10 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps of 2024 was originally published on Forage.
A cybersecurity bootcamp can be a great way to break into a tech career, but choosing the right program is key. Whether you’re a busy student or a working professional, enrolling in a bootcamp is a big undertaking — it can be costly and time-consuming. We reviewed dozens of programs to help you find the best cybersecurity bootcamps that work with both your schedule and budget.
Top 10 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
We analyzed each program’s curriculum, cost, time commitment, and support options to find the most cost-effective and flexible cybersecurity bootcamps for 2024.
1. Springboard
Cost: $9,900
Length of Program: 6 months
Weekly Commitment: 15 to 20 hours per week
Springboard’s cybersecurity bootcamp is an online, part-time program that covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Students learn crucial concepts, like the types of threat actors, network security, security operations (SecOps), and how artificial intelligence (AI) helps cybersecurity professionals automate and improve cybersecurity activities.
During the six months, students have access to career coaches and student advisors to help them if they get stuck and to guide them through the job search process. However, Springboard has an optional job guarantee program that allows qualified students to receive a refund on their tuition if they don’t find a job after graduation. Additionally, students graduate from the bootcamp with a CompTIA Security+ certification and the opportunity to pursue further certifications at a discounted rate.
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2. Fullstack Academy
Cost: $14,995
Length of Program: 12 weeks (full-time) or 26 weeks (part-time)
Weekly Commitment: 9 to 32.5 hours per week
The Fullstack Academy online cybersecurity program teaches students vital skills in network systems, Python programming, asset and inventory management, and cybersecurity fundamentals. Through live classes, participants explore careers in cybersecurity, build in-demand skills, and prepare for relevant certifications like AWS Security Essentials, CompTIA Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and AWS Security Specialist.
The program has full-time and part-time options, allowing students to choose the right time commitment for their schedules. Part-time students can expect to spend about nine hours per week in class with six to eight hours of homework and assignments, while full-time students spend eight hours in class each day and have 8 to 10 hours of homework per week.
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3. Digital Crafts
Cost: $13,500
Length of Program: 15 to 30 weeks
Weekly Commitment: Flexible
Digital Craft’s online cybersecurity bootcamp features a flexible schedule — weekly deadlines keep students on track, but they can work largely at their own pace. The program covers cybersecurity fundamentals and aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework.
Students in the Digital Crafts bootcamp have direct access to instructors, feedback on assignments, and regular check-ins with advisers. The program also offers resume feedback, mock interview preparation, and other career services to help students find a career in technology. Even after graduation, students have access to elective workshops and career guidance.
Mastercard Cybersecurity
Identify and prevent security risks with Mastercard’s Security Awareness Team in this free job simulation.
Avg. Time:
1 to 2 hours
Skills you’ll build:
Cybersecurity, technical security awareness, problem solving, design thinking, communication, security awareness training, data analysis, data presentation
4. CyberNow Labs
Cost: $7,500
Length of Program: 20 weeks (shorter program available for those with prior experience)
Weekly Commitment: 40 hours per week
The first eight weeks of the CyberNow Labs cybersecurity analyst program prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification, allowing them to gain an industry-recognized accreditation quickly. The rest of the cybersecurity analyst program focuses on security operation center (SOC) training. Students learn core concepts like threat hunting, vulnerability analysis, and social engineering. Additionally, CyberNow Labs sets aside two weeks to focus exclusively on career coaching and development with one-on-one mentoring, technical interview preparation, and resume support.
Tata Cybersecurity
Assist the cybersecurity consulting team and become an IAM expert in this free job simulation from Tata.
Avg. Time:
3 to 4 hours
Skills you’ll build:
Critical thinking, IAM fundamentals, IAM evaluation, strategy assessment, business process analysis, solution design, business process alignment
5. Level Effect
Cost: $5,000
Length of Program: 14 weeks
Weekly Commitment: 25 to 40 hours per week
Level Effect’s cybersecurity bootcamp features over 350 hours of training with hands-on labs and virtual training in a security operation center. The program begins with a free foundational course covering the basics of compliance, information technology (IT), and cybersecurity. Upon finishing the foundation course, students start eight weeks of classroom training focusing on SOC concepts, like email security, log analysis, and incident response.
A unique aspect of the Level Effect program is its virtual SOC training — students spend five weeks working in a virtual SOC environment, analyzing and resolving security incidents. While the program doesn’t include external certifications, students earn a Cyber Defense Certified Professional badge from Level Effect. Students also have lifelong access to the program.
>>MORE: Learn the differences between computer science and cybersecurity.
6. Arizona State University
Cost: $14,496
Length of Program: 24 weeks
Weekly Commitment: 9 hours per week
Arizona State University’s cybersecurity bootcamp is a part-time online training program made in partnership with edX. Students receive vouchers to take a CompTIA certification exam after completing the course.
The bootcamp includes six core modules, covering security fundamentals, systems administration, network security, and defensive and offensive security. The final module focuses on preparing for certification exams. Throughout the course, students have 24/7 access to support, one-on-one tutoring, and career counseling services.
JPMorgan Cybersecurity
Keeping JPMorgan’s worldwide financial firm protected from hackers and fraud in this free job simulation.
Avg. Time:
5 hours
Skills you’ll build:
Data analysis, presentations, application security hygiene, web application development, email security fundamentals, data structures, access control
7. Eleven Fifty Academy
Cost: $13,500
Length of Program: 3 months (full-time) to 6 months (part-time)
Weekly Commitment: 16 to 40 hours per week
The cybersecurity program from Eleven Fifty Academy is a full-time or part-time online program that includes over 500 hours of live instruction. The first part of the course prepares students for the CompTIA Network+ certification, and by the end of the program, students also gain the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Eleven Fifty Academy prioritizes small class sizes, with most courses having eight students per instructor. Additionally, students have direct access to instructors and a career services team that helps with resume and social profile optimization, mock interviews, and online portfolio development.
AIG Shields Up: Cybersecurity
Explore working as an Information Security Analyst, analyzing security alerts and responding to a ransomware attacks in this free job simulation from AIG.
Avg. Time:
2 to 3 hours
Skills you’ll build:
Cybersecurity, vulnerability triage, security advisory, problem solving, research, communication, data analysis, strategy, software development, Python, security engineering
8. Evolve Security
Cost: $13,950
Length of Program: 20 weeks
Weekly Commitment: 8 to 13 hours per week
Evolve Security’s part-time cybersecurity bootcamp is a 20-week intensive program covering a full range of cybersecurity skills including disaster recovery, risk management, access control, cryptography, and incident response. Upon graduating, students receive a voucher for taking the CompTIA Security+ certification exam and gain an Evolve Security Certified Professional (ESCP) designation.
The Evolve Security bootcamp also features an optional job guarantee, wherein eligible students can receive a refund on their tuition if they don’t find a job in the cybersecurity field within six months of graduation. Evolve Security boasts a 93% job placement rate and prepares students for the job market through career coaching, access to an employer partner network, resume feedback, and mock interviews.
Datacom Cybersecurity
Investigate a cyberattack and conduct a comprehensive risk assessment with this free job simulation from Datacom.
Avg. Time:
3 to 4 hours
Skills you’ll build:
Security, research, analytical skills, OSINT, communication, risk assessment, risk management, security analysis
9. Clarusway
Cost: $11,400
Length of Program: 5 months
Weekly Commitment: 15 hours per week
Clarusway’s cybersecurity analyst professional bootcamp is a part-time online program featuring three core modules. The first part of the program sets students up for passing the CompTIA Security+ certification exam and covers fundamental IT and network security concepts.
In the second module, students focus on SOC training, building skills in malware analysis, digital forensics, and web application security. In the final module, students work on job hunting, perfecting resumes and social profiles, and learning how to ace technical and behavioral interviews.
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10. Code Fellows
Cost: $99 to $23,000+
Length of Program: 20 weeks to over a year
Weekly Commitment: 18 to 40 hours per week
The Code Fellows cybersecurity bootcamp program is a different format than the other courses on our list. The program features five courses, each priced individually, which build upon each other — you must complete 101 before you can begin 102 unless you test out, for instance. The program is flexible, though, with full-time, part-time, and self-paced options.
The most extensive course in the program, Ops 401, is over 400 hours, covering a full range of cybersecurity analyst skills, such as data loss prevention, cloud security, threat modeling, and digital forensics. Additionally, the program includes one-on-one support from teaching assistants, mentoring, and job search assistance after graduation.
Students are required to buy a special kit computer for the program through Code Fellows. The kit includes a tower PC, networking supplies, and system administration toolkits.
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Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps by the Numbers
Price
Length of Program
Weekly Time Commitment
Springboard$9,900 6 months15 to 20 hours per weekFullstack Academy$14,99512 weeks (full-time) or 26 weeks (part-time) 9 to 32.5 hours per weekDigital Crafts$13,500 15 to 30 weeks FlexibleCyberNow Labs$7,50020 weeks40 hours per weekLevel Effect$5,00014 weeks25 to 40 hours per weekArizona State University$14,49624 weeks9 hours per weekEleven Fifty Academy$13,5003 months (full-time) to 6 months (part-time)16 to 40 hours per week Evolve Security Academy$13,95020 weeks8 to 13 hours per weekClarusway$11,4005 months15 hours per weekCode Fellows$99 to $23,000+20 weeks to over 1 year18 to 40 hours per week
Other Cybersecurity Programs
Outside of taking a cybersecurity bootcamp, you can build cybersecurity skills through certificate programs. Leading companies in the technology field and well-known academic institutions often offer these types of programs. One benefit of taking a certificate program is you’re guaranteed to graduate with a designation you can include on resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
Some great options for cybersecurity certificates include:
- MIT’s Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity, created in collaboration with Emeritus
- Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate
- Microsoft’s Be Cybersmart training program
- Cornell’s Cybersecurity Certificate Program through eCornell, the university’s online education platform
You can also build your cybersecurity skills for free (and get noticed by top employers) using online job simulations — check out the full catalog of cybersecurity job simulations.
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Cybersecurity Bootcamp Tips
Check Your Equipment Before Beginning
Each program has its own technical requirements. Any laptop may be fine for some courses, while others may rely on specialized software that needs higher processing power. You may need to purchase hardware or software for the program — check with the program adviser or in the course’s overview before signing up.
Find a Good Space to Work
With online learning, it’s easy to get distracted. Finding a quiet and distraction-free environment to do your coursework can help you stay on track. If you don’t have space at home, co-working spaces and libraries may be a good alternative. Don’t forget to ensure the space has reliable internet and access to the things you’ll need to complete the course, though.
Build a Support Network
Bootcamps can be an intense process — the hours are often extended or late at night. Talking to your friends and family can help you create a support network to keep you motivated and stress-free. For instance, having friends to deliver you snacks or coffee for late-night classes may help you get through the more demanding parts of a bootcamp.
Consider Your Options
Bootcamps aren’t the only way to build new skills or make a career change, so remember to review your options before deciding. Additionally, determine your motivations for pursuing a bootcamp. If you’re looking for a major career change, a program with a job guarantee may be right for you, whereas if you’re only looking to build new skills, the price (monetarily and time-wise) may not be worth it for the longer or more intensive programs.
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Methodology
We chose the initial programs based on criteria including relative affordability, online vs. in-person learning, third-party reviews, student feedback, and location. Our ultimate goal was to find cybersecurity bootcamps that are cost-effective, comprehensive, and flexible for students and working professionals.
The final list was ranked based on the following criteria and weights:
- Cost: 25%
- Full-time, part-time, or self-paced options: 15%
- Amount of skills taught: 20%
- Scholarship opportunities: 10%
- Student support during course: 15%
- Student career support after completion of course: 15%
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