Online Cybersecurity Bootcamp | Wake Forest University SPS

About the Wake Forest University SPS Online Cyber Security Bootcamp

Cybersecurity is a critical and rapidly growing field with an estimated 3.5 million unfulfilled jobs. To protect individuals and organizations from increasingly sophisticated threats, cybersecurity professionals need a strong foundation in technical skills, risk management, data privacy, and threat intelligence.

Wake Forest University SPS' Cybersecurity Bootcamp equips you with the in-demand skills to excel in this critical field. Through a combination of expert-led instruction and hands-on projects, including 55 labs and 30 mini-projects, you'll gain practical experience in cybersecurity analysis.

The program culminates in a mentor-guided capstone project where you'll conduct a simulated penetration test, applying the skills you've acquired throughout the program. You'll also prepare for the globally-recognized CompTIA Security+ exam with included mock quizzes and a free voucher for the actual exam.

Wake Forest University SPS provides comprehensive career support, including guidance on job searching, resume building, and interview preparation. Our 1:1 career coaches will help guide you along the way.

Ready to launch your cybersecurity career? Learn more about Wake Forest University SPS' Cybersecurity Bootcamp today.

Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity

When you complete this bootcamp, you’ll show employers that you have the right skills to excel in some of the most in-demand cybersecurity roles.

Cybersecurity Analyst - $94,720

Network Security Architect - $119,600

Ethical Hacker - $175,000

Information Security Analyst - $90,624

Vulnerability analyst - $99,840

Annual Median Advertised Salary. Source: Lightcast; Nov 2023 - Dec 2024; 0-3 years minimum experience required. North Carolina.

Curriculum

Cybersecurity Curriculum

Curriculum readings, projects, and career resources will teach you to apply industry best practices and prepare you for a variety of jobs in the industry.

Explore the curriculum in more detail below.

NEW! AI for Cybersecurity Curriculum

Learn to harness the power of AI with new learning units throughout your cybersecurity curriculum. You’ll explore AI’s practical applications and how to leverage them to solve cybersecurity challenges. Learn how to identify and respond to security threats in real time, to predict cyber threats and future attack trends. With AI by your side, you can become a powerful guardian of cyberspace, and a valuable asset to your employer. Curriculum includes:

Introduction to AI and its Applications in Cyber Security
AI for Threat Detection and Incident Response
AI in Malware Analysis and NLP for Cyber Security
AI in Network Security and Threat Hunting
Explainable AI and AI for Predictive Security Analytics

Preview Three of the Course's Technical Units

Cybersecurity Fundamentals

In this unit, you'll get a peek behind the curtain of the cybersecurity stage. You'll study the behavior, motivations, and game plan of your adversary — the cybercriminal. You'll learn about threat actors, the most common types of attacks, plus the frameworks and models used to build a robust defensive playbook.

You'll understand how professionals set the defense standards through the CIA Triad, and the cyber kill chain model. You'll also study real-life data breaches to get a glimpse of how rapidly the dominoes can fall. Finally, you'll be introduced to the CompTIA Security+ certification exam and become familiar with Linux and Unix.

Topics Covered:

The CIA Triad: Three-Legged Stool
Threat Actor Types and Attributes
Cyber Kill Chain
Ethical Hacking
Using Linux and Unix
Intro to CompTIA Security+ Certification

Identity and Access Management

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is one of the most important disciplines within cybersecurity. It aims to manage user identities and their access to enterprise resources and data. IAM governance and programs—including policies, processes, and technologies—manage user identities and access, as well as what a user can do within a system through authentication, authorization, and accounting. At the end of the unit, you’ll have the option to prepare for and take the Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals exam (Exam SC-900), which is 50% off for students taking this course.

Topics Covered:

Controlling Access
Zero Trust
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

Security Assessment and Training

In the Security Assessment and Testing unit, you will learn how to conduct security assessments and recommend remediation activities. You will also learn how to create Information Security (IS) audit test plans, which will give you insight into how IS auditors approach their engagements. Exposure to advanced concepts around web security testing and the use of Kali Linux is also included. Mini-projects in this unit will allow you to explore another side of penetration testing, real-world vulnerability management challenges, and software testing plans. Labs in this unit will give you another slice of the red-team world, taking you through attacking web servers, exploring a vulnerable web application, and cracking passwords.

Topics Covered:

Logical and Physical Security Testing
Mobile Device Security
Governance Risk and Compliance
Security Policies

Mentorship

Fit Learning into your Life, With Industry Experts in your Corner

In this 100% online program, you study remotely on your own terms with the help of an expert mentor, student advisor, and career coach—all of whom are invested in your success.

Get dedicated 1:1 mentor support
Meet regularly with your personal mentor, with as many additional calls as you need.

Build study plans that work for you
Complete the course sooner by putting in more hours per week.

Prepare with 1:1 career coach calls
Take advantage of optional 1:1 career coaching. From networking tips to more in-depth job search preparation, our career coaches can meet you where you are.

Connect with an online community
Join other online bootcamp students and mentors for weekly office hours and within an online community to share feedback and participate in conversation.

Meet our Mentors

Having a personal mentor will help you build your skills faster and advance your personal growth.

Prerequisites

Is This Program Right For You?

This cybersecurity bootcamp is designed for people who have an appetite to try new things, an aptitude for problem-solving, and strong communication and collaboration skills. We welcome students from all work experiences and fields of study.

Requirements for the bootcamp include:

All backgrounds are welcome, as long as you can demonstrate strong analytical skills and a determination to work through and complete all required course activities.

Passing an evaluation of baseline soft skills centered around communication, motivation, professionalism, a commitment to learning, and an analytical mindset.

FAQ

What is cybersecurity?

In general, cybersecurity consists of the process and techniques used to protect sensitive data, computer systems, networks, and software applications from cyber attacks.

Some of the most popular topics covered in cybersecurity include:

Unauthorized access to systems and data.
Disrupting the normal functions of a business and its processes.
Using ransomware attacks to encrypt data and extort money from victims.

How much does a cybersecurity bootcamp cost?

Does cybersecurity require coding?

What skills are needed to work in cybersecurity?

Professionals working in the cybersecurity field must have a strong analytical mindset, robust communications skills, and a highly collaborative work ethic. In this course, you’ll also build the following technical skillset:

Incident response
Threat intelligence
Operating system security
Application security
Network scanning tools
Network mapping
Firewall
IDS/IPs
Vulnerability assessments
IT controls
Packet capture

While building the technical skillset, Wake Forest University Cybersecurity Bootcamp students will have access to the following tools:

Nmap for network scanning
Wireshark: A free and open-source network protocol analyzer
Metasploit for vulnerability scanning, enumeration, executing attacks, and more
Kali Linux for digital forensics, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and more
Kleopatra for security key encryption
Autopsy for digital forensics
OpenVAS for vulnerability scanning
Zenmap, the graphical interface of Nmap, used for scanning, network mapping, and more
GoPhish to run phishing simulations
Low Orbit Ion Cannon for stress testing and denial-of-service attack application

What type of jobs can you do after a cyber security bootcamp?

You’ll be able to gain an entry-level position as a cybersecurity analyst, specialist, and incident analyst/responder.

Graduates also pursue other roles, such as SOC analyst, cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity consultant, cybersecurity manager / administrator, systems engineer, network engineer / architect, software developer / engineer, vulnerability analyst, cyber crime analyst/ responder, and IT auditor.

Online Cybersecurity Bootcamp with Wake Forest SPS

About the Wake Forest University SPS Online Cyber Security Bootcamp

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Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Curriculum

NEW! AI for Cybersecurity Curriculum

Seven Core Concepts of Cybersecurity

Curriculum Breakdown

Course Sequence

Preview Three of the Course's Technical Units

Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Identity and Access Management

Security Assessment and Training

Fit Learning into your Life, With Industry Experts in your Corner

Get dedicated 1:1 mentor support

Build study plans that work for you

Prepare with 1:1 career coach calls

Connect with an online community

Meet our Mentors

Is This Program Right For You?

FAQ

What is cybersecurity?

How much does a cybersecurity bootcamp cost?

Does cybersecurity require coding?

What skills are needed to work in cybersecurity?

What type of jobs can you do after a cyber security bootcamp?

How long does it take to complete a cyber security bootcamp?

What is the salary of someone working in cybersecurity?

Is cybersecurity in high demand?

Is a cybersecurity bootcamp worth it?

Is this bootcamp really offered by Wake Forest University?

More Questions About the Program?

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