“Be Prepared for a SEAT at the TABLE.”
The world’s most renowned CISO certification — GCISO Certification by GlobalCISO Leadership Foundation™
Apply now to receive the only certification developed by over 250 security leaders from across the world!
Apply now.
STARTS ON
December 12, 2023
DURATION
12 weeks, instructor-led virtual
4–6 hours per week
PROGRAM FEE
US$4,999 US$4,500 if you register before October 12, 2023
US$4,999 US$4,750 if you register before November 12, 2023
Application Details
Overview
As cybersecurity problems continue to escalate across the world, the demand for practical CISO training is higher than ever before. We aim to provide CISOs with a roadmap on how to build, run and manage their security program to maturity. Essentially, this is a guide on how CISOs can perform their jobs day-to-day. When CISOs are well-trained, they will be able to secure their organizations from top-down – no matter what industry, company size or country they are from.
What stands out about our certification, versus other security & CISO certs in the market, is the practical nature of the training. We cover topics not commonly covered in other certs, including how to win budget for security, lower costs, build company-wide influence as a CISO, zero-trust architecture, and business/digital transformation (including how to deploy Internet of Things safely).
Another unique aspect about our cert is the sheer diversity of perspectives. Our course content has been put together by CISOs of various industries and company sizes, as well as lawyers, investigators, academia, and other security professionals across a diverse range of backgrounds.
We believe that all organizations deserve quality CISO education. That is why we provide this certification at an affordable price point, to make it accessible to CISOs of all company sizes and parts of the world – including nonprofits and small businesses.
Our certification is by the community, for the community. We understand that one of the greatest factors for a CISO’s success is their connections with senior peers in the same industry. As such, as part of this program, we will give you access to a mentor, who can give you one-on-one guidance with the course content, and support you in doing the best job you can as a CISO – even after you have completed our program. We are excited to provide new CISOs with access to some of the top CISOs in the industry.
Our testing methodology is extensive as well. We go beyond the traditional multiple-choice questions, by testing you on your response to real-world scenarios faced by CISOs. In doing so, we will have a more accurate assessment of your understanding of the CISO role. To find out more about the exam, please read the ‘Program Topics’ section.
This certification is meant to be a ‘badge of honor’ – both challenging and rewarding to complete.
Note: this certification emphasizes managerial, leadership & business skills that are most important for a CISO to perform their role effectively. Technical topics are covered lightly at a high level. For extensive technical training, we ask that you explore other certifications.
US$188,338
Average annual salary for a CISO in the U.S.
SOURCE: GLASSDOOR, SEPTEMBER 2022
24%
of Fortune 500 CISOs are on the job for one year or less, largely due to lack of high-quality training, leading to poor performance & burnout
SOURCE: CYBERSECURITY VENTURES, JULY 2020
15%
Yearly growth rate of the cost of cybercrime. By 2025 it will cost $10.5 trillion annually.
SOURCE: CYBERSECURITY VENTURES, NOVEMBER 2020
Enrollment and Course Completion Options
GCISO Certification by GlobalCISO Leadership Foundation™
Certified GCISO (for current CISOs & established Senior Security Professionals)
Current security professionals with more than 5 years of experience will become Certified GCISOs upon completing the course work and receiving a final score of 70 percent or higher on the exam.
Associate GCISO (for CISOs with limited Cyber Security Experience)
Current security professionals with less than 5 years of experience will receive an Associate GCISO certificate upon completing the course and receiving a final score of 70 percent or higher on the exam.
Course Completion Certificate (for Students)
Students currently enrolled in university/college programs can access the course material. Students will only receive a course completion certificate.
Some additional requirements for students are:
- They must register using their school emails.
- Each student must submit a whitepaper to be published on the website to receive the training completion certificate.
CISO Key Takeaways
- Cyber Strategy
- Risk Prioritization
- Security Budgeting
- Security Leadership
- Vendor Management
- Incident Response
- Crown Jewels
- Identity and Access Management
- Security Controls
- Aligning Security with Business Goals
- Regulatory Compliance
- Breach Investigations
Who Is This Program For?
- Early- to mid-career CISOs who are looking for practical guidance on how to set up and run their security programs day-to-day.
- Experienced CISOs who are looking to further upgrade their skills and learn from a larger, more diverse pool of CISOs. They may be returning to their careers after a break.
- CISOs looking for experienced industry mentors who can help them succeed in their role long-term.
- Security managers aspiring to be CISOs and preparing for their future role.
- Master’s students who want to learn the role of a CISO to see if it is a good fit for them. Please note: Master’s students are only eligible for a course completion certificate.
CISO Program Topics
Our learning journey is structured to take you through the complete product life cycle, from concept and design to developing a comprehensive vision, incorporating customer feedback, and implementing the proper metrics for measuring performance.
Module 1: Setting Up Your Program
Learn how to establish the critical foundations of a security program and tailor them to your company’s needs, within the first 100 days of your role. Learn how to make everyone a security practitioner, win respect & influence rather than demanding it, and how to work with your board of directors.
Module 2: Risk Management
Learn how to establish a security risk management strategy & integrate it with enterprise risk management. Learn how to identify critical risks and mitigate them, how to manage third-party risk, and other essential elements of a risk management program.
Module 3: Financial Issues in Managing a Security Program
Learn how to win budget for your security program, how to justify it to to your organization’s senior decision makers, and how to save money – so that you have the resources to hire people and purchase the needed tools to keep your org safe.
Module 4: Holistic Cybersecurity Leadership
Learn how to create a compelling case for security for all stakeholders in your organization; building influence and trust across the board and becoming a leader people look up to. Learn how to motivate your team, manage your energy and prevent burnout.
Module 5: Integrating Security Into the Project Management Lifecycle
Learn about the role of a CISO in delivering business projects, the goal being to meet security as well as compliance requirements. We will go over how the CISO will be involved in the project lifecycle, & how to prevent projects from adding unwanted risk to the environment.
Module 6: Incident Response Lifecycle
Learn how to quickly and effectively respond to security incidents, as well as what to do before and after an incident occurs – to minimize its impact to your organization.
Module 7: Protecting Your Crown Jewels
Learn how to identify your crown jewels – the information assets of highest value to your organization – and how to protect them via technical, contractual and procedural controls.
Module 8: Identity and Access Management
Learn how to establish the processes, procedures, and framework of an IAM program, tailored to your company’s needs, in a way that meets regulatory/compliance requirements.
Module 9: Security Operations
Learn how to manage & monitor your security program using preventative, detective and responsive controls – from a defense-in-depth point of view. Learn how to manage your configurations.
Module 10: Business Transformation & Enablement
This module takes the view that properly executed cybersecurity enables organizations to operate, transform and scale safely. Learn how new technology and business processes (e.g. Internet of Things, DevSecOps) can help you enable your business.
Module 11: Legal Issues in Managing Secure Operations
Learn how to comply with overlapping and conflicting legal regimes around the world, along with how best to work with lawyers & law enforcement on important topics such as breach investigations & information sharing.
Final Exam/Presentation
Answer, via video, a series of questions written by key executives (e.g. CEOs, CIOs, CISOs), investigators (FBI) and lawyers. These questions simulate real-world scenarios & are meant to be answered in business-school, case-study style. They are designed to test your creativity, communication skills, and understanding of the concepts taught in the course. Your exam will be graded by 3 CISOs, from whom you will receive valuable written feedback – that can help you in your career going forward.
You may be allowed to choose Final Presentation in front of a panel of CISOs instead of taking the Final Exam. The option will be shared in the last one month of your cohort.
If you are an experienced CISO, you can skip the course and take the final exam on its own – to get GCISO credit.
Click here for complete CISO Curriculum.
CISO Program Experience
Live Sessions
Learn the material via our instructor-led live sessions, 4 hours per week.
Knowledge Checks
Gauge your understanding of the content as the program progresses, via in-course quizzes.
Case Study Questions
In the final exam, focus on real-world scenarios such as how to answer a CFO or lawyer’s question during a data breach.
1v1 Support
Get access to a mentor who is a senior CISO in your industry. They will provide you guidance on how to make the best use of the course content in your CISO role, both during and after course completion.
Industry Examples
The Global CISO Certification draws on real-world examples to illustrate what a CISO faces in their day-to-day role. It offers:
- Ways to respond to data breach scenarios and how to properly communicate status updates with senior management
- Checklists and guidelines on how to integrate security into various types of IT projects (on the cloud, on-premise, and more)
- How to identify crown jewels and prioritize program around them?
- An approach to understand how Cyber is an integrated risk to overall enterprise risk management.
- Critical thinking for developing Capex and Opex for establishing and maintaining Cyber Security Programs.
- Maintain regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Setting up a security monitoring program and avoiding incidents.
CISO Instructors
GCISO Certification is taught by some of the most prominent Cyber Security Leaders.
Chirag Arora
Chair, GCLF Advisory Board & Global CISOInstructor for North Americas & Asia Region
Brent Deterding
CISO at Afni, Inc.Core Instructor - Americas
Casey Corcoran
Former CISO, SASE at FortinetInstructor for North Americas & Asia Region
Matt Stamper
CISO | EvotekCore Instructor - North Americas Region
Patrick Pitchappa
Director/CISO at Alshaya GroupCore Instructor - Asia Region
Jothi Dugar
Acting Deputy Director at the Federal Govt., USACore Instructor for North Americas & Asia Region
CISO Guest Speakers
The Guest Speakers speaking at the GCISO Certification cohort are some of the most accomplished Cyber Security Leaders in the world.
Deborah Snyder
Senior Fellow at Center for Digital Govt., Former CISO NY StateGuest Speaker
Violet Sullivan
Vice President at Redpoint CyberGuest Speaker for North Americas & Asia Region
Ankur Ahuja
CISO at BilltrustGuest Speaker
Dr. Bill Souza
CEO | Executive Cyber EducationGuest Speaker
Karl Mattson
CISO at Noname SecurityGuest Speaker
Michael Phillips
Founding Partner, vSEC LLCGuest Speaker
Certificate and the Badge of Honor
Get recognized! Upon successful completion of the program, the GlobalCISO Leadership Foundation grants a verified digital certificate and an honorary badge to the participants. After receiving your digital certificate, you may request a physical certificate in a top of the quality material frame to display in your home office or at work office.
Note: After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate and badge of honor will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate and badge images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the GlobalCISO Leadership Foundation. This certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from post-secondary institutions.
FAQ
The Program
How do I know if this program is right for me?
If you are a current CISO, this program will help become better in your job. It will help you develop a hollistic program. If you are a deputy to a CISO or at a director or manager level, it will help you understand the CISO role and get ready to become a CISO.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
You must have over 5 years of security leadership experience in order to receive this certification. Otherwise, you may receive associate certification until you reach the required experience threshold.
What is the typical class profile?
Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience. We offer this program in 2 time zones – one in Eastern Time (North America), and one to accommodate Asia (including India). Students may be from North America, Asia, or other continents.
What other dates will this program be offered in the future?
As soon as our first 12-week program is complete, the course will be available for other new registering students to complete online at their own pace.
For further live instructor sessions: check back to this program web page or email us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
The Learning Experience
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:
- Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
- Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
- Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
- Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
- Connecting with your mentor to get 1v1 course support
- Completing your whitepaper, if required
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please contact us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org if you need further clarification on program activities.
How do I interact with other program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Certification
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored by percentage; participants must complete the required activities & get a 70% on the exam to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Any students who are not yet security managers will need to complete a whitepaper as well, in order to get the certificate. Please contact us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a digital certificate. The digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can link to it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
A certificate along with a top of quality frame will be sent approximately four to six weeks after successfully finishing the exam.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
Yes, however, initially only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. You will receive the framed certificate in four to six weeks after completing your exam.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
Yes, you will be included as part of the GlobalCISO community leaders and will receive free community access as long as you maintain your certification. More details will be shared later.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 6 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
Technical Requirements
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Payment Process
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page.
- Tuition assistance is available to Master’s students and candidates in between jobs. Please email info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org for more details.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please email us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org for details.
I was not able to use my course voucher. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org with your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes. You may email us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please email us at info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org for assistance.
Refund Policy
What is the policy on refunds and withdrawals?
You may request a full refund within seven days of your payment or 14 days after the published start date of the program, whichever comes later. If your enrollment had previously been deferred, you will not be entitled to a refund. Partial (or pro-rated) refunds are not offered. All withdrawal and refund requests should be sent to info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org.
What is the policy on deferrals?
After the published start date of the program, you have until the midpoint of the program to request to defer to a future cohort of the same program. A deferral request must be submitted along with a specified reason and explanation. Cohort changes may be made only once per enrolment and are subject to availability of other cohorts scheduled at our discretion. This will not be applicable for deferrals within the refund period, and the limit of one deferral per enrolment remains. All deferral requests should be sent to info@gcisoleadershipfoundation.org.
