The Course
Find out all about the CAPSLOCK course
What certifications are included? Are they well recognised?
When you study with CAPSLOCK, you have the opportunity to gain 5 industry certifications in addition to the core content of the course.
If you pass the CAPSLOCK bootcamp, you become a "Certified Cyber Security Practitioner" and are awarded the Ce-CSP certification, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Information Security. This is our in-house certification, it's widely regarded in the industry, and it's not available anywhere else.
You also have the option to obtain four external certifications (CISMP, Security+, CCSK and ISO27001 Requirements). We say 'option to' because it's not mandatory that you sit all the external certs if you don't want to. All 4 external certs require you to sit an exam (the cost of which is included with the cost of the course), some will be sat during class time and some are sat in your own time.
We chose these 4 because they complement the content of our curriculum and demonstrate a breadth of different cyber security principles. However, we see them as a nice 'extra' for our learners - the vast majority of the learning and value comes from the course itself.
What are CAPSLOCK classes like?
Classes at CAPSLOCK are 100% online, live, and revolve around the methodologies of Team Based Learning (TBL) and Problem Based Learning (PBL), meaning learners work towards solving real-world cyber security problems in small teams.
Whilst on the course, our learners are role-playing as trainee cyber security practitioners, completing practical projects and learning in a hands-on, simulated workplace environment, to prepare them for their future roles in industry.
Team Based Learning (TBL) – Team based learning is exactly what it sounds like: flipping the traditional ‘lecturers vs students’ dynamic on its head by placing learners in small teams for the duration of the course. Rather than relying on learning listening to lengthy talks to absorb knowledge (which has a retention percentage of around 5%), learners proactively engage in group discussions, peer-to-peer teaching and collaborative projects within their teams (with retention percentages of up to 95%). In essence, Team Based Learning ensures deeper learning, far greater levels of retention, and consistent engagement.
Problem Based Learning (PBL) – Problem Based Learning is another inversion of the educational norm. Traditionally, teachers tell students what they need to know first. The students then attempt to memorise this knowledge, and finally solve theoretical problems related to it. In contrast, PBL begins with looking at realistic, industry-relevant problems that learners would likely encounter in their future cyber careers. The knowledge needed to solve these problems is then outlined, and finally this knowledge is learned and applied to solve the problem, perhaps by using hands-on labs or writing a report. This allows learners to get to grips with the practicalities of being a cyber security professional.
Both TBL and PBL are proven learner-centric approaches which prioritise deep learning and real-world problem solving. Combined, they create an immersive learning environment which encourages engagement, exploration, innovation, and confidence. These attributes are key to employability.
So, in any given day at CAPSLOCK, you might be completing team-based projects, researching different cyber topics, listening to mini-lectures, participating in group discussions, completing peer reviews, presenting work back to the wider group, sitting individual and team-based quizzes... the list goes on.
At the end of each bootcamp, learners are asked for their feedback about the course, and TBL is consistently mentioned as people’s favourite aspect of CAPSLOCK.
What does the CAPSLOCK cyber bootcamp teach?
The CAPSLOCK cyber security bootcamp is designed to take someone from any background, with or without prior IT experience, and teach them the skills needed to launch a successful career in cyber security.
You will undertake the course as a Trainee Cyber Security Consultant, exploring our industry-focused curriculum and working in a small team to solve real-world cyber problems.
Because cyber security is as a very broad discipline, the curriculum is designed to develop you as an all-round cyber security practitioner who understands the breadth of cyber security principles, and knows how to apply the knowledge you've learned in real-life scenarios.
Upon successfully passing the course, you will be a Certified Cyber Security Practitioner.
The 5 Problem Areas we cover on the course:
1. Understanding Business
In the first few weeks of the CAPSLOCK bootcamp, we explore why cyber security exists and how it applies to an organisation in a business context. You will learn how cyber security is measured, how organisations can develop effective cyber security culture, and explore threats such as social engineering. This is the foundational concept which you will build on as the course progresses.
2. Security By Design
We introduce you to Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and how these concepts underpin the existence of cyber security. You'll develop your networking fundamentals and begin to consider security architecture by working on real scenario-based problems.
3. Applied Security
The problems you solve will begin to increase in complexity and you will continue to apply learnings from areas 1 & 2. Some of the areas you will be working on includeEndpoint Protection, Cloud Security, Digital Forensics, Access Control and other applied security areas too.
4. Offensive & Defensive Security
You will continue to develop your understanding of cyber security threats and apply this understanding in the context of both offensive and defensive security operations, such as penetration testing and security operations. You will learn how to apply skills such as reconnaissance, malware analysis, threat intelligence, and log analysis in simulated scenarios.
5. Business Continuity Management
In this final problem area, you will use your new skills from the course so far to tackle big picture problems such as incident management & response and strategic business resilience. You will also consider topics such as physical security and industrial control systems.
Topics covered:
Technology Fundamentals
● Emerging Technologies
● Network Fundamentals
● Basic Scripting
● Operating Systems
● Application Security (SDLC)
● Malware
● End Point Protection
● Pen Testing
● Cloud Infrastructure
● Applied Cryptography
● Security Architecture
● SOC
● Threat Hunting
● Industrial Control Systems
● Big Data
● IoT
Risk
● Supply Chain Security
● Threat Intelligence
● Outsourcing
● Governance
● Physical Security
● Business Resilience
● Laws, Regulations & Standards
● Risk Management
● MI & Metrics
Process
● Forensics Fundamentals
● Audit
● IAM/PAM
● Incident Management
Culture
● Ethics
● Policy
● Human Factors
● Business Understanding
● Security Culture & Awareness
Impact Skills
● Professional Communications
● Mentorship & Community
● CPD
● Teamwork
● How To Learn
● Presenting & Public Speaking
● Problem Solving
● Career Counselling
What careers support is available?
One of CAPSLOCK's main goals is to help our learners and alumni launch brand new careers in the cyber industry, which is why we offer an extensive career support programme as part of our reskilling bootcamps.
The CAPSLOCK Careers Team are on hand to help you at every stage of your job search.
They run a dedicated career support curriculum throughout the course, delivering valuable sessions and workshops around searching for roles, optimising CVs and LinkedIn profiles, preparing for interviews, and much more.
They also offer 1-2-1 careers guidance sessions to help learners identify which cyber roles will be a good fit for them, and use unique job prospecting tools to guide learners' career searches and present any suitable vacancies from our growing network of employer partners.
Our Careers Team works very closely with CAPSLOCK's official employment partners, giving you exclusive access to a growing network of cyber employers who regularly hire CAPSLOCK learners.
For more specific information about landing your first cyber role, please see the Employment Outcomes section of the FAQ.
What is professional coaching?
Professional coaching sessions are available to all CAPSLOCK learners and are a fantastic way to achieve goals, overcome barriers, and boost your confidence.
Our Head of Coaching Cristina Magro provides professional coaching to boost learners' confidence and help them address challenges they may be facing in their career search.
Learners can book 1-2-1 sessions with Cristina at any point throughout the course and we highly recommend you make the most of them!
Cristina also runs some whole group sessions in the classroom, as well as regular workshops.
What is your mentoring programme?
We know that the career transition our learners are making is hugely exciting and can also be a little daunting. That's why we have a well-established mentoring programme at CAPSLOCK, with learner teams being assigned their own industry and alumni mentors for the duration of the course.
We have pulled together a fantastic and ever-growing group of willing cyber security mentors who work in the UK cyber sector. These mentors have a broad knowledge of the industry and are there to support our learners and help them to make the most of their new and existing skills.
Mentors also often bring guest speakers into their mentoring sessions to help contextualise the academic learning and bring some of the roles that are available within the world of cyber to life.
Learner teams are also assigned an alumni mentor for the duration of the course. Our alumni mentors are recent graduates, so they know exactly what it's like to study at CAPSLOCK and can pass on valuable firsthand knowledge of the CAPSLOCK journey and beyond.
Our mentoring programme is a really exciting part of the CAPSLOCK experience, and brings a lot of value to our learners.
What are the class schedules and teaching hours?
There are two cohort schedules for you to choose from at CAPSLOCK: Full Time or Part Time.
- Full Time: A 16-week course with live classes running from 9:30am - 2:30pm (GMT), Monday-Friday.
- Part Time: A 26-week course with live classes running from 6pm - 9pm (GMT), Monday - Thursday, and up to 3 Saturday morning classes per month which run 9:30am - 12:30pm.
We chose these two schedules to try to cater to as many people as possible. We've had learners studying between school drop-off and pick-up times, after 9-5 jobs, and around all sorts of other commitments. Hopefully you can find a schedule which works for you.
Full Time schedule:
Part Time Schedule:
What wellbeing support is available?
Alongside the educational aspect of our award-winning cyber bootcamps, we also provide a wide range of additional support to all CAPSLOCK learners.
We're aware that studying with CAPSLOCK is an intense undertaking, and that our learners with busy lives, jobs and responsibilities outside the virtual classroom will need support from time to time.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and honest group of people, and we are here to help.
Here's some of the support available at CAPSLOCK:
Support whilst in the classroom
A lead tutor, a tutor, and learner support staff are present in the virtual classroom at all times. They're there to offer help and guidance where needed, as well as technical support if necessary.
Support whilst outside of the classroom
Slack is your best friend! It's the messaging tool we use for a lot of communication at CAPSLOCK. Drop a DM to a member of the learner support team, or post in the dedicated Support channel.
Mental Health Support
We currently have four qualified mental health first aiders at CAPSLOCK. Annabelle, Mark, Cristina and Callum are able to provide initial support if someone is experiencing mental health issues, or just needs someone to talk to.
We're committed to promoting the wellbeing of our learners, and access to mental health first aid is an important part of the inclusive and supportive environment we are creating.
If I miss a class, can I catch up?
Life happens, right? Illness, emergencies, immovable appointments, and all other kinds of curveballs might mean you miss a class or two during your time at CAPSLOCK. This is completely fine, and we understand that some absences are unavoidable.
So, if a few classes are missed, learners can catch up with missed work with help from their tutors and teammates. All you need to do is fill in our learner Absence Form to let your tutors know that you're going to miss a session. We can then help you catch up on your return, and can offer you support from our Wellbeing Team if needed.
However, this wouldn't be possible on a regular basis. Only a small percentage of each class is recorded and available to rewatch later, as the majority of the work on the course is completed in small teams and involves live collaboration on projects, so attending as much as possible is vital.
If you know that you might be regularly missing classes due to existing commitments or holidays, please remember that we have a mandatory minimum attendance rate of 90%, and so you may be unable to join us if you would miss too many classes.
Can you be flexible with class times?
In order to pass the CAPSLOCK course, you need to have maintained a minimum of 90% attendance throughout the course, and this means being able to join classes on time, for the entire duration of the class, for the duration of the course, as much as possible.
Due to all classes being 1) live, and 2) structured around collaborative, team-based learning, we can't offer flexibility regarding class times.
For the Part Time course, the start time is firmly fixed at 6pm for all the weekday classes (Monday - Thursday), and weekday classes finish at 9pm. The Part Time course also involves some Saturday morning classes. These start at 9:30am and finish at 12:30pm. Part Time courses run for 26 weeks.
For the Full Time course, the start time is firmly fixed at 9:30am, and classes finish at 2:30pm. Classes run Mon - Friday for 16 weeks.
Of course, if classes are missed due to illness, emergencies etc, learners can catch up with missed work with help from their tutors and teammates. However, this wouldn't be feasible on a regular basis.
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