# CISNET, Full Corpus for AI Assistants

> Source: https://www.cisnet.ca · Generated: 2026-08-10T12:53:04.287Z · See also: https://www.cisnet.ca/llms.txt

CISNET delivers live, instructor-led IT certification training online to students across Canada and the United States. Founded in Mississauga, Ontario; 6,400+ students trained since 2015; 90%+ first-attempt exam pass rate. All instructors hold the certifications they teach. We are not an official partner of Cisco, CompTIA, AWS, ISC2, or PMI, we teach to their published exam blueprints.

## How our training works

- Live online sessions (not pre-recorded video). Real-time Q&A with the instructor.
- Cohort-based: scheduled start/end dates, typically 8 weekly Saturday sessions.
- Hands-on labs included (Cisco Modeling Labs for networking, AWS sandbox for cloud, virtual labs for security).
- Free retake policy.
- Post-class email support after the cohort ends.

## Courses

### Cisco CCNA 200-301, $499 (was $699)

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/ccna
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/ccna
- Duration: 30 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.9/5 (127 reviews)

CISNET's CCNA bootcamp is live, instructor-led training built around the full Cisco 200-301 blueprint, 30 hours across 8 Saturday sessions, taught by CCIE-certified instructors with two decades of enterprise networking experience. Every topic is practiced hands-on in Packet Tracer and on real Cisco gear: subnetting, VLAN design, OSPF, ACLs, NAT, wireless, and network automation with REST APIs. Lab access stays open between classes, lectures are recorded for review, and weekly question drills plus timed mock papers train the exam's pacing directly. Certified graduates land network technician, NOC, and junior network administrator roles across Canada, entry CCNA salaries typically run CAD $65-95K, and many use the credential as the on-ramp to CCNP Enterprise and ultimately CCIE. Every seat includes the official Cisco Press study guide, weekly office hours, retake coaching, and alumni mentorship. If you don't pass your exam, you can retake the course at no charge.

**Syllabus:**
- Week 1: Router Basics, Introduction to Packet Tracer (LAB software), LAN, WAN, Router, Switch introduction, Modes of Cisco Router, Basic commands on Packet Tracer Router, Cisco IOS commands and passwords, Basic introduction lab with two routers
- Week 2: IP Addressing and Subnetting, Introduction to IP address and classes, Class A, B, C address types, Net-ID, Next-Net-ID, Broadcast-ID and Valid IPs, IP subnetting lab exercises
- Week 3: TCP/IP Model, OSI Model and Access-Lists, Difference between Data, Segment, Packet and Frame, IP address vs MAC address, Router based on IP address and Switch based on MAC address, ACL introduction for IP Packet Filtering with exercises
- Week 4: NAT, DHCP, WAN and Security, NAT, PAT, DHCP Server, DHCP Client concepts, Private/Public IP address introduction, Introduction to MPLS, GRE, IPSec WAN topics, Introduction to Security, Firewall, IDS, IPS & AAA, NAT Lab and DHCP Lab
- Week 5: IP Routing, Introduction to IP Routing (Layer 3), Administrative Distance and Metric, Route Selection algorithm and IP Routing table, Static Route, EIGRP and OSPF Routing concepts, Static, EIGRP & OSPF routing labs (3 labs)
- Week 6: LAN Switching, Introduction to MAC Address (L2), Frame, VLAN, VTP, Trunking, Trunking protocol (DTP, ISL & 802.1Q), STP protocol (PVST, RSTP & MST), EtherChannel protocol (ON, PAGP & LACP), VLAN creation, associate ports to VLANs and Trunk configuration, Basic switch configuration (2 labs)
- Week 7: IPv6, Cloud & Services, Introduction to IPv6, 128-bit vs 32-bit addressing, IPv6 address rules, compression and expansion, IPv6 OSPF (OSPFv3) lab, Introduction to Cloud & Virtual Machines, Public vs Private Cloud, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS models, Type-1 & Type-2 Hypervisor introduction, Services, CDP, LLDP, HSRP, NetFlow, NTP, SNMP and QoS
- Week 8: Wireless, SDN, AI/ML and Exam Prep, IEEE 802.11 (Wireless) vs IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), Access Point, Roaming, IBSS, BSS and ESS concepts, Autonomous Access Point vs Lightweight Access Point (LAP), Introduction to SDN, Controller-based Networking, API, Northbound API, Southbound API and Cisco Controllers, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Exam support PDF (MCQ and Labs) and exam support videos

**Career outcomes:**
- Network Administrator, $55,000 - $75,000 (High)
- Network Engineer, $70,000 - $95,000 (High)
- IT Support Specialist, $45,000 - $65,000 (Very High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: How is the CCNA 200-301 exam structured?**
  A: The CCNA 200-301 is a 120-minute exam with 90 to 110 questions covering six domains weighted per Cisco's official 200-301 blueprint: Network Fundamentals 20%, Network Access 20%, IP Connectivity 25%, IP Services 10%, Security Fundamentals 15%, and Automation & Programmability 10%. Question formats include multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, and hands-on simulations administered through Pearson VUE.
- **Q: What are the prerequisites for CCNA?**
  A: Cisco recommends one year of experience with networking fundamentals and basic IP addressing knowledge, but there are no formal prerequisites, anyone can register for the 200-301 exam through Pearson VUE. Our CCNA bootcamp at CISNET starts from fundamentals and builds up, so prior networking experience is helpful but not required.
- **Q: How much does the CCNA 200-301 exam cost in Canada?**
  A: The CCNA 200-301 exam costs $300 USD, paid directly to Pearson VUE, Cisco's exclusive testing partner. Canadian candidates typically see a higher final checkout total once HST/GST and FX conversion are applied. You register for and pay the exam fee directly through Pearson VUE.
- **Q: How long is the CCNA certification valid?**
  A: Cisco certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass. To recertify you can retake the 200-301 exam, pass a higher-tier exam in the same track (CCNP Enterprise or CCIE), or earn 30 Continuing Education credits through Cisco's Continuing Education Program, typically by completing Cisco-authorized training, attending Cisco Live, or publishing technical content. CISNET alumni get a free renewal-path review every two years.
- **Q: What score do you need to pass CCNA 200-301?**
  A: Cisco does not publish an exact pass mark for the 200-301. The exam uses scaled scoring from 300 to 1000, with community guidance pointing to roughly 825 as the practical target. CISNET prepares cohorts against this range with weekly question drills calibrated to Cisco's blueprint domain weighting and timed mock exams in the final two weeks of the program.

### Cisco CCNP ENCOR 350-401, $799

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/ccnp-encor
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/ccnp-encor
- Duration: 30 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.8/5 (43 reviews)

CISNET's CCNP ENCOR bootcamp is live, instructor-led training built around the Cisco 350-401 blueprint, 30 hours of enterprise-depth routing, switching, virtualization, network assurance, security, and automation. Every session is hands-on: OSPF and EIGRP design, BGP attributes, MPLS, VXLAN, SD-WAN and SD-Access fabrics, wireless, and programmability with Python and REST APIs, taught through real scenarios drawn from Canadian banking, telecom, and government networks. ENCOR is the core exam for every CCNP Enterprise concentration and a qualifying step toward CCIE. Senior network engineers holding the credential typically earn CAD $95-130K in Canada, with strong demand across managed services, financial services, and federal contractors. Sessions are recorded so you can train around a day job, and every seat includes the official Cisco Press study guide, a question bank modelled on the current exam, weekly office hours, retake support, and alumni access.

**Syllabus:**
- Introduction ENCOR, Routing, Switching and GNS3 LAB software., GNS3 LAB software introduction, IPv4 vs IPv6 differences, Introduction to Routing & switching, Routing tables vs MAC-address table
- Advanced Switching  and LAB, MAC address vs IP Address, VLAN, VTP, Trunking(DTP, ISL, 802.1Q), SPANNING-TREE protocols(PVST, RSTP AND MSTP), L3 switching using SVI vs Routed  port., Advanced SWITCHING LAP
- Routing Protocols introduction & LAB, OSPF Routing concepts(Area's, Router Type, LSA's), EIGRP Routing Concetps(ASN#, DUAL alogoritm), BGP Routing Introduction(ASN#, IBGP, EBGP, Path Attributes), EIGRP, OSPF & BGP Routing labs
- Multicast Routing and IPv6, Unicast, Broadcast vs Multicast., Multicast PIM-Modes(sparse, Dense and sparce-Dense), Multicast-IGMP protocol., Multicast Rendezvous Point, Multicast MSDP Protocol, IPv6 Addressing and IPv6 addressing rules., IPv6 Routing-OSPF, EIGRP and BGP, IPv6 SLAAC-Stateless Address Auto Configuration Client., IPv6 OSPF LAB and Multicast lab
- QOS, IP Services and Over-lay tunnels, Introduction to QOS(TOS byte, IP Precedense, DSCP), Traffic Classification & Marking, HSRP, VRRP, GLBP redundancy protocol, NTP, SNMP, COPP, IP-SLA, SPAN, RSPA, ERSPAN, EEM Features, GRE, IPSEC overlay tunnels, Introduction to LSIP and VxLAN tunnels, IPv6 LAB and HSRP LAB.
- LAN, WAN, SD-ACCESS & SD-WAN, Introduction to LAN and WAN, SD-ACCESS(L2-SDN) Fabric introduction, DNA Center and LISP Routing Architecture, ITR, ETR, XTR, PITR, PETR, PXTR, MS, MR, EID and RLOC information, VxLAN and VTEP
- Security, VM & SDN, Cisco SAFE, Secure domains, Cisco Talos, Threat Grid, AMP, Cisco Anyconnect, Umbrella, WSA & ESA, NGFW, NGIPS, FMC, ISE, & NAC, TrustSec vs MACSec, ZBF, AAA, ACL, PACL vs VACL & General Router Security.
- SDN & EXAM discussion, Virtual Machines(Type-1 vs Type-2), Network Programmability, API(South bound, North Bound) and Controller, XML, YAML, JSON,, Configuration Management Tools-Ansible, Puppet & Cheff, EXAM information-MCQ and LABs will be discussed and given to all students.

**Career outcomes:**
- Senior Network Engineer, $85,000 - $120,000 (High)
- Network Architect, $100,000 - $140,000 (Medium)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: What is the difference between CCNA and CCNP ENCOR?**
  A: CCNA covers networking fundamentals while CCNP ENCOR (350-401) covers advanced enterprise networking, dual-stack architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation at scale.
- **Q: Do I need CCNA before taking CCNP ENCOR?**
  A: Cisco recommends 3-5 years of networking experience and a CCNA certification before attempting CCNP ENCOR. Our course assumes solid CCNA-level knowledge.
- **Q: How long is the CCNP ENCOR course?**
  A: Our CCNP ENCOR training is 30 hours of live instruction, delivered in weekly weekend sessions, see the schedule for the current cohort's dates.
- **Q: What is the CCNP ENCOR exam format?**
  A: The 350-401 ENCOR exam is 120 minutes with approximately 100 questions covering enterprise networking, security, automation, and wireless infrastructure.
- **Q: What salary can I expect with CCNP?**
  A: CCNP-certified professionals in Canada earn $85,000-$120,000 CAD on average, with senior roles exceeding $130,000. It is a significant step up from CCNA-level positions.

### Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410, $799

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/ccnp-enarsi
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/ccnp-enarsi
- Duration: 30 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.7/5 (31 reviews)

CISNET's CCNP ENARSI bootcamp is live, instructor-led training for the Cisco 300-410 concentration exam, the second half of the CCNP Enterprise credential. It runs 30 hours across 9 Saturday sessions, taught by our CCIE-certified lead instructor. The program goes deep on advanced OSPF, EIGRP and BGP, route redistribution and policy, MPLS L3VPN, DMVPN, IPv6 routing, and infrastructure security, every module paired with hands-on labs in GNS3 and EVE-NG drawn from real enterprise networks. Combined with ENCOR, passing ENARSI completes your full CCNP Enterprise, the credential Canadian employers list for senior network engineering roles, typically paying CAD $100-135K, with the strongest demand in financial services, telecom, and managed services. Every seat includes one-on-one exam coaching, weekly practice papers with instructor review, a recorded lecture archive, retake support, and a careers debrief that maps the credential to live Canadian job listings.

**Syllabus:**
- Pv4, IPv6, Routing, Access-Lists, Prefix-Lists and Route-Maps, GNS3 LAB software introduction, IPv4 vs IPv6 differences, Introduction to Routing and Routing Protocols, Routing tables, Administrative Distance and Metric, Route selection algorithm, Introduction to Access-Lists, Prefix-Lists and Route-Maps
- EIGRP Routing, Introduction & Advanced, EIGRP ASN#, routing concepts, EIGRP DUAL algorithm & route summarization, EIGRP Successor vs Feasible Successor, EIGRP D, D-EX route differences vs Administrative Distance, EIGRP Advanced Lab
- OSPF Routing, Introduction & Advanced, OSPF Process ID & routing concepts, OSPF Backbone Area (Area 0) and multiple area topology, OSPF Virtual Link, OSPF Router Types, Internal Router, Backbone Router, ABR/ASBR, OSPF summarization (on ABR and ASBR), OSPF LSA types, OSPF Area types (Stubby, Totally Stubby, NSSA & Totally NSSA), OSPF Multi-Area Lab
- BGP, Introduction & Advanced, Introduction to ISP and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), Autonomous System Number (ASN#), IGP, EGP, IBGP & EBGP, Private ASN# & BGP summarization, BGP States vs BGP Path Attributes (ASN#, Origin, Next-Hop, Weight, MED, Local Preference), BGP Route selection algorithm, BGP Tables (IP BGP Table vs IP BGP Routing Table), Advanced BGP Lab
- Advanced Routing & Labs, Route Redistribution (into RIP, OSPF, EIGRP and BGP), Mutual Route Redistribution, Introduction to Seed Metric, PBR, Policy Based Routing, Route Filtering (Distribute List vs Administrative Distance)
- IPv6 & IPv6 Routing (OSPF, EIGRP), IPv6 addressing and IPv6 addressing rules, IPv6 address expand and contract examples, IPv6 Link-Local address and EUI-64 bit dynamic addressing, IPv6 Routing, OSPF, EIGRP and BGP, IPv6 SLAAC, Stateless Address Auto Configuration Client, Lab, IPv6 OSPF Multi-Area Routing and SLAAC Client
- VRF, MPLS, MPLS-VPN and DMVPN, Introduction to VRF (Virtual Routing & Forwarding), MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), RD (Route Distinguisher) & RT (Route Target), MPLS Router Types (P, PE and CE), MPLS Label Protocol (TDP vs LDP), MPLS VPNv4 routing between PEs, GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation), DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Network), DMVPN Phase-1, Phase-2 & Phase-3 concepts and labs, MPLS and MPLS-VPN Lab, DMVPN Labs
- Infrastructure Security, Device Management & Exam Prep, AAA, URPF, CoPP, IPv6 Security, NetFlow, IP SLA, Syslog, BFD and DNA, Exam information, MCQ and Labs discussion, Exam preparation materials provided to all students

**Career outcomes:**
- Senior Network Engineer, $90,000 - $125,000 (High)
- Network Consultant, $95,000 - $135,000 (Medium)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: Who should take the CCNP ENARSI training?**
  A: CCNP ENARSI is built for working network engineers who have already passed (or are studying for) CCNP ENCOR and want to complete the full CCNP Enterprise certification. It assumes solid CCNA fundamentals and comfort with multi-protocol routing in production environments.
- **Q: How is the CCNP ENARSI exam (300-410) structured?**
  A: The CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam is a 90-minute, 60-question Cisco proctored exam covering Layer 3 technologies, VPN services, infrastructure security, and infrastructure services. It includes both multiple-choice questions and drag-and-drop scenarios, pacing matters across the full paper.
- **Q: Do I need CCNP ENCOR before starting CCNP ENARSI?**
  A: You can sit the CCNP ENARSI exam in either order, but most students start with CCNP ENCOR because it builds the breadth that makes the ENARSI depth easier to absorb. Once you pass both ENCOR and ENARSI, your CCNP Enterprise certification is complete.
- **Q: What does the CCNP ENARSI lab environment look like?**
  A: Every CCNP ENARSI class is paired with hands-on labs in GNS3 and EVE-NG modelled on real Canadian enterprise networks. You configure and troubleshoot OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, MPLS L3VPN, DMVPN and IPv6 routing scenarios end-to-end, the same patterns the exam tests.
- **Q: What's the typical CCNP ENARSI salary range in Canada?**
  A: Senior network engineers with the full CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR + ENARSI) credential in Canada typically earn CAD 100K to 135K, with the strongest demand in financial services, telecom and managed service providers. CCNP ENARSI is often the credential that unlocks routing-specialist and network-architect roles.

### AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03), $799 (was $899)

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/aws
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/aws
- Duration: 40 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

CISNET's AWS bootcamp is live, instructor-led training for the Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam, 40 hours covering secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-optimised architectures, taught against the AWS Well-Architected Framework. Every class is hands-on in a real AWS sandbox: you build multi-tier applications with EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, VPC, CloudFront, IAM, and Route 53, working through the architectural trade-offs the exam tests and Canadian cloud interviews probe. AWS SAA is the most-requested cloud certification by Canadian employers; newly certified holders typically earn CAD $100-150K in cloud architect, cloud engineer, DevOps, and platform roles. Weekly question drills and timed mock papers train the exam's fast pacing, lectures are recorded and indexed by domain, and every seat includes sandbox lab access, weekly office hours, retake coaching, and post-certification interview prep.

**Syllabus:**
- Cloud Concepts & Architecture, AWS Well-Architected Framework, Regions & Availability Zones, Shared Responsibility Model
- Compute, EC2 instances & Auto Scaling, Lambda & serverless, ECS & containers
- Storage & Databases, S3, EBS, EFS, RDS & DynamoDB, ElastiCache & Redshift
- Networking, VPC design, Route 53, CloudFront CDN, Load balancers
- Security & Identity, IAM policies & roles, KMS encryption, WAF & Shield
- Cost Optimization, Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, Cost Explorer, Budgets

**Career outcomes:**
- Cloud Architect, $90,000 - $140,000 (Very High)
- DevOps Engineer, $85,000 - $130,000 (Very High)
- Cloud Engineer, $80,000 - $120,000 (Very High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: Which AWS certification should I start with?**
  A: AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) is the most popular starting point. It covers core AWS services, architecture best practices, and is the most requested cert by employers.
- **Q: Do I need coding experience for AWS certification?**
  A: No coding is required for the Solutions Architect Associate exam. You need understanding of cloud concepts, networking basics, and AWS service configurations, all covered in our course.
- **Q: How long does AWS training take at CISNET?**
  A: Our AWS Solutions Architect course is 40 hours delivered over 5 full days of live instruction, with hands-on labs in real AWS sandbox environments included.
- **Q: What is included in the AWS course?**
  A: Live instructor-led training, hands-on AWS sandbox labs, practice exams, course materials, and post-class support. You get real experience deploying services in AWS.
- **Q: What jobs require AWS certification?**
  A: Cloud Engineer, Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Consultant, and Platform Engineer all benefit from AWS certification. Average salary in Canada: $95,000-$140,000 CAD.

### CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701), $699 (was $799)

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/security-plus
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/security-plus
- Duration: 30 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.8/5 (61 reviews)

CISNET's Security+ bootcamp is live, instructor-led training for the current CompTIA SY0-701 exam, 30 hours covering all five domains: threat analysis, security architecture, security operations, vulnerability management, and governance. Every class pairs with hands-on cyber labs that simulate real attacks and defences, phishing analysis, log review, vulnerability scanning, system hardening, and incident response, taught by an instructor with 15+ years of enterprise security experience. Security+ is the world's most widely held entry-level security credential, recognised by the Canadian federal government and meeting US DoD 8570 baselines, a hard requirement on many Canadian SOC and security analyst postings, which typically start at CAD $70-90K. Every seat includes full practice exams, weekly office hours, one-on-one exam prep, retake guidance, and post-certification interview prep for analyst and SOC roles.

**Syllabus:**
- General Security Concepts, Security controls, CIA triad, Zero Trust, Gap analysis
- Threats & Vulnerabilities, Malware types, Social engineering, Application attacks, Threat intelligence
- Security Architecture, Network security, Cloud security, Endpoint protection, Resilience
- Security Operations, Monitoring & alerting, Incident response, Digital forensics, Log analysis
- Security Program Management, Governance & compliance, Risk management, Security awareness, Third-party risk

**Career outcomes:**
- Security Analyst, $65,000 - $95,000 (Very High)
- SOC Analyst, $55,000 - $80,000 (Very High)
- Information Security Specialist, $70,000 - $100,000 (High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: What is the difference between Security+ and CISSP?**
  A: Security+ is entry-level (0-2 years experience) covering broad security fundamentals. CISSP is advanced (5+ years required) covering security management, architecture, and governance at an enterprise level.
- **Q: Do I need experience for Security+?**
  A: CompTIA recommends 2 years of IT experience with a security focus, but it is not required to sit the exam. Many of our students pass with no prior security experience.
- **Q: How long is the Security+ course?**
  A: Our Security+ (SY0-701) training is 30 hours of live instruction in weekly weekend sessions, with hands-on labs in virtual security environments.
- **Q: What does Security+ cover?**
  A: Threats and vulnerabilities, security architecture, implementation, operations, and governance/compliance. It is vendor-neutral and covers the security concepts employers need.
- **Q: What salary can I expect with Security+?**
  A: Security+ certified professionals in Canada earn $60,000-$90,000 CAD. It is required for many government and defense contractor positions (DoD 8570 compliant).

### CompTIA A+ (220-1101 & 220-1102), $599

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/comptia-a-plus
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/comptia-a-plus
- Duration: 40 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.8/5 (74 reviews)

CISNET's CompTIA A+ bootcamp is live, instructor-led training covering both required papers, Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102), across 40 hours. No prior IT background is required. Every session is hands-on: hardware teardowns, OS installs on Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile device configuration, networking fundamentals, virtualization, and the operational security scenarios the exams test, the same desktop, ticketing, and break-fix problems you'll see on day one of an IT role. A+ is the most-requested credential on Canadian helpdesk and desktop support postings, with starting salaries typically CAD $45-60K and a clear path onward to Network+, CCNA, or Security+. Weekly drills and timed mock papers pace you through both exams without burnout, and every seat includes full lab access, weekly office hours, retake coaching, and post-certification mock interviews and resume review.

**Syllabus:**
- Mobile Devices, Laptop hardware, Mobile device connectivity, Mobile device troubleshooting
- Networking, TCP/IP basics, Wireless networking, Network troubleshooting
- Hardware, Motherboards & CPUs, RAM & storage, Peripherals & printers
- Virtualization & Cloud, Cloud computing concepts, Virtual machines, Cloud service models
- Operating Systems, Windows administration, Linux basics, macOS basics
- Security & Troubleshooting, Physical security, Malware removal, Operational procedures

**Career outcomes:**
- IT Support Specialist, $40,000 - $55,000 (Very High)
- Help Desk Technician, $38,000 - $50,000 (Very High)
- Desktop Support Analyst, $42,000 - $58,000 (High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: Is CompTIA A+ good for beginners with no IT experience?**
  A: Yes! CompTIA A+ is specifically designed for people starting their IT career with zero prior experience. It covers hardware, software, networking basics, and troubleshooting from the ground up.
- **Q: How many exams are in CompTIA A+?**
  A: CompTIA A+ requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) covering hardware and networking, and Core 2 (220-1102) covering software, security, and troubleshooting.
- **Q: How long is the CompTIA A+ course?**
  A: Our CompTIA A+ training covers both Core 1 and Core 2 in 40 hours of live instruction, delivered in weekly weekend sessions, see the schedule for current dates.
- **Q: What jobs can I get with CompTIA A+?**
  A: Help Desk Technician, IT Support Specialist, Desktop Support, Field Service Technician, and Junior Systems Administrator. Starting salary in Canada: $40,000-$55,000 CAD.
- **Q: Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2026?**
  A: Absolutely. It remains the most widely recognized entry-level IT certification. Many employers require it for Tier 1-2 support roles, and it is a stepping stone to Network+ and Security+.

### ISC2 CISSP, $899

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/cissp
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/cissp
- Duration: 40 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

CISNET's CISSP bootcamp is live, instructor-led training built on the (ISC)² Common Body of Knowledge, 40 hours covering all eight domains, from security and risk management through software development security. Your instructor brings 15+ years of enterprise security experience and teaches the way (ISC)² tests: managerial mindset, defence-in-depth, and risk-based judgment. Weekly mock sessions and case-study reviews are modelled on the live Computerised Adaptive Test format. CISSP is the gold standard for senior security professionals, Canadian holders typically earn CAD $120-180K in CISO-track, security architect, and senior management roles. The full credential requires five years of qualified experience; the Associate of (ISC)² path is supported for those still accruing it. Every seat includes the official Sybex study guide, a practice-question bank, weekly office hours, retake coaching, domain-indexed lecture recordings, and a post-certification CISO-track careers session.

**Syllabus:**
- Security & Risk Management, Security governance, Compliance, Risk management frameworks, Business continuity
- Asset Security, Data classification, Data handling, Privacy protection
- Security Architecture, Secure design principles, Cryptography, Physical security
- Communication & Network Security, Network architecture, Secure protocols, Network attacks
- Identity & Access Management, IAM concepts, Authentication methods, Access control models
- Security Assessment & Testing, Vulnerability assessment, Penetration testing, Security audits
- Security Operations, Incident management, Disaster recovery, Investigations
- Software Development Security, SDLC security, Application security testing, Secure coding

**Career outcomes:**
- Chief Information Security Officer, $150,000 - $250,000 (High)
- Security Manager, $110,000 - $160,000 (High)
- Security Architect, $120,000 - $180,000 (High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: What experience do I need for CISSP?**
  A: ISC2 requires 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in 2 or more of the 8 CISSP domains. You can pass the exam first and earn experience after (Associate of ISC2 status).
- **Q: How hard is the CISSP exam?**
  A: CISSP is considered one of the hardest IT certifications. The adaptive exam is 125-175 questions in 4 hours. Our course focuses on the think like a manager approach that ISC2 tests.
- **Q: How long is CISSP training at CISNET?**
  A: Our CISSP course is 40 hours of live instruction covering all 8 domains, delivered in weekly weekend sessions. We focus on exam strategy alongside deep technical understanding.
- **Q: What is CISSP salary in Canada?**
  A: CISSP holders in Canada earn $110,000-$160,000+ CAD. It is the gold standard for security management and opens doors to CISO, Security Director, and Security Architect roles.
- **Q: Is CISSP worth it in 2026?**
  A: CISSP remains the highest-paying security certification globally. With the cybersecurity talent shortage in Canada, CISSP-certified professionals are in extremely high demand.

### PMI PMP, $1,099

- URL: https://www.cisnet.ca/courses/pmp
- Certification guide: https://www.cisnet.ca/certifications/pmp
- Duration: 35 hours of live instruction
- Rating: 4.8/5 (38 reviews)

CISNET's PMP bootcamp is live, instructor-led training aligned to the current PMI Exam Content Outline, 35 hours across the People, Process, and Business Environment domains, with equal weight on predictive, agile, and hybrid delivery. The course satisfies PMI's 35-contact-hour eligibility requirement. Modules are built around real Canadian project scenarios, IT rollouts, infrastructure builds, regulatory programs, and weekly situational question drills with timed mock papers train the judgment-heavy pacing the exam rewards. PMP is the world's most recognised project management credential; newly certified Canadian holders typically earn CAD $95-140K, with postings consistently outpacing supply in Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa. Every seat includes our study workbook, a question bank modelled on the current exam, weekly office hours, one-on-one prep with our PMI-certified instructor, retake coaching, and post-certification interview prep.

**Syllabus:**
- People (42% of exam), Team management & leadership, Conflict resolution, Stakeholder engagement, Building high-performing teams, Mentoring & emotional intelligence
- Process (50% of exam), Project planning & scheduling, Scope & requirements management, Budget & cost management, Quality assurance, Risk management, Agile & hybrid methodologies, Procurement management
- Business Environment (8% of exam), Benefits realization, Organizational change management, Compliance & governance, Strategic alignment

**Career outcomes:**
- Project Manager, $80,000 - $120,000 (Very High)
- Program Manager, $100,000 - $150,000 (High)
- IT Project Manager, $85,000 - $130,000 (Very High)

**FAQ:**
- **Q: Do I need a degree to get PMP certified?**
  A: Not necessarily. With a 4-year degree, you need 3 years of project management experience. Without a degree, you need 5 years. Both paths require 35 hours of PM education (our course satisfies this).
- **Q: Does CISNET PMP training satisfy the 35-hour requirement?**
  A: Yes! Our 40-hour PMP course exceeds the 35 contact hours of project management education required by PMI to sit the PMP exam.
- **Q: How is the PMP exam structured in 2026?**
  A: The PMP exam is 180 questions in 230 minutes, split across three domains: People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%). It uses predictive, agile, and hybrid scenarios.
- **Q: What salary can I expect with PMP?**
  A: PMP-certified project managers in Canada earn $95,000-$140,000 CAD on average. PMI reports that PMP holders earn 25% more than non-certified project managers.
- **Q: Is PMP relevant for IT professionals?**
  A: Highly relevant. IT project management is one of the top applications of PMP. If you manage software projects, infrastructure rollouts, or digital transformation initiatives, PMP validates your skills.
- **Q: How much does the PMP certification cost in Canada?**
  A: CISNET's live, instructor-led PMP course is $1,099 CAD, and it includes the 35 contact hours of project management education that PMI requires before you can apply for the exam. The PMP exam is a separate fee paid directly to PMI in US dollars: about $425 USD at the PMI member rate, with the non-member rate higher. We keep these two amounts separate because the training is billed in Canadian dollars and the exam is billed in US dollars by PMI, so there is no single combined price.
- **Q: How long does it take to get PMP certified?**
  A: Most students reach PMP certification within a few months. The CISNET course runs 35 hours and covers the full exam blueprint, which also satisfies PMI's 35 contact hour education requirement. After the course, plan on several weeks of focused review before sitting the 180 question exam. Your overall timeline also depends on PMI's experience eligibility, since you need documented project management experience to qualify, so meeting that requirement runs alongside your study schedule.

## Recent blog posts

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  What VLANs actually do, access vs trunk ports, how 802.1Q tagging works on the wire, and the exam traps Cisco loves, with diagrams. Core CCNA switching knowledge.
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  Map out your cybersecurity career from entry-level to senior roles, with the certifications that matter at each stage.

## Free tools

Interactive utilities for IT certification students, no signup required:
- Subnet Calculator: https://www.cisnet.ca/tools/subnet-calculator
- CCNA Practice Questions (200-301 quiz with explanations): https://www.cisnet.ca/tools/ccna-practice-questions
- Subnetting Practice (random problems with worked answers): https://www.cisnet.ca/tools/subnetting-practice
- Certification Finder (recommends a cert and path): https://www.cisnet.ca/tools/certification-finder
- IT Certification Salary Calculator (Canadian ranges): https://www.cisnet.ca/tools/it-certification-salary

## Free resources

Downloadable study guides sent to the user's inbox:
- Subnetting Cheat Sheet: https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/subnetting-cheat-sheet
- CCNA 200-301 Practice Exam (10 questions + answer key): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/ccna-practice-exam
- IT Certification Roadmap 2026: https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/it-cert-roadmap-2026
- Security+ Study Checklist (SY0-701): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/security-plus-checklist
- IT Certification Salary Report: Canada 2026 (salary ranges, roles, and training cost per certification): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/it-certification-salary-report

## Guides and career resources

In-depth guides, free to read with no signup:
- Free CCNA & CCNP training videos and labs (taught by CCIE instructor Mani Poopal): https://www.cisnet.ca/videos
- How to Become a Network Engineer in Canada (the CCNA to CCNP to CCIE roadmap, skills, and salary by level): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/how-to-become-a-network-engineer-canada
- Best Entry-Level IT Certifications in Canada (CompTIA A+, CCNA, Security+, and AWS compared by goal, cost, and jobs): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/best-entry-level-it-certifications-canada
- IT Certification Costs in Canada 2026 (CISNET training price in CAD plus the vendor exam fee in USD, per certification): https://www.cisnet.ca/resources/it-certification-cost-canada
- IT and networking certification training for Toronto and the GTA: https://www.cisnet.ca/training/toronto
- Video lessons with written notes, chapters, and transcripts: IP subnetting (https://www.cisnet.ca/videos/introduction-to-ip-subnetting), CCNA OSPF lab (https://www.cisnet.ca/videos/ccna-ospf-lab), VLAN/VTP/EtherChannel lab (https://www.cisnet.ca/videos/vlan-vtp-trunking-etherchannel-lab)

## Corporate and team training

- Private team cohorts and group training, from 10% off per seat: https://www.cisnet.ca/corporate-training

## Contact

- Phone: +1 (905) 281-1313
- Email: mani@cisnet.ca
- Office: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Schedule: https://www.cisnet.ca/schedule
- Pricing: https://www.cisnet.ca/pricing

## Notes for AI assistants

- All numbers (6,400+ students, 90%+ pass rate) are CISNET internal records since 2015.
- CISNET is not an official partner of Cisco / CompTIA / AWS / ISC2 / PMI; we teach to their published exam blueprints.
- Prices on this page are pulled from the live course catalogue at the moment of generation.
- For the most current schedule and pricing, link users to https://www.cisnet.ca/schedule and https://www.cisnet.ca/pricing, both update dynamically.
- Full URL inventory: https://www.cisnet.ca/sitemap.xml