Level Effect's cybersecurity bootcamps are taught by industry experts and cover a wide range of cyber defense and analytics skills. They include personalized career coaching and mock interviews.
Founded in 2017, Level Effect is a cybersecurity school whose mission is to teach individuals how to protect themselves and the companies they work for online. They offer online courses, certificates, and the ability to transfer those credits towards accredited degree programs through Purdue University. Across all of these options, Level Effect is committed to upholding its core mission, which is to “make the Cyber world a safer place.”
With over 27 years of combined experience in cybersecurity and computer systems, co-founders Greg Ake and Robert Noeth initially entered the market framing Level Effect as a software company. They first developed Recon™, a technology designed to detect network attackers, though this software was acquired by Huntress in January 2021. They branched out in 2020, launching an online Cyber Defense Analyst Bootcamp to teach students the skills needed to become cybersecurity professionals. Their focus is on imparting practical skills one might need to serve in a cybersecurity role for a business.
There are no physical locations for Level Effect’s courses; instead, all are held online. To provide an increased level of flexibility, they start at a variety of times throughout the year, with cohorts beginning in January, May, and September.
Subjects available at Level Effect include:
You can see how Level Effect stacks up against other training providers by comparing local cybersecurity classes and cybersecurity bootcamps in Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.
Those looking to learn cybersecurity from experts can find a program that meets their needs at Level Effect. The school offers several practical courses for today’s cybersecurity threats, from short free introductory classes to more in-depth, immersive bootcamps. Their programs are recognized as top bootcamps worldwide for Cybersecurity.
In the Cyber Defense Analyst Bootcamp, students learn how to protect and defend their company’s Windows networks. The bootcamp provides students with all of the essential knowledge they need in cybersecurity via several modules. The bootcamp is taught by several instructors, each an expert in their chosen field.
In the first set of modules, students learn the foundational skills for Cybersecurity. The initial module consists of Networking, identifying malware using industry tools. Students progress to learning the ins and outs of Windows in the workplace. The next set of modules builds on the skills acquired in the first. Students learn how to work in a SOC or Security Operations Center, analyzing potential compromises and threats. Using tools to compile threat intelligence is a key part of this set. Students wrap up this next set working with Linux and the operating system and how they are affected by threats.
Finally, students start on a series of modules designed to teach them more advanced concepts. They will learn adversary tactics that threat actors employ, so they can defend against those attacks. Then, they learn how to collect forensic information and what to do with that information. Creating and analyzing malware is covered in-depth. Students finish the bootcamp with intense live triage scenarios; they must solve the problems presented in the scenarios utilizing all that they have learned.
For those interested in a career in Cybersecurity but hesitant about the commitment of a bootcamp, Level Effect offers a free 12-hour foundational course. Topics covered in the Cybersecurity Foundations course include governance, risk, and compliance, foundations of cybersecurity, Windows & Linux OS, and networking.
Level Effect also offers an on-demand Penetration Testing course. This class is appropriate for those who are Certified Defense Analysts or those looking specifically to learn penetration testing strategies and tactics.
The courses at Level Effect are taught live by experts in the field. Their bootcamp classes run Monday through Thursday, from 7 pm to 9 pm. No special software is needed; Level Effect’s custom-built platform provides students all of the software they need to learn the skills taught. The bootcamp course spans 14 weeks, consisting of 104 hours in all. While enrolled in the bootcamp, students participate in more than 70 labs simulating real-world scenarios.
Aside from the live instruction, the instructors also set aside 94 office hours for students’ personalized learning experience and mentorship. At the end of the bootcamp, students participate in a CDCP Capstone Exam. Upon successful completion, they become Cyber Defense Certified Professionals.
Level Effect has a four-step admission process that starts with potential students assessing their interests and strengths. This starts with the completion of a free Cyber Technical Aptitude Test and Cyber Career Quiz online. After you’ve finished the assessments, you can book a free 15-minute conversation with Level Effect instructors to discuss results and career interests. They can help you decide which area of cybersecurity is best for you and design a potential career path to get there.
The third step in the admissions process is to apply to Level Effect, which takes about five minutes, then you’ll pay your security deposit to secure your spot in class. The entire application process can take as little as a day. The final step in the admission process is to take Level Effect’s free fundamental course. Though this step is optional, it is recommended that students complete it before starting the bootcamp—especially if they don’t already have a background in cybersecurity.
Level Effect offers a few different payment options. The intensive bootcamp costs $9,500. Students pay an initial deposit of $1000 to hold their place in the bootcamp. Students can receive a $500 discount if the entire tuition is paid in full before the course starts or a $250 discount for paying half. If students choose not to pay in full, the remainder must be settled by the 6th week of the course.
If needed, students can also receive financing after paying the deposit. Level Effect has partnered with Climb Credit, Meritize, and MIA Share for financing. For students who cannot afford the bootcamp, even with financing, scholarships are available as an alternative. Level Effect offers both full and partial scholarships. You may contact the company directly to discuss these options, but keep in mind that scholarships are closed four weeks before the start of the bootcamp.
The team at Level Effect is committed to helping their graduates get jobs in cybersecurity. They teach students how to understand cybersecurity job descriptions and which roles they will qualify for once they’ve completed their course. Additionally, the team helps students create resumes and update job search profiles, then holds mock interviews to practice proper communication. Level Effect alumni report leaving their programs feeling prepared for the job search, and many go on to gain jobs in the cybersecurity field after graduation.
Graduates from Level Effect get hired at companies like Booz Allen, Frontier Communications, BlackPanda, Skout Cybersecurity, and the Department of Defense. In doing so, they join a growing industry and embark on a career path with vast potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs like Information Security Analyst are growing at a rate four times the national average.
Students who have taken Level Effect courses often review their experiences on bootcamp rating websites. Hearing from students directly gives those considering a course a candid perspective on different programs.
Overall, reviews for Level Effect are exceptionally positive, most highlighting the in-depth explanations of concepts. Many students mention the knowledge and passion of their instructors as exemplary. One reviewer noted that the instructors were committed to their students because they would on “numerous occasions” help students after class was over to “understand complex topics.”
Other positive reviews discuss how the real-world scenarios and labs are both motivating and informative. One reviewer stated that his instructor set aside a chunk of time weekly to break down complex concepts, so he wouldn’t fall behind. This student, along with many others, stressed how invested the course instructors are in their trainees, even after those trainees finish the course. Students also felt prepared for real-world experiences via their courses.
There is very little mention of Level Effect’s downsides. One reviewer did mention that this was a job training course rather than a certification bootcamp. It is important to read each course’s description thoroughly before committing to attend; this can mitigate any confusion about exactly what the curriculum entails.
The most important element to remember when searching for a bootcamp is to find a program that works best for you, your schedule, and your goals. The pro and con lists below can help you decide whether or not Level Effect meets those parameters.
Pros of Level Effect
Cons of Level Effect
Learn more at leveleffect.com
This course reviews foundational and advanced cybersecurity skills for those interesting in starting careers as security professionals. Students in this course get hands-on with Linux scripting, Security Operations Center (SOC) standards, penetration testing, and other relevant practices.
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Cybersecurity refers to the protection of internet-connected assets. These assets can include servers, systems, hardware, software, and data. Cybersecurity professionals work to prevent and defend companies, governments, organizations, and individuals from cyber-attacks that seek to interrupt service or compromise data. These experts must stay informed about new technologies and threats.