Professional Development & Continuing EducationInformation Security Officer Certificate Program

To enable Information Security Officers to successfully bridge business and security strategies, the curriculum balances technical and management topics, and will appeal to both those who are natural techies, and those who are more at home with business and management responsibilities.

By focusing on security strategy, technology, communications policy, finance, and emerging technologies, the program covers a broad range of knowledge and skills needed to lead at the executive level.

Senior level IT security professionals will experience a venue for peer learning, network building and brainstorming that is refreshing and highly valuable.

Participants will explore all of the relevant skills and knowledge to conduct a thorough security assessment of their own organization, resulting in an action plan for improvement as an applied project and work-product.

This course prepares individuals to perform the primary responsibilities of a Information Security Officer. Application of these skills to the performance of security management will be emphasized.

The program will help develop the skills and knowledge needed to:

• Provide strategic leadership as a steward of the organization’s information security and a trusted partner with other business executives in the organization.
• Develop and implement a robust, accurate, and actionable metrics reporting process that maps back to the business.
• Understand and manage the risk posture of an organization.
• Communicate and work closely with legal and privacy officers to protect the organization from legal and regulatory non-compliance.
• Establish and manage the organization’s security policy catalog.
• Understand requirements for secure development lifecycle, and application security concepts.
• Understand and manage the security implications of emerging technologies.
• Secure adequate resources, and manage the IT Security budget.
• Lead and manage a technical staff of security managers, architects, engineers and specialists, as well as contractors and vendors.

• This program is seven (7) months in duration.
• Classes meet VIRTUALLY/ONLINE via Microsoft Teams, one and a half days (1.5) per month, on Thursdays and Fridays.
  • Thursday class time is 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, ET
  • Friday class time is 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, ET

See “NEXT COHORT” at the bottom of the page for the full schedule

Module 1: Information Security Implementation Skills
Creating a security culture within your organization by leading people and managing programs

Module 2: Information Risk Management
Identifying acceptable organizational risk thresholds and developing a risk management program

Module 3: Information Security Governance
Establishing and maturing internal governance processes to ensure all the below initiatives run smoothly and receive the required funding and that corporate leadership understands the importance

Module 4: Information Security Architecture Management
Discuss a mature organizational posture that mitigates vulnerabilities and risks

Module 5: End to End Security Operations and Continuous Monitoring
Developing a proactive culture around security operations, ongoing monitoring, and pre-emptive responsiveness.

Module 6: Ownership and Authorization Process
Establish executive sponsorship for the Authorization to Operate (ATO) process to ultimately develop an “Ongoing Authorization” Culture

Module 7: Capstone Presentations & Graduation

Candidates must possess the following criteria to be considered for admission in Information Security Officer Certificate program:

• A Minimum of 5 years’ IT security experience -OR- IT security leadership responsibility in their current role;
• Senior-level management/executive responsibility; AND
• Candidates are anticipated to be an Information Security Officer, -OR- have CISO or ISO responsibilities.

• Participants will be expected to complete readings and some written work prior to sessions. A capstone project, applying the program’s core curriculum to a tech assessment project will be produced and presented by participants.
• Attendance at a minimum of 90% of the sessions is required.
• Awarding of a certificate of completion will be based on a pass-fail assessment of the program’s curricular, attendance, and project-based requirements.

Fees

• For-profit organizations (private-sector): $3,885
• Non-profit organizations and government (public-sector): $2,885

Those accepted into the program or their organizations are responsible for the per-participant cost of the program.

Payment is not due upon application. It is due upon acceptance into the program, with invoices emailed with acceptance letters.

The application process consists of these steps:

1. CANDIDATE APPLICATION
   To apply, candidates should:• Click the “Apply Now” button under “Next Cohort” below.
   • Be prepared to answer questions about their learning goals, past experiences, expertise, and knowledge they will bring to the cohortNote: Candidates will not be prompted to submit payment as part of the initial application process.
    
2. NOMINATION LETTER
   Candidates will demonstrate the support of their senior leadership by submitting a letter of nomination written on their behalf.The nomination letter should include current position and responsibilities of the applicant, along with skills, knowledge, and any special projects for which the applicant is responsible.*The nomination letter should be addressed to “ISO Program Directors” and emailed to: ProfessionalEd@HarrisburgU.edu with the subject line as, “ISO Nomination Letter for [YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME]”Note: The deadline to submit nomination letters is the same date as the application deadline. See “NEXT COHORT” at the bottom of the page for deadline dates.