As the cybersecurity landscape evolves at breakneck speed, so does the need for high‑quality, relevant, and engaging professional development.

The conversation revealed a shared commitment between ISC2 and instructors to elevate learning experiences, modernizing instruction, and empowering cyber practitioners at every stage of their careers.

Bridging Learning Science with Cybersecurity Expertise

The discussion focused around the powerful partnership between ISC2’s professional learning designers and industry experts. Though Duggan comes from a learning‑science background - rather than cybersecurity - he emphasized how this blending of skills creates more effective education programs.

With more than 100 combined years of learning‑development experience, his team specializes in making complex technical content digestible, memorable, and impactful. Authorized ISC2 instructors like Stoffel and Salmon, each with decades of real‑world experience, provide the deep knowledge that fuels those programs. Together, they create training that’s both academically sound and grounded in lived industry practice.

As Duggan put it, the goal is always to design learning that “feels relevant, engaging, and applicable on the job.”

From “Death by PowerPoint” to Personalized Learning

Both Stoffel and Salmon reflected on how cybersecurity education has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Earlier ISC2 courses, like many in the industry, relied heavily on slide‑dense lectures.

Today, ISC2 is leading a shift toward interactive, workshop‑based learning that prioritizes discussion, collaboration, and personalization. This new model includes:

  • More dialogue, less monologue
  • Office hours and “parking lot” time for topics needing deeper exploration
  • Customizable sessions tailored to each cohort’s unique mix of technical and non-technical backgrounds
  • Hands‑on activities and case studies rather than heavy lecture

These changes produce more confident, engaged learners—and, ultimately, better‑prepared cybersecurity professionals

The Value of Preparation and Lifelong Learning

Salmon, a long‑time advocate for continuous professional growth, stressed that cybersecurity is a practice where standing still is falling behind. Threats evolve, technologies shift, and certifications alone cannot guarantee long-term readiness.

He compared professional learning to physical training: you achieve results by setting goals, committing to preparation, and investing consistently in yourself. ISC2’s updated programs reflect this philosophy by integrating:

  • Pre-work to help learners enter the classroom with foundational knowledge
  • Interactive training sessions to reinforce understanding
  • Post-course resources, including recordings and practice questions

This structure allows learners to absorb information more effectively and revisit key concepts at their own pace—especially helpful for exam preparation.

AI Workshops: A Model for Modern Cyber Education

A standout example of ISC2’s forward-thinking approach is its series of Securing AI workshops, developed jointly by Duggan’s learning team and SME experts like Salmon and Stoffel. This two-day program helps cybersecurity professionals:

  • Build a shared understanding of AI fundamentals
  • Explore AI risk, governance, and policy development
  • Examine sector-specific case studies
  • Identify practical tools and regulatory considerations

The workshop’s interactive format ensures that learners aren’t simply hearing about AI. They're applying concepts, sharing ideas with peers, and walking away with actionable insights they can use immediately.

A Shared Mission to Strengthen the Cyber Workforce

Throughout the panel, the speakers underscored a unifying belief: cybersecurity education must evolve just as rapidly as the threats it addresses. ISC2’s dual focus on certification preparation and continuing professional development reflects a commitment to supporting professionals long after exam day.

Stacy Mantzaris closed the conversation by acknowledging the combined passion of the Professional Development team and the SME contributors, whose work drives ISC2’s mission forward, delivering education that is engaging, relevant and truly empowering for cybersecurity practitioners worldwide.

Learn more and register for training courses like those that these instructors helped create at https://www.isc2.org/training

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