Data is incredibly valuable for many companies, who need skilled computer information and security professionals to protect it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer and information technology jobs to grow by 15% from 2021-2031, much faster than the average growth rate for all jobs.
Professionals seeking entry-level jobs in the fast-growing cybersecurity field can start by attending bootcamps. These programs often last about six months and cost much less than college degrees. Graduates with certificates from reputable bootcamps can pursue cybersecurity roles.
The rankings in this guide can help aspiring professionals begin their search for the right bootcamp.
What Top-Ranked Cybersecurity Bootcamp Programs Have in Common
Bootcamps vary in curriculum, length, delivery, and quality, but many of the top cybersecurity bootcamps share several characteristics:
Cybersecurity focus: While general coding bootcamps continue to increase across the country, cybersecurity-specific programs offer targeted curricula in high-growth fields. Many programs in our rankings operate like general coding camps. Some, such as Warner Pacific's sourceU program, focus exclusively on cybersecurity.
Financial aid: In addition to tuition rates, prospective learners should consider whether prospective schools offer financial aid opportunities, accept funds from the GI Bill®, and provide payment plans, like the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Job placement assistance: Job placement assistance can include one-on-one support, portfolio assistance, and mock interviews. Some institutions, like the Flatiron School, offer money-back guarantees for graduates who do not land jobs within a year of graduation.
CIRR member or university-affiliated: Universities demonstrate validity by holding accreditation through agencies overseen by the Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation. However, accreditation does not apply to bootcamps. Instead, member programs report to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), which measures student outcomes.
What Is a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
Cybersecurity bootcamp enrollees complete intensive training programs. Students may use this experience to launch themselves into new careers in cybercrime prevention and investigation. Cybersecurity bootcamps last 10-30 weeks, offering online and in-person formats.
Cybersecurity bootcamps fall under the umbrella of coding bootcamps but focus more on information security topics. These programs differ from associate and bachelor's degrees by requiring far less time and focusing exclusively on coding. Bootcamps rarely provide academic credit.
Growth and Popularity of Cybersecurity Bootcamps
The first coding bootcamps began in 2012, with no fewer than 2,000 people completing programs that year.
According to a 2021 Gallup poll, all 3,824 2U bootcamp grads surveyed said they made more money after graduation. The availability of bootcamps, accelerated timelines, and potential for career advancement continues to draw interest from prospective students.
Common Cybersecurity Bootcamp Courses
Cybersecurity bootcamps teach students information security theories, tools, and tactics. In some courses, learners advance their skills with popular security tools like Metasploit, Nessus, Wireshark, or Kali Linux.
Other courses introduce students to cryptography, security engineering, or cloud security. Each cybersecurity bootcamp offers a different curriculum, but common classes include:
Risk Assessment: This course covers the key principles of cybersecurity risk and impacts. Students learn the three components of risk management: analysis, assessment, and mitigation. Learners also study quantitative and qualitative frameworks for performing risk analysis. The course concludes with a unit on the relationship between business value and IT risk.
Ethical Hacking: Students explore ethical hacking and website functionality. They learn about hacking wireless and wired networks, along with identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. The course provides a brief introduction to 30-plus hacking tools, including Metasploit, Aircrack-ng, and SQLmap. After the course, students should know how to launch cyberattacks and detect undetectable malware.
Threat Modeling: This course focuses on building more secure products from the ground up. Students learn to apply various methodologies and consider the pros and cons of each method.
Incident Response: In this advanced digital forensics course, enrollees learn to detect breaches, identify damaged systems, and perform assessments to determine losses and modifications. The course also explores containing and addressing security breaches.
Vulnerability Scanning: Vulnerability scanning offers an affordable alternative to penetration testing that allows organizations to spot security weaknesses. In this course, students examine common vulnerabilities, learn when to scan, and consider common protocols.
Top Online Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Skills and Topics Covered in the Best Cybersecurity Courses
Cybersecurity bootcamps teach many skills and topics, including coding languages. Each program establishes its curriculum. Some bootcamps emphasize specific topics.
Python: Students learn the ins and outs of Python, one of the world's most common programming languages. Specifically, learners study how to use Python to build security analysis tools. Enrollees often do not need prior Python knowledge to enter cybersecurity bootcamps.
Cryptography: Cryptography builds secure systems by protecting data integrity, confidentiality, and immutability. Cryptographic algorithms ensure that unauthorized users cannot access the data without the key. The three main types of cryptography include the secret key, the public key, and the hash functions.
Risk Management: Risk management involves identifying vulnerabilities to take appropriate action in preventing or reducing risk and solving potential problems. Within cybersecurity, risk management can include technology infrastructures that protect valuable assets such as corporate or customer data.
Penetration Testing: Sometimes referred to as "ethical hacking," penetration testing refers to the work of paid hackers who attempt to discover vulnerabilities by imitating cybercriminals' methods. Penetration testing aims to prevent attacks by identifying the cracks in a system that a hacker could exploit.
Forensics: In the cybersecurity landscape, investigators use forensics to detect, recover, and preserve digital evidence, usually as part of civil or criminal investigations. Digital forensic specialists may look for evidence or discover portals through which cybercriminals enter company databases.
FAQ About Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Is studying cybersecurity hard?
Like other STEM fields, cybersecurity requires dedication, discipline, and hard work to master. However, nearly any motivated student can learn cybersecurity.
Do you need programming for cybersecurity?
No. Applicants for most entry-level jobs usually do not have to know how to code, but advancing in the field may require the ability to read basic programming languages, such as Python, SQL, and JavaScript.
What certifications should I get for cybersecurity?
When changing jobs or transitioning to new roles, cybersecurity specialists need more than degrees. They also need up-to-date security certifications from reputable, third-party organizations accredited by CompTIA, EC Council, GIAC, ISACA, or (ISC)2.
Does cybersecurity pay well?
Cybersecurity positions typically pay well. According to Payscale data, the average cybersecurity analyst earned more than $78,000 as of February 2023. The highest-paying jobs in cybersecurity pay well over $100,000 annually.
Is a cybersecurity bootcamp worth it?
Cybersecurity bootcamps can offer a timely and affordable path to lucrative careers in a fast-growing industry. Bootcamps can lay the groundwork for entry-level tech careers. Graduates with backgrounds in information science and technology may pursue higher-level cybersecurity roles.
The Cost of Attending a Cybersecurity Bootcamp
The cost of attending a cybersecurity bootcamp varies with program location, reputation, length, and delivery method. Generally, prospective students should budget $12,000-$20,000 for tuition costs. Learners may also need to pay registration fees or take prep courses before enrolling.
In addition, many bootcamps charge for equipment and course materials. Students need high-powered laptops and fast internet connections, along with books and other required materials. Students who live in different cities from their bootcamps must also consider housing, transportation, and meal expenses. Fortunately, scholarships and corporate grants can help lower the overall cost of bootcamps.
Next Steps After Completing a Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Cybersecurity bootcamps offer many professional benefits, including opportunities to pursue lucrative, in-demand careers. After graduation, students can continue their education at the graduate or undergraduate levels or pursue employment as security assessors, testers, or specialists.
Popular Cybersecurity Careers
Cybersecurity bootcamps can open the door to exciting technical careers with annual average salaries of over $70,000 per year. Graduates can work in security assessment, software development, analysis, and forensics.
Vulnerability Assessor
Vulnerability assessors conduct security audits to identify flaws and weaknesses in companies' cybersecurity firewalls during system setups. After conducting audits, vulnerability assessors prepare and present reports detailing their findings. They also make recommendations for improving operating system security.
Average Annual Salary:$84,700 | Learn MorePenetration Tester
These professionals look for flaws in cybersecurity systems. Unlike vulnerability assessors, penetration testers focus on established systems instead of new ones. Bootcamps and certification programs can help professionals gain skills for this job. Bachelor's degrees can prepare penetration testers for higher-level responsibilities.
Average Annual Salary:$90,800 | Learn MoreSecurity Specialist
Security specialists help companies protect their data. These professionals run regular checks on security systems and remain up-to-date on necessary improvements. Since most of these jobs require knowledge of programming languages, employers may require candidates with degrees.
Average Annual Salary:$79,300 | Learn MoreIncident Responder
Incident responder roles vary with experience and employer. However, these professionals identify risks, detect intrusions, and perform forensic activities. They may also develop security protocols and train organizational leaders and staff in effective incident response. In addition to attending bootcamps, incident responders may need graduate degrees in cybersecurity.
Average Annual Salary:$96,600 | Learn MoreSecurity Manager
Security managers often oversee teams of cybersecurity analysts and other personnel. Their roles focus more on management tasks like hiring, training, supervising, and coaching employees. This career requires both management skills and technical knowledge.
Average Annual Salary:$76,400 | Learn MoreAdditional Cybersecurity Education
Cybersecurity professionals can benefit from any level of higher education in the field. Bootcamps provide current skills and knowledge, but degrees offer credibility for professionals. Formal education can lead to increased salaries, more career opportunities, and new certification options.
Associate Degree in Cybersecurity: Students seeking entry-level careers in cybersecurity can start with two-year associate degrees. This degree prepares graduates to take professional certification exams and pursue bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity. Learn more about Associate Degrees.
Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity: Bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, and information security usually require four years of full-time study. Learners study topics like cryptography, AI, ethical hacking, and forensics. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. Learn more about Bachelor's Degrees.
Master's Degree in Cybersecurity: Master's degrees in cybersecurity take 2-3 years to complete. Students expand upon the general knowledge gained in undergraduate programs and sharpen technical skills through practical work. Learn more about Master's Degrees.
Ph.D. in Cybersecurity: A Ph.D. in cybersecurity represents the culmination of 2-3 years of rigorous doctoral coursework and research. Although challenging, doctoral degrees can lead to top-level roles in the field. Learn more about Doctorate Degrees.
Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Our bootcamp rankings provide a starting point for researching the best cybersecurity programs. The information below details the factors we used to determine our top 10 bootcamp rankings.
Our Bootcamp Ranking Methodology
In compiling our list of the top 10 best cybersecurity bootcamps, we considered costs in our ranking methodology. Programs with lower costs earned higher ranking scores.
We also weighed each program's cost at 45% of its total score. Job placement assistance contributed another 35% to each bootcamp's ranking. CIRR membership accounted for 20% of each program's ranking.
We did not consider the bootcamp delivery method. Some of the following cybersecurity bootcamps provide an in-person experience, while others feature online or hybrid delivery.
Based on the ranking methodology outlined above, the following 10 cybersecurity bootcamps made our list of the best programs.
