Cybersecurity breaks into some of the top schools

A recent Accenture study found that 31 percent of companies believe a lack of training or budget is their single biggest inhibitor to combating cyber attacks. As cyber threats increase and security becomes a growing topic for businesses, cybersecurity must be tackled by more than just the IT department, but also by the executives of the company.

In order to tackle these growing threats, corporations must be equipped with professionals who carry these digital and security skills. Business schools understand that the knowledge and skills to defeat these threats can start at their institutions, and many are launching specialist courses, which cover everything from threat intelligence to terrorism and illicit networks.

“As it’s become a permanent part of the landscape for corporations, it’s becoming a permanent part of the landscape for business schools,” says Jean-Pierre Auffret, director of the MSc in Secure Information Systems at George Mason University’s School of Business.

So which schools are taking on cyber security education at an executive level?

Harvard University

Harvard’s cyber security course, “The Intersection of Policy and Technology”, now in its third year, aims to bring together techies and government leaders to address critical threats. The executive-level education program, which runs for five days, costs $7,600.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

The program at Stanford Graduate School of Business’ joint MBA/MS in Computer Science  leverages Stanford’s engineering prowess. It covers network security to artificial intelligence, incorporating management foundations. This combination recognizes the critical connections between technology and strategy, with students completing the two degrees, costing a combined $165,000, in three years.

Oxford Saïd Business School

When reviewing many of the major retail security breaches, the responsibility lies with senior executives, says David Upton, professor at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. They launched the Cyber Risk for Leaders Program last year, targeting business executives who will learn how to develop security strategies and communicate risks to their boards. The UK-based program runs for two days and costing around $4,800.

MIT Sloan School of Management

MBA students can complete their thesis with the (IC)3 consortium, the school’s cybersecurity initiative, which is backed by 16 corporate sponsors including HSBC.

The focus is on the managerial and organizational aspects of cyber security. The MBA costs $68,250 in tuition a year and runs for two years.

Schools are going beyond just equipping your entry-level security professionals with the skills to take on cyber threats. They are now understanding the importance of educating executive-level leaders within organizations. We are excited to see this trend grow throughout many other academic institutions, providing resources for many businesses to provide their high-level leaders with knowledge to beat looming security threats.

If you are interested in other options to take your security awareness and knowledge to the next level, consider these IT security certifications and how they can benefit your current position. And, keep your eyes peeled for more information on the NEW Secure360 student event that will be taking place in February 2017 in Minneapolis!