Cybersecurity Bootcamps
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Published on January 13, 2022 · Updated on February 22, 2022
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The field of cybersecurity is increasingly popular, attracting professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills to protect sensitive data from cyberattacks. Grand View Research valued the global cybersecurity market at over $167 billion in 2020, with an expected revenue growth of nearly 11% from 2021 to 2028. Any business collecting personal, financial, and health-related data requires trained cybersecurity experts.
Cybersecurity bootcamps can provide an accelerated and often affordable pathway to a tech career. These bootcamps can benefit both aspiring and established cybersecurity professionals, emphasizing the latest and most desirable industry skills. Some of the best cybersecurity programs offer convenient, flexible online learning options.
Graduates of cybersecurity bootcamps may qualify for lucrative job opportunities, including positions as information security analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 33% increase in information security analyst jobs from 2020 to 2030, with a median annual salary of nearly $104,000.
The following top cybersecurity bootcamps can help graduates launch or advance their careers.
Popular Online Cybersecurity Programs
Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
- Locations: Remote, Seattle
- Program Cost: $12,000
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Self-Paced
Students who attend Butler University's part-time data analyst bootcamp learn data analytics in 24 weeks. Skills taught include JavaScript charting, Python programming, and Excel. Students also explore machine learning and fundamental statistics.
Visit Bootcamp- Locations: Remote, Bloomington, Cleveland, Columbus, Evansville, Fishers, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis
- Program Cost: $5,000
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Eleven Fifty Academy is an Indiana-based nonprofit coding bootcamp that offers a free introductory course for prospective students. According to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting, Eleven Fifty Academy reported a 100% graduation rate and an 81% employment rate among students within 180 days of completing their Fishers, Indiana bootcamp in 2018.
Visit Bootcamp- Locations: Remote, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.
- Program Cost: $16,900
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Self-Paced
Flatiron School offers flexible cybersecurity bootcamps over 15, 20, 40, or 60 weeks. Cybersecurity training explores topics including network security, Python, and applied cryptography, culminating in a capstone project. Students can also take advantage of individualized career coaching and a large employer network.
Visit Bootcamp- Locations: Remote, New York City
- Program Cost: $15,980
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Fullstack Academy graduates are employed by top tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Students learn skills including data encoding, ethical hacking, and penetration testing methodology, culminating in a final project. Fullstack Academy is the only cybersecurity bootcamp officially partnered with the City of New York.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $9,900
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Self-Paced
Springboard's cybersecurity bootcamp emphasizes project-based learning to build hands-on experience in the tech industry. Students can defer tuition payments until they are hired. If they don't find a job, they may get their tuition refunded. Career support includes student advising, professional mentorship, and career coaching.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote, Portland, Salt Lake City
- Program Cost: $10,600 (Full Time); $13,300 (Part Time)
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
The Tech Academy's cybersecurity bootcamp covers full-stack web and software development, multifaceted cybersecurity skills, and hands-on networking experience. Students can complete the full- or part-time program in 20 or 38 weeks, respectively.
The bootcamp includes over 800 hours of content and assignments, including a real-world project that can be added to your professional resume.
Visit BootcampBest University Cybersecurity Bootcamps
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $10,000
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
Georgia Tech's cybersecurity bootcamp emphasizes popular tools including Kali Linux, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Nessus. Students can gain hands-on experience in skills needed for both offensive and defensive cybersecurity. Graduates can pursue certifications including CompTIA Security+ and certified ethical hacker.
Visit Bootcamp- Locations: Remote, Chicago, Evanston
- Program Cost: $12,245
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Northwestern University's intensive cybersecurity bootcamp lasts for 24 weeks. The curriculum trains students to use in-demand tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, Kali Linux, and Nessus. This bootcamp prepares students to pursue a variety of popular certifications, including CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, and certified ethical hacker.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $13,995
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
Berkeley's cybersecurity bootcamp takes a multidisciplinary approach to this IT specialization. The bootcamp emphasizes networking, modern information security, and tech proficiency over a 24-week part-time program. Students learn analytical tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Kali Linux, and qualify for optional professional certifications, including CompTIA.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $12,995
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
UCLA offers an intensive cybersecurity bootcamp over 24 weeks. The bootcamp includes comprehensive tech support and career services. Students enjoy focused training in industry tools, including Wireshark, Nessus, and Metasploit. Graduates can pursue professional certification such as becoming a certified ethical hacker.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $12,495
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
UT Austin's cybersecurity bootcamp caters to both tech enthusiasts with an interest in cybersecurity and experienced professionals looking to switch careers. The bootcamp focuses on preparing students for popular professional certifications, including CompTIA Security+, Cloud+, and certified ethical hacker. The curriculum covers tools like Kali Linux, Nessus, and Wireshark.
Visit Bootcamp- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $12,245
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
This multidisciplinary bootcamp trains students to apply advanced technical, networking, and information security skills over 24 weeks. Graduates learn how to use tools like Metasploit, Wireshark, Kali Linux, and Nessus and can pursue professional certification including CompTIA Security+, certified ethical hacker, or Server+.
Visit BootcampGet the Qualities You Want in a Bootcamp
We use icons to make browsing bootcamps easy for you. Use this breakdown to quickly identify program qualities you are looking for.
Accepts GI Bill®
Accepts the GI Bill® as funding for tuition.
Also Available In Person
This online bootcamp also offers in-person options.
Career Services
Offers career services to help you land your dream job after graduation.
CIRR Member
This bootcamp is a current member of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting. Learn more at cirr.org.
Evening & Weekend Options
Bootcamps are offered during convenient evening and weekend hours.
Job Guarantee
Employment is guaranteed as soon as you finish your bootcamp.
Money-Back Guarantee
Tuition is refunded if you don't land a job within a given time frame after graduation. Visit the bootcamp website for terms and conditions.
Start for Free
No deposit is required to get started. Begin your bootcamp for $0.
Methodology
Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines
At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.
Our Methodology
The Bootcamp Team at BestColleges has collected data for over 150 bootcamps to help you find the best bootcamp.
At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.
At this time, our recommendation round-ups feature only immersive bootcamps designed to prepare students for job placement upon graduation.
To be included on our lists, bootcamps must meet the following criteria:
- Must offer at least one bootcamp in the United States.
- Must offer at least one bootcamp that is a minimum of 4 weeks long.
- Must require at least 15 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is part time.
- Must encourage at least 10 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is self-paced.
Pricing disclosure: The prices listed were collected from product websites in 2022. However, given the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the tech space, prices are subject to change throughout the year. To get the most up-to-date information about pricing, contact providers directly.
Methodology for Recommending Cheap Bootcamps:
- The bootcamp must meet all of the general criteria listed above.
- The bootcamp must cost less than $8,000 if it is offered full time, and less than $5,000 if it is offered part time. These numbers were chosen based on data collected by BestColleges in 2020 that determined the average cost of a coding bootcamp is $13,580.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity professionals require advanced mastery of networking, software, and hardware to protect data and data systems. They must understand how to configure networks to prevent malicious hackers from accessing, modifying, or deleting information. Cybersecurity analysts also minimize risk by developing security procedures and protocols.
Cybersecurity professionals may specialize in a particular area such as secure dev-ops, forensic analysis, or data loss prevention. Incident response, recovery protocols, and penetration testing are key skills in cybersecurity occupations, enabling analysts to learn from past breaches and minimize future data loss. They can also help businesses identify compromised data, explore possible culprits, and address concerns about information security.
As global commerce increasingly takes place online, cybersecurity professionals possess the skills necessary to identify vulnerabilities and protect data from cyberattacks.
What Will I Learn in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
Cybersecurity bootcamps expand on core coding skills through a combination of technical and experiential learning. While many bootcamps do not require previous cybersecurity coding experience, some offer introductory courses to educate students in requisite computer science concepts. Cybersecurity bootcamps suit students with logical reasoning, critical thinking, and math skills.
Cybersecurity bootcamps train students to identify and address malicious cyber activity. Specifically, students explore computer network administration, including Linux and Windows operating systems, cryptography, penetration testing, and risk management.
Aspiring and advanced cybersecurity professionals can also build career skills through a bootcamp, as cybersecurity occupations also require soft skills like empathy, problem-solving, and collaborative abilities. Some cybersecurity bootcamps prepare students to pursue popular industry certifications like CompTIA Security+.
Cybersecurity Careers
According to the BLS, information security analysts earned a median salary of nearly $104,000 in 2020. Information security analysts working in the information industry earn the highest wage, though location, experience, and education also contribute to individual income prospects.
California and New York paid information security analysts the highest wage in 2020, while Virginia and Texas employed the most information security analysts that year.
The BLS projects exceptional job growth for cybersecurity careers, with a 33% increase in employment from 2020-2030. The demand for experts in the field is commensurate with the rise in global cloud computing and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts perform advanced network support, intelligence analysis, and software development tasks. They observe, update, and audit computer systems for potential security threats or breaches. They respond to cyberattacks by identifying compromised data, analyzing the breach, and minimizing future vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity analysts earned an average salary of $76,750 as of October 27, 2021, according to Payscale.
Information Technology Specialist
Information technology specialists maintain and upgrade all computer equipment and networks for an organization. They perform ongoing system checks to ensure the organization operates efficiently while its data remains protected from cyber attacks. They may specialize in cybersecurity but also address general equipment failures or system malfunctions.
IT specialists reported an average annual salary of $58,210 as of October 27, 2021, according to Payscale.
Cybersecurity Engineer
Though similar, cybersecurity engineers perform a slightly more technical job than cybersecurity analysts. Cybersecurity engineers are experts in penetration testing, ethical hacking, and network administration. They often manage junior analysts or a team of analysts specializing in cybersecurity projects.
According to Payscale, early-to-mid-career cybersecurity engineers earned an average annual salary of $97,150 as of October 27, 2021, and more than $125,000 with 20 years of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Cybersecurity bootcamps suit students from all backgrounds and levels of experience. The best cybersecurity bootcamps develop a student's existing technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. The curriculum builds on a foundation in programming languages, incorporating more advanced elements of computer science, networking, and hardware and software development.
Some cybersecurity bootcamps require previous coding experience or a basic understanding of programming languages. Many of the bootcamps that require such prerequisites also offer pre-enrollment introductory courses to brush up on basic skills.
Yes, cybersecurity bootcamps enable students to learn critical career skills quicker and often at a lower cost than a traditional degree. Cybersecurity bootcamps can serve both aspiring cybersecurity experts and career-switchers from other areas of computer science and information technology.
Among the many lucrative positions that graduates of a cybersecurity bootcamp can pursue, cybersecurity engineers and information security analysts draw especially high salaries for entry-level positions.
Cybersecurity bootcamp graduates also enjoy high job growth in the tech industry. For example, the BLS projects much-faster-than-average job growth of 33% for information security analysts from 2020-2030.
Many employers prefer candidates with professional certification for cybersecurity jobs. Naturally, as cybersecurity bootcamps provide career-focused tech programs, many of them prepare students to pursue popular industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+ or other CompTIA designations for tech industry professionals.
Other common credentials for early-to-mid-level professionals include certified information systems security professional and certified information systems auditor, awarded through (ISC)² and ISACA, respectively.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp
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BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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