Is It Worth It To Do a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

Is It Worth It To Do a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

July 6, 2021

Almost every aspect of our lives is digitized. From our bank accounts to our daily calendars, even the most inconsequential details of our lives are on the web. While all this tech makes many tasks far easier, it also leaves us vulnerable to cybercrime at every turn. 

For this reason, cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing and most important computer science fields in the U.S. Learning to detect and prevent cyberattacks is a vital component for many tech companies, and one great way to pick up the skills necessary to become a data security professional is by taking a cybersecurity bootcamp.

To land an entry-level cybersecurity job, applicants need at least one certification to demonstrate their knowledge of secure coding practices, risk management, identifying attacks, ethical hacking, and many more technical skills.

Enrolling in a cybersecurity bootcamp is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn and prepare for a role in information security. Let’s explore why a coding bootcamp is the most efficient way to launch your career in cybersecurity.

How Much Do Cybersecurity Jobs Pay?

It’s a great time to be a cybersecurity bootcamp graduate. The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals has created an extremely competitive range of salaries and benefits for those with cybersecurity skills. 

Statistics show that the average salary for cybersecurity professionals is $112,974. This high salary trend is true across the board, as even entry-level cybersecurity careers routinely fetch more than $80,000 per year. For example, according to ZipRecruiter statistics, the position of cybersecurity analyst pays an average of $82,565 per year. 

Even more amazing is the fact that 20 percent of entry-level cybersecurity analyst jobs don’t require a degree, provided the applicant has the right cybersecurity certifications requirements such as a bootcamp education.

For intermediate and high-level cybersecurity jobs, the average salary is in the six figures. Such positions generally require related degrees in computer science, and a multitude of cybersecurity certifications and relevant working experience. However, most of these are positions that anyone starting out in cybersecurity can look to grow into. 

Here are five of the top high-paying jobs for 2020:

  • Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator: $136,625
  • Cybersecurity Architect: $140,820
  • Cybersecurity Sales Engineer: $180,000–$220,000 (commission-based)
  • Chief Information Security Officer: $181,897
  • Lead Software Security Engineer: $233,333

There are even reports of freelance ethical hackers being paid up to $500,000 per year to seek out and penetrate network security weaknesses of huge companies like Tesla. Of course, before you start shooting for such huge payouts, it’ll be necessary to undergo education and training and receive the required certifications needed to do such work.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a meeting with an admissions advisor!

How Much Does It Cost To Get a Cybersecurity Degree?

Some prospective students may feel that a four-year bachelor’s degree is the best way to gain cybersecurity training. While some colleges do offer specialized cybersecurity degrees, many tech companies also accept cybersecurity bootcamp grads. 

The advantage of going to college for a cybersecurity program is the support of full-time faculty and staff, on-campus resources, hands-on learning, and a curriculum that builds and develops skills over several years. The biggest drawbacks, though, are price and time. 

The average cost for a four-year degree is $122,000. Bootcamps cost a fraction of that price, and will help you train to be job-ready in a matter of months, not years.

Online Cybersecurity Training Courses

For those looking for a more affordable and less time-consuming route to cybersecurity training, there are online cybersecurity courses and DIY approaches. 

There are online training programs and courses that offer subscriptions to participants ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on the program. Some cybersecurity analysts are completely self-taught: Free coding resources and even YouTube videos can go a long way to helping self-motivated coders learn how to prevent cyberattacks. 

However, self-directed programs have their limitations. You won’t have access to instructors or other classmates who can help you learn collaboratively. Seeking to learn on your own could even set you back when it comes time for certification tests, especially if some concepts are still unclear from your online training. 

What Programming Languages Should I Learn for Cybersecurity?

While there are a variety of programming languages to choose from, Python programming has become one of the most common programming languages in cybersecurity. It is a server-side scripting language, meaning the script doesn’t need to be compiled.

Python allows you to automate tasks, which can be useful when performing malware analysis, penetration testing, scanning, and analyzing potential cyberthreats. Python is known for its easy-to-read code and clear syntax, and there is a large library of third-party scripts available to make coding easier.

JavaScript, one of the most common programming languages in the world, is also popular for cybersecurity jobs. JavaScript allows you to capture cookies, exploit event handlers, and carry out cross-site scripting. Due to its widespread use, websites, apps, and networks using JavaScript are common targets for hackers. 

Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps Worth It?

If you’re interested in being part of a fast-growing industry and don’t want to spend years at a university, cybersecurity bootcamps are definitely worth it. 

Cybersecurity jobs can be lucrative, but only if you have the necessary certifications and abilities. Without professional guidance, you might find the field hard to break into. 

While you can get a cybersecurity degree at a four-year college, you’ll be spending far more time and money than is necessary to start working in the cybersecurity field. With that in mind, cybersecurity bootcamps are a better option for most prospective learners.

Our coding bootcamps are intensive, focused, and condensed classes that cover a wide range of cybersecurity concepts and tactics. These courses take 14 weeks for full-time students or 24 weeks for part-time students, and are designed to help you learn in hands-on, immersive learning experiences. 

You’ll be learning from experienced instructors who will facilitate coursework, discussions, lectures, and lab work. Our bootcamps are designed to prepare you for certification testing while also building a portfolio of skills that you can show to prospective employers. 

Eleven Fifty’s full-time or part-time cybersecurity training courses are $18,000. Keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to pay for your bootcamps, such as scholarships, financial aid, and partnerships with bootcamp-specific, low-interest, fixed-rate lenders. 

Unlike colleges, your journey into cybersecurity doesn’t end once you complete your training. Once you’ve passed your exam certifications and completed your bootcamp program, you’ll then meet one-on-one with our Career Services advisors. Our advisors will work to understand your goals and strengths in cybersecurity and then match you up with our hiring partners to find the right job for you. 

Our Career Services team is dedicated to helping you find the right career once your studies are complete. We place 80% of our grads within 50 days of graduation, making the tuition cost much easier to offset than college degrees.

So is it worth it to do a cybersecurity bootcamp? Whether you’re interested due to the high salaries, competitive benefit packages, or just a general passion for the work, you’ll find that cybersecurity bootcamps are the most cost-efficient and effective way to break into the industry. 

Ready to make your move? Contact Eleven Fifty Academy today to meet with an admissions coach.

Ready To talk To Admissions?

If we’ve piqued your interest, you can start by joining a free intro to cybersecurity course to learn more and ask questions. From there, connect with our admissions team and fill out an application. Our advisors are here to help with everything from course-specific questions to queries about financial aid. Connect with us today to get started on your new career path.

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