SecureSet Academy

SecureSet was supposed to be hands-on and fully immersive, but covid messed that up. We were stuck at home the entire three month course. We did do labs and whatnot, but I feel we were robbed of the experience we should’ve received due to quarantine. I wouldn’t take this bootcamp unless they are back on campus. It was like drinking from a firehose and the information was a mile wide and an inch deep. Overall decent value, but, considering the education I got because of the pandemic, not worth the money I shelled out. I fought for a partial refund but was denied. Had we been on campus we would’ve received networking opportunities, been able to tour companies that are hiring and work with SecureSet, participate in events, CTF, access instructors to answer questions and solve lab problems, etc. Overall kind of disappointing. Thanks covid. Considering the situation–and being the first cohort to graduate entirely online–I think they could’ve done a little more for us than they did. Read less

I would wholeheartedly recommend SecureSet to anyone looking to get into the security field. SecureSet puts it all together. It's intensive... and worth it. The instructors were excellent and had extensive real world experience. They challenge you. Once you've graduated, they have a fully built out support structure to help you find a job. I've recently accepted my new position using their post graduate help, and can definitely say the experience at SecureSet was well worth the investment. Read less

I attended the Prep Course and the Hunt Analyst Program in Tampa. I came to SecureSet with a Bachelors degree and several years of work experience that were not in IT or Computer Science. I had been interested in cybersecurity for a long time, but did not know how to break into the industry. Despite being a novice, I received a job offer prior to graduation and am currently working in the field. I could not have done this without the opportunities SecureSet provided to me. In addition to the technical skills, they fully immerse you in the culture of the industry. They also find great instructors and staff. 

I agree with what others have mentioned, which is that you get out of this course what you put into it. I attended several after class events and spent my nights and weekends practicing or expanding on what we covered in class. If you do not put the time in the complete the coursework it is easy to fall behind, and you will never gain the hands-on experience you need to be an attractive candidate.

My cohort had individuals like me without any experience, as well as individuals with technical backgrounds. I would highly recommend SecureSet to motivated individuals that are interested in an InfoSec career.

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Hi, I wanted to provide an honest, fair review of SecureSet Academy. They are based in Denver, CO and I graduated from the HUNT course in June 2018.

First, let me describe my previous IT experience and where I was going in developing an InfoSec career. I had been out of the IT field for nearly 20 years. I decided to use my Post 9/11 GI Bill to attain another degree and went for cybersecurity. While I was taking those courses, I found SecureSet Academy on MeetUp. I attended their Info Nights, Guest Speaker MeetUps and CTFs. I thoroughly enjoyed those evenings and learned so much! My skills in the classroom at school were being impacted very positively by my time spent in the evenings with SecureSet. 

Upon graduation, I decided to pursue SecureSet's HUNT program due to its alignment in threat analysis versus CORE, which is geared towards pentesting. My expectations were more than met in the classroom and my skills increased dramatically, swiftly. While my new degree did provide knowledge in networking, Linux, Python, threat analysis, GRC, ethical hacking, etc, the desire to compound those skills with strategic thought (CARVER, OODA, etc) and understanding of how to manipulate the knowledge in different and segmented ways is outside of the 'college experience'. This is where SecureSet truly shines. We build various systems on our laptops via VMs. This pushed me to buy two Dell R610s with a lot of memory to build various systems in my home: pfSense, Cuckoo, Security Onion (to name a few). 

The most important and impactful aspect of the environment is the small class sizes. This allows so much interaction and development, not just between student and instructor, but between peers. Each of us brought different life skills and knowledge to the group and all of us grew because of it.

Now, here is where I say YMMV. You will only get into this program what you demand. If you are going to push yourself, have high levels of desire and willing to work at home on systems outside of the classroom, you'll excel. If not, you'll get by, but you won't be very desired by the employers who come through the door and want SecureSet grads. 

InfoSec is not a career where you can 'get by', you have to push. You have to have desire and passion. If you are looking for a 'fast buck' as cyber is 'hot', no school is going to truly help you. Why? Simple: you're putting in 40hr a week in a classroom, you can't fake it for 8 weeks straight and come out with a hot career making 50-75K (Tampa money, not Colorado, it's higher in Colorado) because you'll be figured out by your peers, instructors, the staff and those who interview you. 

So, if you are unsure if this is for you, take their BootCamp course first and see if this is really for you. My 'BootCamp' was 1.5 years in college... SecureSet offers a nice shortcut.  

 

I graduated and got a job with an MSSP in Tampa: great pay, perfect shift. I have completed the CompTIA Security+ and Linux+ certs, taken DHS's ICS coursework and now studying for the CISSP. 

Motto: Never let off the gas.

 

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Secure|Set is a place for people who are serious about learning and are willing to go the extra mile to take charge of their career.

I attended the CORE Engineering class and would recommend the course to anyone that is interested in a Cyber Security or Secure Development position.

The instructors start you at the basics and make sure everyone in the class gets to the same baseline before the tempo really picks up.

The cohort model is a great way to foster a supportive environment where you get to network with your classmates and make some lifelong friends.

The instructors are all very competent and are willing to help you along the way because they genuinely care about your success.

The career management team does everything in their power to put you in front of the right people to build your network and set yourself up for future success.

Secure|Set prides itself on not being a certification factory. That being said, if certifications are your goal, the information you gain from this course will get you where you need to go but they do not teach to the tests. Self-study will be required.

With Secure|Set you get out of it what you put in. You can't succeed by warming the seat.

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I am a recent graduate of SecureSet's HUNT cybersecurity program. I attended the PREP program July 2018, started the Hunt program in Sept 2018, and graduated in December 2018.

I absolutely loved my experience and would encourage anyone intersted in this school, to move forward with your decision. You will thank yourself for investing in your future and in an industry that has tremendous growth & opportunity.

The best part about my experience at SecureSet is the guidance and help from a gem of a Career Services Manager, Scott Bowman, at the Denver campus. Not only does Scott work tirelessly to set up lunch & learns for students while in their respective programs, but he hussles to network all of the alumni and constantly is posting positions on SecureSet's internal job board, "The Wire." Scott also communicates on all bat channels including on our alumni Slack channel, LinkedIn, email and text. I have never in my life seen anyone in a role like his, work so hard to see students succeed. I have received messages from him on the weekends and late at night. He truly cares and it shows. The fact that Scott can make each and every alumni feel so supported and cared for, speaks to his passion, character and integrity. I can not say enough good things about Scott Bowman and the staff at SecureSet Academy. 

If anything, I look at my time at SecureSet and have such a sense of accomplishment and am proud of myself. I had no technical background but a relentless passion for technology and continous learning.

I tell everyone, if I can make it through SecureSet, anyone can.  

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I just wanted to pass along a short note of gratitude to SecureSet at large, especially Matt, Ajay and the rest of the instructors there.  I’m only in my first week of working as a SOC analyst at InteliSecure but it evident to me that my SecureSet training exposed me to virtually everything that I’ve encountered in my new job thus far (GRC, networking, best practices, crypto, data protection, etc.)  I feel that I know as much or more than the people who are training me.  I’m asking questions that my more experienced peers don’t know the answers to in many cases.  In fact, I had one guy that had been there for a year say, “Dude, you just talked completely over my head there, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  In short, the tuition expense at SecureSet was well worth it.  I’m pleasantly surprised at how well prepared I am for my current job due to my time at 2228 Blake St.  Thanks to all the staff there for all they did to get me through the HUNT program.

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     Like ALL boot camps, SecureSet is young, has its’ challenges, and has plenty of room for growth.  Environments are never the same and students come from backgrounds that vary widely within the IT world.  I participated in the HUNT group, spring of 2019.  As a learning environment I give SecureSet a 4 Star rating based on their dedication to the mission of training Cyber professionals and for the depth of knowledge within the topics that are taught.

     I give Secure-Set a 5 star rating for their career services support. Not only do they go above and beyond bringing into the campus companies that are currently hiring on a regular basis, they support you with your resume and interview skills as well.  In addition, they constantly bring in evening events that allow the student to meet and interact with professionals that are in the business of cyber security. 

     Lastly, within the area of self-improvement I give SecureSet a 5 star rating for listening to suggestions and for working towards making the necessary adjustments to improve their instruction and lab environments.  The 12 weeks were challenging to say the least and like all things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. 

     I have secured employment within the cyber community and I recommend SecureSet to anyone looking to enter the world of cyber security. Go SecureSet Go !!

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We had a saying, light hearted and somewhat true while we were attending the CORE program down in Tampa. Welcome to SecureSet, where the labs don't work and the grades don't matter (For your whose line fans). It plays at a core principal of the program, the labs don't really work. That being said, it is part of the learning process that they try and play hard, which is to teach you about self motivation and troubleshooting. 

If you have worked in IT, you might know this already but nothing works 100% all the time. Taking the role of an IT technician means that you are committing yourself to a field that rewards technical proficiancy with time and perhaps even cash savings. You are the name brand of yourself and whom you represent. 

That being said, if you engage this school from another career field, I have some news for you. You CAN make it, IF you put in the work necessary to learn and put in the time and effort. There is no silver bullet for a high paying role unless you have the silver tongue to go with it. If you attend this school and put in the minimal effort, it WILL be apparent when you start the interviewing process. 

If you attend SecureSet fresh from another role already in IT, I have some great news! You will learn so much here, you will have the professional capability of asking deeper questions to the actively working Security professionals that are also your professors. You will be able to get a lot more out of the program than someone fresh off the street. Just like before however, it WILL require your dedication to come out on top. 

Hence the title, one for one. You will get exactly what you put in. That means if you wait til the last week of class to make your resume, you will suffer. If you wait til the last week just to say you made it through, you will not see a return on this course, you have essentially wasted your money. 

I walked into every security business asking for a job with an Associate of ISC2 for passing CISSP, and loads of certifications and was NOT able to get a job. I was able to understand the core concepts but none was willing to give me a chance. I worked for the last 6 months with a goal of jumping into the security industry and I have done just that with SecureSet. If you go this direction and you are committed, there is no better option. Work your butt off and godspeed. 

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I recently completed the CORE program at the Colorado Springs Campus. Prior to starting this course my cyber security background was very limited. First and foremost, if you decide to take part in this program know that this is not a part time endeavor, prepare yourself to put in the work.

Our cohort was primarily made up of veterans with varying levels of experience in cybersecurity. I cannot stress how instrumental the entire cohort is to your overall success. I am extremely grateful to all my team members for the help throughout the course. A typical week would consist of classes Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30 with a couple of hours of home study and at least half a day on Saturday to complete all course work.

If you are looking to just get a certification then this is probably not the place for you. The material that you cover, and some self-study will prepare you for the certification tests but that is not the purpose of this program. That said, after this course there is no reason you will not be ready for Sec+. I know from experience their focus on hands application of the book knowledge you gain is the preferred method. Prior to attending SecureSet I took a bootcamp for NET+ and passed the test, however when the networking classes started, I quickly understood the difference between knowing a book answer and applying that knowledge within an actual network.

In addition to the cyber knowledge gained the career counselor work tirelessly to set up opportunities to network with industry leaders, practice interviewing, and polish my resume. These opportunities undoubtedly ensured my success in finding employment post SecureSet.

The campus staff and instructors were all highly qualified and take a keen interest in your success. I had to reach out to instructors several times after hours and was never left without answers. If you are willing to put in the time and effort it will undoubtedly be matched by the efforts of the cadre.

If you are looking to gain a solid foundation for a career in cyber then you should absolutely consider this program.

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I put a lot of work into the original blog I was going to post, unfortunately I never saved it or something.But I'll keep this shor t and simple since the important thing is that like everything, you get out of it what you put in. 

Take Scott Bowman's advice. Anything job search related is what he does best. and honestly, his Advice would hav ebeen worth  at least half of the HUNT program's tuition. 

Matt, Alan, JC are extremely technical and know what they are talking about. And additionally they have great personalities that make going to class fpr 10 weeks, 8 hours a day bareable, and typical enjoyable. 

The support staff and admin are extremely friendly and I only regret not having the opportunity to interact with them more. 

This was a hail mary for me. I was working a sub 30k salary job at a restaurant with no benefits, and was stuck. I had managed to have family give me the money to survive while I took 3 months off and partook in this cohort. I graduated with 4 or 5 interviews happening the last couple of weeks of the classes. I graduated the 20th of December started a new job with Comcast through Brooksource on Jan 1st. and by the end of January, Carbon Black offered me a position, making over twice I was before. In one year I would have been able to pay off a loan if I had took one out. My 4 closest friends I made there, 3 months after the program, 3 of them have jobs, and one was kind of thrown around by a single interview process. They were all fun to be around and I have no doubt I'll be seeing them regularly for the rest of my life. 

This program is worth it if you want to get your foot in the door of cyber security. And I know that companies look at SecureSet to find qualified individuals. If you can and want, do it. 

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As a senior in HighSchool, I made an unprecedented decision to take my education into my own hands. I was never a good student but I had a goal and a passion to become something great. Looking on the success of others in the past, I made a decision to explore alternative education options to jump-start my goal of becoming an IT professional. College, being as expensive as it is, was off the table for me and I had to discover a way to educate myself for less. I began to research and came across SecureSet Academy which offered extensive training on a variety of topics all focused on security. The coursework was difficult and unorganized at first but it enabled me to grow so much as both a professional and a learner. I learned discipline, teamwork, honesty, respect and more through this course and couldn't recommend it more for a young professional like me. After the course was complete, I pushed hard to find an opportunity and landed at a fortune 500. SecureSet gave me the knowledge, tools, and resources to make this happen and they continue to help even a year after graduation. This course is definitely not without its difficulty especially at the ripe young age of 18. If YOU are a passionate young person looking to make a difference in your life and you aren't afraid to push yourself to the edge of your limits this course is for you. It's going to take you drive, discipline, and integrity to get you to the finish but once you do, I swear it will change your life. The instructors are top-notch, the curriculum is solid and the job hunt is what you make it, the only thing between you and a great IT job is whether or not you have the discipline. If you're looking for something other than the cookie cutter college experience, I could not recommend SecureSet enough.

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SecureSet Academy has amazing instructors who can take you from being a beginner in all things cyber to a proficient level. Thanks to SecureSet and its instructors I have had two high level job offers with well known cyber companies, all without prior experience in the field! I highly recommend SecureSet to anyone looking to go down the cyber career path.

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SecureSet Academy is a great resource in terms of academics, instructors, campus, and social scene. I transferred from my military to the civilian life while studying at SecureSet and it was definitely the right decision. A lot of direct practical experience with different software, Operating Systems, "hacking" tools, case study, and a lot of work, but manageable. It was definitelly an intense cyber bootcamp for a only 6 month period. Overall, great experience.

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SecureSet provides a holistic approach to cyber. From offensive to defensive cybersecurity to governance, risk and compliance. Perhaps the most essential piece to a successful career is social networking, and SecureSet has the best job assistance paired with career services any school can offer. Read less

Coming up on just over a year working for great company I cannot help but be amazed on how graduating from the CORE program at SecureSet impacted my life! I would have never been able to land my perfect job without the help of SecureSet Academy. Not only did they help ease my transition from military life to civilian life, but they also gave me the tools needed to succeed. As an alumni from the first CORE class in Colorado Springs, I am incredibly proud of the progress made to further enhance student learning and career services. The SecureSet staff is dedicated to your future! Work ethic and drive help you become successful once you are in the field, SecureSet opens the door to get you in front of hiring professionals.

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I attended the HUNT program just over a year ago.  I am not going to give you the individual gripes that I personally have, as I do not believe that helps anyone.  Instead here are the pros and cons:

Pros:
If you are a veteran, you will be decently taken care of.  Especially if your GI Bill covers it in full. (However, I would STRONGLY suggest you either use your GI Bill to attend a college or just get your certifications through one of the many veteran programs available.  Especially if you have a clearance of any sort.)

Career Services was decent (Though connecting you with employers only does so much when you are taught nothing useful)

Most of the staff was nice.

Cons:
The "hands on" labs are a complete lie.  The 3 or 4 that existed didn’t work half the time, and when they did they would be completed in about 10 minutes.

70% of what you learn is pretty useless in the industry.

Lot's of paper-writing on topics that have little to no market-value.

100% of everything that is being taught can be learned on your own, or through other avenues in a much cheaper way.

Despite the numerous (questionable) 5-star reviews, this place has a pretty abysmal reputation in the industry.  They are known for churning out multiple litters of students who lack any sort of practical knowledge and are pretty much a blank slate in terms of actual skills.

If you pay with a loan from Skillsfund (or whatever it’s called now) you will be paying about $400 a month, when the only jobs you can get pay about $19 an hour if you do not have a secret clearance or 5+ years of I.T. already.

I could go on and on, but my goal with this is not to whine about my poor decisions, it is to stop people from making the same ones I did.  Do not attend SecureSet Academy.  Just don’t.

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Attending SecureSet Academy was the best move I made in advencing my career and doing something I love. I am truly thankful for the opportunities that the school has provided me. The teachers were very supportive and experts in their field. I learned so much in short time I was there. I highly recomment it if you are looking to jump start your carreer in cybersecurity. 

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My experience at SecureSet Academy was phenomenal.   Even though I entered with only limited IT experience, SecureSet thoroughly provided me with the tools and training I needed to jumpstart a career in Cyber Security.   The full-time program is highly intense and challenging, packing a year's worth of accredited material into six months.  It is the real deal.

Each of the teachers were venerable experts in their respective fields; individuals who are industry leaders even outside their roles as teachers at SecureSet Academy.    The school provided the training I needed to conquer industry-recognized certification exams, including the Security+ and CISSP, both of which I successfully passed on the first try.   They also have ongoing hiring partnerships with companies both locally and nation-wide, which is how I landed my current job as a Risk Specialist just one week after completing the program. 

I've been highly recommending SecureSet to everyone!

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SecureSet Academy was a great opportunity to be a part of.  The teachers there were not only experts in the field that they taught, but they took the time to not only teach you the theroy, but also the technical skills and made sure you understood each concept that was covered.  It is a great program to be a part of it you want to start a career in cyber security.

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