Cybersecurity Bootcamps NJ

Cybersecurity encompasses all work and careers related to securing computer systems, including protecting computer systems from theft, damage, or public information disclosure that can prove harmful. Cybersecurity goes further than just locking down laptops and on-premise server rooms. Cloud computing is not immune to attacks, either. Businesses now share their team documents on cloud software such as Google Docs, often without thinking about the ramifications.

The need for a strong and secure technological infrastructure is great among public and private entities. The Wall Street Journal reports a significant cybersecurity breach/hacker attack every thirty-nine seconds, and the United States FBI reported a 300% increase in reported cybercrimes in the past year. Because of this increase, jobs in cybersecurity are expected to grow by 31% by 2029, which is significantly faster than average. In addition, these jobs offer six-figure salaries that can be readily attained with training.

Cybersecurity bootcamps offer optimal training opportunities that prepare professionals to work in engineering, analytics, or other areas of cybersecurity. Bootcamps also prepare you for certification so that you can gain access to more cybersecurity career opportunities in Atlanta. In a city like Atlanta, where cybersecurity jobs are plentiful, enrolling in a cybersecurity bootcamp can be the path to a lucrative new career.

What Can You Do with Cybersecurity?

Learning cybersecurity can lead to many exciting career paths, which will be discussed in more detail later in this article. Generally speaking, once you’ve mastered cybersecurity, you can plan and implement security measures to prevent data breaches and keep data safe, design security structures to prevent malware attacks, perform vulnerability tests, manage an organization's cybersecurity needs, including developing security systems, overseeing digital forensic investigations, and assess cybersecurity risks and problems for organizations, helping them protect their data and physical capital.

Your cybersecurity skill can be put to use in a variety of industries, too. According to one study, only 4% of organizations feel confident in their security regarding “users of connected devices and related technologies being protected against cyberattacks.” With a reported 5.4 billion malware attacks globally in 2022, it’s no wonder so many organizations are worried about the security of their networks and systems. As a cybersecurity professional, you can help major corporations, school systems, or non-profit organizations ensure that their information remains private and their networks remain impervious to cyberattacks.

What Will I Learn in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

A quality cybersecurity bootcamp will teach you how to protect computer operating systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks. The security of any organization is built on three core principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability, collectively known as the CIA Triad. Most programs will cover these principles (listed below) as they are fundamental to the field of cybersecurity.

• Confidentiality: The principles of confidentiality assert that only authorized parties can access sensitive information and functions.
• Integrity: The principles of integrity assert that only authorized people and means can alter, add, or remove sensitive information and functions. Example: a user entering incorrect data into the database.
• Availability: The principles of availability assert that systems, functions, and data must be available on-demand according to agreed-upon parameters based on levels of service.

In addition to these principles, there are several topics that are typically covered in a quality cybersecurity training. A few of these are outlined below.

Knowledge of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines

Strong knowledge of operating environments such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS is a key part of being a successful cybersecurity professional. You should be comfortable working on any operating system (OS) to accommodate any company’s needs.

Similarly, an understanding of virtual machines (VMs) is essential as well. VMs allow you to train and research in an isolated environment and help you maximize your skills by testing apps and software, experimenting with new tools, and testing cross-platform software.

Network Security Control

Network security controls are tools that protect the confidentiality and integrity of network devices. Two ways to reduce the risk of attacks and breaches are below:

• Using multiple control layers: Known as defense in depth, this ensures that the system has active defensive measures. If one layer fails, another can take control.
• Implementing strategies: Using security solutions to implement strategies suggested by cybersecurity officials.

Basically, you need to understand how your network works, how routers, firewalls, and other devices work. Additionally, you’ll need knowledge of Intrusion detection systems, Intrusion Prevention Systems, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and remote access.

Coding

Your job prospects and career outlook will be limited if you don’t have a firm grasp of coding. Starting with low-level programming languages like C and C++ can be helpful, but you’ll also want some mastery of languages like Python, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, Go lang, SQL, and Assembly Language. Having an understanding of these can help you fight against any attackers that use these languages to hack or breach your network’s firewalls and security settings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A skilled cybersecurity professional uses technologies like machine learning (ML) and neural networks to help protect digital systems from cyber threats. AI can be used to analyze data, learn from experience, reduce human error, improve threat detection, enhance user experience, and create cybersecurity reports.

Most cybersecurity training courses will cover how AI can be leveraged within the field of cybersecurity, offering you a foundational understanding that can be applied to your first cybersecurity position.

Networking and System Administration

Network and system administration is a field that involves maintaining and operating an organization's computer networks and systems. This can include installing, configuring, and maintaining hardware and software; ensuring systems are operating correctly; maintaining network security; evaluating and optimizing network performance; adding users to a network and assigning security permissions; training users on the organization's network and systems; diagnosing and resolving problems; performing database backups; and analyzing network and server resource consumption. This skill set is considered essential and foundational for working in cybersecurity.

How Hard is It to Learn Cybersecurity?

It’s no secret that learning cybersecurity can be challenging. The field requires extensive knowledge in programming and coding, as well as problem-solving skills and technological expertise. While learning cybersecurity has its challenges, there is good news: With the right amount of dedication and passion, anyone can become an expert in cybersecurity. A top-quality professional training can help ensure you learn everything you need to know with as little difficulty as possible.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

There are a few common challenges that you may encounter in any cybersecurity course, which are outlined below:

• Information overload: Cybersecurity is a broad field that covers many different topics, including offensive security, governance frameworks, and business alignment. When you’re first getting started, the amount of information you need to learn can seem overwhelming. A quality course will break down your topics into easily digestible lessons, allowing you to master one task or concept at a time.
• Deciding on a specialization: Some students prefer to choose a specialization prior to choosing a course, as it can help them to decide which course is best. Others may prefer to attend a more generalized course and make that decision once they have a better understanding of cybersecurity. Either way, deciding on a specialization can be tricky for some. There are many different career paths in cybersecurity, including penetration testing, audit and compliance, and malware analysis.
• Staying current: The field of cybersecurity is always evolving. As cyberterrorists create new ways to infiltrate networks and systems, businesses must develop new methods of defense. Becoming a cybersecurity expert means you’ll be committing to ongoing learning to ensure you remain relevant in your field.
• Technical acumen: It may seem obvious, but cybersecurity is a highly technical field. Knowledge of coding, scripting, and programming languages is a must. If you’re a left-brained individual, adapting to this technical field may not be that difficult. But, if you’re less technically inclined, you may experience a challenging learning curve.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Cybersecurity?

For those that go the traditional route, a degree in cybersecurity takes a minimum of four years. Luckily, professional training courses allow you to learn the skills you need to begin your cybersecurity career in substantially less time. The length of these courses can vary widely and depend on many factors. Most notably, the length of time it will take you to learn cybersecurity depends on whether you attend a full-time or part-time course. Generally speaking, it can take around six months to one year, but some courses can be as short as twelve weeks.

Should I Learn Cybersecurity in Person or Online?

When choosing the right cybersecurity bootcamp for you, it can be helpful to consider a course’s price, duration, format, and career support options. Cybersecurity courses in Atlanta can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, so it’s important to be mindful of course cost, payment options, and available financial aid. Many schools that offer bootcamps provide financing options such as payment plans and loans.

For in-person courses, you’ll want to consider things like class times, your commute, parking, and the limits of your current schedule. While in-person courses offer many benefits, they lack flexibility when it comes to where and when you attend class. Part-time courses are a great way to fit in-person learning around your current work schedule. Alternatively, full-time bootcamps are a great way to master cybersecurity quickly while in between jobs, as a recent graduate, or while on leave from work. In-person classes also provide an additional layer of accountability as you’ll be expected to be present and your absence will be noticed. This accountability can be a source of motivation for many learners.

Those who prefer virtual courses may consider enrolling in a live online bootcamp through Noble Desktop or many other online learning platforms. Noble’s courses range in length depending on the specific bootcamp and format. Individuals can enroll in part-time or full-time courses, with part-time courses running longer than full-time due to the less frequent meeting times. Noble does offer financing and payment plans for certain courses, so be sure to confirm the availability of these things before enrolling.

Noble Desktop offers more than just education, with career support (like resume review, interview prep, or portfolio development) included with almost all their offerings. They also offer setup assistance to help you get started. With name recognition within the programming and web development industries, learning with Noble Desktop can also open up opportunities for professional networking.

Should You Learn Cybersecurity Online or In-Person?

There are many factors to consider when answering this question. Firstly, you’ll need to decide what learning environment is best suited for you. Do you excel in a collaborative environment that allows you to interact with your peers and receive instant feedback from your instructor? Or, do you prefer a more solitary learning environment, perhaps one where you can learn at your own speed?

You’ll also need to decide how much time you can commit to your education and what level of flexibility your schedule requires. Are you looking to dive deeply into an intensive program? Do you work full-time and require your classes to be scheduled for evening and weekend hours?

In-person classes offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. Online courses may lack this in-person interaction, but they make up for it with increased flexibility. Live virtual courses still offer instant feedback from your instructor and interactions with other students, while on-demand virtual training allows for the most flexibility since you can decide where and when you learn.

The good news is that, no matter which version you attend, you can obtain a quality cybersecurity education with a top-notch curriculum and expert instructors.

What Should I Learn Alongside Cybersecurity?

If you’re looking for additional fields of study that will complement your cybersecurity training, there are a few options that you should consider. Knowledge of cloud computing and the various cloud-related tools like the Adobe Creative Cloud can be particularly helpful. Knowledge of the state and federal laws and regulations that govern cybersecurity is also important. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy is specifically for businesses within the European Union. These laws and various other ones provide specific guidelines and prevent businesses from cyber-attacks.

It’s also important to not forget to develop your soft skills like collaboration and communication. As a cybersecurity professional, you’ll often be a part of a larger team and be responsible for providing insights and solutions to various stakeholders. From leading presentations to problem-solving with your peers and superiors, soft skills will help you share your more technical skills with others and improve your company’s overall security and internal trust.

Industries That Use Cybersecurity

New Jersey is known for many things: its gardens, convenient proximity to New York City, and vibrant beaches in the summer. It’s also known for a variety of robust industries, each with a consistently high demand for InDesign experts. The top industries are outlined below so you can begin to get an idea of the fields in which you could work as an InDesign professional.

Biopharmaceutical & Life Sciences

New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical and life sciences sector employed an impressive 76,510 in 2020, accounting for 2.4 percent of the state’s private sector workers. The industry consists of three primary employment components: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical device manufacturing. New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical and life science employers paid over $14.1 billion in wages in 2020, showcasing both the robust growth and higher-than-average salaries that the industry provides.

Transportation, Distribution, Logistics

Transportation, distribution and logistics average employment totaled 401,000 workers in New Jersey in 2020, and it’s no surprise why. Jersey boasts the largest port by value of goods shipped on the East Coast, and is #1 for densest rail and #3 for densest road networks. The transportation and logistics sector accounts for close to 200,000 private-sector jobs and $20 billion in GDP, contributing approximately $62.5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020.

Financial Services

The finance industry contributed almost $32 billion in 2020 to the economy. Even with a relatively small share of total employment, New Jersey’s finance sector accounted for approximately 6.6 percent of gross state product and 2.6 percent of the entire nation’s GDP for this sector. Professionals in this industry can expect salaries substantially higher than the national average, too. The average annual wage for workers in the finance sector increased 19.4 percent to almost $138,000 between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the 40 highest paying occupations (60,000 workers) in the sector each earn a mean annual wage of more than $100,000.

Technology

Home to more than 10,000 technology companies, New Jersey is centrally located in the Northeast corridor and is the leader in high-speed internet connectivity. The state is a hub for emerging technology sectors including: cybersecurity; big data analytics; FinTech; artificial intelligence; communications; and digital health. In 2020, New Jersey’s technology sector accounted for 184,400 jobs and the annual average wage for the technology sector was $146,100, nearly double the statewide average ($74,100) for all industries.

Cybersecurity Job Titles and Salaries

Cybersecurity professionals exist within almost every industry and can have a variety of job titles. Knowing which titles to search for when you’re looking for jobs can be helpful, so below are some of the top positions you’ll see listed on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn.

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst protects an organization's systems, networks, and databases from data breaches and cyberattacks. They can work in many different fields, including business, finance, technology, energy, and governance, and make around $98,125 per year in New Jersey.

IT Security Specialist

An IT Security Specialist keeps information secure and manages access to networks and systems. From passwords to identity management, IT security specialists protect organizations, staff, and customers by maintaining secure IT environments. You can make anywhere from $84,000 to $124,000 in an entry-level IT Security Specialist role in New Jersey.

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer identifies threats and vulnerabilities in systems and software, then applies their skills to developing and implementing high-tech solutions to defend against hacking, malware, ransomware, insider threats, and all types of cybercrime. This role boasts a notably high salary, making around $155,000 per year.

Computer Forensic Analyst

A computer forensic analyst, also known as a digital forensics analyst, is a professional who examines digital devices and networks to recover and analyze evidence of illegal activity. Computer forensic analysts work in a variety of settings, including federal, state, and local government agencies; police departments; in-house departments; academic institutions; and law firms. In New Jersey, the average salary for a Computer Forensics Analyst is $103,221 per year.

Cybersecurity Bootcamps Near Me

CompTIA CASP+ Prep Course

This live online course (with in-person lab access in New Jersey) from Certstaffix covers security architecture, security operations, security engineering, cryptography, governance, risk, and compliance. Students will learn all the cybersecurity skills they need to pass the CAS-004 exam, like operations and architecture concepts, techniques, and requirements, risk analysis, mobile and small-form-factor device security, secure cloud integration, and cryptography.

You’ll master Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and the FedRAMP programs, the Cyber Kill Chain framework, MITRE ATT&CK, and Diamond Models, and how to respond to Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) by deploying hunt teams. Students will become adept at deploying advanced cryptographic solutions using the latest FIPS standards and gain a full understanding of compliance requirements for GDPR, PCI, DSS, and COPPA.

Course tuition includes access to software labs, a free six-month retake, and both a certificate and a digital badge that can be added to a resume or LinkedIn upon completion.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp

This course from Noble Desktop covers a variety of topics in modern cybersecurity, including Linux and bash scripting, AWS cloud computing, digital forensics, offensive security, and Python for security. This program also includes one-on-one mentoring sessions and a class dedicated to interview and job prep. Since Noble’s bootcamp is designed to help prepare students for multiple roles within cybersecurity, it is a great choice for beginners who are ready to start from scratch.

Cloud Computing with AWS

Offered by Noble Desktop, this course offers practical knowledge on AWS, the most popular digital platform for cloud computing. Available both online and in-person in New York, this class teaches best practices for AWS and how to build and secure an enterprise-level cloud environment, including how to navigate cloud infrastructure, networking, and databases. Composed of 18 hours of hands-on learning, this course involves project-based training from experts in the industry.

There are supplemental materials to assist both during and after the course. Noble also has a one-year free retake policy, which allows students to retake any part of the course or program for free to refresh the materials and gain additional practice. You’ll receive a certificate of completion to verify your accomplishment at the end of the course.

Linux Operating System & Bash Scripting

Held live online or in-person in NYC, this course from Noble Desktop will train you on one of the most popular open-source software: Linux. You’ll learn to master its operating systems, navigate directories, and use major Linux distributions for cybersecurity, including Kali, NodeZero, and BlackArch. This course will also cover topics like how permissions work and how to decipher them; bash scripting; creating, renaming, moving, and deleting directories; and listing, reading, creating, editing, copying, and deleting files.

This course is open to beginners and requires no prior experience with Linux, Bash scripting, or coding. Tuition includes a one-year free retake policy, allowing you to retake any part of the course for free to refresh the materials and gain additional practice. You’ll receive a certificate upon completion of the course that you can add to your resume or LinkedIn.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp Corporate Training

If you’re looking to offer in-person or online training to your office or team, Noble Desktop can help. They offer a variety of corporate training programs, including in InDesign. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, choose which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training hosted at a location of your choosing, live online, or at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan office.

With a top-notch customizable curriculum and instructors who are experts in their industries, Noble Desktop’s corporate training is designed to cater to your business or organization’s needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com.