How to get your team certified quickly

Do members of your team need to get their cybersecurity certifications ASAP? Many managers find themselves in this situation, whether it's a new government contract hinging on certification or simply a desire to stay relevant in a rapidly changing field. The good news is that your team can get certified relatively quickly.

Here's why certifications are crucial in cybersecurity:

Compliance: Government and other regulated industries may request or require special cybersecurity certifications. For example, DoD Directive 8570/8140 specifically mandates certifications for personnel working with information assurance in the DoD.
Staying current: The cybersecurity landscape is always changing. Certifications ensure your team has the most recent knowledge to defend against new threats.
New business goals or initiatives: Sometimes certifications are necessary because they upskill your team, preparing them for an important project. For instance, suppose you're transitioning a system to the cloud and need to ensure your team has the skills to deliver a secure solution.
Employee satisfaction. Investing in training is the number one step organizations are taking to combat the skills shortage, resulting in better-skilled employees who are less likely to get frustrated.

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Certifications can significantly boost your employees' confidence. Take Elle Autumn, a security engineer who wanted to enhance her skills. "I wanted to show that I have what it takes to make a difference," Autumn shared. They opted for Infosec's five-day Ethical Hacking Boot Camp. And the results? They said, "It's one of the best things you'll do for your career. Getting certified has been transformative for me, not just as an engineer, but also as a person."

Certifications are an investment in a team with lasting personal and professional benefits. Now, let's explore the different training options available...

Here's why certifications are crucial in cybersecurity:

Compliance: Government and other regulated industries may request or require special cybersecurity certifications. For example, DoD Directive 8570/8140 specifically mandates certifications for personnel working with information assurance in the DoD.
Staying current: The cybersecurity landscape is always changing. Certifications ensure your team has the most recent knowledge to defend against new threats.
New business goals or initiatives: Sometimes certifications are necessary because they upskill your team, preparing them for an important project. For instance, suppose you're transitioning a system to the cloud and need to ensure your team has the skills to deliver a secure solution.
Employee satisfaction. Investing in training is the number one step organizations are taking to combat the skills shortage, resulting in better-skilled employees who are less likely to get frustrated.

Certifications are an investment in a team with lasting personal and professional benefits. Now, let's explore the different training options available to get your team certified as quickly as possible.

Options: Understanding your team training choices

Infosec training options

When it comes to cybersecurity training, you have plenty of options for getting your team prepped for the exam. While various providers offer different durations and modalities, let's look at Infosec's offerings to give you a clear picture of what's available:

Live certification boot camps (fastest — 3-7 days): These are instructor-led boot camps designed to get your team certified quickly, typically in less than a week. They offer a structured curriculum that targets exam objectives, and they come with all the materials your team members need to succeed. As a manager, you also have the option of holding onsite training for your entire team. However, this fast-paced environment requires dedication. Be prepared to clear your employees' schedules and let them know they must buckle down for a concentrated learning experience.
Self-paced boot camps (fast — 1-3 months): Self-paced boot camps offer flexibility while still providing guidance to your team. They will receive all the necessary study materials, pre-recorded lectures, practice exams and access to an instructor for support. This option gives your team more control over their schedule but takes longer to complete compared to live camps.
Career immersive boot camps (transformative — 6 months): Immersive boot camps provide in-depth training over several months. These boot camps are ideal for those transitioning into cybersecurity or who need more support than a certification-focused program.
Infosec Skills on-demand course library (flexible — unlimited access): On-demand libraries like Infosec Skills offer a vast collection of cybersecurity courses your team members can access anytime, anywhere. This option allows them to tailor their learning to specific topics and brush up on skills at their own pace. However, the lack of deadlines and less structured approach can be a challenge for some learners who require external motivation and guidance.

What should you learn next?

From SOC Analyst to Secure Coder to Security Manager — our team of experts has 12 free training plans to help you hit your goals. Get your free copy now.

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Why choose a live boot camp? Fast-track to team certification

If you want to help your team members earn cybersecurity certifications quickly, live boot camps are your express lane. Live training gives your team a more structured approach to learning, helps them stay focused and gives them a clear deadline. They typically last three to seven days.

But don't let the speed fool you. These boot camps are laser-focused on the exam objectives and real-world skills your employees need to improve their job performance. Take it from Lili-Ann Mitchell, Partner and COO at Mirades. She passed her CISM certification after Infosec's CISM Training Boot Camp, which she described as "instrumental" to her success.

"It was highly efficient, only needing one week of my time," she said. "If it was a day here and there, I don't think it would be as efficient." The proof? Her practice test scores jumped from 60% to 85% after the boot camp — and she knew she was ready for the exam.

Benefits of live instruction

The instructors are one of the secret ingredients in these boot camps. They're not just teachers. They serve as personal cybersecurity mentors to your team.

Live boot camps also offer a unique opportunity for your employees to network with their peers and industry professionals. These live environments foster discussions, leading to fresh perspectives, diverse insights and a wealth of shared knowledge.

Infosec Boot Camps also come with an Exam Pass Guarantee, giving your team members additional peace of mind. "If I didn't pass on the first try, I'd get a free retake on both the training and the exam," said Autumn, who worried about failing despite her best efforts. "That guarantee sealed the deal for me — I knew I could do this!"

Custom training for your team

One of the most convenient training options is customized training for your team members. You can train as a group live online, in person at a training location or onsite at your organization.

The customization feature is especially attractive for organizations with new initiatives on the horizon. For example, suppose your company is implementing a new cloud-based backup and disaster recovery system to protect business-critical data. Infosec can tailor your team's boot camp around cloud-based data storage and management and the security tools needed to safeguard cloud-based digital assets.

Also, on-site training allows team members to train and learn together, supporting each other and tackling the challenge as a unit. Everyone gets the same materials and point of contact, making it easy for you to manage — and ensure everyone receives the same quality of instruction and materials.

Benefits of buying in bulk

It's important to remember that buying in bulk can help you stretch your training budget further.

Infosec will work with you to find the best payment options for your organization, including pre-paid training where you can lock in a discount and let your team pick their boot camps later. With this popular option, you can let each team member enroll in an individual boot camp as needed, depending on their schedules and certification goals.

With more than two decades of training experience, chances are we can find a solution to match your team’s training needs.

How to set your team up for success

Live boot camps are intense training sessions, packing a lot of information into a short period. Here are some tips to help set your team up for success:

Take the exam right away: This helps team members solidify their knowledge, turning it from short-term memory into long-term understanding. As cybersecurity instructor Rod Evans puts it, "Life happens. You're never going to study later." Encourage your team to take the exam right after the boot camp to increase their chance of acing it.
Align training with job duties: If you invest money and resources into team training, you want the concepts to stick. Boot camps are intense, and it’s the follow-on repetition — in the exam and ongoing job duties — that will reinforce what’s important and solidify their new skills.
Give them time and space to learn: Remove work distractions and make it as easy as you can for your team to concentrate on their boot camp. This may involve some sacrifice regarding their work on projects in the near term, if you want them to get certified quickly, you must give them the support they need.

What should you learn next?

From SOC Analyst to Secure Coder to Security Manager — our team of experts has 12 free training plans to help you hit your goals. Get your free copy now.

Get Your Plan

Live boot camp takeaway: The fastest path to certification

We understand the pressure of getting your team their cybersecurity certifications quickly, whether your organization needs to meet government contract requirements or keep pace with this changing field.

Just remember that this urgency doesn't have to equal stress. By choosing the right training path for your employees, you can get them the certifications they need to achieve your company's goals efficiently. In this way, you pave the way for employee-powered business growth and a safer digital infrastructure.

Live boot camps stand out as the fastest route to certification. Their intensive, focused structure condenses months of learning into a manageable time frame. Expert instructors guide your team through the essential exam objectives, equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed. Don't wait any longer to take control of your company's cybersecurity future. A live cybersecurity boot camp can be a springboard to getting your team the skills they need to safeguard the future of your organization.

Posted: August 15, 2024

Ellen Pincus

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Ellen Pincus is a communication and marketing professional with over a decade of creative experience helping innovative organizations differentiate their voice. As the content marketing specialist for Infosec, she enjoys empowering cyber professionals and students with skills and knowledge to advance their careers and outsmart cybercrime.

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