Virtual Labs: Essential Tools for Educators | ACI Learning

Enhancing IT & cybersecurity curriculum with training labs.

Unlock your students’ potential and master real-world scenarios through interactive hands-on learning with interactive, hands-on labs for job-ready curriculum.

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90%
of Learners
will remember course material in an experiential setting, compared to just 5% in traditional learning.
Source:ACI Learning 2025 IT & Cybersecurity Training Report
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Built for educators. Designed for outcomes.

Give students best-in-class tools for real-world IT and cybersecurity experiences. Aligned with certifications from leading vendors, skill labs include step-by-step instructions and built-in assessments, so students can build job-ready skills with confidence.

  • Learning anytime. Anywhere.
    Labs run instantly in any browser—perfect for remote, hybrid, or in-person learning.
  • Spend more time teaching.
    Built-in assessments are automatically graded, letting you spend more time doing what matters.
  • Create a custom lab set.
    Easily modify an off-the shelf lab set to align perfectly with your course or let us create one for you!
  • Access through your LMS for easy integration.

Experience it yourself.

Build and customize any of our labs now!

An Academic Expert will set you up with unlimited access to explore all our labs offerings to find the best fit for your courses and students.

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See our skill labs

Cisco CCNA (200-301)

Labs Included:22
Designed to build CCNA-aligned networking skills through guided configuration practice, these labs progress from network fundamentals and IP addressing to VLANs, routing (including OSPF), NAT, DHCP, management services, security, QoS, and wireless—making them ideal for associate-level networking pathways.

CompTIA A+ (220-1201)

Labs Included:26
Designed to build hands-on hardware and network troubleshooting skills through guided simulations, these labs progress through common device replacements, connectivity setup, tool usage, and real-world troubleshooting tasks—making them ideal for A+ Core 1 prep and job-ready technical support pathways.

CompTIA A+ (220-1202)

Labs Included:30
Designed to build OS, security, and troubleshooting skills through guided practice, these labs progress from operating system installation and configuration to security controls, malware defense, mobile device support, operational procedures, and scripting concepts—making them ideal for A+ Core 2 prep and help desk technician pathways.

CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)

Labs Included:17
Designed to build Network+ aligned networking skills through guided practice, these labs progress from the OSI model and network architecture to addressing, routing and switching, monitoring, security concepts, and troubleshooting—making them ideal for Network+ preparation and core networking pathways.

CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)

Labs Included:17
Designed to build entry-level IT and tech support skills through guided practice, these labs progress from hardware and OS fundamentals to networking, virtualization, cloud concepts, basic programming and databases, and core security practices—making them ideal for early IT career, help desk, and foundational certification pathways.

Digital Literacy

Labs Included:18
Designed to build essential digital workplace skills through guided practice, these labs progress from basic hardware, operating systems, and networking concepts to safe web use and core Microsoft Office productivity tools—making them ideal for entry-level IT readiness and workforce skills pathways.

Front End Web Development

Labs Included:10
Designed to build foundational front-end development skills through guided practice, these labs progress from HTML5 and CSS3 fundamentals to building and debugging websites with JavaScript—making them ideal for introductory web development and digital product pathways.

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices (ICND1 v3.0)

Labs Included:19
Designed to build Cisco device configuration and troubleshooting skills through guided practice, these labs progress from initial device setup and addressing to VLANs, inter-VLAN routing, routing protocols, ACLs, NAT, device management, and maintenance tools—making them ideal for foundational Cisco networking pathways.

Introduction to Networking Fundamentals

Labs Included:13
Designed to build foundational networking skills through guided practice, these labs progress from core network concepts and IP addressing to routing, DHCP, name resolution, VPN configuration, and TCP/IP troubleshooting tools—making them ideal for introductory networking and IT infrastructure pathways.

Introduction to Programming Using Python

Labs Included:25
Designed to build foundational Python skills through guided practice, the labs progress from core syntax and data handling to control flow, file operations, functions, and standard library usage—making them ideal for introductory programming, IT, cybersecurity, and data-focused pathways.

Introduction to Wireshark

Labs Included:8
Designed to build packet analysis skills through guided practice, these labs progress from Wireshark installation and configuration to capturing, filtering, and analyzing traffic and protocols—making them ideal for networking, troubleshooting, and security fundamentals pathways.

Networking Fundamentals

Labs Included:16
Designed to build practical networking and network security skills through guided practice, these labs progress from core protocols and models to NAT, firewalls, policy implementation, remote access, troubleshooting, and resiliency concepts—making them ideal for infrastructure and security-aware networking pathways.

Get the complete catalog of labs

Download Full Lab Catalog
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Real-world IT training tool for any platform.

Real Machines

Unlike simulations, Skill Labs provide true virtual machine environments for practicing real-world cybersecurity techniques.

Auto-Scoring & LMS Integration

Labs are equipped with auto-scoring for efficient assessment and easy integration with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS).

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In-Depth Learning Experience

Malware creation & deployment
Labs walk you through crafting and deploying malware in a safe virtual environment, using real commands and tools.
Nmap scanning
Practice essential techniques like network scanning to identify vulnerabilities.
Step-by-step guidance
Labs can be run prescriptively, offering detailed instructions and screenshots for each step.
Challenge questions
Reinforce learning through challenge questions that test your ability to replicate learned skills. Instructors have the ability to track progress and provide individual support.
Instructor dashboard
Monitor user progress, identify potential cheating through screenshot comparisons, and ensure effective learning outcomes.
Certification support
A large library of labs (796 transitioned, 315 deployed by year-end) is focused on popular certifications like CompTIA and Cisco, ensuring practical preparation for industry-recognized credentials. (Couple with In-depth learning)

Graduate Job-Ready Students

Skill Labs deliver hands-on, job-ready IT and cybersecurity curriculum without the cost or complexity of building your own environments.

Students Get:

  • Practical, real-world experience in real environments
  • Continuously updated labs that stay aligned with in-demand jobs and certifications
  • Career-ready skills that make them immediately employable

You Get:

  • A turnkey lab platform that saves you time
  • No virtual machines to maintain, no hardware to manage
  • A scalable solution that fits programs of any size

Stop worrying about lab setup. Start focusing on student success.

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Cybersecurity
Navigate real-world cyber threats in a controlled and interactive environment.
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Cloud-based technologies
Explore and master cutting-edge cloud computing tools and techniques for scalable and efficient data management and application deployment.
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Operating systems
Dive deep into various OS functionalities, gain practical insights, and develop proficiency in managing and optimizing system resources for enhanced performance and security.
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System administration
Acquire hands-on expertise in deploying, configuring, and managing complex network systems and infrastructure, ensuring easy operations and robust security.
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IT infrastructure
Gain practical skills in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust and scalable IT infrastructures, ensuring efficient operations and easy connectivity across diverse systems and devices.
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Digital literacy
Navigate the digital landscape with confidence, enabling them to effectively leverage technology for communication, information access, and personal growth.

Hands-on labs that deliver career-ready students.

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