ISMG Acquires INE to Enhance Global Cyber Readiness

ISMG, a leading media organization dedicated to cybersecurity, IT, artificial intelligence, and operational technology, has acquired INE, a premier provider of online technical training for the IT industry. This strategic move marks ISMG's most ambitious commitment to date: enhancing global cyber readiness across every discipline and role.

Sanjay Kalra, CEO of ISMG, emphasized the significance of the acquisition in a statement, saying, "Twenty years ago, we built ISMG to give defenders the intelligence to see a threat before it reached them. The lesson of the AI era is that intelligence is only as strong as the infrastructure beneath it: every AI system, every transaction, and every connected operation depend on networks that must be engineered, identities that must be secured, and trained people to do that work. INE has proven that capability can be taught, measured, and certified at scale, and now, as one organization, we can raise readiness across the entire stack."

INE, founded on a deep heritage in networking and cybersecurity, has been instrumental in turning awareness into demonstrated skill through hands-on labs and certification programs. Lindsey Rinehart, CEO of INE, highlighted the organization's mission: "INE's heritage in networking and cybersecurity runs deep. For years, we have carried practitioners from their first commands to expert-level certification and proven that genuine skill can be measured and validated, not just claimed. Joining ISMG enhances that standard on the global stage and extends it to the disciplines defining the next decade, including identity, AI, and OT, and to the leaders and boards who now answer for them."

The acquisition aligns with a broader shift in the cybersecurity landscape, where readiness, not just headcount, is now the binding constraint. According to the ISC2 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 88% of organizations suffered at least one significant cybersecurity event tied to skills shortages. This underscores the critical need for comprehensive training and certification programs.

ISMG, through its 38 media properties and more than 400 annual events, aims to raise the bar for what training and certification should mean. The company's expanded platform now spans networking, cybersecurity, identity management, AI security, and operational technology security, and the roles that own them. ISMG's global reach, already established in North America, the U.K., Israel, and now extending to Salt Lake City, Raleigh, and La Plata, Argentina, positions it well to meet the growing demand for cyber readiness.

Mike D'Agostino, general manager of ISMG, explained, "When ISMG started, the community needed trusted reporting on a threat most boardrooms had never discussed. Today, it needs something different in scale and kind: readiness for teams and leaders who cannot simply hire their way out of the problem. Reporting a problem and solving it are different jobs, and with INE, we can do both."

The acquisition also marks a significant step in ISMG's Global Cyber Readiness Initiative, which aims to raise competence across critical sectors. INE brings CCNA-, CCNP-, and CCIE-level networking training, identity management courses, the eAIS credential for AI security, and hands-on operational technology training. This comprehensive approach ensures that ISMG can provide tailored education and training for engineers, practitioners, security leaders, and boards alike.

In conclusion, the acquisition of INE by ISMG represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cybersecurity training and readiness. By combining ISMG's intelligence and community engagement with INE's proven training and certification programs, the two organizations are poised to address the growing skills gap in the cybersecurity industry and enhance global cyber preparedness.