We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jason Dion. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jason below.

Hi Jason, thanks for joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

Traditional personnel certification companies often overlook the importance of practical, hands-on experience when it comes to certification testing. Many traditional certifications still rely heavily on outdated, multiple-choice and multiple-select style exams. While these types of exams may assess a candidate’s knowledge, they fail to truly demonstrate whether a candidate can actually perform the tasks required of them when working in field in their new job or position.

At AKYLADE, we focus on creating certification exams that mirror real-world scenarios. Our hands-on, scenario and lab-based approach ensures that candidates don’t just pass a test—they prove that they can actually apply what they’ve learned in practical situations that directly applies to their job role.

We believe that true proficiency is not just about knowing the theory; it’s about being able to execute tasks in a professional environment.

Our exams are designed to bridge the gap between learning and doing so that employers can have confidence that AKYLADE certified individuals can hit the ground running from day one when they are hired.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jason Dion, and I’m the co-founder and Chief Product Officer for AKYLADE. I have been deeply immersed in the world of technology and cybersecurity industries for years, with a focus on bridging the gap between knowledge and real-world skills.

My journey started with a passion for cybersecurity and a desire to not just understand the theory but to apply it in a variety of practical settings. I noticed that many certification programs in the industry were stuck in the past since they rely heavily on outdated multiple-choice exams that only tested theoretical knowledge. This frustrated me because it didn’t truly measure if someone could perform the tasks required in real-world scenarios.

We hear all the time how there is a large “cybersecurity skills gap”, but that isn’t truly accurate. There are plenty of people with the skills needed, but employers cannot identify them using the current crop of industry certifications that focus on knowledge over skills.

What we have really is a “hiring gap”, since employers don’t feel comfortable hiring someone who has the “knowledge” but not the proven experience to go with it. To solve this problem, hands-on, practical certifications are needed to overcome this hiring gap.

So, I founded AKYLADE with a simple yet powerful mission: to create certifications that focus on practical, hands-on experience.

At AKYLADE, we provide a unique approach to certifications by emphasizing real-world labs and scenario-based exams. We’re not just about knowing the material—we want our candidates to prove they can do the job.

Our certifications range from specialized cybersecurity roles and AI security to game development and XR/AR development. Each one is designed to challenge candidates in a way that reflects what they will actually encounter in their professional work.

What sets us apart is our commitment to practicality. While other certification programs focus on testing knowledge through legacy exam formats, we focus on testing candidates’ abilities to perform on the job. This approach makes us the bridge between learning and doing to ensure that our clients and candidates are always prepared to succeed in their careers.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made with our hands-on approach. We’ve built a reputation for offering certifications that actually matter, not just pieces of paper. The real-world skills our candidates gain are what employers are looking for. We’ve seen firsthand how this model helps people land their dream jobs or advance their careers faster than they would have with traditional certifications.

The main thing I want people to know about AKYLADE is that we’re not just another certification provider.

Instead, we’re a company built on the idea that certifications should be a reflection of a person’s ability to perform, not just memorize information.

Our mission is to help individuals build the skills that matter most in today’s rapidly changing industries.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe the key factors that helped build AKYLADE’s reputation are our commitment to quality, innovation, and the focus on real-world skills. From the very beginning, we made the decision to differentiate ourselves by creating practical, hands-on certifications that go beyond theoretical knowledge.

Unlike many traditional certification programs, we’ve built our exams around real scenarios, allowing candidates to prove they can actually perform the tasks they’d encounter on the job. This has helped us establish a reputation for providing truly valuable certifications that resonate with both employers and job seekers.

Our constant focus on listening to our stakeholders—whether they’re learners, employers, or industry professionals—has also been a significant driver in building our reputation. We’re always looking for ways to improve and adapt, whether that’s by incorporating feedback into our certification exams or by staying ahead of industry trends to ensure we’re meeting current needs.

Another factor that’s helped us gain trust and recognition is the integrity with which we run our business. Our candidates know that when they earn an AKYLADE certification, they’re demonstrating the kind of real-world proficiency that’s valued in the industry. We’re not in the business of handing out certifications for memorized knowledge; we’re about practical expertise, and that’s what sets us apart.

Lastly, word of mouth and success stories from our candidates have played a big role in growing our reputation. Our certifications give people the confidence they need to succeed in their careers, and that’s something they’re eager to share with others, which has led to a growing community of loyal clients and supporters.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Our best source of new clients has come from a combination of our books and our active participation in key industry conferences.

Starting with our books, they’ve been a powerful tool in expanding our reach. ‘Mastering Cyber Resilience’ and other titles we’ve released have allowed us to connect with a broader audience. By offering high-value, practical content in these books, we’ve been able to attract individuals who are serious about advancing their careers in cybersecurity. Many of our readers become interested in our certification programs because they see the value in our approach to hands-on learning and the depth of knowledge we provide.

In addition to our books, attending industry conferences has been another significant driver of new clients. We regularly participate in events like RSA, Black Hat, DefCon, and SecureWorld, where test-takers, employers, and industry professionals gather. These conferences give us a chance to meet our audience face-to-face, showcase our certifications, and explain how our hands-on approach sets us apart from other certification providers. They also provide us with valuable networking opportunities to connect with potential clients and partners who are looking for skilled professionals with real-world experience.

Both our books and conference presence have been integral in helping us build relationships with our target audience. The combination of providing high-quality educational resources and actively engaging with the industry at events allows us to stay connected to the needs of the cybersecurity community and continually attract new clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://akylade.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akyladecertified/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKYLADE
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akylade/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Akylade1
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@AkyladeCertified