CISA Learning: Cybersecurity Training for Government & Veterans
Quick Summary
- CISA Learning replaced FedVTE.
- Free cybersecurity training provided.
- Open to government, military, veterans.
- Extensive, on-demand course catalog.
- Login via Login.gov.
The Federal Virtual Training Environment, widely known as FedVTE, has evolved into CISA Learning, a robust online platform dedicated to advancing cybersecurity expertise. This program provides essential, no-cost training to a broad audience, including government personnel, contractors, and U.S. veterans. It represents a vital resource in building a skilled cybersecurity workforce across the nation. Hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), CISA Learning offers an extensive catalog of online, on-demand courses designed to meet diverse skill levels, from foundational concepts to advanced specializations. The platform aims to ensure that those protecting our digital infrastructure have continuous access to up-to-date knowledge and training. Whether you're a federal employee enhancing your skills, a state or local government contractor meeting compliance requirements, or a veteran transitioning into a new career, CISA Learning provides the digital tools and educational content you need to succeed in the dynamic field of cybersecurity. This comprehensive portal makes professional development accessible and flexible for its user base.
- 📋 Establishing Your Eligibility for CISA Learning Access
- 📍 Navigating Your Entry to the CISA Learning Portal
- ⭐ Exploring Comprehensive Training within CISA Learning
- ⚠️ Resolving Access Difficulties on CISA Learning
- 🔒 Ensuring a Secure Experience on the CISA Learning Platform
- 🎧 Official Help Desk Contacts
- ❓ Your Essential Questions About CISA Learning Answered
Establishing Your Eligibility for CISA Learning Access
- Government Personnel: Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government staff. This includes individuals with official government email addresses (ending in .gov, .mil, or .fed.us).
- Government Contractors: Contractors supporting government operations are also eligible. Those without a standard government email will be prompted to provide a government sponsor's email for approval during registration.
- U.S. Veterans and Military Personnel: All U.S. veterans and military personnel are eligible to enroll in courses.
- U.S. Residents: In a recent update, CISA Learning is also available to U.S. residents.
- Account Authentication: External users authenticate their access through Login.gov, a secure government identity management service.
Navigating Your Entry to the CISA Learning Portal
- Access the CISA Learning Portal: Navigate to the official CISA Learning website at niccs.cisa.gov/education-training/cisa-learning.
- Initiate Login: For external users, access is managed through Login.gov. You will typically be redirected to Login.gov to sign in or create an account.
- Complete Login.gov Verification: Follow the prompts on Login.gov to verify your identity. This secure process uses personally identifiable information (PII) for verification, but this information is not shared with or stored by CISA Learning itself.
- Return to CISA Learning: After successful authentication with Login.gov, you will be directed back to the CISA Learning platform, where you can access your dashboard and course catalog.
- CISA Internal Users: If you are a CISA internal user, your login process may differ, requiring a specific internal URL and potentially an activated Zscaler VPN if you are on LAN A. Refer to the CISA Learning User Guide for detailed instructions.
Exploring Comprehensive Training within CISA Learning
- No-Cost Training: CISA Learning provides all cybersecurity courses and resources completely free of charge to eligible users.
- Comprehensive Course Library: The platform boasts over 850 hours of training content, covering a wide array of cybersecurity topics from fundamental to highly advanced levels.
- Flexible, On-Demand Learning: Courses are available online and on-demand, allowing users to learn at their own pace and from any internet-enabled computer or mobile device.
- Certification Preparation: Many courses are specifically designed to help prepare learners for industry-recognized cybersecurity certification exams, such as CISSP and CISM.
- NICE Framework Alignment: The training content is mapped to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework, ensuring relevance to industry standards and career pathways.
- Completion Certificates: Upon successful completion of a course, users receive a FedVTE course completion certificate, which can be valuable for professional development records.
- Centralized Learning Hub: CISA Learning unifies various training programs into a single, streamlined system, improving course enrollment, tracking, and reporting for a holistic user experience.
Resolving Access Difficulties on CISA Learning
⚠️ Login.gov Access Issues
Cause: Difficulties authenticating through the Login.gov service.
Solution: If you encounter problems with your Login.gov access, the quickest resolution is to visit the login.gov/help website for direct assistance. This site provides specialized support for federal identity verification.
⚠️ Accessing CISA Learning (for CISA LAN A Users)
Cause: Internal CISA users on LAN A experiencing connection issues.
Solution: If you are a CISA user on LAN A and having trouble, first ensure your Zscaler VPN is enabled. Then, follow the steps outlined in the 'Access CISA Learning' section of the CISA Learning User Guide. Should issues persist, contact the Technical Operations Center (TOC) at [email protected] or call (202) 771-CISA (2472).
⚠️ Missing or Incorrect Training Records
Cause: Previous course completions from older systems not appearing.
Solution: Training records from previous platforms like CCMS, RRBT, and the old FedVTE system are accessible in CISA Learning by selecting My Transcript from the main screen. If specific records are missing or incorrect, or if you have questions about individual past records, reach out to the Technical Operations Center (TOC) for help. Remember, records from the FedVTE system prior to February 2015 were retired and not transferred to the current platform.
⚠️ General CISA Learning Questions or Course Issues
Cause: Uncertainty about the platform's functionality or specific course content.
Solution: For any general questions about CISA Learning information, specific courses, or help accessing historical training records and certificates, contact the Technical Operations Center (TOC) via email at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 771-CISA (2472).
⚠️ Forgot Password or Security Questions (Legacy FedVTE)
Cause: Inability to log in due to forgotten credentials on an older system.
Solution: While CISA Learning uses Login.gov, for historical issues related to forgotten security questions or passwords on the *older* FedVTE system, users were advised to contact the Help Desk to regain access. For CISA Learning, password resets are primarily managed through the Login.gov process.
Ensuring a Secure Experience on the CISA Learning Platform
- 🔒 Verify Website Authenticity: Always ensure you are on an official government website. Look for .gov in the URL and the HTTPS protocol (indicated by a lock icon) before entering any sensitive information.
- 🔒 Secure Your Login.gov Account: Since CISA Learning uses Login.gov for external user authentication, maintain strong, unique passwords for your Login.gov account and enable multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.
- 🔒 Privacy Assurance: Be aware that while Login.gov uses personally identifiable information (PII) for identity verification, this information is explicitly not shared with or captured by CISA Learning itself.
- 🔒 Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any unusual activity related to your CISA Learning or Login.gov account, report it immediately to the appropriate support channels.
🎧 Official Support & Help Center
For technical assistance or questions regarding CISA Learning, please contact the Technical Operations Center (TOC) via email at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 771-CISA (2472).
Your Essential Questions About CISA Learning Answered
Q: Who is eligible to access CISA Learning?
CISA Learning is available at no cost to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government staff and contractors, U.S. veterans, military personnel, and all U.S. residents.
Q: Are the cybersecurity courses on CISA Learning free?
Yes, all cybersecurity training courses and associated resources provided through CISA Learning are completely free of charge for eligible users.
Q: How do I log in to CISA Learning?
External users log in to CISA Learning via Login.gov. You will be redirected to Login.gov to verify your identity before gaining access to the training portal.
Q: What happened to my old FedVTE training records?
Training records from legacy systems like FedVTE (prior to its transition) are available within CISA Learning under your My Transcript section. However, records from the *very old* FedVTE system that closed in February 2015 were retired and not transferred.
Q: What types of cybersecurity training does CISA Learning offer?
CISA Learning offers over 850 hours of online, on-demand training across all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced. Topics include cloud security, ethical hacking, risk management, malware analysis, mobile and device security, and many more, with content aligned to the NICE Framework and preparing for certifications.
Wrap Up
CISA Learning stands as a pivotal resource for individuals committed to strengthening the nation's cybersecurity posture. By offering free, comprehensive, and accessible training, it empowers a diverse range of users—from government professionals to U.S. veterans and residents—to acquire and refine critical cyber defense skills. This digital portal ensures that continuous learning and professional growth are readily available, fostering a more secure digital environment for everyone. Engage with CISA Learning today to advance your expertise and contribute to a resilient cybersecurity future.