Cybersecurity Bootcamps Minneapolis, MN

Cybersecurity refers to the protection of any asset connected to the internet, including hardware, software, servers, systems, and data. Thanks to the prevalence of cell phones and cloud-based services, the need for cybersecurity experts is at an all-time high—and it’s only expected to rise.

The pace of growth and high demand have created a considerable skills gap in the cybersecurity industry. There are millions of unfilled cybersecurity positions worldwide. This makes cybersecurity an excellent choice for anyone looking to upskill or train for a new occupation.

As long as you have the necessary skills, a university degree isn’t required to launch a career in cybersecurity. The best way to acquire these skills is to enroll in a cybersecurity bootcamp. Bootcamps are immersive training programs with condensed schedules designed to get students ready to embark on a new career path. Preparing for a new profession through a bootcamp is less expensive and time-consuming than earning a degree, making bootcamps a suitable alternative to a university education.

Minneapolis Careers for Cybersecurity Bootcamp Graduates

The skills you learn at a cybersecurity bootcamp apply to a broad range of industries, including banking, education, manufacturing, government, insurance, and retail. When you couple this versatility with the overall high demand for personnel, the result is an abundance of career opportunities for cybersecurity bootcamp graduates in Minneapolis.

Some of the potential career paths for bootcamp graduates include Security Analysts, Security Engineers, and IT Security Specialists. The annual salaries for these positions tend to range between around $82,000 and $108,000, making cybersecurity a lucrative line of work. These salaries stand in stark contrast to the median salary in Minneapolis, which is just $32,000 per year.

Keep in mind that some positions in the field of cybersecurity may require additional education and experience. It’s a good idea to research your options and review the required qualifications before deciding upon a career path.

In-Person Cybersecurity Bootcamps in Minneapolis

In-person learning can be a great option, especially for those who want to build camaraderie with fellow students or who need the structure of a classroom setting. Unfortunately, in-person learning options can be quite limited. In Minneapolis, there’s just one school that regularly offers a face-to-face cybersecurity bootcamp: the University of Minnesota.

The cybersecurity bootcamp at the University of Minnesota typically runs for 24 weeks on a part-time schedule. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach by instructing students on a range of topics, including web technologies, systems, databases, and networking, in addition to defensive and offensive cybersecurity. There’s currently no published price for the bootcamp; you’ll have to contact the school directly for more information on its cost.

Virtual Cybersecurity Bootcamps

Virtual bootcamps offer many of the same benefits as in-person training. With classes held live online with a cohort of other students from around the world, you get the same structure and camaraderie of face-to-face instruction along with hands-on learning and real-time feedback from your trainer. With virtual bootcamps, you also get the bonus of learning from the comfort of your own home without the need to navigate through busy Minneapolis traffic.

Noble Desktop’s live online Cybersecurity Bootcamp provides the chance for Minneapolis residents to learn the skills to pursue professional cybersecurity work from the comfort of their homes. This 204-hour course includes training in Python and Linux, digital forensics, offensive security, security operations analysis, and cloud computing with AWS. It also includes one-on-one mentoring sessions and a class on career preparation.

There are currently two other schools offering online bootcamps in the Minneapolis area: Tech Talent South and Flatiron School. Both offer part-time learning options, but the Flatiron program is a bit more comprehensive (and more expensive, too). If you don’t find any options that fit your interests, schedule, and budget, keep checking back; new courses are added as they become available.

Cybersecurity Classes in Minneapolis

Enrolling in a bootcamp is a big commitment. Even though the cost and time required are significantly less than a college education, you may still be reluctant to take the leap and enroll. That’s understandable—there’s no reason to commit to something if you’re not sure it’s the right option for you.

If that’s the situation you currently find yourself in, then you might want to consider enrolling in an individual cybersecurity class or two to test the waters. That way you can learn some of the basic skills you’ll need for a career in cybersecurity while gauging your overall interest in the field.

For an introduction to cybersecurity, your best option would be the 24-hour 'Intro to Cybersecurity and Networks' class offered through Noble Desktop. If you want to learn how to use Python in Cybersecurity, you could try either Python for Network Security or Cybersecurity with Python, both requiring 30 hours of class time.

Choosing a Cybersecurity Bootcamp

While you may be eager to sign up for a bootcamp and make progress towards your chosen career, it’s important to take time to do a bit of research and evaluate your options first. There are three key criteria to look at when assessing your cybersecurity bootcamp choices: cost, schedule, and format.

You first need to determine how much money you’re able to spend on furthering your education. Even though you’ll receive a high rate of return, it’s unwise to overextend yourself financially to enroll in a bootcamp. If paying the full tuition upfront will be too much of a burden, look for schools that offer flexible financing options.

The next criteria to look at is scheduling. If you’re currently working a full-time job and are unable to take classes during the day, then you can safely eliminate any options that aren’t part-time. In that case, look for bootcamps that run no more than 6 to 10 hours per week on nights and weekends.

Finally, you also need to consider the bootcamp’s format. Is it presented in-person or online? If you crave the structure and rapport of classroom learning with a group of students, then in-person bootcamps will be your best choice. Conversely, if you study best in a quiet, comfortable space, you’re more likely to thrive in a virtual bootcamp that can be taken from the comfort of your own home or office.