Cyber security bootcamps aren't nearly as common as things like programming bootcamps, but they are just as eyebrow raising, if not more. We're going to very briefly go over whether a bootcamp is worth it for you.
Chances are, it probably isn't.
What Are Cyber Security Bootcamps?
Cyber security bootcamps are typically an in-person or virtual course over a set period of time with an end goal of some sort. This end goal might be passing a certification, getting a job within a specific niche of cyber security, or something adjacent to one of these. Typically, it will involve a 9-5 type of class where you watch videos, listen to lectures, read slides, and do some sort of catered hands-on lab experience.
These courses can be offered by a certification vendor trying to get you to buy a "package" that comes with an exam attempt, or other folks that have a number of years of experience in a relevant niche you're going for. The costs are, well, usually quite ridiculous. It is typical for a vendor to mask the certification cost with one of these. A certification that might cost $400 is now $2000 because they wrapped it in a two-week bootcamp.
Paying for these bootcamps will get you a stronger chance at passing their certification, but it's still never a sure-win because you still have to be able to regurgitate the knowledge they gave you.
What Are The Alternatives?
The end goal, whether you're going for a bootcamp or not, is usually to get a job or a certification. Usually, you'll study for whatever certification, pass the test, then hunt for the job while you practice what you learned and display it in some kind of portfolio. Alternatives are going to be exactly what you expect, and are the grim reality of what you should be doing.
You should do it yourself.
Find what other people talk about on Reddit. Look at GitHub projects in your interested areas. Read guides on how people passed exams. There are wonderful resources to pass cyber security that don't need anything close to a boot camp.
Let's take the Security+ as an example. It's one of the certifications that most people try to go for first, as we recommend ourselves. You can go find a bootcamp either by the company itself or some other training platform, or you can use free resources. Professor Messer Youtube Videos, exam experiences on Reddit, cheatsheets and study guides, and of course plenty of flash cards. The exam isn't some giant mystery or a Master's degree - it's an exam that simply tests your knowledge on the subject.
Go to the exam objectives from CompTIA. Write them down. Study those topics.
You still need to pay for the certifications, but please - stop paying thousands.
