Cybersecurity Leadership

Security Leadership Essentials for Managers

Security leaders need both technical knowledge and leadership skills to gain the respect of technical team members, understand what technical staff are actually doing, and appropriately plan and manage security projects and initiatives. This security manager training course will teach leaders about the key elements of any modern security program. Learn to quickly grasp critical cybersecurity issues and terminology, with a focus on security frameworks, security architecture, security engineering, computer/network security, vulnerability management, cryptography, data protection, security awareness, cloud security, application security, DevSecOps, generative AI (GenAI) security, and security operations. This is more than security training. You will learn how to lead security teams and manage programs by playing through twenty-three Cyber42 activities throughout the class, approximately 60-80 minutes daily.

Certification: GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)

Cybersecurity Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership

The next generation of security leadership must bridge the gap between security staff and senior leadership by strategically planning how to build and run effective security programs. Yet, creating a security strategy, executing a plan that includes sound policy coupled with top-notch leadership is hard for IT and security professionals because we spend so much time responding and reacting. We almost never do strategic planning until we get promoted to a senior position, and then we are not equipped with the skills we need to run with the pack. This information security course will provide you with the tools to build a cybersecurity strategic plan, an entire IT security policy, and lead your teams in the execution of your plan and policy. By the end of class, you will have prepared an executive presentation, read 3 business case studies, responded to issues faced by 4 fictional companies, analyzed 15 case scenarios, and responded to 15 Cyber42 events.

Certification: GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Cyberpro Training Program for CISSP® Certification

This course is fully updated for the current 2024 CISSP exam!LDR414: Cyberpro Training Program for CISSP Certification is an accelerated review course to prepare you to pass the exam. The course, designed by expert practitioners prepares students to navigate all types of questions included on the new version of the exam. Cyberpro’ unique offering allows you to not only pass the test, but also to learn from the best.

Certification: GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Implementing and Auditing CIS Controls

High-profile cybersecurity attacks indicate that offensive attacks are outperforming defensive measures. Cybersecurity engineers, auditors, privacy, and compliance team members are asking how they can practically protect and defend their systems and data, and how they should implement a prioritized list of cybersecurity hygiene controls. In this course, students will learn how an organization can defend its information by using a vetted cybersecurity control standard. Students will specifically learn how to implement, manage, and assess security control requirements defined by the Center for Internet Security’s (CIS) Controls. Students will gain direct knowledge of the CIS Controls and ecosystem of tools to implement CIS controls across organizations complex networks, including cloud assets. 17 Lab Exercises and a program management simulation.

Certification: GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Building and Leading Security Operations Centers

If you are a SOC manager or leader looking to unlock the power of proactive, intelligence-informed cyber defense, then this is the perfect course for you! In a world where IT environments and threat actors evolve faster than many teams can track, position your SOC to defend against highly motivated threat actors. Highly dynamic modern environments require a cyber defense capability that is forward-looking, fast-paced, and intelligence-driven. This SOC manager training course will guide you through these critical activities from start to finish and teach you how to design defenses with your organization’s unique risk profile in mind. Walk away with the ability to align your SOC activities with organizational goals. 17 hands-on exercises + Cyber42 interactive leadership simulations.

Certification: GIAC Security Operations Manager (GSOM)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Managing Human Risk

Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical challenge but also a human one, people play a role in 80% of all breaches. For most organizations, their biggest challenge has become human risk management. This course enables security professionals to effectively build, manage and measure their human risk by changing and securing their workforce’s behaviors. Students are provided a structured roadmap with a step-by-step strategy on how to engage and secure their workforce, to include seven highly interactive team labs and the course Digital Download Package. In addition, this is the only SANS short course to provide a credential, the industry recognized SSAP.

Certification: SANS Security Awareness Professional (SSAP)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Building and Leading Vulnerability Management Programs

Vulnerability, patch, and configuration management are not new enterprise security topics. In fact, they are some of the oldest security functions. Yet, we still struggle to manage security vulnerability capabilities effectively. The quantity of outstanding vulnerabilities for most enterprise organizations is overwhelming, and all organizations struggle to keep up with the never-ending onslaught of new security vulnerabilities in their infrastructure and applications. When you add in the cloud, and the increasing speed with which all organizations must deliver systems, applications, and features to both their internal and external customers, enterprise security may seem unachievable. This vulnerability management training course will show you the most effective ways to mature your vulnerability management program and move from identifying vulnerabilities to successfully treating them. 21 Cyber42 tabletop lab exercises and 15 lab demos or exercises.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Cyber Incident Management

If you are worried about leading or supporting a major cyber incident, then this is the course for you. We look at all the common and major cyber incident types and explain what the key issues are and how to plan a recovery. This cyber incident management training course focuses on the challenges facing leaders and incident commanders as they work to bring enterprise networks back online and get business moving again. Whilst you may have a full team of technical staff standing by to find, understand, and remove the attackers, they need information, tasking, managing, supporting, and listening to so you can maximize their utilization and effectiveness. We focus on building a team to remediate the incident, on managing that team, on distilling the critical data for briefing, and on how to run that briefing. We look at communication at all levels, from the hands-on team to the executives and board, investigative journalists, and even the attackers.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Performing A Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Recent laws are requiring organizations to perform a cybersecurity risk assessment for compliance and audit reasons. However, many organizations do this without a specific strategy, which leads to random defenses, ineffective programs, and financial loss. In this introduction to cybersecurity risk assessments, understanding the business context for the assessment promotes accurately discerning business risk and protecting accordingly. Go beyond theoretical and academic and truly understand how to properly prepare for and perform risk assessments that matter – know what risks to look for in relation to your specific organizational context, how to uncover these risks effectively, and present results to leadership for actionable results. It teaches students the foundational knowledge and practical, hands-on skills they need to perform such risk assessments.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Auditing Systems, Applications, and the Cloud

Performing IT security audits at the enterprise level can be an overwhelming task. It is difficult to know where to start and which controls should be audited first. Audits often focus on things that are not as important, wasting precious time and resources. Management is left in the dark about the real risk to the organization’s mission. Operations staff can’t use the audit report to reproduce or remediate findings. It gives the student the tools, techniques, and thought processes required to perform meaningful risk assessments and audits. Learn to use risk assessments to recommend which controls should be used and where they should be placed. Know which tools will help you focus your efforts and learn how to automate those tools for maximum effectiveness. 20 Hands-On Exercises

Certification: GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Security Culture for Leaders

Are you struggling to get everyone in your organization to care about and buy into cybersecurity? Do you feel like you are battling an uphill battle regarding cybersecurity with both your executive leadership and your workforce? Learn how to engage and transform your organization into cybersecurity’s biggest believers and supporters by institutionalizing a strong security culture. In addition, students will apply everything they learn through a series of eleven interactive team labs, numerous case studies, and the chance to earn the course’s Challenge Coin in the Cyber42 leadership simulation capstone.

Cloud Security, Cybersecurity Leadership

Cloud Security for Leaders

This cloud security strategy for leaders training course focuses on what managers, directors, and security leaders need to know about developing their plan/roadmap while managing cloud security implementation capabilities. To safeguard the organization’s cloud environment and investments, a knowledgeable management team must engage in thorough planning and governance. We emphasize the essential knowledge needed to develop a cloud security roadmap and effectively implement cloud security capabilities. Making informed security decisions when adopting the cloud necessitates understanding the technology, processes, and people associated with the cloud environment. 12 hands-on Cyber42 exercises + capstone.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Managing Cybersecurity Initiatives & Effective Communication

Many cybersecurity professionals are highly technical but often unfamiliar with project management terminology, methodologies, resource management, and leading teams. Overseeing diverse groups of stakeholders and team members, estimating resources accurately, as well as analyzing risk as applied to different organizational structures and relationships, is a struggle for many new technical project leaders. Today’s virtual work environment only increases these complexities. It is critically important to understand how to leverage a wide range of development approaches and project management framework components to maximize resources across various business units for project success. Confidently lead security initiatives that deliver on time, within budget, and reduce organizational risk and complexity while driving bottom line value.

Certification: GIAC Certified Project Manager (GCPM)

Cybersecurity Leadership

Business Finance Essentials

A successful information security leader is responsible for more than just managing cybersecurity teams that protect their organization’s interests. There are few disciplines more critical to organizational success than financial stewardship, so an effective information security leader must also have solid knowledge of business finance. This course will take information security leaders on a journey to help them understand and successfully navigate their organization’s financial status. Understanding and effectively communicating financial stewardship will contribute to your own success, the success of the cybersecurity team that you are privileged to lead, and, ultimately, the success of your organization.

Cybersecurity Leadership

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance, addresses a significant problem in the cybersecurity domain: the challenge of effectively managing and mitigating cybersecurity risks while ensuring regulatory compliance. This problem is increasingly relevant due to the complex and evolving nature of cyber threats, which can significantly impact organizational operations, data security, and overall business continuity. This comprehensive course delves into threat modeling, safeguard frameworks, and risk analytics to equip you with the skills needed to manage cybersecurity risks effectively. Learn to prioritize threats, select appropriate safeguards, and ensure regulatory compliance. Gain practical insights through multiple real-world case studies and Cyberpro Cyber42 simulations that enhance your understanding of cybersecurity governance and program management. Join us to master the art of risk management and compliance, and secure your organization’s digital future.

Cybersecurity Leadership

CIS Implementation Group 1

Small to medium-sized businesses and non-profits simply do not have the budgets to create and maintain cybersecurity teams to defend against the ever-growing threat landscape. Yet they are not immune. Most of these organizations have a somewhat technical employee who has been tasked with managing security, often with no background in security and no training. This course is the starting point for implementing cybersecurity, no matter how small your organization or team is.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Courses

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for organizations worldwide. The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing exponentially, with the World Economic Forum projecting a talent shortage of 85 million workers by 2030. As a result, IT professionals, whether aspiring or experienced, are increasingly focusing on upskilling to meet this demand.

The high stakes of cybersecurity mean that hiring managers maintain rigorous standards, creating a significant barrier to entry that only education and experience can overcome. This is where cybersecurity courses come into play, offering IT professionals the opportunity to enhance their skills, gain valuable experience, and improve their marketability in the competitive IT career landscape.

Despite the many training organizations claiming expertise in cybersecurity, only a select few are recognized by industry decision-makers. This blog addresses the most common questions from your peers about cybersecurity courses, providing insights that influence both upskillers and job seekers alike.

1. What are the courses for cybersecurity?

Specializing in a specific area of cybersecurity helps tremendously when developing a course and certification roadmap for your cybersecurity career. Areas of specialization are as vast as the cybersecurity discipline itself. So, focus on areas of passion and keen interest, areas where you’ve made positive change or achieved ‘wins’ for an organization.

A few areas of specialization in cybersecurity include:

• Cloud Security
• Cyber Defense
• Cybersecurity and IT Essentials
• Cybersecurity Leadership
• Digital Forensics, Incident Response, and Threat Hunting
• Industrial Control Systems Security
• Offensive Operations, Pen Testing, and Red Teaming
• Open-Source Intelligence

2. How long is a cybersecurity course?

The length of a cybersecurity course depends on the course type. Course types fall into three categories: in-person, live online, and on demand.

In-person cybersecurity courses range from five to ten days in duration and offer a series of networking and professional development opportunities aside from the core subject matter training.

Live online cybersecurity courses take place during a specific date and time and are conducted live, with participants having access to some or all course materials after the completion of the live portion of the course. The duration is equal to that of the in-person version of the course: five to ten days.

OnDemand cybersecurity courses offer students the chance to learn at a customized pace while receiving live support from subject matter experts. There are sometimes limits on the length of time learners can access the materials, in many cases ranging from four months to unlimited access.

3. How much does a cybersecurity course cost?

Courses increase in cost based on complexity of subject matter, length of the course, and the tools and resources included in the course to hone the learner’s skills in a particular area. High quality, highly specialized, and technical courses cost more than others in the market.

Cybersecurity course fees and their return on investment depend on a learner’s goals when seeking cybersecurity education. A cybersecurity pro looking to build a skill base can piece together a learning curriculum, but that can be like building in the dark with no blueprint.

SANS courses offer a curated learning experience with all resources necessary to learn and master the most relevant skills in a subject area. This saves students time and effort. When reviewing costs, consider these factors:

• Time: The lower the cost, the less structured and impactful the experience. Learners often end up pulling together information from disparate sources with no assurance that what they’re learning is important to hiring managers and internal decision makers in their organizations.
• Reputation: Some educational groups in cybersecurity need no explanation as to their expertise or level of trust in the marketplace. Others, while popular in small groups of specialized cybersecurity pros, may not have the name recognition to grab the attention of fast-moving decision makers looking to promote the next solid cybersecurity expert in their organization.
• Employer sponsorship: Some educational groups offer pricing designed for learners who self-fund their education, while other training organizations facilitate corporate pricing for high-level, specialized coursework for their employees. This often helps employers prove that they’re addressing a pressing issue or a gaping hole in their cybersecurity positioning.

Courses that offer this level of efficient delivery and a high-level learning experience range between $3,000 and $6,000 per course.

4. How difficult is a cybersecurity course?

Difficulty levels of cybersecurity courses vary based on the experience level of the learner, the prerequisite courses needed, and the complexity of the course subject matter.

More advanced courses held in a group setting often present the most complexity to learners. Ways to address perceived difficulty of course materials include selecting a course style that best suits the learner’s needs. For some, in-person experiences lessen course difficulty. Whereas on-demand courses offer those who favor self-paced learning the time to absorb and test new concepts until they become integrated into the learner’s skill set.

Consider reviewing prerequisites and consulting with an educational consultant provided by the cybersecurity course provider to select the best course type and to gauge the level of difficulty of each course.

5. What are the best cybersecurity courses for beginners?

This answer depends on your specific goals. There are foundational courses that provide certifications that employers expect potential hires to have when seeking to land a cybersecurity role.

In this case, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) offers employers proof of your mastery of cybersecurity essentials and foundational concepts, terms, and strategies. Areas of this certification include cryptography, cloud security operations for AWS and Azure, Linux hardening, and Windows access controls.

6. What are the best advanced cybersecurity courses?

As certain technologies gain popularity, an organization’s attack surface grows. Cybersecurity pros who master the fundamentals can branch out into emerging branches of the cybersecurity threat matrix. For instance, as machine learning becomes more useful in enterprise settings, cybersecurity pros look to codify their understanding of securing systems leveraging the technology.

Other solid advanced courses include:

• Red Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team operations
• Cloud Security
• Security Management
• Advanced Leadership

7. What jobs can you get in cybersecurity?‎

The cybersecurity industry offers many chances for passionate learners to upskill and land roles in the industry. Many cybersecurity pros come from the broader world of IT and move from being network administrators and software engineers to cryptanalysts and bug bounty hunters. Here’s a list of cybersecurity jobs and their associated categories:

Offensive Operations

• Red Team member
• Pen Tester

Defensive Operations

• Counterespionage Analyst
• Cryptanalyst
• Cyber Intelligence Specialist
• Data Privacy Officer
• Data Security Analyst
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Security Specialist
• Information Security Analyst
• IT Security Architect
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
• Security Awareness Training Specialist
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) Security Analyst

Leadership

• Chief Security Officer (CSO)
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager

Incident Response and Threat Hunting

• Threat Hunter
• Virus Technician
• Bug Bounty Hunter
• Ethical Hacker
• Incident Responder
• Malware Analyst
• Vulnerability Assessor

Threat Intel and Forensics

• Cyber Insurance Policy Specialist
• Cyber Operations Specialist
• Cybercrime Investigator
• Cybersecurity Lawyer
• Source Code Auditor

8. How can online courses help you learn cybersecurity?

While in-person learning experiences in cybersecurity offer networking opportunities, online courses provide learners with a focused environment for absorbing cybersecurity concepts and practicing their application online.

For the budget conscious, not having to travel makes online courses attractive. Learners also get the chance to engage with course materials at the times most convenient for them.

Another benefit, when course participants need one-on-one assistance, they can reach out to subject matter experts and/or course leaders only when needed. This independent learning format suits many in the cybersecurity industry.

Cybersecurity is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Investing in cybersecurity courses can significantly enhance your skills, boost your career prospects, and help bridge the talent gap in this critical industry. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance your expertise, there are courses tailored to meet your needs and ambitions. By understanding the various aspects of cybersecurity education, you can make informed decisions and set yourself on a path to success in the cybersecurity landscape.