Harvard VPAL
Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age
Develop your personal cybersecurity leadership plan.
Start date
17 February 2021
Enroll by 09 February 2021
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
8–11 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The projected size of the cybersecurity market by 2023.
Markets and Markets (Sep, 2018).
The number of threats blocked by Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network daily.
Symantec (Feb, 2019).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
News of large-scale cybersecurity threats and cyberattacks frequently dominate the headlines: hackers exploiting vulnerabilities of retail giants, foreign influence in elections, and new forms of ransomware underscore the importance of preparing for these threats.
Cyber risk management has become a fundamental component of business operations, and understanding and mitigating risk has become an essential skill for business leaders, analysts, as well as security and technology specialists.
The Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age online short course, from Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL), in association with HarvardX, equips you with a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and manage operational risk, litigation risk and reputational risk. The course will help you assess and mitigate specific vulnerabilities within an organization’s networks, systems, and data. Develop the knowledge and skills to protect the integrity, security, and confidentiality of digital assets.
Is this course for you?
This course offers an in-depth exploration of cybersecurity that is valuable for executives and specialist roles. Business leaders will gain the knowledge needed to lead their organization through the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape, and develop the know-how to set appropriate budget guides for this task. Information security professionals, risk analysts, and technology specialists will have the opportunity to build confidence and understanding in a key area of importance for their roles. Any professional will benefit from the ability to gain an up-to-date overview and understanding of cybersecurity and risk.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
News of large-scale cybersecurity threats and cyberattacks frequently dominate the headlines: hackers exploiting vulnerabilities of retail giants, foreign influence in elections, and new forms of ransomware underscore the importance of preparing for these threats.
Cyber risk management has become a fundamental component of business operations, and understanding and mitigating risk has become an essential skill for business leaders, analysts, as well as security and technology specialists.
The Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age online short course, from Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL), in association with HarvardX, equips you with a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and manage operational risk, litigation risk and reputational risk. The course will help you assess and mitigate specific vulnerabilities within an organization’s networks, systems, and data. Develop the knowledge and skills to protect the integrity, security, and confidentiality of digital assets.
Is this course for you?
This course offers an in-depth exploration of cybersecurity that is valuable for executives and specialist roles. Business leaders will gain the knowledge needed to lead their organization through the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape, and develop the know-how to set appropriate budget guides for this task. Information security professionals, risk analysts, and technology specialists will have the opportunity to build confidence and understanding in a key area of importance for their roles. Any professional will benefit from the ability to gain an up-to-date overview and understanding of cybersecurity and risk.
What will set you apart
The ability to recommend a cybersecurity leadership plan.
The skills needed to develop a cyber risk mitigation strategy.
A practical, holistic understanding of cybersecurity and its value.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Cybersecurity risk is business risk
Module 2
Identifying the threats to an organization
Module 3
Identifying important business systems and assets
Module 4
The crucial role of leadership in managing cyber risk
Module 5
Understanding your technology
Module 6
Cyber risk and the law
Module 7
Incident response and accountability
Module 8
Designing and implementing a mitigation strategy
Get course prospectus
What past students
think
Bill Hughes
Founder & CEO, CyberHabits
This course was a great way for me to look at cybersecurity through the executive lens. It has forever changed my view of how our organization approaches the topic. The assignments were detailed yet succinct, enabling me to complete them despite my busy schedule. The work was challenging yet manageable, and the combination of self-paced and group work made the course more stimulating and effective. The final paper was not only a great capstone for the course, but a useful artifact for our organization as we develop cybersecurity strategies and programs for ourselves and others.
Course Convener
Eric Rosenbach
Co-Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
About the certificate
Earn a premier certificate from Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL), in association with HarvardX.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
Get a course brochure
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing FAQ, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
