Are Cyber Security Bootcamps worth it?

Key takeaways

Cyber Security bootcamps provide a flexible option for those interested in breaking into the field.
Cyber Security bootcamps are highly regarded by hiring employers.
Self-teaching is also a possibility, but it necessitates a lot of studying to guarantee you're learning the correct material.
Self-teaching may not be considered appropriate by hiring managers.
Cyber Security positions are in high demand and pay well.
Bootcamps are not cheap, but the potential pay you can earn makes them worthwhile.
Many bootcamps provide a variety of pricing alternatives to accommodate your budget.
For anyone trying to improve their future through education, Cyber Security bootcamps are a good option – and frequently well worth it.

"Is this worth it?" you must ask yourself before pursuing a career as a Cyber Security analyst or engineer. Will the investment be worthwhile in the long run?

It's a tricky topic to answer and one that necessitates much research. To assist you, we've broken down the fees, returns on investments, and wages of Cyber Security bootcamps to help you determine if one is suited for you.

Why may it be worthwhile to enroll in a Cyber Security bootcamp?

The Cyber Security market is being driven by increased Cyber Security events and rules demanding to report. Cybercrime costs 0.8 percent of worldwide GDP, according to the [Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and McAfee](https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4591630/cyber Security-market-growth-trends-covid-19), and includes data damage and destruction, stolen money, lost property, intellectual property theft, and other sectors.

For starters, there is a growing demand for security in the digital realm. It is critical to find creative solutions to defend us from the most advanced cyber attacks. As a result, Cyber Security is a crucial component of the EU's Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research and innovation funding framework programs. The EU pledged €49 million in May 2020 to support Cyber Security and privacy system innovation.

As more organizations move their operations online, the threat of cyber-attacks has grown. This increase isn't always bad for the Cyber Security workforce; the European Cyber Security market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3 percent over the next five years, reaching USD 47.17 billion by 2023. According to a research report conducted by Research and Markets, by 2025, there will be an estimated 30 worldwide smart cities, with half of these being in North America and Europe, necessitating excellent Cyber Security for protection.

What is a Cyber Security bootcamp?

Well, Cyber Security bootcamps are part-time or full-time courses that teach students the technical abilities (as well as soft skills) and certifications they'll need to get a job in Cyber Security.

In comparison to a four-year degree in a similar field of study, bootcamps are often finished in 12-14 weeks. These programs provide students with the foundational knowledge and abilities required in information technology security. They're made to help you detect, prevent, and respond to data breaches and Cyber Security issues at work. These bootcamps emphasize hands-on learning over theory, commonly taught in traditional learning programs.

Cyber Security consultants, system security managers, Cyber security analysts, compliance analysts, ethical hackers or penetration testers, information systems security managers, and Cyber Security engineers are all professions that can be prepared for through bootcamps.

The present state of Cyber Security

Germany, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands have the highest concentrations of Cyber Security professionals in Europe.

The national average income for a security analyst in the Netherlands is 47,495 €, according to Glassdoor. According to Income Expert, the average salary for an entry-level analyst is 58.121 €. An experienced analyst makes an average pay of 102.384 €.

Like many other sectors in information technology, Cyber Security is both future-proof, and lucrative. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), information security analyst positions are predicted to expand by 31% between 2019 and 2029.

What factors should I think about when choosing a Cyber Security bootcamp?

Cyber Security bootcamps differ from traditional college academic programs in the same field. College programs are more intellectual, whereas bootcamps focus on hands-on experience and skill development. The same may be said for other coding bootcamps.

Because they are shorter and more intensive than traditional college courses, how familiar you are with Cyber Security issues before starting the bootcamp can vary. Specific bootcamps educate you with no prior experience, while others may presume you are already familiar with some topics. Others may anticipate that you will complete pre-work before the start of the bootcamp.

Are there any prerequisites for admission?

Yes, there are admissions prerequisites for getting accepted into Cyber Security bootcamps, just as some bootcamps want you to prepare for the course with pre-work. This, too, varies depending on the bootcamp.

The theory goes that if you're not enthusiastic about learning Cyber Security and devoted to learning, the intensity of a bootcamp might be too much for you. Admission committees are searching for evidence of your dedication to learning.

Bootcamps aren't for the faint of heart, but you get out of them what you put in. Your experience will be well worth it if you apply yourself to study and diligence – you'll graduate as a well-versed, informed, and ready Cyber Security specialist. You'll also be a no-brainer for Cyber Security firms.

Bootcamps can use various methods to ensure that they only admit students eager to learn: they can require specific prep work, request essays, or ask applicants to pass a cultural or technical exam as part of their application process.

You might graduate if you don't put in the time to study a lot in a short period, but you might not be at the level you need to be hired. And if you don't get employed, the bootcamp experience will have been a waste of time and money.

Consider carefully why you wish to enter the online world. Take into account your professional and financial objectives as well. Working hard becomes easy when you have that vision in your brain, and have your sights on the prize.

Irrespective of whether or not a bootcamp mandates you to do so before commencing class, we recommend that you prepare yourself as best you can with free introductory courses (Check out, for example, Code Labs Academy’s free workshops).

Are there any career services available?

Many — but not all — bootcamps provide career services to assist you in finding employment once you graduate. If a bootcamp does not provide career assistance, we recommend looking for one that does.

The finest bootcamps offer their pupils career services, which are quite beneficial. Many people pay thousands of dollars for just a career counselor, yet the most exemplary Cyber Security programs include it as part of their tuition.

When you participate in a bootcamp, you're not just learning Cyber Security skills; you're investing in a new career. It's only natural that you require assistance in locating employment following graduation.

The top career services will help you improve your resume, portfolio, interviewing skills, and learn how to sell yourself while being true to your abilities and values.

Career services that are robust, thorough, and tailored go a long way toward assisting you in leveraging and showcasing the skills you worked so hard to gain and are a vital part of making your bootcamp experience worthwhile.

What are the costs of Cyber Security bootcamps?

The cost of attending a Cyber Security bootcamp varies depending on the course discipline and location. Bootcamps that focus on analytics rather than technical skills — and train you for analyst roles — are slightly less expensive than more technical bootcamps, such as those that prepare you to be a penetration tester or network security engineer.

Cyber Security bootcamps typically cost between 7,995 € and 15,000 €.

Will I receive a certification after completing a Cyber Security bootcamp?

The fundamental skills taught in a bootcamp are often more significant than the certification. We usually recommend starting with the Sec+ certification if you're adding a certificate to your resume. If you wish to start down a road into a specialized focus after starting your profession, you'll need to obtain additional certifications.

The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is the most sought-after professional qualification.
The Certified Information Security Manager certification is the second most crucial professional qualification (CISM)
The CISA certification is the third most sought-after professional certificate for careers in Cyber Security.

Code Labs Academy offers courses to help you prepare for these certifications.

What will you learn in a Cyber Security bootcamp?

You will study a mix of technical and soft skills that you can immediately apply to your future profession. There are numerous bootcamps available, covering a wide range of topics. They are usually offered online and in-person.

What are programming languages taught in Cyber Security bootcamps?

The languages taught at each bootcamp differ, although most teach a combination of JavaScript, Golang, C/C++, and Python.

Benefits and drawbacks of Cyber Security bootcamps

Cyber Security bootcamps have a lot of advantages

You will discover the talents that employers value.
Collaboration and teamwork are encouraged in class.
Instructors are always accessible to assist you.
You will have to stick to a rigid timetable to stay on track.
The best bootcamps offer career assistance to help you conduct a successful job hunt.
You will leave with a complete portfolio to present to potential employers.
You will be ready to contribute right away, thanks to your extensive hands-on expertise.
Many bootcamps emphasize "learning how to learn," which can help you develop as your career progresses.

The disadvantages of Cyber Security bootcamps

Bootcamps are more expensive than self-teaching, and they are also more complex and demanding.
You will fall behind if you are not dedicated.
Once you have committed to a class, adjusting your learning pace or style is more challenging, though many bootcamps are aware of this and offer flexibility.

What does a job in Cyber Security entail?

A good blend of hard and soft skills is required of a Cyber Security specialist. They are typically responsible for implementing ways to keep their firm safe from attacks, and teaching the rest of the company how to follow best practices.

Job outcome

The following are examples of Cyber Security roles that bootcamp students can aim for. Although larger entities usually hire directly for these roles, most entities will hire the services of specialist companies, such as Red Fox Labs, which offer their expertise to third parties.

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers, also known as Penetration Testers, assist businesses in resolving security vulnerabilities by ethical hacking and evaluating current systems for flaws. In Germany, the average salary for a penetration tester is 58,408 € per year.

SOC Analyst

Analysts at the Security Operations Center are comparable to Cyber Security analysts. They are among the first to respond to cyber incidents, and make changes to protect their company or clients. The average compensation for a SOC Analyst is 43,035 €.

Threat Intel Analyst

Threat Intel Analysts are looking for threats and gathering information about prospective cyber-threats.

The average Threat Intel Analyst Salary in London is £65,000.

Security Consultant

Security consultants look over all of the security measures for a company or a client, and provide recommendations on avoiding any breaches by putting preventative security measures in place.

According to Payscale, the average income for a security consultant in Germany is 53,000 €.

Compliance Analyst

Compliance analysts guarantee that a company's operations and procedures comply with government and industry regulations. Typically, they apply for certification on behalf of a company or customer. The average compensation for a compliance analyst is 49,124 €.

What are my choices for Cyber Security bootcamps?

Before enrolling in a Cyber Security bootcamp, we urge you to try your hand in the cyber world. You'll be able to tell if this field is suitable for you, and you will be more confident when you start your program.

Before going deeply into bootcamps, look at the Cyber security workshops available.

Is it worthwhile to enroll in a Cyber Security bootcamp?

If you want to change careers and are ready to put in the effort, Cyber Security bootcamps are worth it. Although bootcamps are costly, many of the finest bootcamps provide tuition flexibility and a variety of payment alternatives.

As previously stated, you get what you put into a Cyber Security bootcamp. Because bootcamps are demanding and intense, diligence, confidence, and tenacity are essential.

Overall, Cyber Security bootcamps are worthwhile if they are the best fit for your professional goals and development. Because this industry is fast expanding, your investment will be repaid when you obtain your first job after completing the program.

Code Labs Academy is a coding school that provides bootcamps in Cyber Security, Data Science, User Experience/Interface Design, and Web Development. Our customized programs are designed to thoroughly equip students for their chosen professional paths.