#2 - Bootcamp

How About Bootcamp?

Deciding on the best route to enter the field of cybersecurity presented me with various options, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. However, with a family to support and a full-time job that I could not afford to leave, embarking on a traditional four-year college degree was not feasible for me. Time and cost were significant factors in my decision-making process, steering me towards an alternative that promised both efficiency and flexibility. This is where the cybersecurity boot camp came into play, offering an intensive, focused learning experience that fit into my life without requiring me to step back from my responsibilities. In this post, I'll dive into my bootcamp journey, highlighting how it accommodated my need to balance work and family life while providing a comprehensive education in cybersecurity.

Why Choose a Bootcamp?

The advantage of a bootcamp lies in its structure—designed to build foundational knowledge quickly and effectively, getting students into the cybersecurity field within months. For me, the decision was clear. I sought practical, hands-on learning that aligned with current industry needs, something that a bootcamp promised and delivered.

The Bootcamp Experience

During six months, my bootcamp journey was rigorous and rewarding. Classes were held three times a week, blending evening and weekend schedules to accommodate my full-time job. During that time all the classes including the labs were online due to COVID-19. In my case, everything online was better due to my current schedule with work and family.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Mastering the Linux command line, understanding file systems, and bash scripting.

• Delving into networking basics with tools like Wireshark and concepts such as the OSI model.

• Decrypting the complexities of encoding, encryption, and firewall configurations.

• Navigating Windows administration, including active directory and group policy.

• Unpacking web vulnerabilities, with hands-on penetration testing and exploring the OWASP Top 10.

• Employing tools and practices like Burp Suite, SQL injection, and Metasploit for real-world applications.

• Analyzing logs with Splunk, understanding SIEMs, digital forensics, and crafting incident responses.

• Preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam—a significant stepping stone in any cybersecurity career.

The price tag, ranging from $14,000 to $18,000, reflects the bootcamp's value, packing extensive content and expert instruction into a digestible time-frame.

Personal Takeaways

The diverse curriculum wasn't just about breadth; it was a deep dive into the necessary skills to become cybersecurity expert. Due to my natural curiosity to learn new things knowing about Linux and Python eased my learning experience, but the pace was very challenging. The instructors, seasoned cyber professionals, were pivotal in navigating this accelerated learning curve. Office hours, additional resources, and the encouragement to explore beyond the classroom underscored the comprehensive support system in place.

Labs were not mere exercises but challenges that mimicked real-world scenarios, essential for anyone stepping into cybersecurity with little to no background. The capstone project, a culmination of our learning, allowed us to apply our knowledge creatively— we could choose topics between developing Python scripts or presenting cybersecurity implementation strategies for organizations.

Conclusion

Completing the bootcamp was a transformative experience, equipping me with not only the technical skills but also a clear vision of where I could fit within the vast cybersecurity ecosystem. It was during the bootcamp that I discovered the amount of options and background required to start a career in cybersecurity.

The bootcamp pathway is intense, undoubtedly, but for those willing to dive deep into the cybersecurity lifestyle, it is incredibly rewarding. As I transitioned from bootcamp graduate to earning my CompTIA Security+ certification, the journey was just beginning. Stay tuned for more learning resources that I wished I knew sooner during my next blog post.