The competence of cybersecurity leaders is essential in the selection process of cybersecurity leaders such as the Chief Security Officer (CSO). During the recruitment process of security leaders, competence is assessed based on education and experience. Depending on the management hierarchy and strategic objectives of the business, the CSO can report to the CIO, CTO, CFO, Chief Risk Officer(CRO) or directly to the CEO. In a long career that can span several decades, the CSO will end up working for different companies. The primary role of the CSO is to protect the business, employees, and third-party ecosystem, which helps the company create value in its products and services. The CSO must also have the skills and experience to work with the CIO, CTO, CFO, CRO and CEO.

In my career as a Director of Cybersecurity and Deputy CISO for some of the world’s largest companies, I have seen a lot of good CSOs’ fail because they do not have the skills and experience to manage the different stakeholders listed above. They were unable to understand the perspective and influence the stakeholders and the Company board. In one case, the CISO was fired from his role because he could not deliver a security strategy that aligned with the changing nature of the business. His skills at dealing with security issues were among the best I have seen, but he struggled to get budget approvals and headcount to grow his team and could not influence the company's CIO. The CTO, CFO, CRO and CIO successfully adapted to the changes in this organisation.

There is no quick fix to gaining these skills and competencies. What is the starting point for getting all the skills needed to deal with the complexities of modern organisations? The answer lies in the transformative Cyber Security Executive MBA (CEMBA) programme at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). This programme is a commitment to lifelong learning at the highest level, and Lancaster University's Top 10 ranking in the Complete University Guide 2024 is a testament to its excellence.

The educational experience will give you the building blocks of knowledge and its application to real-world problems that cover the different domains of business and cybersecurity. It is a flagship Cyber Security Executive MBA programme that brings together academic experts from Lancaster University and Templar Executives' cadre of world-class cybersecurity experts. It is the only CEMBA programme accredited by the UK National Centre for Cybersecurity (NCSC provisional accreditation) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). It is a part-time programme designed to accommodate applicants working full-time jobs, and it can be completed in two years. This programme offers flexibility and ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired improve the understanding of cybersecurity and business without disrupting professional commitments. This programme is for applicants who want to pivot and grow their careers in cybersecurity management.

During the CEMBA programmes, participants will cover modules incorporating business and Cybersecurity topics. Students are not just taught but encouraged to apply their new knowledge to real cybersecurity problems by working on complex challenges. The applied research and workplace-based dissertation allows participants to work on business problems and learn from the expertise of leading academics and cybersecurity practitioners, ensuring they are confident and prepared for the real world.

Author

The author, Hassan Raza, is a Lecturer in the Department of Management Science at Lancaster University Management School and has worked in cybersecurity and IT for over twenty years.

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