Registration open for RIT/NTID cybersecurity bootcamp

In partnership with RIT’s Global Cybersecurity Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf is offering a fully remote boot camp specifically designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. RIT and NTID have opened registrations for part-time (30 weeks) and full-time (15 weeks) blended bootcamps, combining deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing individuals in a fully accessible learning environment. Both programs begin Jan. 10.

In April 2021, RIT/NTID launched its first ever Cybersecurity Bootcamp initiative for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to help meet the increasing demand for information security analysts and the needs of employers looking for applicants with skills in cybersecurity.

Bootcamp participants will be involved in a virtual simulation of a company with real-world tasks and exercises in an on-the-job training environment, and have live remote interactions with instructors, teaching assistants, and fellow students.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the cybersecurity field is expected to grow at a faster than average rate over other careers. The bootcamp is designed to prepare participants to enter positions in the cybersecurity field such as cyber technician, cyber investigator, cyber incident responder, and IT auditor. Job preparation and placement assistance will be provided to those who complete the bootcamp.

“When we built the Cyber Bootcamp, it was primarily to help make a career in cyber more accessible to underrepresented communities,” said Justin Pelletier, director of the Cyber Range and Training Center at RIT’s Global Cybersecurity Institute. “To become better at cybersecurity—to defeat the hackers who are always trying to think differently about how systems can work—we need more cognitive diversity in the workforce. That means we need to be proactive about recruiting people with different backgrounds and abilities to the cyber talent pool. Because of the leadership at NTID, we are able to offer a cohort dedicated to that purpose. I’m particularly excited about this collaboration.”

Those who successfully complete the program and pass a skills-based assessment will receive an RIT Global Cybersecurity Institute Cybersecurity Bootcamp Certificate and will have participated in activities to help prepare for industry-standard certifications, including CompTIA Security+ and Cybersecurity First Responder. Graduates will receive a voucher to take one of the exams for these industry certifications.

To be eligible, applicants must have a high school diploma, complete an aptitude test, and participate in an interview. 

The cost of both the full-time and part-time training courses is $10,000 per person, with partial scholarships available. Seats are limited, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 7. There will be another bootcamp offered in May.

For more information, go to the Cybersecurity Bootcamp for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals webpage, or contact rangeadmissions@rit.edu.