Evolve Security Academy offers a 16-week, part-time bootcamp in cybersecurity. Students commit to 20 hours of instruction per week for a total of 320 hours. Through individual and collaborative projects and labs, students learn the tools, techniques, and technologies used in modern cybersecurity. The curriculum also includes an apprenticeship program that equips the student with real-world experience... Read More
2021 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Top Schools: Rankings, Reviews, and Courses

In today's technology-driven economy, security challenges abound, yet a 2019 survey revealed that more than 80% of employers lack a sufficient number of trained cybersecurity experts. Individuals who would like to enter this fast-growing field may want to consider enhancing their skills with a cybersecurity bootcamp. Some cover the topic in a generalized way, some are narrowly focused on a particular aspect of the field, and some even prepare graduates for certification exams. SwitchUp is here to help people identify the cybersecurity bootcamps that best fit their professional goals and needs.
Our ranking list, below, includes only those cybersecurity bootcamps that have been thoroughly vetted by a minimum of 10 students and earned at least 4 out of 5 stars. Click here to see our full methodology or read on for more information about preparing for a career in cybersecurity through bootcamps.
1. Evolve Security Academy
2021 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps received an average 4.87 of 5 based on 213 reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Bootcamps
What are the Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps of 2021?
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing careers in the nation, placing sixth on the BLS list of fastest-growing occupations. Last year, we had two top bootcamps, but there are now far more choices for students to review, so we expect our list to grow. Here are the two bootcamps that made our 2021 best cybersecurity bootcamps list:
With the projected growth, more cybersecurity bootcamps are being offered regularly. You can visit our comprehensive list of bootcamps that teach cybersecurity.
Why choose a cybersecurity bootcamp?
In 2019, CSIS released the results of a survey that showed a marked cybersecurity workforce gap. It stated, “82% of employers reported a shortage of cybersecurity skills,” and “the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs has grown by more than 50% since 2015.” While getting any education in cybersecurity is beneficial, a bootcamp helps students gain job-ready skills through an immersive, focused, and comprehensive experience. It can be more affordable and allows you to gain in-demand skills in a shorter amount of time than a degree. Bootcamps are often hands-on, which allows the students to get a real-world taste of what a job in cybersecurity will look like. For those who want to rapidly gain entry into the promising field of cybersecurity, a cybersecurity bootcamp is well worth the investment of time, money, and effort.
What will you learn in a cybersecurity bootcamp?
Programs range from a more general cybersecurity bootcamp to something more focused like a cybersecurity analyst bootcamp or cybersecurity engineer bootcamp. Cybersecurity programs help students learn all the skills necessary to transition into the information security business. Successful bootcamps offer the following variety of courses: ethical hacking, web applications, computer programming and system administration, advanced coding languages, and risk assessments that focus on threat mitigation and vulnerability detection. You can also choose bootcamps that focus on cryptocurrency with courses on Blockchain and Crypto. All of these bootcamps seek to help you think and act like a hacker with a willingness to explore loopholes and backdoors in computer programs and network systems.
Will a cybersecurity bootcamp prepare me for a certification exam?
Cybersecurity bootcamps will vary in what they teach, so it's crucial to look for a program designed to fit your goals. There are certification exams for cybersecurity specialists, and some bootcamps will cover the topics you'll need to know before sitting for these exams. In general, more basic bootcamps will prepare you for CompTIA's Security+, which is a global certification that shows you have the baseline cybersecurity skills necessary to perform core security functions. Bootcamps that are more comprehensive may include preparation for (ISC)²'s Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
How do I prepare for a cybersecurity bootcamp?
The first step in preparing for a cybersecurity bootcamp is to identify your life and career goals, so that you can look for programs that offer a curriculum that will support the type of job you're interested in. It's also important to weigh everything from cost and time commitment to learning environment, which will help you determine if an in-person or online bootcamp is better for you. Once you've decided on a program, research the best ways to prepare. Many bootcamps offer preparatory courses to help students cover basic skills and gear up for the demanding coursework. For bootcamps that do not offer these preparatory courses, there are online courses available, including those on learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Udacity.
What does a career in cybersecurity look like?
According to the BLS, cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation. The industry's rapid market growth is being fueled by an array of technology trends and security challenges. Information security analysts are thus needed in both the public and private sectors, and they will find employment opportunities in large corporations and in service organizations that provide cybersecurity services to all types of businesses and organizations.
Although their specific job responsibilities may differ, all cybersecurity professionals aim to ensure the safety of web-based systems and other computerized networks. Some of the most sought-after titles include cybersecurity specialist, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity consultant, cryptographer, and chief information security officer (CISO). In general, cybersecurity professionals address security breaches after they have occurred to understand how they happened and to assist the organization in recovering after a data breach and returning to normal operations. Some analysts conduct “penetration testing” to identify vulnerabilities, recommend security enhancements, and develop standards and practices that prevent potential attacks in the future.
Since technology is constantly changing, cybersecurity professionals must be prepared to continually update their skills and knowledge. In addition to their technical abilities, information security analysts need strong communication skills as they will routinely interact with other IT professionals—as well as others within the organization—to monitor and prevent data breaches.
What is the job outlook for cybersecurity?
According to a 2019 CSIS survey, the number of job openings in the cybersecurity field increased by 50% in the previous four years. Data from ONET Online shows that demand for information security analysts is projected to grow at a rate of 11% or higher over the next decade. Finally, findings published by the Official Annual Cybercrime Report show that cybercrime damages will reach upwards of $6 trillion by 2021. From data breaches to cyberattacks, businesses can't put out the fires soon enough. All of these statistics point to excellent career potential due to steadily increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the future.
How much does a cybersecurity analyst make?
SwitchUp Rankings Methodology
SwitchUp's rankings are based on over 20,000 reviews from verified students and alumni, across over 500 bootcamps in operation. Because student and alumni feedback and ratings are indicative of bootcamp quality, rankings are ordered by review score. If bootcamps have the same review score, bootcamps with more reviews are ranked higher to break the tie. The order of the ranking is based on data at the time of publishing, but the ratings and review counts will change as more reviews come in.
To be considered for the 2021 rankings, bootcamps must help students land jobs in tech through excellent instructor support, curriculum, and career resources; each review left on SwitchUp evaluates the bootcamp on all of these aspects.
All bootcamps listed in the best cybersecurity bootcamp ranking were required to meet the following criteria at the time of publication:
- Offer an immersive or part-time cybersecurity program
- Have at least 10 verified reviews of cybersecurity programs
- For those cybersecurity program reviews, average at least 4/5 stars
Please see our full ranking methodology to see requirements for other rankings.
Bootcamp Highlights
Looking for a school with specific qualities? We've awarded merit badges to schools in several key areas:
Offer either part-time or immersive courses that are available online. This includes courses that are offered temporarily online due to COVID-19.
Offer a job outcomes report that was independently verified by a third-party auditor.
Offer self-paced, part-time, or evening classes.
Offer guaranteed job placement after graduation, or the student's tuition is refunded. Visit the official school site for related terms and conditions.
Approved to accept GI Bill funds according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Approved as a VET TEC Provider according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.