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Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps on the Market in 2023
Cybersecurity

11 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps on the Market in 2023

12 minute read | September 16, 2023
Monica J. White

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Monica J. White

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In today’s high-demand cybersecurity landscape, aspiring professionals seek the right qualifications to secure their dream job. Online courses offer a fantastic opportunity to bolster your skills and kickstart your career, with hands-on training and industry insights. This is where the cybersecurity bootcamp comes in!

Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or looking to specialize, these programs can be your launchpad. But with a myriad of options, the quest for the perfect fit can be overwhelming. Fear not, as we’ve curated a list of the best online cybersecurity bootcamps, each with essential details to ease your decision-making process. Dive in and discover your path to success!

What Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps?

A cybersecurity bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program that teaches students the skills they need to start a career in cybersecurity. A cybersecurity bootcamp program typically last from 12 to 24 weeks and cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Network security
  • System security
  • Application security
  • Threat intelligence
  • Incident response
  • Security risk management

Bootcamps are often taught by experienced cybersecurity professionals and include a mix of lectures, hands-on exercises, and real-world projects. Some bootcamps also offer job placement assistance to help graduates find their first job in cybersecurity.

A cybersecurity bootcamp program can provide aspiring cybersecurity professionals with the hands-on training they need to launch a successful cybersecurity career. For sutdents that are already working in the tech industry, the bootcamp program can supplement software development training or a degree in Computer Science for individuals that want to join the cybersecurity industry. Students can also continue their cybersecurity education by completing a specialist bootcamp program, e.g. a cybersecurity analytics bootcamp.

11 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps

Here are our best cybersecurity bootcamps for beginners, along with everything you need to know about pricing, curriculums, schedules, and more. 

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. 

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.

PRICE

$9,900

RATING

4.63

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

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 position.

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.

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. 

PRICE

$12,995

RATING

4.26

FEATURES

  • Complete in 24 weeks
  • Live classes three times a week
  • Prepare for in-demand security certifications 
  • Career services

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

Coding Dojo

The Coding Dojo Cybersecurity Bootcamp Online Part-Time is a 24-week cybersecurity bootcamp that gives graduates access to lifetime career coaching. Classes are capped at 50 students, and instructors never teach more than two classes at a time, ensuring everyone has a chance for 1-on-1 interaction. 

For a part-time course, the schedule is fairly intense, including 4 hours of live lectures, 2 hours of optional office hours, 10 hours of workshops, and 25 hours of self-study per week. Topics covered during the curriculum include: cybersecurity basics; virtual machines; risk analysis; vulnerability assessment; OWASP research; ethics of hacking; penetration testing; and proactive threat hunting.

The lifetime career support includes 1-on-1 career coaching and access to a vibrant community, helping students with everything from resume writing during the job search to career advancement advice. 

PRICE

$16,995

RATING

4.44

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • Online and part-time options available
  • Career services
  • Work towards CompTIA and other certifications
  • No professional experience requirements

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

BrainStation

BrainStation’s Cybersecurity Courses are available both online and at a range of campuses around the world. The online course is part-time and delivered through live classes via Brainstation’s bespoke online classroom software. Classes are held once a week, making the schedule accessible for people in a range of situations. Students can stay in touch with each other outside of class with the BrainStation Slack server. 

Throughout the cybersecurity bootcamp, students study a range of topics, including: security and computer networking basics; threat identification; preventative security; secure password creation; risk management; vulnerability assessment; incident management; and case study examples.

BrainStation graduates also have the chance to be paired with or introduced to one of 6,500 hiring partners. These introductions can lead to candidates landing their dream job in a fraction of the time.

PRICE

$3,250

RATING

4.7

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • Online classrooms
  • Live classes
  • Capstone project
  • Earn a BrainStation Cybersecurity Certificate 

JOB GUARANTEE?

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.

PRICE

$13,500

RATING

4.71

FEATURES

  • 1-1 mentorship and career coaching
  • 100% online
  • Graduate in 6 months (part-time); 3 months (full-time)
  • 500 hours of live instruction

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

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 course 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 the course include: cybersecurity fundamentals; asset and inventory management; network systems; programming with Python; systems administration; offense tactics; and defense tactics.

The full-time course requires 8-10 hours of independent study a week, as well as 32.5 hours of class time from 10 am-5 pm 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 course, their career success team also works with students to develop their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, networking skills, and interview skills.

PRICE

$17,980

RATING

4.86

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • 12 weeks to complete (full-time); 26 weeks (part-time)
  • 100% online
  • Career support and alumni network

JOB GUARANTEE?

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.

PRICE

$16,900

RATING

4.48

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • 15-week full-time course; 40-week part-time course
  • Live classes
  • In-person options available 
  • Career services and hiring partners

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

Simplilearn

Simplilearn’s Caltech Cybersecurity Bootcamp is a self-paced course using a mix of live and pre-recorded lectures. The course takes 26 weeks to complete, and graduates receive a certificate of completion and a program transcript of the entire learning path.

The skills taught over the course of the curriculum include: network security; vulnerability assessment; risk management; threat analysis; business continuity; data privacy and security; digital forensics; incident management; asset and inventory management; data privacy; data management; and identity management.

Tools used throughout the course include Burp Suite, NMAP, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Python. Hands-on projects are also an integral part of the learning experience, preparing students for cybersecurity jobs and developing their professional portfolios.

PRICE

$8,000

RATING

4.48

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • No professional experience required
  • Online, 26 weeks to complete
  • Live virtual classes
  • Hands-on projects

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

Ironhack

The Ironhack Cybersecurity Bootcamp helps students 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 a cyber attack project.

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

$13,000 

RATING

4.79

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • 100% remote and online
  • 12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
  • Beginner friendly
  • Live classes

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

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.

PRICE

$13,950

RATING

4.88

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • 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?

No

Syntax

The Syntax Cybersecurity Course is a four-month, part-time online course with live classes. The instructor-led sessions run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7 pm to 10 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm. 

The course covers a range of nine in-demand cybersecurity tools and teaches topics such as: Microsoft fundamentals; Linux fundamentals; Cisco fundamentals; attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities; architecture and design implementation; and operations and incident response.

To test and develop their skills, students can also complete real-world projects, which can be added to their professional portfolios. Career support such as portfolio building, resume writing, and interview coaching are all provided to help students reach their job goals after graduation.

PRICE

$4,950

RATING

5.0

FEATURES

  • No 1-1 mentorship
  • 100% online
  • Live, instructor-led training
  • Job support
  • Mentor support

JOB GUARANTEE?

No

What Makes a Good Online Cybersecurity Bootcamp? Our Criteria Explained

We reviewed the best cybersecurity bootcamp programs currently available using a pre-determined list of criteria vetted by our editors, with input from a panel of Springboard subject matter experts, mentors, and career coaches. We looked at curriculum, experience of instructors and mentors, job placement assistance, reputation, practical projects, and certification of each of these bootcamp programs. From schedules and pricing to curriculums and delivery, the perfect online cybersecurity bootcamp looks very different from person to person.

The cybersecurity bootcamps featured here offer certifications, feature a mix of study options (both self-paced and live); and, perhaps most importantly, offer some kind of job placement or refund-back guarantee. 

Below you’ll find more information on the key criteria we used to evaluate our top cybersecurity bootcamp programs. 

Updated curriculum

Long-running online cybersecurity bootcamps may have good ratings and lots of reviews, but make sure that their course content is regularly updated. Bootcamp programs that haven’t changed for multiple years would put students at a disadvantage in the fast-developing world of cybersecurity where technical skills have to move with the times. A cybersecurity bootcamp has to be up-to-date at all times.

Flexible learning options

To determine whether a cybersecurity bootcamp is right for you and your situation, see whether the course is online or in-person, and whether or not the courses have set times. Online cybersecurity courses can still have 9am-5pm classes, which may not suit your schedule, so make sure to look into part-time cybersecurity programs and more flexible options too. Try to find a bootcamp program that you can work at your own pace.

Quality and experience of instructors/mentors

Instructors don’t need a master’s degree or a Ph.D., but you should look for a cybersecurity bootcamp run by cybersecurity professionals with ample experience. This ensures that the bootcamp program give students practical and up-to-date advice about the job and industry itself, as well as academic and theoretical knowledge.

Practical projects

All good cybersecurity bootcamps, including the ones on our list, focus on the hands-on application of skills and real-world experience gained through practical cybersecurity projects. This approach introduces and prepares students for the practicalities and realities of their chosen careers, allowing their job search to begin right after they graduate from their bootcamp program.

Certifications

Cybersecurity certifications are recognized worldwide and are a reliable way to grab the attention of hiring companies. Bootcamps that include certifications or prep students for certifications will provide graduates with a significant advantage.

Rating

Always check reviews and ratings for the course you’re considering. The sites we have used for this list— Careerkarma, Course Report, and Switchup—are all great places to start, but you’ll also find cybersecurity bootcamp graduates sharing their experiences on sites like Reddit. 

Specialities

Look for cyber security courses that allow you to specialize in your chosen field, whether its digital forensics, ethical hacking (penetration testing), threat intelligence monitoring, or any other speciality you want to pursue. You may want to complete one or two different cyber security bootcamps to specialize.

What Kinds of Jobs Can You Land After Taking a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

Security Analyst

Security analysts monitor and analyze computer networks for potential security breaches, investigate incidents, and implement measures to protect against cyber threats.

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers assess and identify vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications by simulating real-world cyberattacks to help organizations improve their security defenses.

Incident Response Specialist

Incident response specialists respond to cybersecurity incidents, such as data breaches or malware attacks, by investigating, containing, and recovering from the security breach.

Get To Know Other Cybersecurity Students

Dylan Wood

Dylan Wood

Cyber Threat Analyst at Trustwave Government Solutions

Read Story

Dipen Patel

Dipen Patel

Cybersecurity Analyst at Accenture

Read Story

Karen Peterson

Karen Peterson

Compliance Advisory Associate at Coalfire

Read Story

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, cyber security bootcamps 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.

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 cybersecurity 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 Bootcamp Is Best for Me?

To pick out the top cybersecurity bootcamp 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.

Do you offer any other bootcamps?

Springboard offers a number of exciting bootcamps, where you can learn everything from software development to UI/UX design.

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 learning path, and check out our student reviews. We’re a safe bet. 🔒😉

About Monica J. White

Monica is a journalist with a lifelong interest in technology, from PC hardware to software and programming. She first started writing over ten years ago and has made a career out of it. Now, her focus is centered around technology and explaining complex concepts to a broader audience.