Why Apply to The Cybersecurity Boot Camp at UT Austin?

If you are eager to become a digital defender and learn how to keep data safe from prying eyes, or if any of the below describe you, enrolling in this program could help put you on the path to achieving your goals:

• You are currently working in a technical field and want to expand your cyber knowledge, better understand how to keep data secure, and learn hands-on skills to apply on the job.
• You are a part of a company that has urgent cybersecurity needs to protect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of data and software.
• You understand the growing need for cybersecurity professionals and want to become a part of making the internet a safer space. 
• You are a tech enthusiast looking to start your career in tech and get your foot in the door in the world of networking and security.

If any of these sound like you, and you want to further your professional development, fill out the form below to get more information on the Cybersecurity Boot Camp!

At The Cybersecurity Boot Camp at UT Austin, students get hands-on training in networking, systems, web technologies, databases, and defensive and offensive cybersecurity. You will also learn methods, techniques, and best practices for accurately conveying the severity of the risks facing an organization’s security posture.

You’ll learn from skilled instructors and gain real-world experience by collaborating with your peers. Through hands-on application, you’ll gain the confidence you need to tap into the industry. The curriculum* will dive into the foundational skills for cyber and network security, including:

*The material covered is subject to change. Our academic team adjusts to the market demand.

How to Apply to the Cybersecurity Boot Camp

Steps to Apply

1. Form Submission. Fill out our program interest form with a few of your key details so we can get in touch with you.
2. Admissions Interview and Application. Connect with a member of our admissions team for a quick phone interview to discuss the program in more detail, answer your questions and talk through your goals. Then, fill out a short application that tells us more about you and your reasons for pursuing this opportunity.
3. Assessment. Complete a multiple-choice critical thinking and problem-solving assessment. This is your chance to show us your logic-based skills. No prior industry experience is required to complete the assessment. If you pass your academic assessment (congratulations!), you are officially accepted into the program and able to move forward with the enrollment process.
4. Financial Options, Deposit and Enrollment Agreement. After acceptance into the program, you will connect with admissions to discuss which financial option works best for you. Once you’ve approved your desired payment method, the last step to finalize your enrollment is to pay your deposit and review and sign your enrollment agreement.

Embark on Your Journey. That’s it! You’re now ready to begin your program pre-work and prepare to start the boot camp.

Cybersecurity Job Outcomes

The Market for Cybersecurity Professionals in Austin, Texas

In today’s world, data travels at lightning speed, so cybersecurity measures must become increasingly sophisticated and diversified to stay ahead. Recent years have seen an increase in cyber crime including cyber espionage, ransomware, and phishing schemes. Due to this, cybersecurity spending is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2021, as reported by Cybersecurity Ventures.

As a result, cybersecurity professionals are becoming more valuable to employers, and finding qualified candidates is becoming more difficult. Employers in the U.S. currently retain less than half of the cybersecurity candidates they need to keep up with demand. The cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 145 percent in order to address current global demand. Currently, there are only 48 qualified candidates for every 100 cybersecurity job postings. 

Interested in entering this exciting field? Take a look at some cybersecurity career outcomes below. 

• Cybersecurity Information Technology Project Manager: These cybersecurity professionals work with teams to ensure their organization’s critical infrastructure, assets, and operations have built-in security as new systems and software are developed. By 2029, CareerOneStop projects a 9 percent increase in this field, with job opportunities expected to rise much faster than average.
• Information Security Analyst: Information security analysts secure both systems and networks across all kinds of organizations and industries. They actively monitor to detect cyber attacks, quickly responding to blunt attacks once identified. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of information security analysts is expected to grow by 33 percent through 2029.
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator: These professionals are responsible for making sure a company’s computer systems are running smoothly, available consistently, and secure. The BLS indicates that the network and computer systems administration industry (including those with a focus on cybersecurity-related systems administration) is projected to see an employment growth rate of 5 percent by 2029.
• Cybersecurity Web Architect: A cybersecurity web architect develops the underpinnings of and supports an organization’s information systems and applications as they relate to organizational websites — but they are also responsible for the innate security of these systems. As a result, these professionals are integral to the optimization and integrity of an organization’s website and associated data. Based on the BLS, web architecture (including cybersecurity architecture) is expected to grow by 5 percent through 2029.
• Cybersecurity Software Developer: A cybersecurity software developer takes the technical knowledge of writing software and combines it with cyber threat analysis, as well as product development. The BLS projects an above-average employment growth rate of 22 percent for all software developers (including those tasked with cybersecurity development).

Of course, the opportunities aren’t limited to just the roles mentioned above. Many more are available and, as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, new roles will continue to emerge that require unique expertise and training. The Cybersecurity Boot Camp at UT Austin is designed to teach you the market-driven skills to meet this demand. Enroll today and get started in this exciting field!

Salary and Job Projections for Cybersecurity Professionals

In Texas, the advertised median salary for Cyber/Information Security Analyst roles is $97,000, according to a Burning Glass 2020 Labor Insights report. The report ranked Texas as number two in job postings for this occupation in the last 12 months, with 15,000 openings — and these opportunities are offered in a variety of industries. According to Indeed.com, top Texas employers such as Visa, Dell, Apple, IBM, Amazon, and PayPal are all looking for cybersecurity professionals who can add value to their organization.

In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts cybersecurity jobs will grow 31 percent from 2019 through 2029, over seven times faster than the national average job growth rate. Increasingly, companies will rely on cybersecurity professionals to protect their networks, data, and customers from cyberattacks as cybercriminals become more innovative and opportunistic. According to The Center for Strategic and International Studies, it is projected that there will be upwards of 1.8 million cybersecurity jobs unfilled by 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions