2021 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

According to Glassdoor, cybersecurity analysts have an average base pay of $76,410, and the BLS lists the mean annual pay at $99,710. Indeed found that cybersecurity consultants have an average salary of $80,176.