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With over 700,000 cybersecurity roles unfilled in the US and a projected job growth of 32% over the next eight years, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is surging. The average salary for a cybersecurity analyst in the US is now $123,000.
But entering this critical field doesn’t require years of experience or a formal degree. Cybersecurity bootcamps have emerged as game-changers in the last five years, offering intensive and focused training programs that promise to equip beginners with the skills needed to become job-ready experts in a matter of months.
This guide is your key to unlocking a career in cybersecurity, offering insights into bootcamps that can swiftly transition your passion into a high-demand profession.
Read on to discover:
- A curated list of the best cybersecurity bootcamps for 2024
- Key skills employers are looking for
- Entry-level jobs worth considering
Is There Such a Thing as a ‘Best’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
No – bootcamps are rarely one size fits all, and this list aims to help you find the best option for you. While we’ve done our best to identify reputable bootcamps with features like a job guarantee (Springboard) or both online and in-person options (Flatiron), ultimately, your goals, budget, and skillset should help you pick the best bootcamp for your career objectives.
Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Here are the leading cybersecurity bootcamps, plus everything you need to know about pricing, curriculums, schedules, and more.
About Our Criteria
To assess the best cybersecurity bootcamps, we used a point system to score a list of criteria as a 1 or 0. (More on that below.) We then averaged out the publicly available reviews of all the bootcamps featured before finally adding these up to come up with a final score. We then ranked the courses from high to low in the order you see here.
We looked at two different types of criteria:
To be included:
- Must have at least 1 rating
- Must disclose price on the website
- Must be at least four weeks long
To determine the order, we used a scoring system that looked at the following:
- Job guarantee
- Mentorship
- Rating average
- Live component
- Tuition payment options
Springboard
The Springboard Cybersecurity Career Track is a flexible online cybersecurity security course that can be completed in six months when done on a part-time basis. The minimum recommended study hours are 15-20 hours per week, but it’s also possible to put in more time and graduate faster.
This industry-leading cybersecurity bootcamp curriculum covers a range of fundamental topics, including: host-based security, network security, identity and access management, IT project management, security operations (SecOps), application security, security assessment and testing, incident management, and AI applications in cybersecurity.
Students will also complete a unit on the CompTIA Security+ exam, readying them to take and pass this essential security certification. The final weeks of the course are spent building a capstone project for professional portfolio use and training in job search strategies.
Read about life as a Springboard student here.
“Springboard provided me a chance to switch careers from medicine to cybersecurity. Having an amazing mentor on my side really helped me push through the bootcamp and successfully pass my CompTIA Security+ and receive a job offer.” – Parth @ Course Report
PRICE
$11,900
RATING
4.6 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- 100% online
- 1-on-1 mentorship and career coaching
- Graduate with a CompTIA Security+ certification
- Complete the program in six months when done part-time
JOB GUARANTEE?
Yes
MENTORSHIP?
Yes
Clarusway
The Clarusway Cybersecurity Analyst Course is designed for individuals aiming to start or advance their career in cybersecurity. This 5-month, part-time course is led by experienced and certified instructors, offering a blend of traditional online classroom learning and extensive hands-on lab experience. It caters to beginners as well as intermediate and advanced professionals, with a curriculum that includes CompTIA Security+ certification exam preparation, Cyber Security Operation Center (C-SOC) training, and job hunting modules.
The course emphasizes real-life project experience, career support, and innovative teaching models, making it suitable for those with or without an IT background.
“Highly motivated instructors, mentors and teaching assistants support us to improve our cyber skills with hands-on activities, workshops, teamworks, capture the flag(CTF) activities and so on” – Yusef @ Course Report
PRICE
$11,400
RATING
4.9 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- CompTIA Security+ prep
- 5-month part-time course
- Experienced certified instructors
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
Yes
Evolve Academy
The Evolve Academy ESCP Cybersecurity Bootcamp is a part-time online course that takes advantage of live classes to teach its students. A standout feature of the bootcamp is the real work experience students gain by performing live security assessment work for non-profit organizations. Lab simulations and student teamwork are also part of the course.
Some topics of the curriculum include: core principles: confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication and authorization, computer networks, cybersecurity governance and strategy, risk management, network and domain enumeration, threat intelligence, scripting for security, SecOps architecture, cryptography, AppSec and offensive security, and threat hunting & incident response.
In addition to the core curriculum, students will also work on job preparation, with career coaching offered both during and after the course ends. Resume prep, LinkedIn optimization, job search strategies, and networking skills development are also available.
“Step-by-step guidance, teacher availability, and recorded lectures provided a personalized and flexible learning experience.” – Sandrine @ Course Report
PRICE
$13,950
RATING
4.8 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- CompTIA Security+ voucher awarded on completion
- 20 weeks to complete when done on a part-time basis
- Live, online classes
- Open to complete beginners
JOB GUARANTEE?
Yes
MENTORSHIP?
No
Eleven Fifty Academy
The Eleven Fifty Academy Cybersecurity Program offers full-time and part-time options that include the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications. Their curriculum includes training with an expert-designed “cyber range,” which simulates real-life attacks for students to experience, analyze, and tackle.
Assembled to combat the current shortage of security professionals, the Eleven Fifty Cybersecurity Pathway combines immersive learning, portfolio development, and career development to create job-ready future professionals.
The full-time schedule consists of 9 am-5 pm classes every weekday. Part-time students take classes during the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, plus once a month on a Saturday.
The modules are split into three groups: Gold badge (earn CompTIA Network+), Blue badge (earn CompTIA Security+), and Red badge (training with the TryHackMe software). Exam vouchers are included for the certifications, meaning students can take the test at no extra cost.
“I had amazing support from instructors, amazing classmates, and awesome support from career services after graduation.” – Zachary @ Course Report
PRICE
$13,500
RATING
4.7 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- 100% online
- Graduate in six months when done part-time, or three months when done full-time
- 500 hours of live instruction
- 1-on-1 instructor time and career coaching
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
No
Flatiron School
The Flatiron School Cybersecurity Bootcamp is a comprehensive course that can be completed in either 15 weeks on a full-time basis, or in 40 weeks when done part-time. The full-time version of the course can be taken either online or in person, while part-time is online only. Part-time students can also join optional live lectures and office hours and keep in touch with classmates and instructors over Slack.
The Flatiron curriculum covers the following topics: prep work (i.e., how to use tools like ChatGPT to assist with tasks), cybersecurity foundational skills, including network security components and systems architecture, governance, risk management, and compliance, python and engineering solutions, penetration testing, cryptography, and a capstone project.
The school also offers a range of short free prep courses that allow prospective students to prepare for the course, try out the Flatiron teaching style, and gain a little knowledge of cybersecurity before committing to a bootcamp.
“Great foundational knowledge that opens a lot of possibilities within the security realm.” – Carlos @ Course Report
PRICE
$16,900
RATING
4.5 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- A 15-week full-time course or a 40-week part-time course
- Live classes
In-person options available - Career services and hiring partners
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
No
Claim Academy
Claim Academy, based in St. Louis, offers immersive on-campus and online boot camps in software engineering and cybersecurity. Their mission is to transform novices into industry-ready software developers and cybersecurity professionals within 12 to 14 weeks. The academy provides intensive coursework in Java, C#/.Net, JavaScript, and cybersecurity, complemented by pair programming, mentor sessions, and a capstone project. Students also receive career coaching, networking opportunities, and soft skill training. Scholarships, grants, and financial aid are available to help cover the tuition costs.
“The numerous Labs throughout the course made learning the concepts of cybersecurity more accessible and memorable, especially as I did not come from an IT career.” – Alexander @ Course Report
PRICE
$17,998
RATINGS
4.4 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- Intensive 12-14 week programs
- On-campus and online options
- Career placement assistance
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
Yes
Fullstack Academy
The Fullstack Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp is a fully online course with full-time and part-time scheduling options. Depending on pace and prior commitments, students usually finish the bootcamp program in between 12-26 weeks. The curriculum prepares students for the practicalities of a cybersecurity job, as well as training them in the skills they need to pass a number of security certifications.
The topics covered throughout these cyber security bootcamps include: cybersecurity fundamentals, asset and inventory management, network systems, programming with python, systems administration, offense tactics, and defense tactics.
The full-time bootcamp program requires 8-10 hours of independent study a week, as well as 32.5 hours of class time from 10am – 5pm every weekday. For the part-time option, classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, either during the day or during the evening.
Throughout the bootcam porgram, their career success team also works with students to develop their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, networking skills, and interview skills.
“I had an amazing experience and graduated with multiple interviews already lined up.” – Sang @ Course Report
PRICE
$14,995
RATING
4.9 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- 12 weeks to complete when done on a full-time basis; 26 weeks when done part-time
- 100% online
- Career support and alumni network
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
No
Ironhack
The Ironhack Cybersecurity Bootcamp prepares students to launch a career in cybersecurity in just 12-24 weeks. This fully online course is available for both part-time and full-time schedules and takes advantage of live classes to keep students engaged and accountable. The curriculum covers all of the cybersecurity essentials. Other topics include: networking traffic, communication principles, network and routing protocols, telecommunication concepts, OWASP, network security, firewalls, detection and prevention systems, event management systems, incident response, and cyber attack projects.
Ironhack also offers some career support through Career Week, where students research more about the industry, the kind of jobs they want, and how to get them. There are no technical requirements for the bootcamp, but the application process does include a simple technical test to assess your level.
PRICE
€8,500.00
RATING
4.8 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- 100% remote and online
- 12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
- Beginner friendly
- Live classes
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
No
Northwestern
The Northwestern Cybersecurity Bootcamp is a 24-week part-time course aimed at a range of individuals, from tech enthusiasts looking to launch a career in cybersecurity to those looking to expand their skills in their current positions.
Based in Chicago, this bootcamp prepares students for a range of professional certifications, including CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+, but does not include any exam vouchers.
Topics and skills covered in the program curriculum include: risk management, vulnerability assessment, cryptography, ethical hacking and penetration, cloud security, programming and scripting, and SecOps and analytics.
Live classes are held three days a week and run from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. Students can also benefit from Northwestern’s career services team, which offers access to resources and events, as well as over 260 hiring partners.
“The intensive coursework and dedicated instructors, career advisors, and administrators prepared me to dive deeper into the subject matter, guided me to get a cybersecurity certification, and ultimately helped me land my new job in the cybersecurity field.” – Julian @ Course Report
PRICE
$12,995
RATING
4.3 @ Course Report
FEATURES
- Complete in 24 weeks
- Live classes three times a week
- Prepare for in-demand security certifications
- Career services
JOB GUARANTEE?
No
MENTORSHIP?
No
What Should You Learn in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
For most students, the best cybersecurity bootcamp is the one that puts you in the best position to land a job upon completion. With this in mind, we wanted to better understand what are the most common entry-level skills that applicants are required to have.
To determine this, we enlisted the help of ChatGPT to digest and analyze the job listings for entry-level positions: we asked it to identify the most common requirements from the list of job postings:
The result was a great overview of what companies like Lockheed Martin, the National Security Agency, and BAE Systems look for when it comes to entry-level qualifications:
- Networking fundamentals
- Cybersecurity principles
- Cyber Kill Chain and MITRE ATT&CK Framework
- Security technologies and tools
- Operating systems security
- Cryptography
- Incident response and handling
- Security policies and compliance
- Scripting and automation
- Ethical hacking and penetration testing
Scroll down for the job titles we used in the above exercise.
While this list doesn’t contain 100% of the skills and qualifications needed to land an entry-level security job, it’s safe to say that it serves as a pretty good starting point when evaluating bootcamp options.
So, how should you use this list?
- If you’ve already got some foundational knowledge of cybersecurity, identify any areas on the list where you’re weak and look for a course that includes a curriculum focused on those areas.
- If you’re 100% new to cybersecurity, then you want to look for the option that covers as many of these as possible.
Daniel
Through my work sourcing candidates and interacting with hiring managers, I’ve found that employers are increasingly open to bootcamp graduates. Some recruiters follow a skills-first approach. If a candidate from a bootcamp interview can prove they have the abilities required for a role, their unconventional education pathway won’t rule them out.
Of course, the specific bootcamp and individual matter. Not all programs are equal in quality or job prep support. But overall, I’ve seen bootcamp grads succeed after targeting the right in-demand skills. The text is right that completing one shows initiative – if a candidate markets their knowledge well, it absolutely can make them a stronger applicant.”
What Jobs Can You Land After Completing a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
Wondering what jobs we looked at for this exercise? The job titles included:
- Entry Level Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Defense Analyst
- Entry Level Cyber Systems Engineer
- Security Information Specialist
- Cyber Security Operations Analyst
- Junior Security Analyst
- Information Security Analyst Apprentice
Why Attend an Online Cybersecurity Bootcamp?
Still on the fence? Here’s what a cybersecurity bootcamp can do for you:
- An online bootcamp is a great place to start your cybersecurity education, focusing on fundamental technical skills in defensive and offensive cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and security breaches.
- An online cybersecurity bootcamp can introduce students to cybersecurity professionals who can act as mentors and advisors
- Quality bootcamps offer hands-on training, which can be used as an entry into the cybersecurity industry.
- A cybersecurity bootcamp teaches students supplemental skills, e.g., boosting training received in coding bootcamps.
- Some cybersecurity bootcamps offer specialization for students that want to work in a specific field, e.g. a cybersecurity analytics bootcamp. You can also look for bootcamp programs that offer supplementary skills like ethical hacking or incident response.
Get To Know Other Cybersecurity Students
Rafael Ayala
Mergers And Acquisitions at Autodesk
Jose Mendoza
Cyber Security Career Track Student at Springboard
Ed Burke
Cyber Security Career Track Student at Springboard
Cybersecurity Bootcamp FAQs
We’ve got the answers to your most frequently asked questions about cybersecurity bootcamps.
Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps Worth It?
If you’re willing to put the work in during the course and stay motivated during the job search, a cybersecurity bootcamp can land you a new career. These expert-designed curriculums teach students exactly what they need to do the job to an entry-level standard and, in a lot of cases, even provide job support or job guarantees. This alone makes every cybersecurity bootcamp worth the effort.
Is a Cybersecurity Bootcamp Enough To Get a Job?
Traditionally, cybersecurity job advertisements have listed college degrees and professional experience as requirements, but the industry is now facing an extreme personnel shortage. As a result of this, many reputable organizations are happy to hire cybersecurity bootcamp graduates. Lots of schools even partner with such companies to connect their students directly. So yes, cybersecurity bootcamps are enough to land a job.
Can I Learn Cybersecurity in 6 Months?
With some independent study before the course starts, it is possible to learn cybersecurity through a six-month course. But you won’t learn everything there is to know in just half a year. Growing your career will always require you to keep learning and developing your skills. Still, you can learn enough to qualify for an entry-level position in six months.
How Do I Know Which Cybersecurity Course Is Best for Me?
To pick out the top cybersecurity course for you, the best thing to do is imagine your perfect study schedule and learning style. This includes when you would study, whether it would be alone or with a cohort, whether you’re watching live classes or pre-recorded ones, how much job support you want, and whether you’d like a personal mentor. Once you have your requirements thought out, all you need to do is find the best match. You can look at certifications that might help, e.g. the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is a valuable asset for IT professionals. If you are interested in entering the field, Fullstack Academy offers a comprehensive cybersecurity course that prepares students for entry-level positions in the field.
Do I Need to Know Software Engineering To Work in Cyber Security?
You don’t need to know software engineering or software development to become a cybersecurity expert, but it can be to your advantage.
Since you’re here…
Interested in a career in cybersecurity? With or Cybersecurity Bootcamp, you’ll get a job in the industry, or we’ll return your tuition money. Test your skills with our free cybersecurity course, and check out our student reviews. We’re a safe bet. 🔒😉
