Cyber security is a thriving and crucial part of the world of IT, thanks to the escalating prevalence of cybercrime. The resulting increased demand for cyber security professionals has created an incentive for finding new ways of training more specialists faster and more efficiently. The war against cybercrime needs more soldiers!
And speaking of soldiers, bootcamps are an increasingly popular method of training new IT professionals. Usually used to describe the places where recruits receive their basic training in the armed forces, the term has expanded to describe intensive training sessions in many different IT fields and disciplines.
This article focuses on cyber security bootcamps. We will begin with a generic definition of bootcamps, move on to cyber security bootcamps specifically, and why you should sign up if you’re considering a cyber security career.
What Are Bootcamps?
Programs in IT-related bootcamps run between six weeks and 24 months, although most programs offer an average duration from 12 to 40 weeks. Bootcamps provide in-depth, high-speed learning. That’s because there’s a lot of ground to cover and only so much time available. Keeping this limitation in mind, bootcamps focus only on the skills relevant to the desired career path. For example, you wouldn’t go to a cloud-computing bootcamp to learn about programming.
The more successful bootcamps give students an intense, high-speed curriculum, supplemented by hands-on projects that provide the chance to practice newly acquired skills and knowledge. The better bootcamps also offer job placement services for their graduates, a welcome benefit if the graduate is trying to start a career in a competitive field.
Bootcamps are most effective when they offer flexible options and greater accessibility to their students. That’s why bootcamps usually come in two distinct varieties, each designed to help students in different situations. The two types are:
Part-Time Bootcamps
Part-time bootcamps last about 30 weeks on average and are perfect for students with crowded schedules. More often than not, these students have jobs that put a strain on their free time. Part-time camps usually ask for a weekly commitment of about 20 hours, held via the Internet or real-world locations, depending on the bootcamp. Part-time bootcamps also cost less. Part-time camp programs require a long-term time investment, a trade-off for their weekly flexibility.
Full-Time Bootcamps
This is the option you choose if you want to blast through the program as quickly as possible. Full-time bootcamps usually ask for a commitment of 80 hours per week for anywhere from two to seven months, though the average duration is about 17 weeks. You get a fully immersive learning experience, and it costs more than a part-time camp. On the upside, you finish faster. Fortunately, the increased cost can be mitigated in part or entirely by your workplace if you’re attending the camp to learn skills designed to help your organization. A word to the wise: if you decide on a full-time bootcamp, plan for your life to revolve around it for the duration. Don’t plan on working a full-time job at the same time!
Know that the scheduled learning times aren’t rigidly locked in place, and no two bootcamps work the same. The key is to find one that works within your unique situation.
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Once you decide between full-time and part-time, you need to figure out how you will attend your classes. The choices are:
In-Person
This entails taking organized, structured classes at an actual physical location. You have the added advantage of a teacher that you can speak to in-person to help you sort through tight spots. If you thrive on structure and maintain distinctive boundaries between your academic life and the rest of your life, you should go with In-person, provided you can meet the time commitment.
Online
If you’re more comfortable learning at home and have the self-discipline to see the program through to its conclusion, go with an online bootcamp. You receive online access to all necessary course materials and instructors, usually backed up by an online student community.
Self-Paced
If in-person bootcamps are formal and online bootcamps are relaxed, then self-paced bootcamps are VERY relaxed. Self-paced bootcamps let you learn and work at your own leisurely pace. You are given the curriculum, then you decide how to approach it, such as when you plan on doing the work.
Many bootcamp providers are hybrids, offering both online and in-person options. Take the time to explore and choose one that’s the best fit for you. With just a little effort, you will be able to find the program that teaches you the skills you want to know and the manner you would prefer.
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What is a Cyber Security Bootcamp?
Let’s move from generic IT-related bootcamps to the specifics of cyber security bootcamps. Cyber security bootcamps are intense training programs that equip students for entry-level positions in the field of cyber security, specifically network and security administration, principles of computer science, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, data security, and more.
There are also intermediate and advanced cyber security bootcamps available for IT professionals who already have a grasp of the basics.
While every cyber security bootcamp has its unique curriculum, these courses appear in beginner programs most often:
- Career building
- Certification preparation
- Computer forensics
- Cryptography
- Network security
- Risk management
- Security foundations/fundamentals
- Threats and vulnerabilities
Why Cyber Security Bootcamp?
If you have your heart set on a cyber security career, you need easy and affordable access to the right training. You also want a means of instruction that doesn’t drag on for too long. Cyber security bootcamps offer a laser-like focus on the courses and skills you will need for a successful cyber security career and deliver the goods efficiently and quickly. Bootcamps are designed for a relatively fast turnaround: get you in, teach and train you, and send you out. Other compelling reasons for enrolling in a cyber security bootcamp:
- Flexible evening and weekend hours for part-time students, and intense, concentrated schedules for full-time students
- Curricula that focuses on just the relevant subjects and created by security experts in the field—no time wasted on unnecessary topics
- Challenging security coursework that mirrors current cybersecurity trends and issues
- Exposure to the most up-to-date security tools and technologies
- Real-world training, certification preparation, and career/job placement assistance
- Costs less than a college degree
Aspiring cyber security professionals who attend a good cyber security bootcamp can set their sights on several different career paths, including:
- Chief Security Officer ($140K-$223K)
- Data Security Analyst ($114K-$160K)
- Information Systems Security Manager ($130K-$182K)
- Network Security Administrator ($103K-$147K)
- Network Security Engineer ($110K-$153K)
- Systems Security Administrator ($106K-$150K)
So, bootcamps are a good choice if you’re looking for solid cyber security training, whether you’re a neophyte or an experienced professional who wants to expand their skillset, cyber security.
Taking Advantage of Certification Training
Certification tells a potential employer that you have the skills and training needed to do well in the position you’re interviewing for, and with the documentation to prove it. Simplilearn offers a valuable selection of cyber security-related certification courses that can boost your skillset and improve your marketability when looking for a new career.
Career-minded people interested in the ethical hacking aspect of cybersecurity should check out Simplilearn’s CEH (v10) - Certified Ethical Hacking Course. If your tastes run more to building and maintaining enterprise-level security systems, take a look at the CISM, CISA, CompTIA Security+, and CISSP offerings. Finally, if you want a better understanding of the COBIT framework for enterprise IT governance and management, take the COBIT certification training course.
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Do You Want to Become a Cyber Security Expert?
Are you interested in pursuing a career in a field that’s very much in demand, offers excellent compensation, and helps battle crime? If so, Simplilearn has what you need to become a cyber security superhero and make the world safe for mobile computing and financial transactions!
The Cyber Security Expert Master’s program gives you all the skills you need to become an expert in this vital facet of the IT world. The program teaches you how to protect your infrastructure using different comprehensive methods such as architecting cloud-based security, meeting compliance standards, running risk analysis and mitigation, securing data and information, and much more.
The Master’s program consists of six courses that provide you with over 96 hours of live online classes. The course provides you with your master’s certification and an exam voucher for taking the CEH & CompTIA Security+ test.
According to Salary.com, an entry-level Cyber security engineer can earn an annual average of USD 80,451, and that’s just for engineers who are starting their careers. A senior cyber security engineer earns an average of USD 138,826 per year. Whether you want to begin a new career in cyber security or upskill your cyber security knowledge, Simplilearn has everything you need. Take that first step today!
