Subject-matter expert
James Conrad
James brings more than 30 years of IT experience to his training. He got his start in IT volunteering for a nonprofit and becoming their de facto IT pro — while using an MS-DOS portable computer. Before joining CBT Nuggets, James did freelance IT work, and wrote and reviewed technical books. His hobbies include photography, hiking, and traveling, especially to Eastern Europe and Russia.
Credentials
Certifications James Conrad holds
Vendor-issued credentials James holds — the hands-on IT background behind the courses your team will train on.
- Microsoft Certified Professional
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
- Microsoft Certified Technician
- Certified Ethical Hacker
- CompTIA A+
Training coverage
Courses that carry James Conrad's expertise into your team plan
Use these courses as proof of coverage for the roles and technologies your team needs to support.
Courses James Conrad teaches
23 courses
Azure
AZ-800: Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
This AZ-800 course gives IT Directors and Team Leads a standard way to close skill gaps across AD DS, Hyper-V, DNS/DHCP, file services, and Azure-connected workloads. Completion exports in Team Reporting give Training Managers a clear record of who has covered each block. Built for systems administrators and Windows Server administrators with 2–3 years of experience, the training covers installing domain controllers and building trusts, configuring Microsoft Entra Connect Sync and Cloud Sync, and troubleshooting Group Policy by isolating computer-side and user-side settings. Admins also gain the ability to reach servers securely and keep workloads and file services available, so teams handle hybrid connectivity and continuity with fewer escalations and less reliance on outside help, using PowerShell Remoting, PowerShell Direct, SSH, Azure Bastion, Hyper-V Replica and clustering, Azure File Sync, and DFS. Virtual labs let your admins practice domain controller work before it touches production. Microsoft retired the AZ-800 exam on September 30th, 2026, so teams can assign this course for the hybrid administration skills rather than a credential.
Azure
Microsoft Entra ID
This Microsoft Entra ID training will help you build a secure, scalable identity infrastructure from the ground up. This course provides a comprehensive deep dive into Microsoft Entra ID (formerly named Azure Active Directory), giving you the practical expertise to manage identities, enforce Zero Trust security, and streamline access across hybrid environments. You'll move from foundational setup to deploying advanced governance and automated identity protection.
Cisco
CCST Cybersecurity
Practical training to prepare for the Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam. This entry‑level course takes you through essential security principles, from CIA triad and attack types to defenses like hardening and network segmentation. Learn real‑world threat and vulnerability types such as malware, phishing, denial of service, IoT exploits, and social engineering. You’ll walk through access management (AAA, MFA, RADIUS), encryption (hashing, certificates, PKI) for data at rest, in transit, and in use. Dive into TCP/IP vulnerabilities, network architecture (IDS/IPS, DMZ, VPN, NAC), and secure wireless setups. Master OS-level security for Windows, macOS, and Linux, endpoint tools like netstat and tcpdump, patching and compliance, and log analysis. Finally, explore vulnerability and risk management, threat intelligence, disaster recovery, plus SIEM, forensic, and incident response frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and NIST. Learn in bite‑sized videos, designed to help you get certified and start protecting networks.
CompTIA
A+ Core 2
Prepare for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) V15 exam with expert-led training, unlimited practice exams, and virtual labs. Build real-world IT support skills across Windows 11, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with expanded focus on OS management, cloud productivity tools, file systems (ReFS, XFS), UEFI/TPM, hybrid deployments, and command-line utilities like whoami and sfc. This course dives into Zero Trust security, passwordless authentication, MDM, DLP, EPP/EDR, and protection against email-based threats and fileless malware. You'll also cover software troubleshooting, ticketing systems, and operational best practices. Prepare to sit the 220-1202 exam with confidence and level up your IT career.
CompTIA
CompTIA A+ Core 1
Build a foundation in IT with this expert-led CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) training. This course includes an A+ Core 1 practice test, study guide, and virtual labs to make sure you're confident on exam day. You’ll learn how to troubleshoot PCs, configure mobile devices, support networking and cloud technologies, and work with virtualization. Through real-world scenarios, interactive modules, and targeted practice questions, you’ll build experience you can apply right away in roles like Help Desk Technician or IT Support Specialist.
CompTIA
CompTIA Tech+
This CompTIA Tech+ training helps IT beginners build essential skills. Learn to troubleshoot hardware, software, and networks, and manage devices, all while you prep for the Tech+ exam. Designed as the ideal starting point for IT careers, the Tech+ certification validates hands-on expertise in foundational IT concepts. Master IT fundamentals, security, and software development to land your first IT job. This CompTIA training is ideal for individuals or teams, and includes unlimited CompTIA Tech+ practice tests and virtual labs.
ISACA
Cybersecurity Fundamentals (ITCA)
This ITCA - Cybersecurity Fundamentals training covers how to perform the basic, professional tasks required of an entry-level IT professional in a cybersecurity capacity. Although earning the ITCA Cybersecurity Fundamentals certification is valuable for cybersecurity hopefuls, the training is also excellent for non-IT professionals and teams who need a well-rounded understanding of the threats that exist in the modern world, how best to avoid them, and what to do if there is a successful attack against your network.
ISACA
ITCA
This ITCA Computing Fundamentals training covers introductory concepts that entry-level IT professionals should be aware of: networking, virtualization, and security. Use this Computing Fundamentals (ITCA) exam prep to learn how to manage and troubleshoot hardware, software, networking, and cybersecurity issues, giving you a strong foundation ofentry-level IT skills. Once you take this ITCA course, and you'll be prepared to earn your ITCA certification.
ISACA
Networks and Infrastructure Fundamentals (ITCA)
This entry-level Networks and Infrastructure Fundamentals (ITCA) training prepares IT professionals to design, configure, and secure networks while ensuring compliance. Part of the ISACA ITCA certification, this networking course teaches practical skills for managing hardware, network setups, and troubleshooting. Perfect for entry-level IT pros, and ITCA exam prep.
LPI
010-160
This LPI Linux Essentials training covers the basic commands and functions of the Linux operating system and prepares your team for the LPI Linux Essentials (010-160) certification. It covers recognizing open source applications and their closed source equivalents, working on the command line to navigate files, handling hardware, programs, and components of the operating system, creating and restoring compressed backups and archives, configuring users, groups, and file permissions, and creating and running simple scripts. For an IT Director onboarding help desk staff or junior administrators onto Linux systems, Linux Essentials is the fastest way to verify a working baseline before assigning production access. New and aspiring IT professionals earn the same vendor-neutral LPI certificate as a first Linux credential.
LPI
LPI Security Essentials
This Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials (020-100) training covers how to implement best practices in network security maintenance, identify vulnerabilities, and respond effectively to incidents in Linux-based IT infrastructures. You'll learn cybersecurity skills that apply in any environment, as well as techniques and tools that are particular to Linux environments. The LPI Security Essentials certification is an excellent start for a cybersecurity career, and this 020-100 exam prep will prepare you to earn it.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft AB-900
This Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals (AB-900) training prepares you to earn a valuable Microsoft AI certification. Keep your Microsoft 365 admin skills relevant and valuable in the age of AI. Learn how to enable your organization with Copilot, and roll out AI agents without compromising security, identity, or data protections. Microsoft expert James Conrad guides you through M365 governance, AI readiness, and modern IT management, so you can lead AI adoption with confidence and pass the AB-900 exam.
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Microsoft 365
Microsoft SC-900
Cloud adoption spreads security, identity, and compliance work across help desk staff, sysadmins, and compliance stakeholders who often lack a shared vocabulary. When terms like Zero Trust, least privilege, and the shared responsibility model mean different things to different people, risk discussions stall and audit conversations take longer than they should. This entry-level SC-900 course gives IT Directors and Training Managers a single baseline to assign across the team. Learners cover Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) identity concepts, authentication and self-service password reset, Microsoft Defender threat protection, Intune endpoint security, and Microsoft Purview capabilities such as sensitivity labels, DLP, eDiscovery, audit, data lifecycle management, and insider risk. The course stays conceptual, with walkthroughs in Azure, Microsoft 365, Intune, and Purview, so new hires, help desk technicians, and non-technical risk stakeholders can all take part. After completion, your team can explain Microsoft security terminology to technical and non-technical audiences, identify which Microsoft tool fits a given identity, threat, or compliance use case, and route questions to the right platform capability or specialist team. The course also provides a structured review of the fundamentals covered by the SC-900 certification exam. At about 21.7 hours across 25 skills, the course fits an onboarding cohort or a team certification push. Team Leads can bundle it into Playlists, and Training Managers can track per-learner progress and completion with Team Reporting before moving the team on to role-based Microsoft security training.
Microsoft 365
MS-102
This MS-102 training prepares you to step into the role of a Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert, one of the most respected credentials for senior Microsoft cloud administrators. You’ll sharpen the skills necessary to run and secure modern Microsoft 365 environments with rigorous exam prep, gaining experience with Microsoft Defender XDR and Purview, as well as the automation and identity management capabilities of PowerShell and Microsoft Entra ID. Along the way, you’ll learn how experienced administrators deploy and manage Microsoft 365 tenants, and protect enterprise workloads in cloud and hybrid environments. By the end of this MS-102 training, you’ll be equipped with practical knowledge that you can immediately use as a professional Microsoft 365 administrator.
Microsoft 365
MS-900
Put Microsoft 365’s cloud productivity tools to work with the shared vocabulary the MS-900 objectives set out. Microsoft retired that exam on 31 March 2026, so the course is assigned today for the fluency itself. This course is designed for business professionals, career changers, new admins, and anyone else who works with Microsoft 365. You’ll learn how to use cloud productivity tools to make work faster, easier and more efficient. Understand how to Integrate Microsoft Copilot AI into your workflows, and take advantage of Microsoft project management software. This course emphasizes practical job-ready skills, so you’ll be able to confidently explain and use Microsoft 365 solutions right away.
Microsoft 365
SC-300
This Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300) training prepares you to become a Microsoft identity and access admin. Expert-led training will teach you to implement and manage secure identity solutions using Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and hybrid identities. You’ll set up and manage users, groups, devices, and custom roles. You’ll learn to configure passwordless and multifactor sign-in, apply conditional access policies, and use tools like PIM to support a zero-trust strategy. You’ll also manage app access with registrations, service principals, and entitlement controls. Bring on-prem and cloud together using Azure AD Connect and Active Directory Federation Services, and monitor and protect identities using Defender for Cloud Apps, Sentinel, Identity Protection and Identity Secure Score. With practice exams and real‑world scenarios, this course maps to the SC‑300 exam blueprint, giving you the skills and confidence to get certified and secure access to your organization’s cloud resources.
Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft MD-102
This Microsoft MD-102 training is a perfect starting point for becoming a professional Endpoint Administrator. In this course, you’ll master the full device lifecycle using Microsoft Intune and Entra ID. You'll learn to automate deployments with Windows Autopilot, manage app catalogs, and secure devices with Windows Defender. You'll also explore configuring compliance policies and running remote actions with KQL. Along the way, you’ll gain the hands-on skills needed to build a secure workplace strategy, and earn your Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate certification.
Microsoft Windows Server
Active Directory for Windows Server 2025
Many organizations still depend on Active Directory to control who can sign in, what devices can do, and how policy reaches every workstation and server. That is especially true where on-premises systems, air-gapped networks, or hybrid environments make cloud-only management unrealistic. When AD knowledge lives with one or two senior admins, configuration drift and recovery gaps follow. This 7.3-hour, beginner-level course gives Help Desk staff, junior administrators, and Team Leads a shared model for administering AD on Windows Server 2025. Across eight skills, your team learns to manage objects in Active Directory Administrative Center, design OUs that support Group Policy, apply GPOs to set or restrict user and computer behavior, and build working knowledge of sites, trusts, forests, backup, recovery, and modern AD security. For IT Directors and Training Managers, it works well as the next step after core Windows Server training. Pair it with related courses in a Playlist, add Virtual Labs for hands-on practice where available, and use Team Reporting to track progress as newer admins take on AD responsibilities.
Microsoft Windows Server
Hyper-V
This intermediate Hyper-V Tutorial training prepares systems administrators to use Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualization tool to establish private cloud environments and optimize hardware use. Learn to create disaster recovery backups, improve OS performance, and enable remote connectivity with Hyper-V. This Windows Microsoft Server training is deal for onboarding new administrators, or as a Microsoft reference resource.
Microsoft Windows Server
Microsoft Cloud for Windows Server Admins
Windows Server teams are often asked to support Azure, Entra ID, and Intune before identity models, admin roles, and management boundaries are clearly defined. This course gives IT Directors a consistent way to bridge on-prem Windows Server and Active Directory skills to Microsoft cloud administration, so hybrid projects start from shared understanding rather than ad hoc exposure. Built for systems administrators and Team Leads, the course covers local vs. cloud decisions, core Azure services, Global Admin and user management, AD vs. Entra ID, connecting AD to Entra ID, device identity, Intune, Azure Arc, securing hybrid access with modern authentication and Conditional Access, and changing the source of authority to Entra ID. Instructor demonstrations, such as enrolling hybrid-joined devices in Intune through Group Policy, show how these pieces work in practice. Assign it before major identity, device, or Azure Arc initiatives so the team shares the same vocabulary and reduces identity-management risk. With 10 focused skills, it fits onboarding, a cloud-readiness push, or a short upskilling sprint, and CBT Nuggets Playlists and Team Reporting let Training Managers track completion across the rollout.
Microsoft Windows Server
Networking with Windows Server 2025
Network gaps on a Windows Server team turn into avoidable escalations: misread subnet masks, DHCP scopes that hand out the wrong settings, DNS problems blamed on the server, and performance complaints nobody can quantify. This course gives help desk staff, junior admins, and infrastructure team members a shared networking foundation before they take on higher-risk Server 2025 work. Across nine skills and 8.4 hours, learners start with IPv4, IPv6, public and private addressing, and classful subnet masks. They then use the OSI and TCP/IP models to isolate problems, and work through common ports and protocols, DHCP and advanced DHCP settings, DNS and IPAM, NPS and VPN, and network load balancing. The course also covers cluster networking concepts and network monitoring with baselines, performance counters, and captures. For IT Directors and Training Managers, the course fits role-based onboarding into systems administration. Use CBT Nuggets Playlists to sequence it alongside related Windows Server training, and use Team Reporting to track completion across the team. Team Leads should plan follow-up practice on local addressing standards, server roles, and internal troubleshooting procedures so the concepts map to your environment.
Microsoft Windows Server
Windows Server 2025 Security
This Windows Server Security course gives IT Directors and Team Leads one shared security baseline for Windows Server 2025, so protection doesn't depend on one or two specialists. Built for systems administrators, server engineers, and infrastructure staff, the training covers security principles and the perimeter, common attack vectors, local account and authentication hardening, Windows Defender Firewall segmentation, secure remote administration, file system and share security, application control and malware defense, patching, and auditing and logging. It closes with an incident response and recovery capstone where learners practice moving from detection to restoration. Training Managers can assign it through Playlists and use Team Reporting to track per-learner progress and export completions as audit evidence. Because firewall rules, account restrictions, and application control can affect production, plan for team review and staged rollout as learners apply what they learn.
Microsoft Windows Server
Windows Server Administration
Windows Server still underpins identity, file access, virtualization, patching, and backup in most enterprise environments. When fundamentals vary from admin to admin, the result is inconsistent access control, loosely handled privileged accounts, storage misconfiguration, and slower incident response. This 20-skill, 18.1-hour course gives help desk technicians, junior administrators, and experienced IT practitioners a shared Windows Server baseline. Team members install Windows Server and complete post-installation setup. They manage users and groups with least privilege in mind, administer Active Directory and Group Policy, and plan storage for office, remote, and hybrid work, including SMB over QUIC. The course also covers Hyper-V, Windows Server 2025 updates, backup and restore, and performance monitoring with baselines and events. The course is broad rather than deep-specialist, so IT Directors and Team Leads can assign skills to match current duties. Identity admins can focus on Active Directory and Group Policy. Infrastructure admins can focus on storage, Hyper-V, updates, backup, and monitoring. CBT Nuggets Virtual Labs support hands-on practice, and Team Reporting gives Training Managers visibility into progress across assigned staff. The format suits short learning blocks that fit around operational work.
Buyer proof
How Howard County's IT Department Upskilled 80 People, Protected a 600-Server Migration, and Kept Its Training Budget Intact
Local Government · Howard County, MD · 80 employees across 8 disciplines
CBT Nuggets gave Howard County's Department of Technology something bootcamps never could: the flexibility to train on their own time, in their own environments, with hands-on labs and practice exams that actually prepared staff for their everyday job.
- Physical servers migrated to HyperV virtual environments
- ~600
- Distinct technical disciplines under one department
- 8
- License engagement reported to leadership
- 100%
“I include our leadership, so they know that we're engaging with the training. When the budget comes and they see CBT Nuggets, they say: ‘Oh yeah. We keep that.’”
Elizabeth Nwadiuko
Technical Services Manager