Transform Your Life With An Ethical Hacking Bootcamp!

Choosing the correct career path can be affected by many factors. Having a strong interest in a topic will make it significantly easier to study and gain experience. Good job prospects and projections should also be considered.

This guide will help anyone interested in starting an ethical hacking career.

We will explore all the key aspects of what becoming an ethical hacker entails. We will also explore the careers and prospects possible within the field.

Finally, we will take you through the best ethical hacking bootcamps the U.S. has to offer.

Making the right career and education choice is easier when presented with the facts. This guide will help you decide whether ethical hacking is the career for you and how to get started.

What Is Ethical Hacking?

Fully understanding a field before studying it can be challenging. However, it is important to research topics to get a better understanding.

Ethical hacking is a key security element for many businesses and organizations. The threat of cyber criminals is something that anyone with an online presence must be aware of.

The average cost of U.S. data breaches has risen steadily from $5.4m in 2013 to $9.44m in 2022. Statistics show this is more than double the global average of $4.35m for 2022.

Because of this, there are strong job opportunities within the data security field.

As well as the financial implications of data breaches, there is also the fear of losing sensitive data. This could be business or company data or the personal information of customers and clients.

Data breaches can also significantly impact the public’s trust in an organization. Damage to a reputation can be difficult to rebuild, so it’s important that businesses are as protected as possible.

Ethical hacking skills, when applied to the security of websites, can be invaluable. It allows organizations to identify potential weaknesses and ensure the site is secure.

Regular penetration testing is essential to ensure new techniques adopted by cyber criminals can’t breach website security.

Training in ethical hacking can give people essential skills that open a variety of career paths.

Where Can Ethical Hackers Work?

Studying ethical hacking can provide graduates with a wide selection of potential careers. All organizations and businesses that have an online presence can benefit from robust security.

Organizations that handle large amounts of sensitive data are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This opens up a lot of potential career paths for those trained in ethical hacking.

Education in ethical hacking can provide careers in the following fields:

Hardware companies

Hardware, including routers and firewalls, can be targeted by criminals to access sensitive data. Because of this, hardware companies employ security teams. They make use of ethical hacking to minimize their vulnerabilities.

Software companies

Testing software before release to check for weaknesses is essential. The security and reputation of a software company rely on releasing safe products.

Unsafe software can be targeted by cybercriminals to enter organizations’ systems. This allows them to gain access to sensitive customer data.

Unsafe software can result in recalls and expensive fixes. This makes it essential for proper safety checks to be carried out before release.

Government agencies

Government agencies hold high volumes of sensitive data and require robust security. Ethical hackers are often used to test systems and try and gain entry. This allows government agencies to identify areas that require attention.

It is essential to identify potential security flaws before they are exploited. This will help to minimize the risk of reputational damage. It can also stop criminals from accessing the sensitive data different agencies are trusted with.

Financial institutions

Banks and other financial institutions are entrusted with valuable customer data and their money. Physical and cyber security is the top priority of financial institutions. Designing processes to minimize threats is, therefore, a worthwhile investment.

As online banking grows, so does the threat of cyber attacks and online fraud. Financial institutions make use of ethical hacking to test their systems and minimize the threat.

Law Firms

Law firms use online systems to store large volumes of sensitive data. This sensitive data must be protected securely, and ethical hackers are routinely used to check them.

Why Study Ethical Hacking?

Studying ethical hacking is an excellent way to gain qualifications in a growing market.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that jobs using ethical hacking skills, such as information security analysts, are projected to grow. Their projections show that a growth rate of 35% is expected between 2021 and 2031.

This will make it a highly sought-after skill with employers and well worth investing in.

As well as a high level of job opportunities, information security analysis jobs also offer great wages. The average annual pay of $102,600 makes it an excellent prospect.

What Are Ethical Hacking Bootcamps?

Ethical hacking bootcamps are immersive programs. They are designed to provide students with the required skills to combat online security threats.

Bootcamps can vary in length and flexibility, with some taking just a few weeks. Online and in-person bootcamps are available, and they can be full-time or part-time. Self-paced learning bootcamps allow students to plan their own learning. While full-time courses are more structured.

Many bootcamps cater to beginners in the field, while others are for more intermediate learners with prior experience.

Training from industry experts provides students with fundamental skills as well as the knowledge to master ethical hacking concepts.

Find the Best Ethical Hacking Bootcamps by State:

What Skills Are Taught Taught At An Ethical Hacking Bootcamp?

While ethical bootcamps are typically short in comparison to university degrees, they cover a lot of skills. The immersive learning experience requires a large amount of dedication. However, it can adequately prepare students for a career in ethical hacking.

The following list of skills should give you a better idea of whether an ethical hacking bootcamp is the right choice for your desired career path.

Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills are essential to ethical hacking in order to resolve complex issues. Determining software and hardware vulnerabilities requires significant problem-solving skills. This can also be beneficial to software development.

Software programming

Writing code is often essential to testing computer security. So, learning software programming skills and languages like Python is vital. It can allow ethical hackers to create their own programs to carry out tests.

Maintaining computer security data can also require the use of database systems. Software programming skills allow ethical hackers to do this efficiently.

Communication

Ethical hackers must collaborate with colleagues and departments when carrying out security checks. Email, phone, and face-to-face communication are essential parts of the job.

Being able to communicate information clearly and accurately is essential when working with different people toward the same goal.

Network design

In-depth knowledge of network protocols and hardware is essential to building and maintaining computer networks.

An understanding of network design and hardware installation is needed for most ethical hackers.

Research

Research is vital to understanding the latest hacking technologies and techniques. Ethical hackers will need to know the latest techniques and tools in order to combat them. A strong IT skill set is required to understand and analyze the received data.

Mathematics

Creating encryption keys and algorithms that protect data requires mathematical skills. Traffic patterns and bandwidth capacity skills are also often required.

The Benefits Of Studying Ethical Hacking At A Bootcamp?

Choosing to study ethical hacking at a bootcamp can provide a range of benefits. These include:

Affordability

College degrees are significantly more expensive than ethical hacking bootcamps. The lower price of bootcamps and the range of payment methods makes them more accessible to students.

Flexibility

Ethical hacking bootcamps can be studied full-time and part-time. This flexibility is perfect for all sorts of students.

Full-time courses can be completed quickly. They are designed to suit students that have the time available for an immersive learning experience.

Part-time bootcamp programs can offer self-paced options. This allows students to fit their learning around other responsibilities.

Courses are also offered in person and online. This suits all types of students and provides a great level of convenience.

Short course lengths

Not everyone has the time to study full-time for four years to complete a degree. Some ethical hacking bootcamps can be completed in as little as a few weeks.

Shorter program times allow the student to gain valuable skills and enter the job market quickly.

International standards

Ethical hacking bootcamps regularly update their syllabus to ensure they include the latest tools and techniques.

The training conducted on the courses is held to a high standard to ensure graduates are prepared to enter the job market.

Networking

Ethical hacking bootcamps are often taught by industry experts, and the courses provide an excellent opportunity to meet other professionals. Some programs host networking events for their students.

Career support

Ethical hacking bootcamps are designed to provide graduates with the skills required to work in the field. They also provide a range of support services to prepare and help graduates find employment.

How Long Does An Ethical Hacking Bootcamp Take to Complete?

There is no set time scale for an ethical hacking bootcamp. It depends on the individual course and whether it is studied full or part-time.

Full-time immersive courses can be completed in just a few weeks. Alternatively, part-time or self-paced courses can take a few months. Different bootcamp timescales allow students to find the perfect course for them.

The Ethical Hacking Bootcamp Application Process

All education programs have application processes to ensure the applicant is suited to the course. Anyone that wants to study at an ethical hacking bootcamp will need to complete the following steps to apply:

After finding a suitable course, an applicant must fill in the online application form on the relevant website.
The institution’s admissions officer will contact the applicant for an interview. The interview determines what relevant experience the applicant may have and their reasons for choosing the course.
In some cases, an assessment test may be required to determine the applicant’s suitability.
A final interview will be conducted with applicants that pass the assessment. The applicant will discuss the course contents and payment options at this stage.
After enrolling in the course, the student will be expected to pay any required deposit.

Some ethical hacking bootcamps have limited numbers making them difficult to get into. Applying for a course that suits your abilities and preparing for the interview should make it easier.

The Best Ethical Hacking Bootcamps

Learning the technical skills required to become an ethical hacker can be done by enrolling in a bootcamp. The following ethical hacking courses provide students with essential fundamental skills.

The varying costs and course types make them ideal for all students. You will be able to narrow down this excellent selection into a shortlist and find the right course for you.

Claim Academy – Cybersecurity Analyst Bootcamp

Claim Academy is a St Louis-based learning institution that offers a range of online and on-campus courses.

The Cybersecurity Analyst bootcamp is a flexible learning course that takes 20 weeks to complete and costs $15,998.

The course covers essential skills needed in cyber security. These include:

Perimeter Security
Cloud Security
Ethical Hacking
Python

Applicants must undergo an interview and take an introductory course before starting the program.

Udacity – Ethical Hacking program

Udacity is an online learning platform that provides a good selection of courses. Their ethical hacking program is a flexible, self-paced option that can be completed in 2 months with 5 to 10 hours of study per week.

The cost of the course is $678, and it is designed to introduce students to the key concepts of ethical hacking.

Applicants are required to have knowledge of networking systems, Linux, and a minimum of one coding language.

Code Fellows – Explore Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Careers

Code Fellows are an online learning company based in Seattle. Their Explore Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity Careers course provides insight into security analysis.

The program is dedicated to cryptography and social engineering. It teaches students techniques to make them think like cybercriminals. This is essential to identify weaknesses.

The short course lasts just 8 hours and costs $99. Students take workshops that cover hacking techniques and how to identify weaknesses. They will also learn how to research and report on the security of organizations.

Applicants are required to have computer familiarity and be able to type roughly 30 words per minute.

Udemy – Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch

Udemy is an online learning platform that specializes in technology-based programs.

Their Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch program is a short course that can be studied remotely. The course costs just $84.99 and is the perfect way to discover whether ethical hacking is the career path for you.

The course gives students access to a range of great resources. These include:

More than 135 security and hacking videos
The opportunity to use more than 30 ethical hacking tools
The ability to learn Linux

The course can be accessed on laptops, mobiles, and TVs and provides a certificate of completion.

Applicants must have basic IT skills and access to a computer with sufficient memory.

Flatiron School – Cybersecurity Analytics

The Flatiron School Cybersecurity Analytics program is an immersive learning experience. It is designed to develop student’s skills and prepare them for online security threats.

The 12-week course costs $16,900 and offers a range of financing options. These include monthly payments, private loans, and deferred tuition.

The program helps students build a platform for them to go on to employment as certified ethical hackers.

The course covers a range of topics, including:

Cryptography
Penetration Testing
Ethical Hacking
Blockchain
Linux
Visualization
Python

The career services offered on the course provide interview practice and access to top employers within the industry.

Zero to Mastery – Ethical Hacking Course

The ethical hacking course offered by Zero to Mastery is a remote learning experience that costs $279. The self-paced course is ideal for students looking for flexibility.

The course is comprehensive which makes it perfect for beginners looking to enter the field.

Students will benefit from a range of great resources. The institution also offers a range of free services that helps students map out a career path.

Infosec – Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp

The Infosec Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp is a 90-day learning experience. The course provides students with hands-on experience and covers a range of skills. These include:

Penetration Testing
Ethical Hacking
Network Security
Technical Skills

Applicants must have an understanding of Windows and Linux or Unix-based operating systems. Applicants must also have an understanding of the TCP/IP protocols.

The bootcamp guarantees success and satisfaction. Students will be given the option of enrolling in alternative courses if they aren’t satisfied after the first day.

Students will also be provided with a free second attempt at the exam should they fail the first.

Springboard – Cyber Security Career Track

Springboard provides students with mentor-led programs that cover a range of topics in the tech industry. Their Cyber Security Career Track is an online course and takes between 6 and 9 months.

Springboard offers a variety of financing options to pay the $8,900 tuition fees. Paying upfront or monthly is the most common payment form. There are also financing options, as well as deferred tuition and income share agreements.

As well as being supported by mentors, students have access to instructors and coaches. The course covers a range of skills required for data security. These include:

IT Management
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Network Security
Security Operations
Security Assessment
Application Security

Certification is provided after graduation. Students that don’t find employment within 6 months are entitled to a refund.

The Tech Academy – Cyber Security Bootcamp

The Tech Academy is a learning institution that offers in-person learning facilities in Portland and Salt Lake City. They also offer online courses which provide students with a high level of convenience.

The course costs from $17,640 to $24,640 and has a range of financing options that include:

Deferred Tuition
Income Share Agreement
Monthly Payments
Private Loans

Full-time and part-time options are available to students. This provides greater flexibility for applicants. Students that want to complete the course quickly can choose the full-time course.

The topics covered in the course are designed to prepare students for entry into the field. These include:

Mobile Security
SQL
Agile
Java
Ethical Hacking
Algorithms
Network Security

Programs run for 38 weeks and 20 hours per week of class time is required.

Ironhack – Cyber Security Bootcamp

Ironhack is an international learning institution with locations in Miami, Paris, and Madrid.

The online course costs $7,000 and explores a range of disciplines essential to cyber security. These include:

Ethical Hacking
Linux
Penetration Testing
Cryptography
Virtualization
CompTIA Security

The intensive learning experience is designed to take beginners through to an advanced level within 12 weeks.

In-person learning is also available for students that prefer the campus experience.

Fullstack Academy Cyber Security Bootcamp

Fullstack Academy is based in New York. It offers students the opportunity to study in an ethical hacking bootcamp in person or online.

Online courses cost $17,910, and in-person learning varies from $15,980 to $17,910.

Their cyber security bootcamp teaches students fundamental skills. These skills are required for a career as a certified ethical hacker.

Pre-courses are designed to improve the applicant’s chances of acceptance onto the course. This is a great introduction and provides a solid platform to build on.

Skills and techniques covered in this course include:

Penetration Testing
Technology Analysis
Cybersecurity Analysis

The Fulltrack campus is located in San Luis Obispo, California. It has produced a number of graduates who have gone on to successful cybersecurity careers.

My Great Learning – Introduction to Ethical Hacking

People looking for free ethical hacking courses will find this introductory program a great option.

The short course takes just 3 hours to complete, and a completion certificate is provided at the end.

The course covers:

An Introduction to Ethical Hacking
Ethical Hacking Process Flow
Ethical Hacking Techniques
bWAPP
Domains Under Ethical Hacking

The free course is a great way to get a better understanding of what ethical hacking includes and whether it is the right career path for you.

FAQs

How much do ethical hacking bootcamps cost?

The price of an ethical hacking bootcamp can vary depending on the length and quality of the course. Prices start from just $100 for basic introduction courses and can go as high as $25,000 for more detailed courses.

Is an ethical hacking bootcamp worth it?

Ethical hacking bootcamps are an excellent way to gain the skills required for employment. They are a great way to prepare for certification exams and can be studied remotely.

The flexibility of bootcamps makes it easy for people with responsibilities to learn about cyber security.

Can ethical hackers present weaknesses they find to organizations?

Ethical hackers must follow a strict code of ethics. This means that they should not attempt to hack a system without the permission of the owner.

Advising organizations of security concerns is possible. However, you shouldn’t carry out any tests without their complete approval.

Is ethical hacking a freelance job?

Ethical hacking can be carried out as part of an ongoing security role in an organization or as a freelancer.

As part of a full-time position, the job role may include other security aspects.

Freelance ethical hackers can take their concerns to organizations to try and get their business. This would include carrying out a full audit and providing advice on how to resolve the issues.

What certifications are available for ethical hackers?

Ethical hackers can take the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) exam to gain certification in the field.

The exam tests the knowledge of the student on cyber security threats and countermeasures.

Not all positions require this certification as it is more theory-based than practical.

Conclusion

Taking a bootcamp to learn ethical hacking can be a great way to enter a field with positive projected growth.

Ethical hacking courses can suit all kinds of students because of their flexibility and affordability.

Students will gain the experience and technical skills required to work with computer systems and identify potential threats.

Courses also cover how to resolve security vulnerabilities. This helps ethical hackers ensure organizations can protect the sensitive data in their systems.

The courses listed are excellent options that are perfect for people with a future in network security.

Sources

https://www.coursereport.com/subjects/ethical-hacking

https://bootcamprankings.com/best-ethical-hacking-bootcamps/

https://www.infosecinstitute.com/courses/ethical-hacking-boot-camp/

https://www.bestcolleges.com/bootcamps/find-bootcamps/ethical-hacking/

https://careerkarma.com/subjects/best-ethical-hacking-bootcamps/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/273575/us-average-cost-incurred-by-a-data-breach/

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/interview/cybersecurity-consultant.htm