Tag: cybersecurity

Courtney Pimentel: Sales Associate to IT

Posted on by Flatiron School

Courtney Pimentel‘s story is one of ambition and transformation. Like many aspiring tech professionals, Courtney found herself drawn to the ever-evolving world of technology and its endless possibilities for growth. “[I wanted] to be a part of that environment,” Courtney says, reflecting on her decision to transition from a career as a Sales Associate at Nike to a challenging and rewarding path in cybersecurity engineering.

Before Flatiron: What were you doing and why did you decide to switch gears?

Courtney’s interest in tech wasn’t entirely new. Already equipped with a foundational knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals and Linux, she possessed a strong base to build upon. Recognizing the tech industry’s potential for innovation and advancement, Courtney made the bold decision to pursue a career change. “[I saw] the potential for growth,” she explains, highlighting the allure of a field constantly pushing boundaries.

However, transitioning into tech can be daunting. With the ever-growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals, it’s crucial to have the proper guidance and support. This is where Flatiron School entered Courtney’s journey. As a scholarship recipient for the Women Take Tech program, Courtney found the perfect environment to cultivate her technical skills and gain the confidence to thrive in the tech industry.

During Flatiron: What surprised you most about yourself and the learning process during your time at Flatiron School?

Flatiron School’s immersive bootcamp proved to be a turning point for Courtney. “The most surprising thing about my time at Flatiron was discovering how much I could learn and grow in such a short amount of time,” she reflects. The curriculum’s intensity pushed Courtney in unexpected ways, but she rose to the challenge, exceeding her own expectations. “The learning process challenged me in ways I never expected,” she admits, “and I was amazed at how quickly I was able to pick up new skills and concepts.”

Flatiron School fosters a culture of continuous learning, and Courtney thrived in this environment. The fast-paced nature of the program not only equipped her with technical expertise but also instilled a sense of perseverance and adaptability – valuable assets in any tech career.

After Flatiron: What are you most proud of in your new tech career?

Today, Courtney is a testament to the transformative power of Flatiron School’s education and career services support. Together with her Career Coach, Andrea Towe, Courtney was able to execute an effective job search strategy to make her dreams a reality. 

Having landed a fulfilling job as an IT Assistant with The Quad Preparatory School in New York, she’s actively contributing her skills and insights to add value. “I’m most proud of working on big projects that deal with automation and different systems in the IT world,” she beams.

Courtney’s exposure to new technologies and concepts at Flatiron School ignited a desire for continuous learning. “The opportunities feel endless!” she exclaims, highlighting the vast potential for growth in her chosen field. This experience has solidified her decision to pursue a career in tech, and she’s eager to explore the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

Courtney’s journey is an inspiration to anyone considering a career change in tech. It exemplifies the power of dedication, a thirst for knowledge, and the transformative environment offered by Flatiron School.

Inspired By Courtney’s Story? Ready to take charge of your future?

Apply Now to join other career changers like Courtney in a program that sets you apart from the competition. Flatiron School offers an immersive bootcamp designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in the tech industry. Read more stories about successful career changes on the Flatiron School blog and see if a tech career is right for you.

A Guide to Cloud Identity and Access Management (Cloud IAM)

Posted on by Ken Underhill

The cloud offers unparalleled scalability, agility, and cost efficiency for businesses. However, this flexibility comes with a security challenge of ensuring the right users, applications, and services have access to the right resources at the right time. This is where cloud identity and access management (Cloud IAM) comes into play.

IAM Basics: Understanding Identity and Access Management

At its core, identity and access management (IAM) is a framework that governs access to IT resources. IAM helps organizations provide access to the right information or services, while protecting against unauthorized access. It ensures only authorized parties can access specific resources, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

In cloud environments, Cloud IAM takes this concept a step further, providing a centralized system for managing identities and access controls across all cloud services and resources.

Cloud Security IAM

Traditional on-premise IT environments used to have well-defined security perimeters, making it easier to control access. However, cloud environments present a different challenge. Resources are spread across geographically distributed data centers, accessed by a wider range of users, devices, and applications. This distributed nature necessitates a more centralized and scalable approach to identity and access management in the cloud.  

Many cloud providers offer native resources for managing identity and access management, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) IAM, Azure Active Directory (AD), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) IAM. These Cloud IAM resources help organizations improve security, offer scalability, and simplify administration. 

Let’s look at some of the key benefits that Cloud IAM offers an organization. 

Simplified Administration

With Cloud IAM, organizations can manage user identities and access controls from a single location, eliminating the need to configure security settings on individual cloud resources.

Improved Security

Cloud IAM helps enforce strong authentication and authorization policies across all cloud services, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Scalability

Cloud IAM can easily accommodate a growing number of users, applications, and resources within the cloud environment.

An Example of Cloud IAM in Action

Let’s explore a real-world example of how Cloud IAM can be used to secure a cloud storage bucket. Imagine a company that stores sensitive marketing data in a cloud storage bucket on a cloud platform like GCP. 

Users

The company has various user groups with different access needs, which includes the marketing, sales, and IT teams.

  • The marketing team requires full access (read, write, delete) to modify and manage the marketing data.
  • The sales team needs read-only access to view the marketing materials but cannot modify them.
  • The IT team has full administrative control over the storage bucket for maintenance purposes.

Access Controls

Using GCP IAM, the company can create specific roles with predefined sets of permissions for each user group.

  • A MarketingManager role with read, write, and delete permissions.
  • A SalesViewer role with read-only permissions.
  • An ITAdmin role with full administrative privileges.

Identity Management

The company can integrate GCP IAM with its existing Active Directory to leverage centralized user management and provide more granular security to cloud environments.

By implementing this Cloud IAM strategy, the company ensures that only authorized users have access to the marketing data, the marketing team can manage their data efficiently, the sales team can access the information they need without compromising data integrity, and the IT team retains full control for maintenance and troubleshooting.

IAM in Enterprise Cloud Security

IAM is an important component of overall enterprise cloud security. It provides organizations granular access control, helps ensure compliance and protect against insider threats, and provides a central platform for managing access control.

Granular Access Control

Cloud IAM enables organizations to define granular access policies that specify who or what can access what resources (and under what conditions). This ensures that access privileges are aligned with business requirements and that users only have access to the resources necessary for their roles. 

For example, a healthcare organization using a cloud-based medical records system could use IAM to restrict access to patient information. This helps the organization ensure the safety of the patient data and ensures compliance with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Security Compliance

Effective Cloud IAM helps organizations ensure compliance with regulations, like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the aforementioned HIPAA, implementing security controls, auditing access activities, and maintaining an audit trail of user actions.

Insider Threats

Insider threats, whether intentional or unintentional, pose a significant risk to enterprise cloud security. Identity and access management solutions can detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, suspicious behavior, and privilege misuse, thereby reducing the risk of insider threats.

Centralized Management

Identity and access management also provides a centralized platform for managing identities, access policies, and authentication mechanisms across similar cloud environments. This helps streamline administration tasks, improve visibility, and simplify the enforcement of security controls.

Cloud IAM Best Practices  

Some of the best practices in Cloud IAM include leveraging the following.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Leveraging MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring multiple authentication factors, such as passwords and one-time codes. An example of this would be requiring cloud users to enter a code from Google Authenticator as part of the login process.  

Least Privilege 

The principle of least privilege means granting users, applications, or systems only the permissions needed to perform the required function. For example, someone working in the accounting department does not need to have administrative privileges to the organization’s cloud infrastructure because their daily job tasks do not involve managing the cloud infrastructure.

Granular Access Control

Organizations can use RBAC to assign access permissions based on predefined roles within the organization. Using the previous healthcare organization example, all new nursing staff could be assigned the role of nurse, which would grant them specific privileges in the cloud-based medical records system.

Cloud IAM also allows you to define access controls based on factors like user attributes, IP address, time of day, geographic location, and the resource type. This enables organizations to build access policies tailored to their specific needs.

Access Logging and Auditing

Tracking access activity across cloud resources can help organizations identify potential breaches and ensure compliance. It can also help organizations during incident response investigations. This audit trail is similar to how a physician documents your office visits so they can spot changes in your health over time.

Identity Federation

Identity federation helps organizations simplify Cloud IAM user management and authentication processes by facilitating seamless access to multiple cloud services with a unified set of credentials. An example of this is using your Gmail account to log into your social media accounts.  

Service Accounts

Service accounts are special identities used by applications to access cloud resources.  Organizations should manage their service account keys carefully and rotate them periodically to improve their overall security posture.

Third-Party Integrations

Many cloud providers offer integration with third-party identity providers (IdPs) like Okta or Microsoft Entra ID. This allows for centralized management of identities across cloud and on-premises resources.

IAM in Enterprise Security

Let’s look at an example of how Cloud IAM can be used in the AWS cloud for a financial institution.

The organization can use MFA and enforce it for all AWS IAM users and root accounts, which can help protect against unauthorized access. IAM policies can then be used to grant permissions strictly as needed, which helps minimize the risk of data exposure.

Cloud IAM roles could then be defined by the organization (like the previous nursing role example), where the access is tailored to just what the user needs to perform their daily job functions. AWS CloudTrail could be leveraged for monitoring the audit trail. And finally, identity federation could be used to integrate corporate credentials with AWS services. This allows a user to just use one set of credentials to access everything they need to perform their job.

Conclusion 

Cloud IAM helps organizations control access to cloud resources. It provides features like centralized administration, granular access control, and improved security to ensure only authorized entities can access specific resources. Cloud IAM helps organizations comply with regulations, protect against insider threats, and simplify cloud security management.

Cloud IAM can be complex and organizations need qualified cybersecurity professionals to help them secure their cloud environments. The Cybersecurity Engineering program at Flatiron School can help you build foundational cybersecurity skills to help secure cloud environments. You can apply to the program today or download the syllabus to get a look at what you will learn. 

Why a Cybersecurity Career Change Might be the Perfect Move

Posted on by Emily Drafts

Cybersecurity presents itself as a compelling career change for numerous reasons, notably due to the ever-growing demand for professionals equipped with cybersecurity knowledge and skills across various industries. In today’s digital age, where data breaches, cyber attacks, and privacy concerns are rampant, organizations worldwide are prioritizing strong cybersecurity measures to safeguard their sensitive information and infrastructure. This escalating threat landscape has led to a significant shortage of cybersecurity experts, creating abundant opportunities for career transitioners interested in a potential cybersecurity career change. Regardless of one’s previous professional background, individuals with a passion for problem-solving, critical thinking, and a knack for technology can seamlessly pivot into cybersecurity roles.

Industries Seeking Cybersecurity Professionals

Industries ranging from finance and healthcare to government agencies and e-commerce are actively seeking cybersecurity professionals to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats. Financial institutions require experts to protect customer data and financial transactions, while healthcare organizations need to secure patient records and medical devices from potential breaches.

Similarly, government entities rely on cybersecurity specialists to safeguard sensitive information and critical infrastructure from cyber espionage and attacks at a larger purview. Moreover, the booming e-commerce sector depends on cybersecurity experts to ensure the security of online transactions and customer data, fostering trust among consumers.

Furthermore, the versatility of cybersecurity skills enables professionals to explore diverse career paths within the field. From ethical hacking and penetration testing to risk assessment and security analysis, individuals can specialize in various domains based on their interests and aptitudes.

Additionally, the continuous evolution of technology and the emergence of new cyber threats guarantee a dynamic and intellectually stimulating career in cybersecurity, offering endless opportunities for learning and growth.The burgeoning demand for cybersecurity expertise across different industries, coupled with the flexibility and constant innovation within the field, makes it an ideal career change for individuals seeking rewarding and future-proof professions. Whether making a cybersecurity career change from a technical or non-technical background, embarking on a cybersecurity career path promises both professional fulfillment and the chance to make a significant impact in safeguarding digital assets and preserving online privacy and security.

phishing image

Cybersecurity Career Opportunities

A diverse array of career opportunities exists for individuals possessing cybersecurity knowledge and skills, extending beyond traditional roles to encompass non-traditional paths in various industries. 

Traditional cybersecurity careers

Firstly, traditional careers in cybersecurity include roles such as cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, security engineers, and incident responders. These professionals are responsible for protecting organizations from cyber threats, conducting vulnerability assessments, implementing security measures, and responding to security incidents.

Non-traditional cybersecurity careers

Moreover, the demand for cybersecurity expertise has proliferated into non-traditional sectors, offering unique cyber career opportunities. In the healthcare industry, for instance, healthcare cybersecurity specialists focus on safeguarding patient records, medical devices, and hospital networks from cyber attacks. Similarly, the automotive industry has seen a rise in automotive cybersecurity engineers tasked with securing connected vehicles and autonomous driving systems against potential cyber threats.

Furthermore, the rapidly expanding field of Internet of Things (IoT) presents unconventional career opportunities in IoT security. The IoT provides a unique landscape of career opportunities as it opens doors to industries outside of directly working with computers. IoT refers to the world of devices that connect to the cloud, such as smartwatches and smart home devices. 

IoT security specialists work to secure interconnected devices and networks, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted through IoT ecosystems. Additionally, the gaming industry has witnessed a surge in demand for cybersecurity professionals specializing in gaming security, protecting online gaming platforms and digital assets from hackers and cyber attacks.

Beyond industry-specific roles, non-traditional careers in cybersecurity also include positions in academia, policy-making, and law enforcement. Cybersecurity educators and researchers contribute to advancing the field through academic institutions, while cybersecurity consultants provide specialized expertise to businesses and governments. Moreover, cybersecurity policy analysts and law enforcement agents play crucial roles in shaping cybersecurity regulations, enforcing cyber laws, and investigating cyber crimes.

Cybersecurity career change and the job landscape

The career landscape for individuals with cybersecurity knowledge and skills is vast and diverse, encompassing traditional roles in cybersecurity as well as non-traditional opportunities across various industries and sectors. Whether pursuing a career as a cybersecurity analyst, IoT security specialist, or cybersecurity policy analyst, professionals in this field have the flexibility to explore a wide range of career paths and make significant contributions to safeguarding digital assets and protecting against cyber threats.

blackbox hacker image

Diverse Backgrounds in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a field where diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. In a world where cyber threats evolve at lightning speed, the need for individuals from diverse backgrounds in cybersecurity careers has never been more critical.

Diversity brings a multitude of benefits to the table. Firstly, it fosters innovation. When people from different backgrounds and age ranges collaborate, they bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches. This diversity of thought is essential for staying one step ahead of cyber threats and developing innovative solutions.

Moreover, cybersecurity is a global issue. Threats know no borders, and understanding global perspectives and cyber threats is crucial. By recruiting individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and geographical backgrounds, cybersecurity teams gain a deeper understanding of global challenges.

Effective communication and collaboration are also enhanced in diverse teams. Different communication styles and cultural norms create an environment of mutual respect and understanding, facilitating more effective collaboration towards common cybersecurity goals.

Additionally, diversity helps address the skills shortage in cybersecurity. By actively recruiting from non-traditional career paths and underrepresented groups, organizations can tap into a larger talent pool, promoting inclusivity and addressing the industry’s skill gap.

Furthermore, building trust and credibility is paramount in cybersecurity. By prioritizing diversity, organizations demonstrate their commitment to understanding and addressing diverse stakeholder needs. This fosters trust and enhances the organization’s reputation.

Diversity is not just a nice-to-have in cybersecurity—it’s a must-have. Embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds enriches cybersecurity teams, fostering innovation, understanding global perspectives, enhancing collaboration, addressing skill shortages, and building trust. In an interconnected world facing evolving cyber threats, diversity is the key to resilience and success in safeguarding digital assets and data.

 Learn Cybersecurity at Flatiron School in as Little as 15 Weeks

Embark on a transformative journey into cybersecurity with our comprehensive Cybersecurity Bootcamp course. Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career change into this high-demand field, where average salaries for many key roles are in the 100k range. Apply today or book a 10-minute chat with our Admissions team to learn more. 

Navigating Social Media Security: Protecting a Business Against Cyber Risks

Posted on by Ken Underhill

In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have become indispensable tools for businesses to engage with customers, promote their brand, and drive growth. With the myriad benefits of social media come social media security risks that can pose serious threats to businesses. From data breaches and account hijacking to reputational damage and regulatory compliance issues, the risks associated with social media platforms are multifaceted and require proactive risk management. In fact, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found that social media account takeover is on the rise.

In this article, we’ll explore social media security risks and best practices for securing business social media accounts. We’ll also discuss the importance of employee training for social media security. Additionally, we will look at security considerations around data privacy and user information.

Cybersecurity Risks Associated with Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms present several cybersecurity risks that can potentially impact businesses of all sizes and industries. These risks can encompass the following categories.

Account Compromise

Threat actors may attempt to compromise social media accounts through phishing attacks, malware, or brute force attacks. Once an account is hijacked, attackers can use it to spread malicious content, scam followers, or even damage the business’s reputation.

Data Breaches

Social media platforms store large amounts of user data, including personal information and behavioral data. A data breach on a social media platform can expose sensitive information about customers, employees, and the business itself. This can lead to financial loss, legal liabilities, and reputational damage.

Phishing and Social Engineering

Threat actors often use social media platforms as a hunting ground for gathering information about individuals and organizations. They may impersonate trusted entities, create fake profiles, or conduct targeted phishing campaigns to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.

Reputational Damage

Negative comments, reviews, or posts on social media can quickly escalate and damage a business’s reputation. Social media platforms amplify the reach and impact of both positive and negative content, making reputation management an important part of social media security risk management for businesses that are active on social media.

Compliance

Many businesses are subject to regulatory requirements regarding the handling and protection of customer data, such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines, legal penalties, and loss of customer trust, especially if data breaches occur due to inadequate security measures on social media platforms.

Employee Training for Social Media Security

Employee training on social media security is important for improving the overall security posture of businesses. Security awareness training programs for social media should include the following areas.

Phishing Attacks

Organizations should educate employees about common phishing techniques used on social media platforms, such as fake profiles (sock puppet accounts), deceptive messages, and malicious links. Employees should be instructed on how to identify suspicious content and verify the authenticity of messages before taking any action. These actions can help protect business social media accounts.

Sensitive Information

Organizations should emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive information when using social media platforms. Employees should be instructed to avoid sharing sensitive information publicly and to use designated secure communication channels for sensitive work discussions to improve social media security.

Data Privacy Training

Employees should be provided training on configuring privacy settings and additional security controls on social media accounts. Encourage employees to review and update their privacy settings regularly and to enable additional security features offered by the social media platforms, like two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is when a random numerical code is generated and you use this along with your password for logging in. This helps protect your social media account if someone else has your password.

Safe Social Media Practices

Promote social media security best practices in employee training, such as verifying the authenticity of accounts and profiles before engaging with them, avoiding sharing personal or sensitive information with unknown or untrusted sources, and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments. One simple tool employees can use to check suspicious links is VirusTotal, which scans the link against a database of known threats.

Reporting Security Incidents

Employees should be trained on the proper procedures for reporting security incidents, suspicious activity, and/or potential threats they encounter on social media platforms. Build a culture of transparency and accountability, where employees feel comfortable reporting security concerns without fear of retribution. This is critical to improving an organization’s overall social media security.

Data Privacy On Social Media

Data privacy on social media is an important concern for businesses operating on social media platforms. Organizations can address data privacy concerns and improve their overall social media security by doing the following.

Privacy Policies

Organizations should regularly review and update privacy policies to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and to clearly communicate how user data is collected, stored, and used on social media platforms.

Obtain Consent for Data Collection

Obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and processing their personal information on social media platforms. Organizations should clearly explain the purposes for which the data will be used and provide users with options to control their privacy settings.

Monitor Third-Party Apps and Integrations

Organizations need to regularly audit and monitor third-party apps and integrations connected to social media accounts to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and data protection standards, like GDPR. Any unauthorized or unused apps should be removed and access should be revoked for unnecessary integrations. This helps reduce the attack surface area and improve overall social media security.

Encryption

Encryption should be used to protect sensitive data that is being transmitted to or stored on social media platforms. Most social media platforms will encrypt data at rest, but organizations should work with their legal and compliance teams to determine their responsibilities around data security and social media. Using encryption can help reduce the negative impact to the organization if sensitive data is leaked or stolen.

Social Media Security Best Practices

To help mitigate the cybersecurity risks associated with using social media platforms, businesses should implement the following best practices for managing their social media accounts.

Password Policy

Businesses should require employees to use strong, unique passwords for each social media account. They should also require and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security. Using 2FA is one of the simplest ways to improve social media security because it can help prevent account takeover.

Organizations should require passwords to be updated on a consistent basis. They should definitely require updating after a data breach is disclosed from the social media platform. Whenever possible, use Federated Identity to reduce the number of separate passwords your employees need. Federated Identity is a set of shared principles between systems that allows you to log into one account, like your Gmail, and then use that to log into all of your social media accounts. This reduces the number of passwords in use and helps reduce the attack surface area and risk to the organization.

Limit Access to Social Media

Restrict access to social media accounts to authorized personnel only and implement role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that employees have access only to the accounts and functionalities necessary for their roles. Limiting access to social media on company-owned systems can help protect against employees accidentally downloading malware from social media links.

Continuous Monitoring

Organizations should continuously monitor social media accounts for suspicious activity, unauthorized access, or unusual changes to account settings or posts. They should also regularly review and update privacy settings on social media accounts, security configurations, and connected applications to help manage social media security.

Employee Training and Awareness

Organizations should provide comprehensive training to employees on social media security best practices. The training should be focused on recognizing phishing attempts, avoiding clicking on suspicious links, and reporting suspicious activity. 

This training should include examples of phishing attacks via social media and simple security best practices, such as using two-factor authentication on all social media accounts, turning off name tagging in social media posts, not accepting strange connection requests, making social media posts only visible to family and friends, and not sharing sensitive information. Employees should also be instructed to use caution when they need to use public Wi-Fi and always use a secure communication method, like a virtual private network (VPN), to connect with company systems and data when using public Wi-Fi. A VPN is like a tunnel underneath a river that you drive your car through. A VPN is like a tunnel underneath a river that you drive your car through. The tunnel protects your car from the water, and a VPN protects the data traveling through it.

Mobile Devices

Any company-issued mobile devices should be regularly updated and secured. One way to manage security of mobile devices is by using mobile device management (MDM). MDM allows organizations to standardize security across mobile devices. For example, if the organization wants to block certain social media applications on the device or remotely reset information on the device when an employee leaves, MDM allows them to do this from a centralized location.

Businesses rely heavily on social media platforms for customer engagement and brand promotion. However, alongside the numerous advantages of social media lurk substantial security risks that can negatively impact the business. Simple social media security best practices, like requiring two-factor authentication (2FA), strong and complex passwords, educating employees about not clicking links in social media messages, and hardening mobile devices can help organizations protect sensitive data and their brand. Hardening mobile devices just means the software is kept up to date on the device. Unnecessary applications are removed. sensitive information is encrypted. Finally, a screen lock is added to mobile devices to protect against unauthorized access. 

Gain a Cybersecurity Education at Flatiron School

Unfortunately, many business owners don’t have the time to generate sales, manage human capital, and still manage social media security. This is why they rely on cybersecurity professionals to have the knowledge and skills to help protect their business. Flatiron School’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp can help you build the knowledge and skills to help protect businesses all over the world.

Demystifying Cybersecurity: How Bootcamps Open Doors to Fulfilling Careers

Posted on by Ken Underhill

The cybersecurity landscape changes constantly, which leads to new threats and a growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Making a transition into a cybersecurity career may seem daunting, especially for those with no prior technical skills or for those that are older members of the workforce. However, coming from a non-technical background or being older are not actually barriers to entry in this field and there are valuable resources available to help you build the technical skills you need for success. Enter cybersecurity bootcamps, which offer a streamlined and accessible path to a rewarding career in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Career Opportunities Abound

Cybersecurity bootcamps provide a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to thrive in a cybersecurity career. These intensive programs cover important areas like network security, system security, ethical hacking, incident response, and vulnerability assessments, preparing you to build better defenses against cybersecurity threats. This broad skillset helps you prepare for many cybersecurity career opportunities, like GRC analyst and cybersecurity analyst.

Lack of Experience in Cybersecurity is Not a Roadblock

One of the biggest advantages of a cybersecurity bootcamp curriculum is its ability to bridge the experience gap with hands-on projects. They often start with the basics of computer networking and systems, explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This approach, coupled with hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, makes cybersecurity career opportunities accessible to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Regardless of your prior experience, bootcamps empower you to build tech confidence and pursue exciting cybersecurity career opportunities.

Building Tech Confidence Through Collaborative Learning

Cybersecurity bootcamps foster a supportive learning environment where asking questions is encouraged. This collaborative atmosphere allows beginners to overcome their initial apprehension and build tech confidence that is needed to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges. By interacting with experienced instructors and peers from diverse backgrounds, students gain valuable insights, share knowledge, and build a network of like-minded individuals who may become future co-workers or mentors on their journey towards cybersecurity career opportunities.

Learning by Doing: Practical Skills for Real-World Application

Unlike traditional educational programs that have a heavy theoretical focus, cybersecurity bootcamps often focus on practical application. Students spend a significant portion of their time actively engaging with real-world scenarios, participating in hands-on exercises, and working with common industry tools. This hands-on approach allows you to do the following:

  • Sharpen your technical skills in areas like penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and using tools like endpoint detection and response (EDR). Abilities with these skills can open up more cybersecurity career opportunities.
  • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing security threats, identifying and prioritizing vulnerabilities, and implementing mitigation strategies. This helps you prepare for real on-the-job tasks in your cybersecurity career.
  • Gain valuable experience applying your knowledge in simulated real-world scenarios, ensuring you are well prepared to contribute immediate value. This hands-on experience can help improve your cybersecurity career opportunities.

Beyond Technical Skills: Building Essential Soft Skills for Success

While technical expertise is important, success in a cybersecurity career also requires strong soft skills. Older professionals have often honed their soft skills through other careers and offer additional benefits to organizations. Cybersecurity bootcamps recognize this need and integrate activities that help students develop soft skills in the following areas.  

Communication Skills

The ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences is essential for opening up more cybersecurity career opportunities.

Teamwork

Collaborative problem-solving and effective communication are important for addressing complex security threats that often require coordinated efforts across teams.

Critical Thinking Skills

Cybersecurity professionals need to think critically, analyze complex situations, and develop creative solutions to fight against emerging threats.

Attention to Detail

Cybersecurity is a detail-oriented career field where even minor errors can have significant consequences for organizations and human life. Bootcamps can help students hone their ability to focus on details and identify potential vulnerabilities, preparing them for the demands of entry-level cybersecurity jobs.

Launching Your Cybersecurity Career: Support Every Step of the Way

Many cybersecurity bootcamps go beyond just providing the technical skills and knowledge you need to be successful in cybersecurity career opportunities. They offer additional career guidance and support services, like the following, to help you land your dream job.

Resume Writing Workshops

Resume writing workshops help you learn how to tailor your resume to highlight your newly acquired skills from the bootcamp and your transferable skills, helping you stand out to potential employers.  This can help increase your chance of landing your desired cybersecurity career opportunities.

Mock Job Interviews

Once you land the job interview, it’s important to continue showing your value to the organization. At Flatiron School, mock job interviews are provided by the Career Services team. Mock job interviews can help you gain valuable interview experience in a simulated environment. They can also boost your confidence and interview skills for real-world job interviews.  These interviews often include a combination of behavioral and technical questions to help the interviewer assess your problem-solving and technical skills.

Networking Opportunities

Many bootcamp programs offer meetup groups and events to help you connect with industry professionals, including potential employers. These events can be attended locally or virtually and help you expand your network and open doors to exciting cybersecurity career opportunities.

Career Coaching

In some cases, the cybersecurity hiring process could take months. That’s why it’s important to have a support system in place for your career. Many bootcamp programs offer career coaching to help provide guidance and support throughout the job search process. Career coaching can help you learn how to navigate the job market. Coaches can also help you identify entry-level cybersecurity jobs that interest you, and ultimately help you launch your cybersecurity career. 

Learn More About Flatiron’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp

With the right support system and a commitment to learning, a cybersecurity bootcamp can be the launching pad for a fulfilling and rewarding career in cybersecurity. Don’t let age or a lack of experience hold you back. Take the first step towards an exciting future in cybersecurity today. Flatiron’s Cybersecurity Engineering Bootcamp can help you build the technical skills and hone the soft skills needed for cybersecurity career opportunities. You can apply to the program today, or book a 10-minute call with our Admissions team to learn more. 

Enhancing Your Tech Career with Remote Collaboration Skills

Posted on by Angelica Spratley

Landing a career in the tech industry requires more than just technical/hard skills; it requires soft skills like effective communication, adaptability, time management, problem-solving abilities, and remote collaboration skills. Remote collaboration is especially key for those who work in tech; according to U.S. News & World Report, the tech industry leads all other industries with the highest percentage of remote workers.

At Flatiron School, we understand the importance of these skills in shaping successful tech professionals. Hackonomics, our AI-focused hackathon event happening between March 8 and March 25, will see participants sharpen remote collaboration skills (and many others) through the remote team-based building of an AI-driven personal finance platform. We’ll reveal more about Hackonomics later in the article; right now, let’s dive deeper into why remote collaboration skills are so important in today’s work world.

Mastering Remote Collaboration Skills

Remote collaboration skills are invaluable in today’s digital workplace, where teams are often distributed across different locations and time zones. Whether you’re working on a project with colleagues halfway across the globe or collaborating with clients remotely, the ability to effectively communicate, problem-solve, and coordinate tasks in a remote work setting is essential for success. Here are some other key reasons why this skill is becoming so important. 

Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency

Remote collaboration tools and technologies empower teams to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate in real-time, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. With the right skills and tools in place, tasks can be completed more quickly, projects can progress smoothly, and goals can be achieved with greater ease.

Flexibility and Work-life Balance

Remote work offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing individuals to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. However, this flexibility comes with the responsibility of being able to collaborate effectively from anywhere, ensuring that work gets done regardless of physical location.

Professional Development and Learning Opportunities

Embracing remote collaboration opens doors to a wealth of professional development and learning opportunities. From mastering new collaboration tools to honing communication and teamwork skills in virtual settings, individuals can continually grow and adapt to the evolving demands of the digital workplace.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic—and the massive shift to at-home work it caused—has highlighted the importance of remote collaboration skills. When faced with unforeseen challenges or disruptions, the ability to collaborate remotely ensures business continuity and resilience, enabling teams to adapt and thrive in any environment.

Join Us for the Hackonomics Project Showcase and Awards Ceremony

Come see the final projects born out of our Hackonomics teams’ remote collaboration experiences when our Hackonomics 2024 Showcase and Awards Ceremony happens online on March 28. The event is free to the public and offers those interested in attending a Flatiron School bootcamp a great opportunity to see the types of projects they could work on should they enroll.

The 8 Things People Want Most from an AI Personal Finance Platform

Posted on by Cameron Rennacker

Great product design is one of those things you just know when you see it, and more importantly—use it. It’s not just about being eye-catching; it’s about serving a real purpose and solving a real problem—bonus points if you can solve that problem in a clever way. If there ever was a time to build a fintech app, that time is now. The market is ripe, the problems to solve are plenty, and the tools and resources are readily available. Flatiron School Alumni from our Cybersecurity, Data Science, Product Design, and Software Engineering bootcamps have been tasked to help me craft Money Magnet, an AI personal finance platform that solves common budget-making challenges. They’ll tackle this work during Hackonomics, our two-week-long hackathon that runs from March 8 to March 25.

There is one goal in mind: to help individuals and families improve their financial well-being through an AI financial tool.

A loading screen mockup for AI personal finance platform Money Magnet
A loading screen mockup for AI personal finance platform Money Magnet

My Personal Spreadsheet Struggle

The concept for Money Magnet sprang from personal frustration and mock research around user preferences in AI finance. As a designer, I often joke, “I went to design school to avoid math.” Yet, ironically, I’m actually quite adept with numbers. Give me a spreadsheet and 30 minutes, and I’ll show you some of the coolest formulas, conditional formats, and data visualization charts you’ve ever seen.

Despite this, in my household, the responsibility of budget management falls squarely to my partner. I prefer to stay blissfully unaware of our financial details—knowing too much about our funds admittedly tends to lead to impulsive spending on my part. However, occasionally I need to access the budget, whether it’s to update it for an unexpected expense or to analyze historical data for better spending decisions.

We’re big on goal-setting in our family—once we set a goal, we stick to it. We have several future purchases we’re planning for, like a house down payment, a new car, a vacation, and maybe even planning for children. 

But here’s the catch: None of the top AI financial tools on the market incorporate the personal finance AI features that Money Magnet proposes bringing to the market. Families need an AI personal finance platform that looks into our spending patterns from the past and projects into the future to tell users when the budget gets tighter. This product should be easy to use with access to all family members to make changes without fear of wrecking the budget.

For more context, each year, my partner forecasts a detailed budget for us. We know some expenses fluctuate—a grocery trip might cost $100 one time and $150 the next. We use averages from the past year to estimate and project those variable expenses. This way, we manage to live comfortably without having to scale back in tighter months, fitting in bigger purchases when possible, and working towards an annual savings goal.

Top financial apps chart from Sensor Tower
Top financial apps chart from Sensor Tower

But here’s where the challenge lies: My partner, as incredible as he is, is not a visualist. He can navigate a sea of spreadsheet cells effortlessly, which is something I struggle with (especially when it comes to budgeting). I need a big picture, ideally represented in a neat, visual chart or graph that clearly illustrates our financial forecast.

Then there’s the issue of access and updates. Trying to maneuver a spreadsheet on your phone in the middle of a grocery store is far from convenient. And if you make an unplanned purchase, updating the sheet without disrupting the formulas can be a real hassle, especially on a phone. This frustration made me think, “There has to be a better solution!”

Imagining the Ultimate AI Personal Finance Platform

Imagine an AI personal finance platform that “automagically” forecasts the future, securely connects to your bank and credit cards to pull transaction histories, and creates a budget considering dynamic and bucketed savings goals. This dream app would translate data into a clear dashboard, visually reporting on aspects like spending categories, monthly trends in macro and micro levels, amounts paid to interest, debt consolidation plans, and more.

It’s taken eight years of experiencing my partner’s budget management to truly understand a common struggle that many other families in the U.S. face: Advanced spreadsheet functions, essential in accounting and budgeting, are alien to roughly 73% of U.S. workers.

The extent of digital skills in the U.S. workforce according to OECD PIAAC survey data. Image Source: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
The extent of digital skills in the U.S. workforce according to OECD PIAAC survey data. Image Source: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Money Magnet aims to automate 90% of the budgeting process by leveraging AI recommendations about users’ personal finances to solve eight of the key findings outlined in a mock research study based on some of the challenges I had faced when developing a budget of my own.

Features to Simplify Your Finances

This dream budgeting tool is inspired by my own financial journey and the collective wish list of what an ideal personal finance assistant should be. Here’s a snapshot of the personal finance AI features that aims to position Money Magnet as one of the top AI financial tools on the market:

  1. Effortless Onboarding: Starting a financial journey shouldn’t be daunting. Money Magnet envisions a platform where setting up accounts and syncing banking information is as quick and effortless as logging into the app, connecting your bank accounts, and establishing some savings goals (if applicable).
  2. Unified Account Dashboard: Juggling multiple banking apps and credit card sites can be a circus act, trying to merge those separate ecosystems as a consumer is nearly impossible. Money Magnet proposes a unified dashboard, a one-stop financial overview that could declutter your digital financial life.
  3. Personalized AI Insights: Imagine a platform that knows your spending habits better than you do, offering bespoke guidance to fine-tune your budget. Money Magnet aims to be that savvy financial companion, using AI to tailor its advice just for you.
  4. Vivid Data Visualization: For those of us who see a blur of numbers on statements and spreadsheets, Money Magnet could paint a clearer picture with vibrant graphs and charts—turning the abstract into an understandable, perceivable, engaging, and dynamic visual that encourages you to monitor the trends.
  5. Impenetrable Security: When dealing with informational and financial details, security is non-negotiable. Money Magnet will prioritize protecting your financial data with robust encryption and authentication protocols, so your finances are as secure as Fort Knox.
  6. Intelligent Budget Optimization and Forecasting: No more cookie-cutter budget plans that force your spending to fit conventional categorization molds! Money Magnet will learn user preferences in AI finance and forecast from your historic spending, suggesting ways to cut back on lattes or add to your savings—all personalized to improve your financial well-being based on your real-world spending and forecast into the future to avoid pinch-points.
  7. Smooth Bank Integrations: Another goal of Money Magnet is to eliminate the all-too-common bank connection hiccups where smaller banks and credit unions don’t get as much connectivity as the larger banks, ensuring a seamless link between your financial institutions and the app.
  8. Family Financial Management: Lastly, Money Magnet should be a tool where managing family finances is a breeze. Money Magnet could allow for individual family profiles, making it easier to teach kids about money and collaborate on budgeting without stepping on each other’s digital toes or overwriting a budget. It’s important for those using Money Magnet to know it can’t be messed up, and that any action can always be reverted.

See the Money Magnet Final Projects During Our Closing Ceremony on March 28

Attend the Hackonomics 2024 Showcase and Awards Ceremony on March 28 and see how our participating hackathon teams turned these eight pillars of financial management into a reality through their Money Magnet projects. The event is online, free of charge, and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Age Diversity Potential for Careers in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Ken Underhill

In the cybersecurity industry, threats evolve rapidly and technology constantly advances, which creates a demand for skilled professionals. While the cybersecurity industry may seem dominated by younger professionals, there’s a growing recognition of the unique contributions that older adults bring to the industry. With years of experience under their belts, mature perspectives, and a notably strong work ethic, older adults possess a unique set of qualities that make them not only suitable, but often exceptional, candidates for careers in cybersecurity. 

In this post, we’ll explore how age and life experience are invaluable assets in cybersecurity careers.

Recognizing the Need for Age Diversity in Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity industry often focuses on just technical skills, but the value of diverse perspectives, including those gained through age and life experience, cannot be emphasized enough. By hiring older professionals, organizations can tap into a rich pool of experiences, perspectives, and transferable skills that contribute to a more holistic approach to cybersecurity across the organization. In addition to transferable skills, hiring older professionals can help foster a culture of mentorship and the sharing of knowledge.

Some of the key benefits of hiring older professionals include the following. 

Experience

One of the most significant advantages older adults bring to careers in cybersecurity is their wealth of experience. Having navigated various industries and roles over the years, they possess a deep understanding of business processes, risk management, and critical thinking. This experience provides a solid foundation for addressing complex cybersecurity challenges with insight and foresight.

Maturity

With age often comes maturity, a quality that is invaluable in careers in cybersecurity. Mature professionals tend to display better decision-making abilities, more patience, and stronger composure in high pressure situations. In critical infrastructure cybersecurity, where a single mistake could have life and death consequences, the ability to maintain calm and use reasoned judgment is priceless.

Work Ethic

Older adults are often known for their strong work ethic, which has been honed through years of dedication and commitment to their previous profession. This work ethic translates into reliability, diligence, and a willingness to put in the effort needed to excel in careers in cybersecurity. This consistent and reliable work ethic helps older adults deliver results and ensure top-notch quality with their work.

Attention to Detail

Over the years, older adults tend to develop a keen attention to detail. This attention to detail can be helpful in cybersecurity careers, like that of a cybersecurity analyst, where professionals need to analyze large amounts of data to determine if a cyber incident has occurred. 

Communication Skills

Years of experience in diverse professional settings often sharpens the written and verbal communication skills of older adults. Effective communication is one of the soft skills that is important for cybersecurity careers because of the need to communicate complex technical information to non-technical internal and external stakeholders.

Adaptability

Despite some of the stereotypes suggesting otherwise, many older adults demonstrate remarkable adaptability, especially when it comes to learning new technologies. Each day in a cybersecurity career can be different because of new threats, so possessing adaptability is important for success in your career. 

Ethics

Because they are grounded in their life experiences and principles, older adults often bring a strong ethical perspective to careers in cybersecurity. This “ethical compass” helps guide older adults in navigating ethical dilemmas that they may face in a cybersecurity role. Remaining ethical helps foster better trust across the entire cybersecurity team.

Mentorship

With their extensive experience and knowledge from other careers, older adults can serve as invaluable mentors in the cybersecurity field. They can offer guidance, wisdom, and practical insights to younger team members, which helps nurture talent and foster their professional growth.

Stability in Employment

Many older adults are at a point in their lives where they prioritize stability in their careers. This inclination toward a long-term commitment in employment can benefit organizations seeking continuity and reliability in their cybersecurity teams. The stability of older adults can also foster a sense of trust and unity across teams, which can help improve productivity.

Diverse Perspectives

Age diversity in a workplace helps improve creativity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. Older adults bring unique perspectives shaped by their prior work experience, which complements the skills of younger talent.

Cybersecurity Training for Adults: Bridging the Gap

There is no shortage of information in the media about the reported cybersecurity talent gap.

However, many older adults find themselves facing a gap in their knowledge and expertise when considering a career transition into cybersecurity. This is where specialized training programs and bootcamps play a critical role. 

A cybersecurity bootcamp for career changers can be an excellent choice for those looking to build technical skills because bootcamps offer a structured learning pathway into careers in cybersecurity.

The Flatiron School Cybersecurity Engineering Bootcamp can help older adults build the technical skills needed to be successful in cybersecurity careers. Learn more about the program by clicking the link in the previous sentence, or jump to a free download of our syllabus to see what you will learn. 

Summary

Having a team with a broad range of experiences is critical for developing an effective cybersecurity strategy against emerging threats. Age diversity in cybersecurity helps bring fresh perspectives to tackle pressing problems. By embracing and hiring individuals of a variety of ages, organizations can foster a culture of innovation and collaboration that helps strengthen their cyber resilience.

How to Achieve Portfolio Optimization With AI

Posted on by Angelica Spratley

Here’s a fact: Employers are seeking candidates with hands-on experience and expertise in emerging technologies. Portfolio optimization using Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a key strategy for people looking to break into the tech industry. Let’s look at some of the advantages of having an AI project in a portfolio, and how portfolio optimization with AI can be a possible game changer in regards to getting your foot in the door at a company.

The Pros of Having AI Projects in a Portfolio

For people seeking to transition into the tech industry, having AI projects in their portfolios can be a game-changer when it comes to landing coveted roles and advancing their careers. By showcasing hands-on experience with AI technologies and their applications in real-world projects, candidates can demonstrate their readiness to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation in any industry. Employers value candidates who can leverage AI to solve problems, optimize processes, and deliver tangible results, making AI projects a valuable asset for aspiring tech professionals.

Achieving portfolio optimization with AI by integrating AI into portfolios is quickly becoming a cornerstone of success for tech job seekers. However, portfolio optimization with AI involves more than just adopting the latest technology. It requires a strategic business approach and a deep understanding of Artificial Intelligence. Below are details about Hackonomics, Flatiron School’s AI-powered budgeting hackathon. 

The Components of Flatiron’s AI Financial Platform Hackathon

Identifying the Right Business Problem

The Hackonomics project revolves around cross-functional teams of recent Flatiron graduates building an AI-driven financial platform to increase financial literacy and provide individualized financial budgeting recommendations for customers. Identifying the right business problem entails understanding the unique needs and challenges of a target audience, ensuring that a solution addresses critical pain points and that the utilization of AI delivers tangible value to users.      

AI Models

At the core of Hackonomics are machine learning models meticulously designed to analyze vast amounts of financial data. These models will enable the uncovering of valuable insights into user spending patterns, income sources, and financial goals, laying the foundation for personalized recommendations and budgeting strategies.

Software and Product Development

As students develop their Hackonomics projects, continuous product development and fine-tuning are essential for optimizing performance and usability. This involves iterating on platform features (including UI design and SE functionality) and refining AI algorithms to ensure that the platform meets the evolving needs of users and delivers a seamless and intuitive experience.

Security and Encryption

Ensuring the security and privacy of users’ financial data is paramount. The Hackonomics project incorporates robust security measures, including encryption techniques, to safeguard sensitive information from outside banking accounts that need to be fed into the platform. Additionally, multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and enhancing the overall security posture of our platform.

Join Us at the Hackonomics Project Showcase on March 28

From March 8 to March 25, graduates of Flatiron School’s Cybersecurity, Data Science, Product Design, and Software Engineering bootcamps will collaborate to develop fully functioning AI financial platforms that analyze user data, provide personalized recommendations, and empower individuals to take control of their financial futures.

The Hackonomics outcomes are bound to be remarkable. Participants will create a valuable addition to their AI-optimized project portfolios and gain invaluable experience and skills that they can showcase in job interviews and beyond.

The judging of the projects will take place from March 26 to 27, followed by the showcase and awards ceremony on March 28. This event is free of charge and open to prospective Flatiron School students, employers, and the general public. Reserve your spot today at the Hackonomics 2024 Showcase and Awards Ceremony and don’t miss this opportunity to witness firsthand the innovative solutions that emerge from the intersection of AI and finance. 

Unveiling Hackonomics, Flatiron’s AI-Powered Budgeting Hackathon

Posted on by Angelica Spratley

Are you interested in learning about how software engineering, data science, product design, and cybersecurity can be combined to solve personal finance problems? Look no further, because Flatiron’s AI-powered budgeting hackathon—Hackonomics—is here to ignite your curiosity.

This post will guide you through our Hackonomics event and the problems its final projects aim to solve. Buckle up and get ready to learn how we’ll revolutionize personal finance with the power of AI.

Source: Generated by Canva and Angelica Spratley
Source: Generated by Canva and Angelica Spratley

Unveiling the Challenge

Picture this: a diverse cohort of recent Flatiron bootcamp graduates coming together on teams to tackle an issue that perplexes and frustrates a huge swath of the population—personal budgeting.

Hackonomics participants will be tasked with building a financial planning application named Money Magnet. What must Money Magnet do? Utilize AI to analyze spending patterns, income sources, and financial goals across family or individual bank accounts.

The goal? To provide personalized recommendations for optimizing budgets, identifying potential savings, and achieving financial goals through a dynamic platform that contains a user-friendly design with interactive dashboards, a personalized recommendation system to achieve budget goals, API integration of all financial accounts, data encryption to protect financial data, and more.

The Impact of AI in Personal Finance

Let’s dive a little deeper into what this entails. Integrating AI into personal finance isn’t just about creating fancy algorithms; it’s about transforming lives through the improvement of financial management. Imagine a single parent struggling to make ends meet, unsure of where their hard-earned money is going each month. With AI-powered budgeting, they can gain insights into their spending habits, receive tailored recommendations on how to save more effectively, and ultimately, regain control of their financial future. It’s about democratizing financial literacy and empowering individuals from all walks of life to make informed decisions about their money.

Crafting an Intuitive Technical Solution Through Collaboration

As the teams embark on this journey, the significance of Hackonomics becomes abundantly clear. It’s not just about building an advanced budgeting product. It’s about building a solution that has the power to vastly improve the financial health and wealth of many. By harnessing the collective talents of graduates from Flatiron School’s Cybersecurity, Data Science, Product Design, and Software Engineering bootcamps, Hackonomics has the opportunity to make a tangible impact on people’s lives.

Let’s now discuss the technical aspects of this endeavor. The platforms must be intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible to individuals with varying levels of financial literacy. They also need to be up and running with personalized suggestions in minutes, not hours, ensuring that anyone can easily navigate and understand their financial situation. 

Source: Generated by Canva and Angelica Spratley
Source: Generated by Canva and Angelica Spratley

Embracing the Challenge of Hackonomics

Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. Yes, the teams are participating to build a groundbreaking platform, but they’re also participating to inspire change. Change in the way we think about personal finance, change in the way we leverage technology for social good, and change in the way we empower individuals to take control of their financial destinies.

For those participating in Hackonomics, it’s not just about building a cool project. It’s about honing skills, showcasing talents, and positioning themselves for future opportunities. As participants develop their AI-powered budgeting platforms, they’ll demonstrate technical prowess, creativity, collaborative skills, and problem-solving abilities. In the end, they’ll enhance their portfolios with AI projects, bettering their chances of standing out to potential employers. By seizing this opportunity, they’ll not only revolutionize personal finance but also propel their careers forward.

Attend the Hackonomics Project Showcase and Awards Ceremony Online

Participation in Hackonomics is exclusively for Flatiron graduates. Participants will build their projects from March 8 through March 25. Winners will be announced during our project showcase and awards ceremony closing event on March 28.

If you’re interested in attending the showcase and ceremony on March 28, RSVP for free through our Eventbrite page Hackonomics 2024 Showcase and Awards Ceremony. This is a great opportunity for prospective students to see the types of projects they can work on should they decide to apply to one of Flatiron’s bootcamp programs.