Infosec Institute Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing, & Offerings in 2025

Infosec Institute is a major cybersecurity training company offering online courses and certifications. They provide boot camps and self-paced training for IT professionals worldwide. This article compares their services, pricing, and alternatives to help you choose the right platform.

Infosec Institute Reviews and Testimonials

Infosec IQ on G2: Infosec IQ has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on G2 with 641 verified customer reviews. Users appreciate the role-based training content and comprehensive features. The platform scores 94% for support quality and 93% for meeting requirements. Reviewers highlight that 98% would rate this 4-5 stars.

PissedConsumer: On PissedConsumer, Infosec Institute receives only 1.8 stars from 9 reviews. Most customers are dissatisfied. Common complaints include lack of customer service, poor communication, and outdated training materials. Users report issues with voucher fulfillment and exam prep quality.

Trustpilot (Infosec4TC): Infosec4TC on Trustpilot maintains a 5-star rating with 138 verified reviews. Students praise the comprehensive course materials and practical hands-on experience. Many report passing certifications like CISSP on their first attempt thanks to Dr. Atef’s mentorship.

Their Own Website: On their official reviews page, Infosec showcases positive testimonials. Users describe the platform as offering “unmatched security training content” with excellent role-based learning paths. They highlight case studies from Fortune 500 companies using their services.

When analyzing student feedback, a striking pattern emerges: corporate clients tend to be satisfied, while individual students report significant issues. This chart visualizes that trust gap:

This discrepancy highlights a major risk: the 4.5-star corporate experience does not always translate to the individual student experience, as seen in the 1.8-star PissedConsumer rating.

Is Infosec Institute Legit? Mixed evidence suggests Infosec is partially legitimate but has serious concerns. Their large client base including 70% of Fortune 500 companies shows credibility. However, negative reviews on PissedConsumer raise red flags about customer service and unmet promises. Many complaints reference broken guarantees and poor exam pass rate claims.

Infosec Institute has a strong reputation for corporate training but mixed reviews from individual learners. While enterprise clients trust them, potential students should carefully review their guarantees before enrolling.

Infosec Institute Pricing

Pricing Range

Infosec Skills Personal subscriptions start at $299 per year. Boot camps range from $1,500 to over $4,000 depending on the certification level. Their CISSP Boot Camp costs around $4,299 for 48 hours of instruction. Pricing varies based on certification type, training duration, and delivery method (online or in-person).

For organizations, Infosec IQ (their enterprise security awareness platform) requires custom quotes. Companies pay per employee, with volume discounts available. Individual tutoring options exist through their InfosecTrain division offering 1-on-1 training with flexible scheduling.

What Students Say About Infosec Institute Pricing

Students have mixed opinions on pricing. Some feel boot camp costs are justified for the exam pass guarantee and comprehensive materials. Others complain the pricing is high compared to competitors like Udemy or free resources. Reddit users note that while $299/year for personal access is reasonable, specialized boot camps feel expensive without guaranteed job placement.

Industry average for cybersecurity training ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 for boot camps. Infosec falls within this range but doesn’t always deliver superior value according to student reviews.

To help you budget effectively, let’s look at a side-by-side comparison of what you actually get for the $299 subscription versus the $4,000+ boot camp:

Notice that the ‘Exam Pass Guarantee’ and ‘Exam Vouchers’ are not included in the standard Skills subscription, which is a common point of confusion for new students.

Hidden Costs

Exam vouchers are often included in boot camp pricing but come with strict conditions. Students must schedule exams within specific timeframes or lose the voucher. Some users report additional fees for course materials and practice exams not clearly listed upfront. Affirm financing options charge 0-30% APR, adding to total costs.

Many negative reviews stem from students who thought the ‘Pass Guarantee’ was automatic. In reality, you must navigate a strict process to claim it:

If you miss even one of these steps—such as failing to score 90% on the practice exam—your right to a free retake is voided immediately.

How Infosec Institute’s Pricing Works

Infosec accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and financing through Affirm. Personal subscriptions renew automatically yearly unless canceled 30 days prior. Boot camp prices include 90 days of Infosec Skills access plus course materials. Volume discounts apply for team enrollments. No special discounts for military, students, or low-income groups are advertised.

Free Trial

Infosec Skills offers a 7-day free trial for personal subscriptions. No credit card is required during the trial.

Refund Policy

According to their terms, Infosec offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Students unhappy after day one can switch to a different course within 60 days. However, subscription fees are non-refundable except when they fail to deliver services. On Teachable-hosted courses, students get full refunds within 14 days of payment.

Users on forums report difficulty getting refunds despite stated policies. Some claim they weren’t refunded for failing courses. Others say the company required extensive documentation before processing refunds. The policy appears generous on paper but inconsistently applied in practice.

Infosec Institute Alternatives

Many students seek alternatives to Infosec Institute for various reasons including cost, delivery method, or subject specialization. Below are top competitors offering similar cybersecurity training and certification preparation:

If Infosec Institute doesn’t seem like the right fit for your learning style or budget, consider how these top competitors stack up:

As the matrix shows, ‘My Engineering Buddy’ offers the most personalized attention, while ‘LinkedIn Learning’ is the clear winner for tight budgets.

Wyzant

Wyzant is a tutoring marketplace connecting students with independent tutors across 300+ subjects. Tutoring rates range from $10 to $600 per hour, averaging $35-65/hr.

Unlike Infosec’s structured boot camps, Wyzant offers flexible 1-on-1 tutoring. Wyzant has better pricing flexibility and tutor choice but less structured curriculum than Infosec’s organized learning paths. Wyzant lacks Infosec’s exam pass guarantees but provides real-time tutor matching.

University Tutors

University Tutors focuses on personalized tutoring with rates around $73-95 per hour. They require minimum 12-hour packages ($1,140+). All tutors undergo background checks and vetting.

University Tutors offers more one-on-one attention than Infosec’s self-paced content but at higher costs and with minimum commitments. They excel in matching tutors to student learning styles, while Infosec emphasizes certification preparation efficiency.

My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy specializes in personalized homework help and 1-on-1 tutoring for engineering and academic subjects. They serve college students globally with flexible rates and no long-term commitments.

Unlike Infosec’s focus on cybersecurity certifications, My Engineering Buddy covers broader academic subjects. Their strength lies in assignment-specific help and real-time problem-solving for students struggling with coursework.

SANS Institute

SANS Institute is the gold standard for advanced cybersecurity training, founded in 1989. They charge $8,000+ for courses and maintain higher tutor qualifications than Infosec.

SANS offers more specialized advanced training while Infosec provides broader beginner-to-intermediate paths. SANS emphasizes research and advanced certifications (GIAC), while Infosec focuses on mainstream credentials like CISSP.

CBT Nuggets

CBT Nuggets provides video-based IT and cybersecurity training with monthly subscriptions around $300-400. They focus on visual learning through short video modules unlike Infosec’s structured boot camps.

CBT Nuggets is better for self-paced learners while Infosec suits those wanting live instruction. However, CBT Nuggets lacks direct exam pass guarantees that Infosec provides.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning recently partnered with Infosec to offer 20+ cybersecurity courses integrated into their platform. With LinkedIn Learning subscriptions at $19.99/month, this represents the most affordable access to Infosec content.

LinkedIn Learning emphasizes career development alongside skills training, appealing to professionals wanting visible credentials on profiles.

How It Works?

For Students

Signup Process: Students create an account on infosecinstitute.com, select their desired course or subscription level, and complete checkout. For boot camps, they receive enrollment confirmation and access to pre-course materials within 24 hours. Personal subscription accounts grant immediate access to 1,400+ courses. Students set up their dashboard, take a skills assessment, and explore role-guided learning paths matched to their career goals.

Connecting with Tutors: Infosec doesn’t match tutors automatically for self-paced courses. However, their InfosecTrain division offers 1-on-1 training where students browse tutor profiles, check qualifications and rates, and request bookings directly. For boot camps, students receive instructor details before class starts.

Scheduling Sessions: Boot camp dates are preset with fixed start times. Students confirm attendance during registration. For on-demand courses, learners access content 24/7 on their own schedule. 1-on-1 training sessions are scheduled through InfosecTrain’s booking system with tutors offering flexible availability.

For Tutors

Becoming a tutor on Infosec involves several steps. First, tutors must pass a background check and provide proof of cybersecurity credentials or teaching experience. They submit sample lesson materials demonstrating teaching ability. Infosec reviews applications within 5 business days. Approved tutors create profiles listing specializations, rates, and availability. The platform handles all student matching and booking management.

Tutors set their hourly rates within platform guidelines, typically $25-150+ per hour depending on expertise. Commission structures vary—Infosec takes a percentage cut while tutors earn the remainder. Some tutors report earning $40-80 per billable hour after commissions. Full onboarding, including platform training and resource access, takes approximately one week.

FAQs

Q1. Can tutors set their own fees or are they fixed by Infosec?

Infosec allows tutors to set their own rates within platform parameters. Rates typically range from $25-150+ per hour based on certifications and experience.

Q2. How much can tutors expect to earn hourly?

After Infosec’s commission (usually 20-25%), tutors average $40-80 per billable hour. Experienced tutors with top ratings earn $100+ hourly. Earnings depend on credentials, specialization, and student demand.

Q3. How many hours of work can tutors get monthly?

This varies significantly by tutor profile quality and marketing. Active tutors typically receive 20-40 billable hours monthly. Top-rated tutors with strong profiles report 60+ hours. New tutors may struggle initially getting assigned hours.

Q4. Is it easy getting students on Infosec?

Visibility depends on profile optimization and credentials. Tutors with impressive backgrounds and high ratings get steady work. New tutors must build reputation through excellent reviews before gaining consistent student flow. Marketing yourself and maintaining responsiveness helps significantly.

Tips for getting more students on Infosec: Complete your profile comprehensively with credentials and detailed specializations. Respond quickly to student inquiries (within 2 hours). Request student reviews after each session to build ratings. Offer competitive rates while maintaining professional standards. Use free initial consultations to demonstrate expertise.

What do tutors like about Infosec? Based on Glassdoor and Indeed reviews, tutors appreciate flexible scheduling with no mandatory minimum hours. They enjoy building independent client bases and setting own rates. The platform’s reputation attracts serious, motivated students. Technical support from Infosec is generally responsive and helpful.

What do tutors dislike about Infosec? Common complaints include high commission rates eating into earnings. Some tutors report inconsistent student booking despite strong profiles. Limited marketing support for individual tutors makes visibility challenging. Platform changes sometimes occur without adequate notice to tutors.

Infosec Institute: Company Information

Infosec Institute is a leading cybersecurity education company helping IT professionals advance careers and organizations build security cultures. The company was founded in 2004 by Jack Koziol, who published “The Shellcoder’s Handbook” and recognized demand for accessible cybersecurity education. What started as ethical hacking boot camps evolved into a comprehensive learning platform.

It is crucial to understand that Infosec Institute splits its offerings into two distinct products with vastly different price points and features. The visual below clarifies the difference between their self-paced library and their live training:

As shown above, the ‘Skills’ subscription is a budget-friendly library, whereas ‘Boot Camps’ are premium, intensive live sessions designed for rapid certification.

Founder Details: Jack Koziol authored “The Shellcoder’s Handbook” in 2004, establishing himself as a cybersecurity expert. He founded Infosec Institute to democratize security training beyond expensive, exclusive programs. Koziol’s vision transformed the company from regional boot camp provider into a global training platform serving Fortune 500 companies.

Mission: Infosec’s mission is to equip individuals and organizations with knowledge and skills to confidently outsmart cybercrime. They aim to put people at the center of cybersecurity education.

Vision: Their vision is making cybersecurity accessible to everyone, from beginners launching careers to advanced professionals earning elite certifications. They believe security culture requires educating entire organizations, not just specialists.

Scale of Operation: Infosec is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin with additional offices in Chicago (Illinois), Mason (Ohio), and Herndon (Virginia). They operate globally serving students and organizations across all continents. Their platform reaches over 5 million learners annually. In March 2022, Cengage Group acquired Infosec for $190.8 million, expanding resources and distribution.

Types of Services: Infosec offers self-paced online courses, live instructor-led boot camps (in-person and online), security awareness training programs, phishing simulations, 1-on-1 tutoring, and corporate team training. They provide certification prep for CompTIA, ISC2, ISACA, EC-Council, and vendor certifications.

Subjects Offered: Infosec covers cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking, threat hunting, cloud security, incident response, security architecture, GRC/compliance, networking basics, digital forensics, risk management, CISSP, CISM, CISA, Security+, and specialized AI security courses.

Unique Features: The platform includes 190+ pre-built learning paths mapped to NICE Workforce Framework standards. Hands-on labs in cloud-hosted cyber ranges provide practical experience. Personalized learning recommendations guide students through role-specific content. Gamified progress tracking and skill assessments make learning engaging. Their Exam Pass Guarantee promises free retakes if students don’t pass on first attempt (with conditions).

USP of Infosec Institute

• Exam Pass Guarantee: Infosec promises free exam retakes and course repeats for up to one year if you don’t pass on your first attempt (conditions apply: 85% attendance, 90%+ on practice exams, exam taken within 90 days). However, multiple PissedConsumer reviews claim this guarantee is often not honored. Students report being denied free retakes despite meeting stated conditions. Infosec appears to claim higher pass rates than actually delivered.
• Massive Content Library: 1,400+ hands-on courses with hands-on labs is genuinely impressive. G2 reviews confirm the content breadth exceeds most competitors. Students praise having diverse subject coverage in one platform. However, some criticize content quality consistency and outdated materials in certain boot camps.
• Fortune 500 Trust: Over 70% of Fortune 500 companies use Infosec training. This huge client base demonstrates enterprise credibility. However, enterprise adoption doesn’t guarantee individual student satisfaction. Many corporate clients use basic awareness training, not the specialized boot camps receiving negative reviews.
• Multi-Language Support: Training available in 34+ languages including Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. This genuinely serves global organizations better than English-only competitors. Trustpilot and G2 reviews don’t specifically praise this feature, suggesting it’s a non-differentiator for many English-speaking students.

Drawbacks of Infosec Institute

• Mixed Boot Camp Quality: Negative reviews describe outdated materials, instructors reading PowerPoint slides verbatim, and weak exam prep. One detailed account describes receiving an Amazon book instead of proprietary materials and instructors lacking certification expertise. Quality appears inconsistent across different boot camps.
• Unmet Guarantees: Exam vouchers promised in boot camps sometimes aren’t delivered. PissedConsumer reviews report students charged without receiving included vouchers. Some claim Infosec moved goal posts on voucher eligibility after payment.
• Poor Customer Service: Multiple reviews describe hours-long waits for support responses, transferred calls with no resolution, and staff unfamiliar with their own policies. One account details weeks of ignored emails before being told a voucher “mistake” couldn’t be fixed.
• Outdated Course Materials: Reviews consistently mention materials not aligned with current exam requirements. Reddit threads report practice questions from third-party sources (EnsurePass) that don’t match actual exam content. This directly harms certification success rates.
• Overstated Pass Rates: PissedConsumer reviews call the 94% pass rate claim “manufactured.” Students from same cohorts failing at high rates contradicts published statistics. No independent verification of these claims exists publicly.
• Class Coordination Issues: Reviews describe material not ready before class, software access problems, and poor coordination between instructors and management. One account details entire cohorts failing exams after inadequate preparation, with management unresponsive to concerns.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

Where My Engineering Buddy Excels: My Engineering Buddy focuses on personalized homework and assignment help for college students across all subjects, not just cybersecurity. They offer true 1-on-1 tutoring with tutors actively helping solve problems in real-time. Response times are typically faster than Infosec for quick homework help. Pricing is more flexible without mandatory boot camp commitments. For students struggling with specific assignments, MEB provides targeted intervention that Infosec’s structured courses don’t offer.

Testimonials from My Engineering Buddy Users: Students consistently praise MEB’s personalized approach and tutor responsiveness. Parents appreciate seeing detailed progress updates and clear communication about areas needing improvement. Users highlight how tutors adapt explanations to individual learning styles instead of following rigid curricula. Many report significant grade improvements after working with MEB tutors consistently.

Why Students Should Consider MEB for Complex Subjects and Homework Help: My Engineering Buddy is superior for assignment-specific help, real-world problem-solving, and subjects requiring live clarification. When students need someone explaining concepts until they truly understand, MEB’s 1-on-1 model excels. For homework spanning multiple subjects and complex topics, MEB’s cross-disciplinary tutor network provides flexibility Infosec’s specialized certification focus cannot match.

Customer Support and Policies

Infosec’s customer support receives mixed ratings. G2 reviews rate support quality at 94% average satisfaction, with users praising responsiveness for technical issues. However, PissedConsumer complaints describe poor responsiveness for refund and policy questions. Response times vary from 2 hours to several days depending on inquiry type.

Refund policies appear generous initially but enforcement is inconsistent. Their stated 100% satisfaction guarantee offers course switches within 60 days but rarely results in actual refunds. My Engineering Buddy provides more personalized support with direct tutor communication and rapid issue resolution, making support responsiveness a MEB advantage.

Global Reach and Localization

Infosec’s platform operates globally with offices in the USA and serves students across all continents. Training content is translated into 34+ languages including Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. This multilingual support genuinely aids non-English speakers.

However, Infosec’s platform is primarily designed for English-language markets, with translations feeling secondary. My Engineering Buddy similarly serves global students but focuses more on English-language academic content common to US and UK education systems. For students needing homework help in diverse languages, MEB has limitations compared to Infosec’s translation scope.

Infosec Institute’s Future Plans

AI and Machine Learning Integration: Infosec is heavily investing in AI security training. Their expanded LinkedIn Learning partnership includes courses on “Machine Learning for Red Team Hackers,” “Applied ChatGPT for Cybersecurity,” and AI security architecture. They’re developing AI-powered personalized learning recommendation engines that adapt course paths based on individual progress. This positions them well for the 2025 trend of AI-fluent cybersecurity professionals.

Expanded Partnerships: Beyond LinkedIn Learning, Infosec formed strategic partnerships with ISSA International and Right-Hand Cybersecurity to enhance training reach and career services. These partnerships bring specialized expertise and job placement support to Infosec boot camp graduates.

Immersive Learning Expansion: They’re increasing hands-on cyber ranges and gamified scenarios. Plans include more interactive labs simulating real organizational environments where students practice incident response and threat hunting in realistic conditions.

Certification Coverage Growth: Infosec continues adding training for emerging certifications like GIAC’s advanced credentials and vendor-specific certifications from cloud providers and security tool vendors.

Still undecided? We have created a simple decision path to help you choose the best option based on your certification goals and budget:

Follow this logic to avoid overspending on a boot camp if a self-paced library or personal tutor would serve you better.

FAQs About Infosec Institute

Q1. How does Infosec Institute compare to My Engineering Buddy?

Infosec specializes in cybersecurity certifications for professionals, while My Engineering Buddy focuses on homework help for college students across all subjects. MEB excels at personalized 1-on-1 tutoring, while Infosec emphasizes structured boot camps and self-paced learning. For cybersecurity careers, Infosec is better. For academic homework help, MEB is better.

Q2. Does Infosec Institute offer one-on-one tutoring?

Yes, through their InfosecTrain division offering personalized 1-on-1 training with flexible scheduling. However, this is less prominent than their boot camps and self-paced courses. Rates and availability vary by tutor.

Q3. What is Infosec Institute’s money-back guarantee?

They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee allowing course switches within 60 days if unsatisfied after day one. Subscription fees are non-refundable under normal circumstances. However, reviews suggest enforcement is inconsistent.

Q4. How long are Infosec Institute boot camps?

Boot camps range from 2-7 days depending on certification. Typical 5-day CISSP boot camps include 40+ hours of live instruction plus homework.

Q5. What certifications does Infosec prepare students for?

Infosec offers prep for CISSP, CISM, CISA, Security+, CCNA, CRISC, CCSP, PMP, and dozens of other certifications across information security, cloud, and project management domains.

Q6. Are Infosec instructors from top colleges?

Infosec employs certified instructors with industry experience but doesn’t specifically recruit from Ivy League schools like some competitors. Instructor quality varies by course.

Q7. What is the average rating for Infosec Institute on G2?

Infosec IQ maintains 4.5 stars on G2 with 641 verified reviews. Users rate support quality at 94% and ease of use at 89%.

Conclusion

Infosec Institute is a legitimate but inconsistent training provider. Strengths include massive content libraries, Fortune 500 trust, and global reach. Major weaknesses include quality inconsistency, unmet guarantees, and poor customer service. Individual students report mixed experiences ranging from transformative to disappointing.

For targeted homework help and personalized tutoring, My Engineering Buddy offers superior service quality and reliability. Students seeking comprehensive cybersecurity certification preparation should carefully vet Infosec’s specific boot camp offerings before committing. Comparing detailed reviews and speaking with graduates first is essential before enrolling.