SecureSet Academy

I'm writing this review because after 20 weeks, 800 hours of course material, sprinting access the finish line to the graduation ceremony, I looked back and realized that this bootcamp is not for everyone. If your not passionate about learning something... Read More new or putting in extra hours studying, this is not the place for you. Before SecureSet I worked as a system administrator for ten years, during that journey I picked up a few skills. At the same time I had my eye on the prize, for me that was Cybersecurity. Although the money is good, the will to help secure corporate assists and teach others is what really motivates me. So you can only imagine I had a blast while attending SecureSet, I was filling in the skill gaps and able to help others along the way. I choose SecureSet based on location and a bit of research. The instructors are skilled veterans with a wealth of real world examples that help relate to the course material. After SecureSet I was hired on as a Senior Networking Engineer Systems, my role is to help keep the backend network and systems secure for a ISP in Texas. So if your up for the challenge and really want it, sign up!

SecureSet was supposed to be hands-on and fully immersive, but covid messed that up. We were stuck at home the entire three month course. We did do labs and whatnot, but I feel we were robbed of the experience we should’ve received due to quarantine.... Read More I wouldn’t take this bootcamp unless they are back on campus. It was like drinking from a firehose and the information was a mile wide and an inch deep. Overall decent value, but, considering the education I got because of the pandemic, not worth the money I shelled out. I fought for a partial refund but was denied. Had we been on campus we would’ve received networking opportunities, been able to tour companies that are hiring and work with SecureSet, participate in events, CTF, access instructors to answer questions and solve lab problems, etc. Overall kind of disappointing. Thanks covid. Considering the situation–and being the first cohort to graduate entirely online–I think they could’ve done a little more for us than they did.

SecureSet Academy was able to accelerate my current knowledge within the Cyber Security field and help consolidate and teach me different methods of learning that I can use later on in life. In addition this the different mindsets and problem solving... Read More techniques that SecureSet's curriculum was able to refine and instill within me have helped my Cyber engineering and development ventures. The ability to fully immerse myself into the content that SecureSet was able to offer is what led to my success, as was said by one of the lecturers on my first day, "The only way to truly be good at something, just like a language or culture, is through immersion". - James Smith. The instructors and careers advice provided to me were invaluable and unmatched in comparison to the competition, without a doubt. Even through the shaky transition onto an online format transparency from management was effective and helpful to provide necessary details on potential return to class dates and e-meetings. SecureSet challenged me and forced me to hone my skills as a Cyber Security Specialist.

I separated from Active Duty Military after 12 years and found myself struggling for relevancy, job field expertise, and employability. I felt I lacked the hands-on skills necessary to advance my career as a civilian. I heard about SecureSet Academy through... Read More word-of-mouth in the veteran community and made the decision to attend, not only because of it's excellent reputation, but because I felt that cybersecurity was a challenging, exciting, and relevant field. I couldn't be happier with my decision. I began the school with little to no background in computers or the cyber field, but the sheer caliber of the instructors, the VP of Education (Jim Borders), the Campus Director (Abe Thompson) and the Career Service Manager (Kimberly Hessler), were absolutely unparalleled. The small class size made for a very low instructor-to-student ratio, and the combination of theoretical principles and hands-on work was exactly what I needed to build lasting knowledge and expertise. The staff pushes you to become your best self, and Kimberly Hessler is the most competent Career Service Manager with whom I have ever worked. Attend this school, and you will walk away with the type of foundation to truly propel yourself for years to come.

At 50 years old I decided to change careers. No degree, no security clearance, and no cyber experience. In Colorado Springs Cybersecurity is huge and not having one of those items makes it tough to get your foot in the door sometimes. I chose to go to... Read More SecureSet Academy due to it being an immersive program. And when I say immersive, I mean IMMERSIVE. School is Monday through Friday 0800-1700 (or later if you need help with the labs). Then open lab on Saturdays for 4 hours. This is an 800 hour course. That is 800 hours of in-class recorded time. That does not include studying on your own, the open Saturday labs, and the time that you put into the course mentally. At the conclusion of the 20 week CORE Engineering program you have between 400-600 hours of hands-on-keyboard time that is what cybersecurity is all about. The Career Services Manager, Kimberly Hessler knows her stuff. She has been doing it for 30 years. Does she require a lot from you? Yes, she does. You have to do mock interviews, personality assessments, listen to lectures about how to get a job, and write and rewrite your resume about a thousand times. You have to go to networking events, cyber events and Capture the Flag events. But it is all for your benefit. Kimberly helps everyone and can be the difference between getting a job and starting a career. Was the program hard? For me it was. I had been in the medical field for 30 years and that is all I knew. Any IT/computer experience was self-taught. Was I told to do computer labs that were broken and appeared not to work? Yes I was. However, if the labs worked every time it would just be a typing exercise. Figuring out what was wrong with the lab is called troubleshooting and huge part of cyber. Did I go home frustrated many days? Yes I did. But in the end ALL of the frustration, labs, resumes, events, discussions and lectures were worth it. Would I do it again? Yes. Attending SecureSet Academy has been one of the best decisions of my adult life.

SecureSet promised a lot and delivered. The building is full of staff who are experts in their craft and who are passionate about cyber security. Students came in from every background imaginable and no one was left behind in the learning process. If... Read More you put in the effort to learn, the instructors will stop at nothing to be sure you understand the concepts needed to be successful. The education is thorough and relevant but what makes SecureSet especially unique are the career services offered. The career services manager takes time with each student to get to know them and tailor a plan for success. She is extremely connected nationwide and is able to plug students into her network for the best opportunities possible. If you follow her steps you will leave SecureSet employed. If you listen to the instructors you’ll leave SecureSet prepared for the industry. I cannot say enough good things about SecureSet.

Secure|Set provides excellent hands-on and lecture in the cyber security profession. Kimberly at Secure|Set Academy has so many relationships with hiring managers and can bring those in to interface with students, creating a way for students to find not... Read More only jobs, but mid or even senior positions within the industry.

Success in this program depends entirely on one's ability to listen, absorb, and implement the knowledge provided. And let me tell you, there is knowledge provided in this program. If SecureSet were a Hogwarts house, it'd be RavenClaw. Okay, maybe there... Read More might be a Severus Snape or two on staff, but in all actuality Snape wasn't really all that bad, anyway. He taught the most valuable lessons, in the end. Regardless, this program is designed to draw out student potential via strategically selected instructors who both are highly qualified and knowledgeable as well as sensitive to human error and struggle. The staff and instructors truly care about their students. Scott is the career adviser at Denver location, and I was truly impressed by the long hours and extensive effort he put into making sure all of us knew what to do when networking and looking for jobs. I was also impressed with the countless resources and information he was able to provide to us on a daily basis. Irving, the campus director, went above and beyond to not only make sure his students were doing well, but to also be proactive in various campus events in the spirit of camaraderie. Likewise for the instructors: Rick, Alan, Nathan, Andrew, Blake, Ajay, Mohamed, and Ken--all of these individuals had a pivotal role in my journey towards getting a job in cybersecurity. I would not have been able to do it without their mentorship, instruction, and encouragement. Many of my friends and family still tell me they don't understand how I transitioned from a struggling psychology intern to a successful associate security consultant at a highly reputable cybersecurity agency within a single year. Well ... with an exemplary staff such as at SecureSet, it wasn't that hard. I just had to listen.

Thanks, guys. -JP

I attended Secure Set Academy from January to June 2019. At 50 years old I decided to change careers. I had been a Nurse and Paramedic for 30 years and I knew it was going to be challenging. The curriculum, content, knowledge and especially the skills... Read More acquired here laid the foundation for future learning. The Career Services Coordinator Mrs Kimberly Hessler knows her stuff. Yes, she require a lot from students. Weekly lunchtime lectures from employers, personality assessments, networking events during and after school, symposiums and homework. But it is all worth it. At a traditional college you get a degree and after a year they forget about you. At SSA you become alumni and are always welcome to show up and sit through a class for a refresher. This was a great choice for me.

I am so glad I have gone through Core program at Colorado Springs campus while transitioning out of military. It was a difficult decision get out of military after five years of service as a vehicle mechanic with a baby on the way. I always wanted to... Read More get into a career in cyber security, but did not know any route to start from. SecureSet definitely helped me get on the track for the great career field. I learned from the fundamental of the system and network to lots of cyber tools that are used in the industry. After 5 months of course, I was ready to maneuver in the cyber operations.
Kimberly Hessler, the career counselor, is definitely the biggest asset that SecureSet has.. She taught great career skills and also helped me build great network. I learned that career skills are as important as the cyber skills in order to properly represent myself to the job market.
Now, I am living in my dreams with the new job, new house, and a new family member. I am grateful for the life's turning point experience with SecureSet.