Technical Training: Navigating the Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape 

IT professionals today operate in a world where technology cycles are shorter than ever, making continuous upskilling mandatory for organizational excellence. Institutions that do not prioritize developing their workforce risk facing security vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and talent shortages. 

Industry-wide, we are seeing a strategic shift from traditional, episodic one-time workshops to the development of continuous learning ecosystems. NYSERNet’s strategic partnerships with StormWind Studios, SUNY SAIL and SANS are designed to facilitate these ecosystems. Members benefit from access to the emerging certifications and competencies required of today’s leaders. With group purchasing and tiered membership options, we keep technical training accessible so every team can cultivate the continuous learning culture needed for lasting organizational excellence. 

Whether employer- or employee-driven, investing in professional development is a win-win. Employees feel valued and are primed for growth opportunities while employers improve retention and company culture. 

Addressing Today's Most Urgent Skill Gaps 

In our recent virtual session “The ROI of Training: Driving Growth Through People,” participants cited finding time for training (33% of responses) as a top challenge for their team. To help you prioritize, our experts point to three main skill gap areas affecting organizations today: 

• • Cybersecurity: Threats are evolving faster than teams can keep pace. Teams need to level up skills in areas like incident response, cloud security, identity management, and risk management.
  • Cloud and Hybrid Infrastructure: As organizations navigate optimizing existing systems or mid-migration efforts, scaling up in Azure and AWS, cloud architecture, and automation are crucial to your technical foundation.
  • AI and Automation: This is an untapped market where training is needed not just on how to use AI components (like ChatGPT or Copilot) but also how to secure, govern, and integrate them into existing workflows. Organizations must be able to train staff on the risks of entering sensitive internal information into public AI chatbots.

Bridging the Gap: Certification and Real-World Application 

While certifications are vital for validating knowledge and opening doors, learners must gain confidence in applying those skills to their daily work. Effective technical training combines instructor-led context with hands-on experience. 

NYSERNet intentionally engages with training partners, such as StormWind, who focus heavily on scenario-based learning to teach learners how to solve real problems using the same tools and processes professionals use daily. This hands-on experience, often via labs and coupled with instructor examples, bridges the critical gap between theory and reality. 

To aid busy professionals, StormWind also offers flexible modalities, including live events and 24/7 on-demand recordings to revisit tough topics. Specialized resources, such as exam crash courses and optional placement exams, allow more experienced professionals to target focused reinforcement rather than undertaking a full course. This personalized approach ensures learners invest their time where it yields the greatest impact. 

Expert Advice for Staying Current

To maintain pace with evolving technologies, experts recommend that IT professionals and teams adopt a strategic learning mindset: 

• • Focus on Fundamentals: Build a strong foundation in core skills like networking, security, and cloud architecture before moving to advanced certifications.
  • Integrate Learning into Workflow: Be proactive and prioritize learning as part of your weekly workflow instead of training as a reaction to a problem.  Even taking only 15-30 minutes a day can build learning growth.
  • Lean into Community: Whether through internal teams, a NYSERNet cohort, or live instructor-led training, learning with others accelerates understanding and keeps motivation high.

NYSERNet supports these efforts through professional development training and certification opportunities for our member organizations. This includes providing access to high-impact technical training bundles and certification courses, such as CISSP, through StormWind and leveraging partnerships like the SANS Aggregate Buy program to offer top-tier technical training at significantly reduced educational pricing. 

Ready to take the next Step?

• Purchase SANS training vouchers now through Jan. 16, 2026 at a 52% discount. Courses popular with NYSERNet members include: 

• • SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style 
  • SEC560: Network Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking 
  • FOR508: Advanced Incident Response, Threat Hunting, and Digital Forensics 
  • Course:SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling

  • Learn More About SANS Courses 

• Join a NYSERNet Cohort for upcoming StormWind Certification Trainings. When two or more members register for a StormWind course, they are connected via a private Slack channel to turn individual training into collaborative, peer-driven development. Upcoming courses include: 

• • December 15: ITIL® v4 Foundation: Live Class + 12 Months of Access & Certification Voucher
    

• • January 5: AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

• • January 26: Cisco CCNA: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions
  • See All StormWind Offerings 

• Nominate a candidate for the 2026 CIO Leadership Academy by Dec. 31, 2025. Recommended for new and aspiring CIOs/CDIOs. Self-nominations welcomed. 

If your organization is ready to strengthen its workforce and build a continuous learning ecosystem, NYSERNet is here to support your journey. Contact educationservices@nysernet.org to get started today.