NSK100 learning - Netskope Certified Cloud Security Administrator (NCCSA) Certification Updated: 2024

Online learning sites enable us to expand our minds and creative spirit. No matter where you are in the world or how little prior experience you have with a subject, you can learn just about anything, so long as you have an internet connection. We test and review dozens of online learning platforms, and here we list the best ones for all kinds of non-matriculated learning.

"Learning" isn't limited to the education taught in school. There are sites where you can pick up new software skills, become a better manager, study the art of memoir writing, watch a tutorial on how to set up a sewing machine, and listen to a world-renowned master in their field explain how they got there. Are you looking for practical skills? Business skills? Professional development? Inspiration? Or are you a student who needs tutoring in AP History? You can learn any of these things and more.

Read on for the top services we've tested, followed by everything you need to know about online learning.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Buying Guide: The Best Online Learning Platforms for 2024

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How Effective Is Online Learning?

All the sites included in this roundup use video as the primary teaching method. Some add interactive quizzes, PDFs, links to additional resources, and discussion areas (usually little more than a section for comments) so that everyone engaged with the material can learn from one another.

Videos can be standalone, although usually, they're part of a series. A course might contain several hours of videos, but they're always broken up into parts. The best learning sites take care to plan out how much content goes into each video as well as the sequence of videos. In this way, your learning is cumulative. You're typically building new ideas or concepts on top of what you've already learned.

When quizzes are available, they can be private to you or shared with an administrator or instructor if your login is part of a business account or associated with a formal class or tutoring (in the case of Khan Academy). They help you track how well you've retained new information. Some sites offer certificates upon completion. They are not widely accepted by other institutions, but they may be helpful to you in some cases. For example, if your employer pays for you to have a subscription to a learning website, you can offer these certificates as evidence of using it.

A note on language learning: There are so many excellent websites and apps for learning a foreign language that we have a separate article for them. When you want a language app, you'll have specific questions, such as: Which one offers the language I want? How much time do I need to spend on it each day? How much does it cost? You might also want to know which apps are better for developing a base vocabulary versus advancing existing skills. Our roundup of the best language learning apps and websites covers all these points and more.

Similarly, PCMag has a separate article on the best courses for learning to create websites. It's another concrete skill that comes with specific questions. We have another entire article dedicated to the best online courses for Photoshop.

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(Credit: MasterClass/PCMag)

Is MasterClass Worth the Money?

MasterClass is an on-demand learning website where you get hours and hours of video featuring top talent talking about their fields. Everything about it is extremely well made, and if you're interested in even one course, we think it's worth paying for a year's subscription. You will certainly find other courses if interested once you get into the catalog.

MasterClass is simultaneously binge-worthy, educational, and thought-provoking. The quality alone leaves you whispering, "How is this so good?"

In the latest past, MasterClass has done a good job of improving its lineup of instructors to include more top talent who are people of color and women (it was previously weak in this regard). The catalog of classes is growing all the time. The content is top rate, and the quality is exceptional.

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Where Can You Take Real College Classes Online?

Coursera is one of the best online learning sites that offers plenty of free video courses and materials. It also partners with universities to make some of their degree programs available online. If you want the degree, you have to apply to the program and pay tuition to the school, just as if you were an in-person student. However, if you don't care about getting the degree and you just want access to real courses and materials from the likes of Yale, University of Singapore, and Sciences Po in France, then you can create a free Coursera account and have access to them.

No matter how you attend, you get video lectures, memorizing materials, quizzes, and in some cases the opportunity to submit assignments for peer-review (when you audit a course) or grades (with paid enrollment).

(Credit: Coursera/PCMag)

Coursera partners with private companies, too, to offer accessible education in a variety of fields from programming to designing with AutoCAD. Other examples of classes you can take include Introduction to Food and Health, Google IT Automation with Python, and Introduction to International Criminal Law.

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What Are the Best Online Learning Platforms for Specific Job Skills?

If you need to learn specific job skills, there are two online sites that we recommend. One is Udacity because it teaches highly specific, job-focused skills. If you are aiming to get a job from one of the companies that Udacity partners with, the Udacity courses could provide you a leg up. While Udacity offers a handful of courses that aren't technical in nature, the majority are, and they are highly specific. How specific? There's a course called Self-Driving Car Engineer, developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, Nvidia, Uber, and other companies.

The other site is LinkedIn Learning. We like it best for brushing up on general job skills, such as public speaking and developing interviewing strategies; we also love its video tutorials on learning creative software, such as Photoshop. Many of those software programs come from Lynda.com, which was acquired by LinkedIn some years ago. Lynda.com was the best resource for learning software for many years, and we're happy it lives on today at LinkedIn.

(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)

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Learn at Your Own Pace

The next time you feel like you need some fresh ideas, take a spin through one of these sites and learn something new. You might find yourself caught up in wonderment at new and interesting ideas or taking notes on something useful. The beauty of online learning sites is that they don't require any commitment, so you can learn what you want at your own pace.

That’s why UD business students are constantly engaged in the world around them, whether it’s through study abroad, capstone projects, internships and co-ops, service-learning or other experiential learning programs.

Explore Experiential Learning

Want to pursue a double major or a minor? To study abroad or use your business skills for humanitarian purposes? To gain real-world experience through an internship or cooperative education? At UD, you can customize your education plan to match your interests and prepare you for personal and professional success. Your dedicated success adviser will help you develop - and complete - your plan.

Explore the John D. Mittelstaedt Center for Academic Advising and Business Student Success

At UD, you'll be encouraged to strive for excellence, but not at the expense of others. Rather than competing against other students, you'll be part of a collaborative, diverse and inclusive community of learners. Here, you'll find a supportive environment where you can ask questions, explore your interests and prepare for a successful future. To top it off, you'll benefit from small class size taught by accomplished, committed faculty - not teaching assistants or graduate students.

With online learning a mainstay of education across all levels, it makes sense that businesses would incorporate this technology into their training and professional growth systems. In fact, many companies are integrating cloud-based learning management software to create, administer and distribute specific courses to train new employees and track current employees’ progress and performance. 

We’ll dive deeper into learning management systems and explain how businesses can use LMS resources to incorporate this effective employee training tactic into their organizations. 

What is a learning management system (LMS)?

A learning management system is a powerful training and professional development software resource that organizations of all sizes can incorporate into their employee onboarding process. Many LMS platforms are hosted in the cloud, allowing for remote access. 

An LMS combines database management within a digital framework to manage curricula, training materials, evaluation tools, course scheduling, regulatory compliance and more. 

LMS software can help you control learning, development and training while allowing you to set clear expectations for employees about their progress. 

Businesses that encourage professional development among their employees see reduced employee turnover and increased satisfaction and engagement.

Who benefits from an LMS?

Many elements of an organization benefit when the company incorporates a learning management system into its training and professional growth education programs. 

• Employees: Employees benefit from an LMS because they receive well-thought-out, uniform training and education that set them up for success in the company. They also gain in-demand career skills to help them map their career path. With e-learning materials managed and stored in a single interface, employees can access required training on demand. And because an LMS is usually stored in the cloud, employees can train remotely. 
• Managers: Managers benefit from an LMS because the programs help them seamlessly track and monitor employees’ progress. The LMS can generate reports to show everyone’s progress with required courses and training materials. With scoring reports, managers can see who performed well on tests and who needs additional support. LMS resources also help ensure compliance with any training regulations. Additionally, department heads can ensure employees complete specific training courses before starting a new job. 
• Organization: The entire organization benefits from developing a training program that is efficient, uniform and large-scale. Learning management systems are flexible and scalable, so businesses can add and eliminate courses and materials as needed. They can update content to keep employees abreast of the latest industry developments and remove materials that are no longer relevant. Additionally, the organization can provide specific customer training so its employees are well versed in how a product or service operates. This training enhances sales and customer service efforts and ultimately boosts customer satisfaction. 

What are the components of an LMS?

Learning management systems are highly customizable and scalable, so there’s no specific list of components that define an LMS. Although there are standard features, a learning management system’s full capabilities vary by organization and intended usage. 

In general, an LMS can do the following:

• Create class rosters, control registration and build waiting lists
• Upload and manage curriculum content
• Deliver course content over a web-based interface for an entirely remote educational experience for instructors and students
• Create and publish course calendars
• Foster interactions between students via functions such as instant messaging, email and forums
• Establish methods for assessment and testing, such as multiple-choice quizzes 

In the corporate training environment, learning management systems offer these additional features that cater to busy, professionally driven individuals:

• Automatic enrollment and reminders for mandatory courses
• Manager access for approving materials and participation
• HR integration for tracking employment eligibility, performance goals and course completions

If your company doesn’t provide an LMS for professional development, consider online programs to boost business skills, including Coursera and OpenLearn.

What are the advantages of an LMS?

A learning management system adds another level of efficiency to an organization and the growth of its employees. An LMS effectively creates an online learning environment where employees can select courses that interest them or that they are required to take, and managers can track potential office improvements based on course history.

Here are some ways an LMS can benefit an organization:

• Helps employees learn more effectively. Learning activities are housed in one location, thereby reducing costs while increasing the visibility and availability of learning opportunities.
• Improves compliance reporting. Learning management systems can track employees’ courses and scores so management can focus on training and identify certification needs.
• Combines social and formal learning for higher overall value. The integration of an online method of study accelerates learning, increases knowledge retention and allows employees to go at their own pace.
• Empowers administration. Management will know what employees are learning and which subjects need greater focus to create a more well-rounded team.
• Streamlines content delivery. Instructors can more easily prepare and present quality courses that will provide participants with positive learning opportunities.

What LMS software is available?

There are numerous learning management systems with access to vast training libraries or resources to allow organizations to create their own content. 

Here are some popular LMS platforms: 

• 360Learning
• Blackboard Learn
• Desire2Learn (D2L)
• Moodle
• Sakai LMS
• Docebo
• Bridge

Each platform offers a comprehensive interface for managing and setting up curricula, tracking employees’ progress and managing course history. 

Tip: To get feedback on your organization’s LMS, develop and conduct employee surveys to gauge how employees feel about the training program’s ease of use and features. 

How much does an LMS cost? 

LMS pricing varies by provider, and vendors can usually offer multiple pricing models to companies. For instance, the LMS provider may set a per-use price, a monthly price for a set number of users, or a charge for the overall course.

How do you choose LMS software?

When you’re choosing LMS software, consider the following factors:

• Business needs: How will your business use the learning platform? For example, do you need a cloud system to accommodate remote employees?
• Features: Does your organization need to address compliance concerns? Are you handling sensitive data? If so, the LMS software should have robust security features. 
• Budget: Research vendors to see which ones can accommodate your budget while addressing the critical features you need. 

An LMS is a critical piece of staff management infrastructure

An LMS can be a flexible and cost-effective way to get your staff up to speed, keep their skills sharp, and monitor whether employees complete their learning responsibilities in a thorough and timely manner. LMS content is variable and customizable, and prices are flexible, making an LMS a smart investment for many businesses.

Ross Mudrick contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. 

Adam Uzialko, senior editor of Business News Daily, is not just a professional writer and editor — he’s also an entrepreneur who knows firsthand what it’s like building a business from scratch. His experience as co-founder and managing editor of a digital marketing company imbues his work at Business News Daily with a perspective grounded in the realities of running a small business. Since 2015, Adam has reviewed hundreds of small business products and services, including contact center solutions, email marketing software and text message marketing software. Adam uses the products, interviews users and talks directly to the companies that make the products and services he covers. He specializes in digital marketing topics, with a focus on content marketing, editorial strategy and managing a team.

Netskope partners with Secure Code Warrior to reimagine secure code education and accelerate software development

BOSTON & LONDON & SYDNEY — Secure Code Warrior, the global, developer-driven security leader, today announced that Netskope, a global SASE leader, launched its developer training program through Secure Code Warrior’s agile learning platform.

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Thousands of customers trust Netskope and its powerful NewEdge network to address evolving threats, new risks, technology shifts, organizational and network changes, and new regulatory requirements. Its global developer team plays an integral role in bringing new cloud security innovations to bear. The team sought to refine its approach to secure code education to keep up with its accelerated software development demands. It wanted to excite developers through more hands-on learning approaches without relying on traditional learning mechanisms that had limitations on coding languages and self-service options.

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One key decision was to change the name of Netskope’s program internally to “self-service adoption.” This empowered developers to be proactive about their secure code education. In working with Secure Code Warrior, Netskope built a program that made security content visible and accessible to developers.

“We’re getting a better return on investment with our developer educational training efforts because of higher participation and the fact that these efforts no longer feel like they’re a check-the-box, compliance-mandated activity,” said James Robinson, Deputy CISO at Netskope. “The byproduct of all of this is that we’re enabling our developers to be security champions.”

Secure Code Warrior’s agile learning platform delivers the most effective learning solution for developers to learn, apply, and retain software security principles, resulting in secure software delivered by high velocity teams. More than 600 enterprises have deployed Secure Code Warrior to implement agile learning programs for developer-driven security.

“Netskope is enabling developers to learn the way they want, and Secure Code Warrior is the driving force behind it. We couldn’t be prouder of the outcomes,” said Fatemah Beydoun, Chief Customer Officer, Secure Code Warrior. “This is why major technology companies around the world come to Secure Code Warrior to ensure their developers can sharpen their skills with the most complete, relevant, and reliable secure coding content in the industry today.”

To learn more about Netskope’s transformation with Secure Code Warrior, read the case study or watch the webinar:

• Case study: Check out Netskope’s story in this brand-new case study you can read here.
• Webinar: Watch a joint webinar with Secure Code Warrior and Netskope on Going beyond compliance here.

About Secure Code Warrior:

Secure Code Warrior gives your developers the skills to write secure code. Our learning platform is the most effective secure coding solution because it uses agile learning methods for developers to learn, apply, and retain software security principles. Over 600 enterprises trust Secure Code Warrior to implement agile learning security programs, build safer software, and create a culture of developer-driven security. For more information about Secure Code Warrior, visit www.securecodewarrior.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231214588774/en/

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Steve Bosk
steve.bosk@w2comm.com

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