
Learning how to protect computers and networks has become more important than ever. From our homes to our jobs, we use the interne…
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5 Critical Flashpoints That Will Transform Your Learning Today
In today's technology landscape, the old model of technical training—a periodic certification or a one-time bootcamp—is no longer …
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Mastering CTF Challenges Through Hands-on Practice
Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges have become one of the most engaging ways to build cybersecurity skills. They’re problem-solving…
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Beyond the Exam: Why Maintaining Your CompTIA Certifications Is Key to Career Longevity
Earning a CompTIA certification—whether it's Security+, CySA+, or a specialized credential—is more than a line on your resume; it'…
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How AI Training Can Transform Your Technology Career Path
There’s no shortage of buzz around artificial intelligence, but what really makes it stand out isn’t just the new tech tools. It’s…
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Developing IT Risk Management Expertise Through Training
Managing risks in IT is a big part of keeping systems running the right way. Things like data leaks and system crashes can happen …
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Implementing AI Solutions Through Professional Training
Artificial intelligence has quickly become more than just a buzzword. From automating customer support to helping doctors diagnose…
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Implementing AWS Security Best Practices Through Training
Cloud security matters more than ever. As teams rely more on services like Amazon Web Services, the chances of mistakes get higher…
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Building Strong Security Foundations with CompTIA Security+
A strong security foundation isn’t just something tech professionals talk about. It’s something every organization depends on. Dig…
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Real-World Applications of Cybersecurity Training Skills
Cybersecurity isn't just about tech experts preventing big hacks. It's about everyday decisions that affect how safe we are when b…
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Transitioning to Cybersecurity Through Online Bootcamps
Thinking about making a career jump but not sure where to start? If tech or security has ever sparked your interest, stepping into…
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Practical Applications of Ethical Hacking Course Skills
Ethical hacking has quickly moved from a niche skill to a core strategy in protecting digital systems. As cyber threats become mor…
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Starting Your Project Management Journey with PMP Training
Project management is one of those skills that finds its way into every corner of work life. Whether you're overseeing a product l…
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Strengthening Your CISSP Knowledge Base Before the Exam
Preparing for the CISSP exam can feel like a mountain to climb, especially if you’re juggling work, life, and study time. But buil…
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Breaking Into Ethical Hacking Through Professional Certification
If you've been curious about cybersecurity and have a strong interest in solving problems, ethical hacking might be calling your n…
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Bridging Network Security Gaps with CompTIA Network+ Training
Networks help businesses stay connected, but they also open the door to risks. With more devices, users, and traffic zipping acros…
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Addressing Data Privacy Concerns in Cloud Security Training
Data privacy is a growing concern for both individuals and businesses, especially as more and more information gets stored and sha…
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Building Your SOC Analyst Career Through Professional Training
The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, and one of the most important roles on any security team is …
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Cutting Through the Hype: What You REALLY Need to Know About AI & ML Today
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are everywhere, and the buzz can be overwhelming. From self-driving cars to…
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What Is a Cyber Range and How Can It Boost Your Cybersecurity Skills?
Have you ever wondered how experts in cybersecurity train for battles against digital threats? They don’t just read books or watch…
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Why Black Hat 2025 is Your Must-Attend Cybersecurity Event – And Why ATA & OffSec Are Leading the Charge
The digital landscape is a constantly evolving battleground. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the need for cutting-edge k…
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Applied Technology Academy Steps Up to Support the Inaugural U.S. Women's Cyber Team
In October 2024, what started as a vision became reality as the US Cyber Games program made history by commissioning the first-eve…
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Why DoD 8140 Qualification Matters: What You Need, How to Get It, and When It’s Due
With cybersecurity threats becoming more advanced and persistent, the Department of Defense (DoD) is strengthening its cyber defen…
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Unveiling CompTIA SecurityX: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Training
The world of cybersecurity evolves faster than most businesses can adapt, making it one of the most critical domains in modern IT.…
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Navigating DoD 8140 Personnel Requirements: Key Timelines and Compliance
The Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented the DoD 8140 directive to ensure that its cyberspace workforce is well-prepared to…
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Leading the Way in Cybersecurity Leadership: Essential Certifications
Real-World Scenario: Imagine a multinational corporation facing a significant cyber attack that disrupts its operations. The Chief…
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The Path to Becoming an Ethical Hacker: Certifications That Matter
Real-World Scenario: Consider a scenario where a healthcare organization wants to ensure the security of its patient data. An ethi…
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Excelling in Digital Forensics and Incident Response: Key Certifications
Real-World Scenario: The growing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks demand that organizations have a strong DFIR capabi…
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Unlock Your Cybersecurity Potential with the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK/OSCP) Instructor-Led Course at Applied Technology Academy!
Applied Technology Academy’s Authorized OffSec PEN-200 OSCP training course is a must for anyone serious about a career in cyberse…
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Exploring the Diverse Fields of Cybersecurity: Your Path to Success
Incident Response: Incident response involves detecting and mitigating cyberattacks in progress. It includes preparing for potenti…
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Master Advanced Cybersecurity Skills with PEN-300 OffSec Experienced Penetration Tester (OSEP) at Applied Technology Academy
Applied Technology Academy is proud to be the only training provider in the country offering the Advanced Evasion Techniques and B…
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Applied Technology Academy Now Offering Open Enrollment and Dedicated Classes for SANS/GIAC Courses
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) / SEC401: Security Essentials - Network, Endpoint, & Cloud Course Overview : This course covers es…
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Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program Final Rule is Now Published! Don’t be left behind in Federal Contracting!
Define key terms like Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and DoD Unique Identification (DoD UID).
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Unleashing Cyber Warriors: Journey into the World of Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
In today’s digital landscape, security vulnerabilities and cyber threats are more prevalent than ever. Organizations face constant…
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Black Hat USA 2024: OffSec Training Powered by ATA
The excitement at Black Hat USA 2024 was inspiring, with attendees and instructors alike still raving about the incredible experie…
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Master your cybersecurity skills with Hack The Box Instructor Led Training and Online Live Mentoring from Applied Technology Academy
Deerfield Beach, FL (August 22, 2024) - Applied Technology Academy (ATA) is partnering with Hack The Box (HTB) to deliver hands-on…
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ATA is Proud to Announce our New Asymmetric Training Group (ATG)
The Asymmetric Training Group 's mission is to deliver advanced, best-in-class, hands-on cybersecurity training that empowers indi…
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Black Hat USA: How to Hack Las Vegas (Ethically!)
Be a Session Hopper: Check the Black Hat agenda beforehand. Identify talks that align with your interests and those that cover adv…
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SOC-200 & OSDA Overview
By: Jake Mayhew The SOC-200 course and OffSec Defense Analyst (OSDA) certification has stood out in the cybersecurity industry due…
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From OSCP to OSDA: Mastering Cybersecurity at Black Hat USA
Black Hat USA 2024 is upon us, the premier security conference that brings together hackers (both ethical and… not so ethical) to …
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Cyber Security Global Alliance and Applied Technology Academy (USA) Enter Into Strategic Partnership in Global Cyber Defense Education
Cyber Security Global Alliance operates in over twenty cities globally with highly specialized leading cybersecurity and defense e…
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EXP-301 OSED Review — Offensive Security Exploit Developer
Earlier this month, I passed the OffSec Exploit Developer (OSED) certification exam. As with other 300-level courses from OffSec, …
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SOC-200 OSDA Review — Offensive Security Defense Analyst
This past week, I passed the Offensive Security Defense Analyst (OSDA) certification exam. True to form for OffSec, this was anoth…
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OffSec Names Applied Technology Academy Exclusive Black Hat USA Training Partner
Applied Technology Academy elevates on-site cybersecurity training by teaching three highly sought-after OffSec courses: PEN-200 (…
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WEB-300 OSWE Review — OffSec Web Expert
Last week I passed the OffSec Web Expert (OSWE) exam. This was a long time coming as I started studying for it at the end of 2020,…
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Exploring Kali Linux 2024.1: Improving Your Hacking Experience, One Upgrade at a Time
First and foremost, let's address the new additions to Kali's toolkit – because let's face it, what's offensive security without s…
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UNF Division of Continuing Education partners with Applied Technology Academy to launch expanded IT and cybersecurity training
JACKSONVILLE, FL (March 5, 2024) – The University of North Florida (UNF) Division of Continuing Education, a leader in lifelong le…
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The Art of Passive Reconnaissance: MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Complementary to DNS interrogation are tools like WHOIS databases and DNS enumeration tools. WHOIS databases contain information a…
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Understanding MITRE ATT&CK: The Reconnaissance Phase
Command-line tools like Nmap play a pivotal role in executing Active Scanning. Nmap, short for Network Mapper, is a versatile and …
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Unleash Your Potential with PEN-200: The Gateway to the OffSec OSCP
Anyone with a passion for technology and cybersecurity should consider this course. It's designed for: Technology enthusiasts who …
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Mastering Cybersecurity Excellence: Navigating the Updated CompTIA Security+ SYO-701
By Bailey Marshall Have you ever woken up to a nightmare of your system being compromised? It's time to turn that fear into your s…
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Beyond Black Hat: Unleash Your Pentesting Proficiency with Authorized PEN-200 OSCP Training!
Mastering the Art of Ethical Hacking: Applied Technology Academy's Authorized OffSec PEN-200 OSCP Immersive Training In the ever-e…
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Applied Technology Academy Sharpens Focus on Expansion by Offering Authorized AWS Training Nationwide
Applied Technology Academy Sharpens Focus on Expansion by Offering Authorized AWS Training Nationwide Deerfield Beach, FL (Septemb…
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Free Wounded Heroes Screening in Tampa
Applied Technology Academy, a military focused IT and cyber training company, in partnership with Gier Productions, LLC and Carrol…
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Auburn University at Montgomery partners with Applied Technology Academy to Deliver Award Winning Cybersecurity, Cloud and Project Management Training
April 20, 2022 Auburn University at Montgomery , Alabama’s premier provider of lifelong learning, workforce development and commun…
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UNF Division of Continuing Ed Partners with Applied Technology Academy to launch lucrative IT, Network and Cloud Security Careers
December 7, 2021 The University of North Florida Division of Continuing Education, the region’s premier provider of lifelong learn…
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Applied Technology Academy (ATA) Leads the Charge with CMMC Training
From Logically Speaking May 2021: Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
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WARNING from the CMMC-AB: Unauthorized Training Providers
As you likely know, Applied Technology Academy is a Licensed Training Provider for the CMMC-AB, preparing to equip and help our US…
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Climb Credit Student Financing Partnership
● A quick online application -with the ability to add a cosigner -completed in as little as 5 minutes with no impact to credit sco…
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Our Students Speak Up - 5 Star Reviews
Did you know the best place to check company reviews is Google Maps? They cannot be altered in any way - true unedited client opin…
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The Best in Online Live Classes
Here we are, doing what we do every day – delivering award winning IT and project management certification classes. We are offerin…
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Certification Testing in the Face of COVID-19
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to cause disruption and uncertainty, we want to alleviate one of your possible concerns: s…
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Our November 30th Offensive Security PWK Mentored Academy Cohort is filling up!
Modules Active Directory Attacks PowerShell Empire Introduction to Buffer Overflows Bash Scripting Labs: 3 dedicated student virtu…
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Cyber Secure Coder
As a CertNexus Platinum Training Partner, we are proud to offer the new Cyber Secure Coder (CSC) course nationwide. CSC is the com…
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ATA becomes the US Offensive Security training provider!
If you have done business with Applied Technology Academy, you know our chief mission is to be THE BEST IN CLASS training provider…
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The Keys to Certification Success
We all know that professional certifications lend significant credibility to our accomplishments and skill levels, but many are ch…
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Online Live Learning Quickly Becomes the Preferred Training Method in the Face of COVID-19 Online Live Learning Quickly Becomes the Preferred Training Method in the Face of COVID-19
There are growing concerns about how health and travel restrictions are affecting corporate, military and individual training ende…
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Industry IT Certification Changes and Updates
2020 is the year for IT certification changes and updates! Multiple vendors including CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and Project Manage…
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Ethical Hacking is Not as Sexy as It Seems
As the winner of the 2017 EC-Council Academia Circle of Excellence Award, we have a significant amount of cyber security training …
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Cybersecurity is about people first, then the tools they use.
A refreshing article recently written by Bob Diachenko of SecurityDiscovery.com that reiterates what we already believe – cybersec…
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Applied Technology Academy Becomes a Blockchain Training Alliance Accredited Training Partner
As the sole US based instructor-led BTA Accredited North America Delivery Partner for the Blockchain Training Alliance, Applied Te…
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CyberSec First Responder Certification Courses
Looking for a DoD-8570 compliant cybersecurity certification course? Look no futher, the CyberSec First Responder Certification co…
Read more →Design training around your team, not the other way around.
Talk to a training advisor about private cohorts, funding paths and program management.