What criteria should you use to pick a cybersecurity training provider?

It is important for one to weigh numerous aspects of a course curriculum. The most important factor by far is the practical skills being taught. Far too many qualifications focus on theory content and sticking to a body of knowledge. These restrictions limit learning and one's ability to commit actionable lessons to memory. Qualifications such as CEH are perceived as out of date within the InfoSec community because of how heavily the curriculum has leaned into theory and a multiple choice exam serving as a test of one's learning. Don't fall to the folly of a memory dump exam and thinking this will serve you in actually performing the job of a SOC Analyst / Security Consultant. Theory is important, but only for tempering capability.

As others mentioned, too, relevancy of the curriculum to your needs, in terms of skills, but also to your specific environment and industry is crucial. There are no training providers to excell in the cybersecurity challenges in all domains, technologies, tools. One with real experience in your domain, with your technologies will be always preferable, even if they don't offer the most desired certifications.

My quest for a cybersecurity program began with a desire to protect the digital world. Seeking expert mentors, cutting-edge knowledge, and practical experience, I embarked on a journey to choose the right path. Aligning with my goals, earning industry-recognized certifications, and seeking wisdom from the cybersecurity community guided me. Balancing my schedule and location, I found flexibility crucial. Armed with the right curriculum and content, my journey continues toward becoming a legendary cyber-knight, defending against digital threats. So when it comes to choosing the right curriculum & content for a cyber program always look for The Expert Mentors who made it +It Equips you with the latest trends +it aligns with your career goals.

Curriculum and course content remains crucial when it comes to the selection of cybersecurity training provider. Course content needs to be reviewed first in order to make sure the particular domains in which one is interested, are covered in detail. Apart from this, another thing that needs to be kept in mind is the training which must be aligned with the existing industry- level standards.

When selecting a cybersecurity training provider, consider the following criteria: -> Accreditation: Ensure the provider is recognized by industry bodies. -> Content Quality: Assess course materials and relevance. -> Trainer Expertise: Verify instructors' qualifications. -> Practical Labs: Evaluate hands-on learning opportunities. -> Certification Support: Check if they aid exam preparation. -> Flexibility: Review schedules and delivery methods. -> Feedback: Seek recommendations and reviews. -> Cost: Compare pricing and value.

Does this course present the opportunity for practicing what is being taught? Does the course provide real-world scenarios that are applicable to my job or desired role? It is vital that these criteria are filled. Most courses offer OnDemand/Self-Paced learning that can be done online so there is endless levels of flexibility. I recommend identifying courses that engage and ask things of you. It is far more easy to stay engaged when you are being given challenges or tasks. I'd rather this than just watch someone else typing commands or searches for 30+ hours.

Curriculum (and content) is always #1. It needs to teach you what you need to know and keep you engaged. The more interesting they make it the better.

"Information, be it about cyber security or Artificial Intelligence, is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit." William Pollard Information remains fruitless when it is disorganized. Teaching web penetration testing in the initial days of the training is a bad format. Fundamentals and basics are to be covered initially. That's how format plays a crucial role. Secondly, discipline is important in whatever skills are acquired. Therefore, continous learning and consistency needs to be maintained for it. Moreover, no matter how important and well-organized the format is, delivering content in a better way is more pivotal.

When assessing a cybersecurity program, it's crucial to consider the format and delivery. Look for flexibility in scheduling and location, interactive learning opportunities, experienced instructors, practical labs, up-to-date technology and tools, comprehensive support services, industry connections, real-world scenarios, certification preparation, positive feedback from students, career support, cost considerations, accreditation, and a strong alumni network. Evaluating these elements will ensure that the program aligns with your learning preferences, career aspirations, and overall needs in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

In my opinion format and delivery are crucial for effectiveness of the training. You could have the best content and best trainers, however, if the delivery is not done correctly then the training wont be effective. Personally, i find it more effective if the training is well organised, simplified, and delivered in a way which is relatable like using examples.

Feedback and assessment play a pivotal role in a cybersecurity program due to their multifaceted significance. They serve as vital tools for tracking skill development, ensuring readiness for real-world scenarios, adapting to the swiftly changing cybersecurity landscape, and facilitating success in industry certifications. Moreover, they offer instructors insights into program quality and enable personalized learning, fostering student motivation and continuous program improvement. In this dynamic field, where practical skills and adaptability are paramount, feedback and assessment are linchpins in molding well-prepared cybersecurity professionals while advancing the quality of instruction and curriculum.

"Feedback is the breakfast of champions" --Ken Blanchard Feedback mechanism is extremely important in the sense that it provides you with the opportunity to improve upon the mistakes and move forward. Without feeback, one may wander in the dark.

You have to be careful in this category for assessing your providers. Well known names in cybersec training have cachet when offered to developers or engineers. However, sometimes those same brands have rested on their laurels, so the perceived competence of the provider has actually diminished. Keep an ear to the ground with providers. Use some of your senior people as beta testers of new providers. Even get one of your people to become a trainer (with the right restrictions in place). Having a strong bench of providers is much better than solely relying on the old tried and true.

I feel too much value is placed on reputation of course providers, that is not to say all of them present incomplete or poorly constructed courses. I simply mean that the biggest names in InfoSec, GIAC/SANS - without the use of their cyber ranges and labs - are quite poor returns with respect to cost and learnings. While many other providers that I personally use have justified their offerings and objectively profit driven decisions with 'SANS is more expensive'. It is an unfortunate situation, if you can afford it then by all means. Otherwise, look for the underdogs. I can personally recommend TCM Security, Zero-Point Security, and Altered Security as more affordable entry points with good reputation.

I would never use this for a training, especially from a source under the control of training providers. In most cases these are far from being objective or are measuring anything else than the coverage of customers needs, especially when there is a certification involved. A 98% passing rate doesn't mean that the training would deliver any relevant/ significant value to the customer. Moreover, as it is mentioned in any training delivery methodology, a feedback immediately after the training is not enough/relevant. One after three- six months, using the knowledge is always recommended and more relevant.

The significance of reputation and reviews in a cybersecurity program is paramount. They act as litmus tests for quality, credibility, and employability, guiding both prospective students and employers. A program's positive reputation and favorable reviews validate its history of delivering high-caliber education, fostering confidence in its curriculum and training. Moreover, a strong reputation attracts industry experts and talented faculty, enhancing networking opportunities and resource access for students. The success stories of program alumni further underscore its effectiveness, serving as an inspiration and testament to the quality of education.

When selecting a cybersecurity training provider do a research about their reputation, history, and reviews. Also to understand trainer qualifications, emphasizing certification and relevant experience. Also Consider the number of students benefited from their training.

It's crucial to ensure that your investment delivers a significant return in terms of knowledge and skills acquired. You should also assess whether the training justifies the time and financial commitment. A prudent approach involves comparing prices, features, and benefits across various providers to determine which one offers the best value within your budget. For instance, if your goal is to obtain a cybersecurity certification, you may seek a provider offering cost-effective and comprehensive packages inclusive of exam fees, study materials, and practice tests, optimizing the value proposition of your training investment.

While cybersecurity training curriculums have evolved over years, one can't deny that most training providers are focused on commercial value. Not all trainers bring wisdom and good mentoring. 1. More than training institute, look for the trainer's profile. Talk to trainer, set expectation clear before training. 2. Give contineous feedback during training for improvements 3. Someone with good industry experience brings lot of value for learners 4. Training curriculum should align with your goals. If not, customize it where possible for your own training.

I my experience real world experience is key to build scalable knowledge, it etches and temper the knowledge, leagues beyond regular study content. As for example knowing what a golden ticket attack is something and leveraging such knowledge for detection and response is something else. Such experiences comes from apprenticeships.

Hands-on Labs and Practical Exercises When evaluating a cybersecurity training provider, inquire about the quality and quantity of hands-on labs and practical exercises offered in their courses. A well-structured and comprehensive practical component can significantly enhance the value of the training by translating theoretical knowledge into practical skills that are applicable in the cybersecurity industry..

Checking if training providers walk the talk and implement cybersecurity (and privacy/ data protection, too) on their environment, starting with their website, enrolment forms, feedback channels/tools would be a strong indicator for me.