The importance of cyber security awareness has never been higher. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought remote working into the mainstream and it is apparent that any employees, even those who spend a fraction of their time online, do not understand the importance of cyber security properly. Their everyday actions have the potential to create new vulnerabilities for organizations, and as a result, we see daily headlines regarding stolen credentials, data breaches, and cyberattacks.

With the expansion of threats, the awareness of cybersecurity must broaden as well. Cybersecurity is a term used to describe the practice of securing computer systems, networks, programs, and digital assets from cyberattacks. Such attacks are usually launched by malicious hackers who access, change, or destroy an organization’s sensitive information for their personal gain. As large companies, as well as startups, are under the radar of hackers, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has increased significantly. If you love a challenging job, there is no reason why you should not pursue a cyber security certification and establish your career in this domain.

Fortunately, there are a lot of cybersecurity certifications that help professionals validate their skills and knowledge. Moreover, one may find a variety of cybersecurity Bootcamps online that have been successful in bridging the ongoing skills gap. However, people are still quite skeptical about taking online courses. They have a question in mind – Are cybersecurity Bootcamps actually worth our time and effort?

If you are looking for an answer to the same question, then you should read this article till the end. We have discussed some of the points to convince you that some cybersecurity online courses are reliable, and you can give them a try.

Why Opt for Cyber Security Bootcamps?

Here the top reasons why enrolling in an online course is your first step towards becoming a cyber security expert.

Demonstrates your skills

When you opt for an online course, you get a certification upon completion. Such a credential when added to your resume shows to the employer that you have gained all the skills they are seeking. Thus, it improves your chances of getting selected for the desired job role in comparison to the non-certified peers. Many companies have now started considering a certification in their selection process.

Prepares you for industry-recognized cyber security certifications

There are a couple of cyber security certifications acknowledged by companies worldwide – Certified Ethical hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). All these certifications have an exam associated with them, and only a skilled professional can crack them. This is the reason companies trust them when shortlisting candidates for their cyber security open positions.

Helps you get a pay raise

Have your salary become stagnant, and you want to upgrade your skills to get a promotion with a good hike? Then cyber security Bootcamps are your way; they increase your credibility in this career domain and the management will believe that you are capable of handling the security concerns of your organization. This way, you can showcase your skills and command a higher salary.

Work on industry projects

If you are a beginner with no prior experience in the field, then Bootcamps can help you lay the foundation. Apart from covering the theoretical concepts, they let you work on industry-oriented projects and capstone projects. You will not need to install any software for that; the training providers give you access to virtual labs where you can complete the given assignments and gain practical exposure.

Work with top software companies

If you have always wanted to work in top technology companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Oracle, HP, IBM, Accenture, and Microsoft, then cyber security bootcamps can open your doors to them. These companies hire cyber security professionals in large numbers and also have security bounty programs where they reward researchers who can inform them of any bugs or vulnerabilities in their products.

Which Cyber Security Bootcamps Should you Explore?

Now that you have enough reasons to enroll in a cyber security course, you may start searching for a reliable training provider. There are eLearning platforms like Simplilearn, Coursera, and edX which have partnered with top universities to offer you high-quality cyber security Bootcamps. Additionally, if you are targeting to achieve a particular certification, then online courses are also offered by prestigious certification bodies like the EC-Council, CompTIA, the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and The International Information System Security Certification Consortium or (ISC)².

There is high demand for cyber security talent and with the growing digital transformation, it doesn’t seem to reduce any time soon. Malicious hackers have become quite sophisticated in gaining unauthorized access to an organization’s sensitive information. And until you are properly trained, you will not be able to deal with the existing loopholes and vulnerabilities and prevent any cyberattack from happening.