Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field with incredible demand, and cybersecurity bootcamps offer a great way for interested professionals to sharpen their skills and become part of this burgeoning profession. However many of these online courses have different approaches, and the best course may differ for each student. To help narrow down your options, we researched and reviewed the eight best cybersecurity bootcamps.
- Code Fellows – Learn Cybersecurity – Top Pick
- Flatiron School – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best Instructors
- Fullstack Academy – Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp – Best for Beginners
- Claim Academy – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Veterans
- Evolve Security Academy – ESPC Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best Interactive Projects
- Springboard – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best Career Coaching
- Ironhack – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Remote Learning
- The Tech Academy – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Learning Programming
Our Ranking Criteria
The best cybersecurity bootcamps can take participants from beginner level to career-ready by focusing on the most important skills needed for success in the field. We evaluated nearly 50 cybersecurity bootcamps based on the criteria below, and using the results we narrowed our selection down to the eight best cybersecurity courses available.
Basic Ranking Criteria
To start narrowing down our list, we looked at the following factors to determine how flexible the courses are, how much time and effort are needed to complete them, and what they offer to students who successfully complete them.
Time to complete. Our list includes bootcamps that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time. The longest courses on our list take about six months to finish.Prerequisites required. To ensure novices can find courses that suit their needs, our list mostly contains bootcamps that do not require any prerequisites. The ones that do require prerequisites are better suited for those with a basic understanding of cybersecurity.Flexible schedule. Online courses should be flexible to accommodate students and working professionals with busy schedules. In making our list, we rewarded bootcamps that offer flexible schedules.Certificate of completion. A certificate of completion can be a valuable addition to your resume. While not all courses offer one, we noted which bootcamps award graduates with a certificate of completion.
Advanced ranking criteria
To narrow down our selection even further, we reviewed cybersecurity courses based on advanced criteria to ensure that the ones in our list offer everything participants need to prepare themselves for a career in cybersecurity. Our criteria include the following:
- The course has positive reviews from students.
- The course focuses on the modern skills needed to succeed in the cybersecurity field.
- The course is taught by a professional cybersecurity expert.
- The course is solely dedicated to cybersecurity.
- The course is valuable for both beginners and advanced cybersecurity professionals who want to improve their skills.
- The course is available on-demand or every few months.
- The course is engaging and offers productive assignments that help students improve their skills.
8 Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps
Code Fellows
Learn Cybersecurity
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
This cybersecurity course is particularly robust, offering hundreds of hours of live instruction. Code Fellows is also notable for their module-based design — with courses ranging from Ops 101: Explore Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Careers to Ops 401: Cybersecurity Engineering, students can test in at the level they are capable of and exit whenever they obtain the skills they seek. If you take all of these courses, you’ll be fully prepared to earn your CompTIA Security+ certification. Code Fellows also offers flexible scheduling, with an accelerated daytime track for full-time students and a nights-and-weekends track for part-time students.
- Price: $99 – $12,000 per module
- Time to complete: 8 hours – 10 weeks per module
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? With their module-based approach, Code Fellows is an excellent option for both beginners and advanced students.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Module-based course design. | No asynchronous option. |
| Industry certification preparation. | |
| Affordable pricing. |
Flatiron School
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Instructors
Flatiron Schools’ Cybersecurity Bootcamp is an extremely well-rounded option for anyone interested in a cybersecurity career. This immersive online cybersecurity program can be taken on a full or part-time basis and costs $16,900, which aligns with the other options on our list. The curriculum is designed to set students up for careers as cyber engineers, security analysts, penetration testers, or security consultants. The course consists of both live lectures and individual study, and after completion, students can meet with a dedicated career coach to help launch their careers.
- Price: $16,900
- Time to complete: Full-time: 15 weeks, Part-time: 40 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? With its broad curriculum and flexible scheduling options, this course is a good fit for anyone interested in cybersecurity.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Includes career coaching. | Not the best course for complete beginners. |
| Instructors have extensive cybersecurity experience. | |
| Offers full-time and part-time course options. |
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fullstack Academy
Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners
Cybersecurity Analytics by Fullstack Academy is built to take students from complete beginners to career-ready cybersecurity professionals. The curriculum covers several in-demand cybersecurity skills and includes hands-on projects to give students practical experience. Students can use several financing options to offset the $12,995 tuition, including payment plans and scholarships. Graduates will receive career guidance to help build their resumes, prepare for interviews, negotiate offers, and connect with other cybersecurity professionals. Fullstack also offers several free resources and webinars to help interested individuals prepare for the course.
- Price: $12,995
- Time to complete: Full-time: 12 weeks; Part-time: 26 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Its beginner-friendly curriculum makes it easy for complete novices. However, due to its inflexible schedule, it’s best suited for individuals who don’t need to work while attending the course.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Free resources are available. | The schedule is not flexible. |
| Offers career guidance to graduates. | |
| Easy application process. |
Claim Academy
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Veterans
Claim Academy offers online and on-campus programs to help transform complete beginners into industry-ready cybersecurity professionals. This bootcamp offers a flexible schedule, making it an ideal option for those with demanding schedules. Students having trouble paying their tuition can take advantage of loans and scholarships, and veterans can use the GI Bill to help pay for tuition.
- Price: $18,899
- Time to complete: 14 – 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? Claim Academy is a well-rounded program that is great for students who need help with financing.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Industry certification preparation. | No asynchronous option. |
| Accepts GI Bill. | |
| Bootcamps are available throughout the year. |
Evolve Security Academy
ESPC Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Interactive Projects
Evolve Security Academy’s cybersecurity bootcamp is an immersive 20-week program focusing on hands-on training to prepare students for their future careers. The course consists of live lectures, pre-recorded lectures, and labs — all suited for beginners. Students must pass 1-on-1 verbal tests at the end of each module to verify their competency, and group projects help students gain more practical experience. Graduates receive a certificate of completion, career coaching, and a voucher to pursue their CompTIA Security+ certification at no cost.
- Price: $13,950
- Time to complete: 20 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Evolve Security Academy’s cybersecurity bootcamp is perfect for students who want to develop their knowledge through collaborative projects and labs. This course also allows students to pursue additional certifications to improve their resumes.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Verbal assessments to ensure competency. | The schedule is not flexible. |
| Practical student projects. | |
| Accommodates beginners. |
Springboard
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Career Coaching
Springboard’s cybersecurity bootcamp aims to help students build practical skills and gain the certifications needed to establish a successful career in cybersecurity. The program was created in partnership with CompTIA to ensure the curriculum covers modern, in-demand skills. Projects focus on real-world scenarios to give students practical experience, and all students will work 1-on-1 with a mentor to help them build their skills faster. Graduates can access unlimited career coaching, and Springboard offers a full money-back guarantee if you don’t find a job after graduating. At under $12,000, Springboard is one of the most well-rounded programs on our list and one of the most affordable.
- Price: $11,900
- Time to complete: 6 months
- Prerequisites required: Students must pass an evaluation of baseline soft skills
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Springboard offers a great program for those who value career coaching services and certification preparation. As the course is self-paced, this is also a great option for those who need to work while completing their coursework.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Affordable tuition. | The course length is fairly long. |
| Excellent career coaching services. | |
| Self-paced. |
Ironhack
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Remote Learning
Ironhack’s remote cybersecurity bootcamp accepts individuals with no IT background and prepares them for entry-level cybersecurity positions. Before beginning the program, students must complete 20 hours of prep work that focuses on basic concepts like how operating systems work and what networks are. Throughout the course’s three modules, students will learn the basic principles of cybersecurity, how to build security programs, and how to protect against real-time cyber attacks. The course utilizes live classroom lectures to allow students to interact directly with their instructors and peers, and the bootcamp helps prepare students for work in a remote environment.
- Price: €7,500
- Time to complete: Full-time: 9 weeks, Part-time: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: 20 hours of prep work
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Ironhack’s bootcamp offers a fantastic remote learning environment best suited for individuals interested in obtaining a remote cybersecurity position following graduation.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible Schedule. | Limited financing options. |
| Comprehensive curriculum. | Limited Availability. |
The Tech Academy
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Learning Programming
The Tech Academy’s cybersecurity bootcamp teaches students all the basic elements of modern cybersecurity practices, including protecting hardware, websites, networks, software, the cloud, and apps. Students will also learn skills they can apply to programming and software development careers, including Java development, iOS development, and Android development. At $18,000, this course is rather expensive compared to other options. The program provides 800 hours of study material and activities, and it concludes with a capstone project to give students real-world experience. Graduates will then have access to job placement services to help them get their start in the cybersecurity industry.
- Price: $18,000
- Time to complete: 800+ hours
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? As this bootcamp covers many in-demand programming skills and basic cybersecurity practices, this course is ideal for those who want to gain knowledge and develop skills that they can apply to other sectors in the tech industry.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Comprehensive curriculum. | Expensive tuition. |
| Self-paced. | Long course length. |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Code Fellows – Learn Cybersecurity – Top Pick | $99 – $12,000 per module | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Flatiron School – Cybersecurity Bootcamp– Best Instructors | $16,900 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Fullstack Academy – Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp – Best for Beginners | $12,995 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Claim Academy – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Veterans | $18,899 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Evolve Security Academy – ESPC Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best Interactive Projects | $13,950 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Springboard – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best Career Coaching | $11,900 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Ironhack – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Remote Learning | €7,500 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| The Tech Academy – Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Best for Learning Programming | $18,000 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Cybersecurity Course
1. Consider the cost
How much do online cybersecurity classes cost?
Online cybersecurity bootcamps typically cost between $10,000 and $20,000. Most courses can be paid via a single lump sum or in installments. Many also provide financing options, including loans, scholarships, and income-sharing agreements that allow students to pay for the program after graduating and finding employment.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Many employers offer financial assistance and reimbursements to employees who want to further their education. If you’re having trouble finding a course that you can afford or you don’t qualify for financing options, your employer may be able to help cover the costs. Talk to your boss or HR department to determine whether or not assistance is available.
2. Get your tech squared away
Most bootcamps require students to have their own equipment to complete their courses. For cybersecurity courses, students typically only need access to a laptop or desktop computer to complete the course. Be sure to contact your course provider to determine whether or not your equipment supports the software they use during the bootcamp. Your computer should generally have 8GB of RAM and not be older than five years. You should also ensure you have access to a reliable Internet connection to avoid complications when watching course videos and attending live lectures.
3. Use the right study resources
While bootcamps do their best to provide students with all the knowledge they need to succeed, it’s always a good idea to use supplemental resources to improve your knowledge and skills.
Check out the following resources to aid you in your studies:
- US Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Resources
- TechExam Certification Preparation
- MIT Cybersecurity Lectures
Students should also check with their course providers for additional resources outside their coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Courses
What jobs can you get after completing a cybersecurity course?
Cybersecurity courses set students up for several career paths. Common jobs in the cybersecurity field include:
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Cybersecurity engineer
- Information security analyst
- Systems engineer
- Software engineer
- SOC analyst
- Cyber threat analyst
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for cybersecurity professionals is about $133,000 per year or $64 per hour. Cybersecurity bootcamps position graduates for a high-earning career in an incredibly fast-growing field.
Are there free online cybersecurity courses?
Yes, a wide variety of free online cybersecurity courses are available on the Internet, many of which are offered by universities and reputable tech companies.
Popular free online cybersecurity courses include:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity by Cybrary
- Cryptography by the University of Maryland
- Free Cybersecurity Course by Springboard
The National Institute of Standards and Technology also offers free and low-cost resources for individuals interested in cybersecurity as part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education.
These courses are typically less in-depth than the bootcamps included on this list, though, as a lot of time, energy, and resources are required to develop and teach a comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum.
How long is the average online cybersecurity course?
Online cybersecurity course lengths vary greatly; many offer full-time, part-time, and on-demand enrollment options. Cybersecurity bootcamps take three to six months to complete, depending on how much time you can commit to the course every week.
How much is cybersecurity bootcamp?
Most cybersecurity boot camps cost between $10,000 and $20,000. If you’re having trouble paying for your course, most providers offer financing options to help students complete their training.
What is the best cybersecurity bootcamp?
Several online cybersecurity bootcamps offer everything students need to establish a successful career. Our pick for the best cybersecurity bootcamp is Learn Cybersecurity by Code Fellows, as it offers a particularly well-rounded curriculum and affordable pricing.