Let’s be real… if you’ve ever stared at your paycheck and wondered how you’re supposed to get ahead, you’re not alone.
Between rent, bills, and inflation, it can feel like the 9 to 5 grind is designed to keep you stuck. That’s why programs like CyberHero School by Boyd Clewis grab so much attention.
The promise sounds life-changing: skip the traditional path, learn cybersecurity fast, and step into a six-figure job. For anyone tired of dead-end work or constant financial stress, it’s easy to see the appeal.
Boyd Clewis doesn’t come across as just another internet “guru.” He’s a real cybersecurity professional with major credentials (CISSP, CISA, QSA) and nearly two decades in the industry.
His marketing leans into that authority. He’s the insider who cracked the code, the guy who went from ordinary to earning over $200,000 as a Senior Security Architect.
Through his CyberHero School, he says he can help you do the same using his proprietary Job Acquisition Funnel (JAF) System.
The message? You don’t need endless certifications or a tech degree, just his system and the drive to change your life.
It’s a powerful story. But for every success story online, there are also frustrated students claiming they paid five figures, studied for months, and never landed the job.
That’s where things get complicated. Cybersecurity is one of the most legitimate, high-paying career paths out there, but it’s also extremely competitive and requires serious technical depth.
Promising a shortcut for complete beginners raises big questions. Is the CyberHero School truly a fast track, or does it oversimplify what it really takes to break into the field?
In this review, we’ll break down exactly what CyberHero School offers, what’s true versus hype, and whether the program’s structure makes sense for someone in your position.
You’ll see how the program works, what the real costs look like (beyond the marketing headlines), and what students are actually saying after enrolling.
If you’re considering investing in a major career pivot, or just looking for a new way to earn without gambling your savings, this deep dive will help you cut through the noise.
By the end, you’ll know if CyberHero School is the right move, and what safer alternatives might exist.
TLDR – Revealing the Truth Behind the CyberHero School
| Factor | Rating | Explanation |
| Time Investment | High | Expect to dedicate several months of full-time study to understand advanced topics like Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and PCI DSS. The learning curve is steep and requires ongoing effort to apply concepts. |
| Level of Command Required | High | The course assumes technical literacy. While marketed to beginners, the content is more suitable for individuals with existing IT or cybersecurity foundations. |
| Ease of Implementation | Low | Breaking into a cybersecurity career through this program requires mastering complex systems, preparing for certifications, and competing in a crowded job market. Success depends on external hiring conditions, not just course completion. |
| Profit Potential | Medium | Earning potential in cybersecurity is high once established, but many students never reach that point. The financial risk outweighs the reward for true beginners, especially given the upfront cost. |
Summary:
The CyberHero School by Boyd Clewis offers in-depth training in cybersecurity and compliance, built around the idea that you can land a six-figure role without traditional degrees or certifications. In practice, however, it’s a demanding, full-time career path with high upfront costs, significant learning difficulty, and limited transparency about real job outcomes. It’s best suited for those already working in IT who want to specialize or advance, not complete beginners hoping to build a flexible secondary income stream.
For those looking for a manageable, part-time way to earn steady recurring income, a model like Digital Leasing is far more practical. It focuses on building local digital assets that generate reliable monthly revenue, without the burnout, coding skills, or massive tuition costs. It’s not passive, but it is stable, scalable, and controllable, giving you financial breathing room without gambling your savings.
Evaluation
| Category | Rating | Explanation |
| Community | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | The CyberHero School community hosts around 1.8k members on the Skool platform, but engagement appears limited. While students can interact and share progress, feedback suggests the group feels more like a sales funnel than an active peer network, with little daily accountability or hands-on collaboration among learners. |
| Mentorship | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Boyd Clewis brings deep professional expertise, but direct access to him is limited. Mentorship is often handled through prerecorded sessions or support staff rather than one-on-one guidance. Many students expected personalized coaching for the price tag but instead found generic responses or slow support. |
| Curriculum | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | The program’s core curriculum focuses on GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) and PCI DSS, areas that are credible but advanced. The training quality itself is solid, but it assumes a level of technical foundation many beginners lack. This steep learning curve makes it overwhelming for newcomers despite being valuable for experienced IT professionals. |
Overall, CyberHero School scores mixed across these pillars, revealing its biggest strength in credible subject matter, but major weaknesses in support and beginner accessibility.
Pros
1. Taught by a Real Industry Expert
Boyd Clewis brings nearly two decades of hands-on cybersecurity experience and multiple certifications (CISSP, CISA, QSA). His background adds genuine credibility to the training content.
2. Focus on a High-Demand Field
Cybersecurity remains one of the fastest-growing, best-paying sectors. The program targets Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), a niche with strong long-term job prospects.
3. Structured Curriculum
The CyberHero School offers a well-organized set of lessons that help students understand advanced compliance frameworks, which can benefit those with prior IT experience.
4. Strong Motivation and Mindset Training
Many students appreciated Boyd’s motivational approach, which emphasizes personal discipline and professional growth, helpful for those needing a mindset shift to break into tech.
5. Community Access via Skool
The program’s Skool platform provides networking potential and access to other learners on the same path, though engagement varies.
Cons
1. Extremely High Cost
With reported fees that would make your head spin plus additional monthly costs, the financial commitment is significant, and refund terms are restrictive once the course is accessed.
2. Overly Complex for Beginners
While marketed to newcomers, the GRC and PCI topics are advanced. Students without a tech background often find themselves overwhelmed within the first few weeks.
3. Limited Mentorship Access
Despite the price, direct interaction with Boyd Clewis is rare. Many students reported generic support or delays in getting feedback.
4. Questionable Job Placement Claims
The “Job Acquisition Funnel” system is heavily promoted, but student feedback suggests that most success stories come from those with prior IT experience.
5. Short Access Window
Several students said their course access was revoked after seven months, leaving them without key materials despite paying thousands.
6. Hidden Monthly Fees
A required subscription for internship access adds unexpected ongoing expenses to an already costly program.
Understanding both sides helps you decide if CyberHero School matches your goals.
Who Benefits From the CyberHero School & Who Doesn’t?
The CyberHero School works best for people who already have a solid foundation in technology or IT. If you’ve spent years working with systems, networks, or security protocols and are ready to move into specialized areas like Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) or PCI DSS, this program can give you a professional edge. Students who thrive here are typically analytical thinkers, comfortable with complex frameworks, and willing to commit full-time hours to mastering technical material.
It also fits those who view cybersecurity as a long-term career rather than a short-term income solution. If you’re prepared to invest and dedicate several months of intense study (plus potentially another few months to secure employment), this program may help you transition into higher-level consulting or compliance roles. Professionals who already hold IT certifications or have corporate experience tend to benefit the most, as they can translate the course material into real-world results faster.
In short, if you’re already in the tech world and want to level up into a specialized, high-paying cybersecurity niche, the CyberHero School could be a valuable investment in your professional growth.
Who This Isn’t For
If you’re starting from scratch (no tech background, limited savings, and looking for a manageable secondary income), the CyberHero School will likely feel overwhelming. The program demands both high financial commitment and advanced comprehension of topics like risk management and compliance frameworks. Many students without prior IT experience reported struggling with the pace and depth, often burning out or running out of funds before landing a job.
This isn’t ideal for anyone hoping to build something flexible around a day job or family schedule. The curriculum’s full-time study load and steep cost make it unsuitable for part-timers or those just exploring new opportunities. And because job placement isn’t guaranteed (and refund policies are restrictive), it’s not a safe fit for people who can’t afford to take on financial risk.
If you’re seeking reliable, steady income without diving into years of learning, this model doesn’t align with your goals.
You’d likely gain more by focusing on building digital assets that create recurring revenue, something you can manage part-time while keeping your primary job.
If you’re not in the ideal group, a simpler model like Digital Leasing may be a better fit.
1,000 FT View of the CyberHero School
The CyberHero School by Boyd Clewis is positioned as an accelerated cybersecurity career training program designed to help students move into Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) roles without pursuing traditional degrees or certifications. It’s structured around a combination of self-paced online lessons, live workshops, and a private community hosted on the Skool platform. While the promise focuses on fast career placement, the structure reflects a full-scale training program requiring extensive time and focus.
The course begins with modules introducing the fundamentals of cybersecurity and risk management, gradually advancing into GRC and PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance. These topics are taught primarily through video lectures and pre-recorded sessions led by Clewis or his team. Supplementary materials, such as PDFs and worksheets, provide policy templates and audit examples that help students understand how compliance frameworks are implemented in real-world corporate environments. The Skool community functions as the hub for group discussions, assignment submissions, and networking among current members.
During the first 30 days, most students spend their time understanding cybersecurity concepts and adjusting to the depth of information presented. For those new to the field, this period often feels overwhelming due to the jargon and steep learning curve. Between 60 and 90 days, the focus shifts toward GRC implementation, report writing, and developing portfolio pieces that demonstrate a student’s understanding of governance processes. Some advanced students use this stage to begin preparing for job applications or internal promotions, but beginners often require additional months to catch up.
The pacing is entirely self-driven, though students are expected to engage consistently to see progress. Support is provided primarily through community interactions rather than direct 1:1 mentorship, and response times vary. The “Job Acquisition Funnel” (JAF) Masterclass is introduced midway through the program as the framework for landing cybersecurity roles. However, student reports suggest this phase depends heavily on the student’s existing IT experience and ability to navigate interviews independently.
Compared to other cybersecurity training options, CyberHero School focuses on specialization rather than foundational certifications. While competitors like CompTIA or Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate provide broad, beginner-friendly overviews, Boyd Clewis’s curriculum dives straight into enterprise-level governance. This depth can be valuable for seasoned professionals but becomes a major hurdle for newcomers who lack the analytical background to apply the content effectively.
Overall, CyberHero School is a structured, advanced training ecosystem that delivers high-level cybersecurity and compliance knowledge but at a pace and complexity that’s often mismatched with its target audience. It’s best suited for IT professionals seeking to transition into GRC leadership roles rather than individuals looking for an accessible, part-time entry into tech. Beginners looking for a manageable, low-risk learning path might find this program overwhelming in both workload and cost.
Who Is the Guru
Boyd Clewis is a well-known figure in the cybersecurity space, recognized for his high-level credentials and consulting experience. With over two decades in the field, Clewis holds several respected certifications, including CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CCSK, and QSA (Qualified Security Assessor). These qualifications establish him as a legitimate expert in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), as well as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) frameworks. His background includes serving as a cybersecurity consultant for major enterprises and speaking at respected industry events such as the PCI Community Meeting.
Before launching CyberHero School, Clewis operated through Baxter Clewis Cybersecurity and the Baxter Clewis Training Academy, where he provided both consulting and training services. This evolution from consultant to educator shaped his current brand as a mentor who helps students fast-track their way into lucrative cybersecurity roles without relying on traditional degrees. The concept is appealing, particularly for professionals who feel boxed in by conventional corporate pathways.
Clewis’s teaching style blends motivational coaching with industry instruction. His approach emphasizes personal transformation, positioning cybersecurity as a gateway to financial freedom and a six-figure lifestyle. On YouTube and social media, his tone is direct and confident, often framed around insider secrets that promise to help students bypass traditional certification routes. While his marketing successfully draws attention, critics argue that it oversimplifies the difficulty of entering cybersecurity, especially for true beginners.
His online presence is significant, with nearly 300,000 subscribers on YouTube and active engagement across LinkedIn and Facebook. However, with this visibility comes controversy. Multiple complaints on Reddit, the BBB, and independent forums allege that Clewis’s programs (including CyberHero School) are overpriced and fail to deliver on job placement promises. Some former students claim that refunds were difficult or impossible to obtain, and that program access was revoked after several months. These issues have led to concerns about transparency, even as Clewis continues to maintain a strong professional reputation in the cybersecurity community.
In short, Boyd Clewis is a highly credentialed cybersecurity professional whose credibility is genuine, but whose educational marketing and refund practices have raised questions. Clewis presents himself as a confident mentor and industry insider, which attracts ambitious learners but can create unrealistic expectations for those new to the field.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Link | Followers (approx.) |
| @boydclewis | https://www.instagram.com/boydclewis | ~42K | |
| YouTube | @BoydClewis | https://www.youtube.com/@BoydClewis | ~297K |
| Boyd Clewis | https://www.facebook.com/boydclewis | ~10K | |
| Boyd Clewis | https://www.linkedin.com/in/boydclewis | ~39K | |
| TikTok | @boydclewis | https://www.tiktok.com/@boydclewis | ~66K |
Boyd Clewis maintains a strong online presence with consistent content focused on cybersecurity, GRC compliance, and high-income tech career growth.
Training Cost & Refund Policy
The CyberHero School by Boyd Clewis is positioned as a premium cybersecurity career training program, with costs reported between $10,000 and $15,000 for its main offering. This makes it one of the most expensive options in the cybersecurity education space, particularly for students entering without prior IT experience. While the official website lists occasional smaller workshops or event-style courses for $1,295, the full CyberHero School enrollment is the flagship program and represents the bulk of the financial commitment.
The pricing structure appears to operate on a hybrid model. Students pay a large upfront tuition fee and may also face ongoing monthly charges, with several former students reporting a mandatory $300 monthly fee to retain access to the program’s “internship” or job placement pipeline. This creates an extended financial burden, especially since many students report struggling to secure employment within the expected timeframe. While some participants find value in the curriculum’s depth, the combination of a steep entry fee and recurring costs makes the overall investment substantial.
Each tier of participation includes access to the main Job Acquisition Funnel (JAF) Masterclass, community discussions via the Skool platform, and recorded training on cybersecurity frameworks like GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) and PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). However, live mentorship and one-on-one guidance are limited and not guaranteed across all tiers. This inconsistency in access has been a key frustration among students who expected direct career support for the high cost.
The refund policy is one of the most restrictive elements of the program. According to the official terms and conditions, students can only receive a full refund if they withdraw at least 30 business days before class begins. That drops to 75% between 15 and 29 business days, and no refunds are issued within 14 days of the start date. Furthermore, if a student accesses any part of the course, even briefly, the policy explicitly states that no refund will be honored. This clause essentially eliminates refund eligibility for most enrollees who gain immediate access upon purchase.
The lack of clear, student-friendly refund pathways and the presence of hidden monthly costs indicate a low transparency level. While the training content itself may be credible, the financial structure shifts most of the risk onto the student, a major red flag for those seeking reliable returns on their education investment.
My Personal Opinion – Is The CyberHero School Legit?
When I first looked into CyberHero School, I’ll admit… it seemed impressive. Boyd Clewis brings serious credentials to the table: CISSP, CISA, QSA, and two decades of cybersecurity experience. That’s not something you can fake. His confidence, authority, and ability to break down high-level compliance systems into accessible lessons show why people gravitate toward him. In an industry full of self-proclaimed experts, Clewis stands out as someone who actually knows what he’s talking about. For anyone already in IT or familiar with risk management frameworks, the material feels credible and actionable.
However, what raised my concern almost immediately was the financial structure and the audience mismatch. CyberHero markets itself as a path for beginners to break into six-figure cybersecurity roles, no degree, no certifications required. That message is compelling if you’re burned out from a dead-end job and searching for a fast pivot. But after reviewing the course content and real student feedback, it’s clear this isn’t a beginner-friendly model. GRC and PCI compliance are complex, executive-level functions, not entry-level introductions. Many students without a background ended up overwhelmed, exhausted, and (in the worst cases) deep in debt.
The price tag is another major sticking point. Paying between $10,000 and $15,000 for an online course is steep by any standard, especially when cheaper, accredited bootcamps and self-paced certifications exist. Even more troubling are the reports of a $300 per month recurring fee tied to an “internship” program, which creates ongoing financial pressure. Combine that with a restrictive refund policy that makes it nearly impossible to get your money back after accessing course material, and you have a high-risk setup that feels more like a gamble than an investment.
In comparison to other cybersecurity training programs, CyberHero positions itself as elite and exclusive, but that exclusivity comes with opacity. Verified bootcamps like Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate or SANS courses cost a fraction of the price and provide clearer placement statistics and structured learning paths. CyberHero’s marketing leans heavily on lifestyle imagery and the allure of fast, high-paying results. Unfortunately, that tone can attract people who aren’t prepared for the deep grind the course actually demands.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Only with strong caveats. If you already have several years of IT or compliance experience and are looking to specialize further, CyberHero School might help you polish your skills and stand out. But if you’re starting from scratch or can’t afford to risk that much capital, this program could become a serious financial burden.
It might help certain students, but for reliable income and control, I’d look at Digital Leasing.
What’s Inside CyberHero School
The CyberHero School curriculum is centered around Boyd Clewis’s proprietary framework known as the Job Acquisition Funnel (JAF) System, which is marketed as the engine that has allegedly helped over 10,000 people land cybersecurity jobs. In practice, the content is designed to help students position themselves for governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) roles, a specialized and advanced branch of cybersecurity. The program bundles together a mix of recorded modules, community access, and live training elements, though the balance of these components depends heavily on the tier purchased.
The core modules include topics such as:
GRC Fundamentals: An introduction to governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, including PCI DSS and ISO standards. While rich in content, this module is dense and assumes a level of IT literacy that many beginners lack.
Risk Management & Audit Processes: Lessons focus on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across enterprise systems. Students learn to use the same methodologies Clewis applies in his consulting work.
Policy Development & Security Frameworks: Covers the creation of organizational security policies and compliance documentation, useful for experienced professionals but daunting for new learners.
The JAF System Implementation: The program’s flagship segment, which teaches students how to position their resumes, interview effectively, and present themselves as cybersecurity professionals capable of leading compliance projects.
While these modules appear comprehensive, the structure is not publicly documented in detail, and many students report that lessons are advanced and lack step-by-step guidance for complete beginners. This lack of transparency around pacing and expectations has been a frequent source of frustration, especially among those who entered the program without prior skills.
The CyberHero School community operates on the Skool platform, where students can network, access recorded sessions, and participate in discussions. The program also advertises live coaching calls and mentorship opportunities, though access to one-on-one feedback appears to depend on the payment tier. Some students report that direct mentorship is limited or inconsistent, with most communication occurring through group settings.
A handful of bonus tools and resources are included, such as resume templates, compliance report samples, and job application tracking sheets. These materials help bridge the gap between learning and job searching, but they’re not unique to CyberHero. Similar resources can be found through lower-cost or free cybersecurity communities.
In terms of outcomes, the stated goal is clear: help students secure high-paying roles in cybersecurity without traditional certifications. However, real-world results vary widely. Many participants have praised the depth of the training but struggled to convert it into job offers, particularly those without prior IT or compliance experience. The lack of verified job placement data (combined with vague module descriptions and a restricted refund policy) reduces overall trust and perceived value.
In short, while CyberHero School offers credible, high-level cybersecurity knowledge, it delivers a complex and opaque learning experience that feels misaligned with the accessibility promised in its marketing.
Wrapping Up My CyberHero School Review of Boyd Clewis
The CyberHero School by Boyd Clewis stands out for one major reason: credibility. Boyd’s professional background is beyond question, and his experience in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) gives the program legitimate industry authority. Students who already work in IT or cybersecurity often find value in the advanced frameworks and real-world strategies shared throughout the course. For professionals looking to level up from mid-tier to senior compliance roles, CyberHero provides strong foundational and procedural training.
However, for most beginners (the very audience its marketing targets), this program is an uphill battle. The curriculum dives deep into specialized topics like PCI DSS and audit preparation, which are not beginner-friendly. The time and focus required to master these areas make it incompatible with part-time learners or anyone searching for a manageable path to a new income stream. Add to that a five-figure price tag, limited transparency around job placement, and a restrictive refund policy, and the risk-to-reward balance starts to tilt heavily against the student.
The ideal student for CyberHero School is someone who already has an IT foundation, possibly working in networking, support, or systems administration, and is ready to transition into compliance or consulting roles. They’ll have the context and financial runway to benefit from Clewis’s expertise. Everyone else (particularly those seeking a faster, lower-stress route to financial stability) will likely find themselves overwhelmed by the program’s complexity and disappointed by its outcomes.
Overall, CyberHero School is a credible but high-risk commitment. It’s not a scam, the knowledge is real, but the model is built for a narrow audience and sold to a broad one. Beginners expecting a clear, supported path to a six-figure career will face a steep, expensive learning curve that few overcome.
So if you’re serious about building a business that lasts, here’s the alternative I’d choose…
Top Alternative to CyberHero School / #1 Way To Make Money
After breaking down everything inside CyberHero School, it’s clear that while the program offers real cybersecurity knowledge, it’s not built for people who need a simple, reliable way to create steady income. It’s a high-risk, high-investment career play that requires total focus, advanced skills, and a lot of capital, something most people juggling jobs or family responsibilities just don’t have the bandwidth for.
However, there’s an alternative that offers a much simpler, more reliable path to financial stability: Digital Leasing.
Here’s how it works. Instead of spending months studying complex compliance frameworks or fighting through a competitive job market, you build small digital properties, local websites that attract real customers looking for local services. Once the site starts generating leads, you lease it to a business owner who wants more customers. They pay you a flat, recurring fee every month, just like rent. You’re not chasing clients, applying for jobs, or depending on anyone else’s approval. You own the digital real estate, and the income continues as long as the site ranks.
The beauty of Digital Leasing is in its reliability. There’s no algorithm chasing, no expensive ad campaigns, and no massive tuition fees. You can start small, scale at your own pace, and manage it part-time around your existing work or studies. It’s not “set and forget,” but it’s a calm, controllable system that rewards consistency, not risk. Once your digital properties are established, they need only light maintenance, freeing up your time while still providing steady, recurring income each month.
This model fits perfectly for people who are tired of feeling financially stretched and skeptical of programs that overpromise. With Digital Leasing, you’re not betting on landing a corporate job. You’re building your own set of assets that work for you month after month. It’s simple, transparent, and genuinely sustainable, a system built around ownership and stability, not complexity and pressure.
If your goal is to build financial breathing room without gambling on expensive career pivots or high-ticket education programs, Digital Leasing is worth exploring. It gives you a clear, repeatable path to grow income at your own pace, all while staying in control of your time and future.
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