WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Ridge Global, and the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University today launched the NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program, the world’s first-ever cybersecurity oversight program for corporate directors, which confers the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight.
The program brings together the professional-development capabilities of NACD, the advocate for the profession of directorship; Ridge Global’s experience as a leading risk advisor to C-suite executives and board leaders; and the deep, cyber-technical expertise of the world-renowned SEI CERT Division to deliver a cyber education and resource program that addresses the specific cyber-risk oversight responsibilities of board members and executives.
NACD President and CEO Peter Gleason says, “Companies are being repeatedly targeted by cyber actors from criminal organizations, hacktivists, and even nation-states, but this type of focused cybersecurity instruction has not been made available to board members and C-suite executives until now.
“The NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program provides critical content focused on the cyber-risk leadership and oversight responsibilities of directors,” said Gleason. “One hundred percent of the content is delivered online, allowing participants to take the course at their pace, at their convenience, and from anywhere.”
Participants who successfully complete the NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program will earn the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight, issued by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. The course includes multiple NACD resources on cyber-risk oversight such as the NACD Director’s Handbook on Cyber-Risk Oversight, the first private-sector resource to be featured on the Department of Homeland Security’s C3 Voluntary Program website.
“Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI CERT Division has long advocated that authority for enterprise security should be held at the governance level of organizations—in boards of directors and senior executives,” said Robert F. Behler, deputy director and COO of the SEI. “The NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program will help senior leaders understand, achieve, and sustain an organization’s position on cyber risk.”
The certificate program is delivered completely online, allowing busy corporate directors and executives to complete the certificate from any location and at their own pace. The robust, multimodule program improves corporate directors’ understanding of cybersecurity risks, details the respective responsibilities of the board and C-suite executives in cyber-risk oversight, and engages participants in a cyber crisis simulation. The course culminates in a comprehensive exam.
“In the current litigious and hyper-regulatory environment, board members must be able to demonstrate their commitment to providing competent corporate cyber oversight,” said Gov. Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and CEO of Ridge Global. “Earning this credential is a tangible testament to a board member’s commitment to cyber-risk oversight and, more importantly, it enhances the ability of directors to bridge enterprise gaps that may exist between business and IT leaders on cybersecurity.”
Visit www.NACDonline.org/CyberCertificate to learn more about and register for the NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program for corporate directors.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) empowers more than 17,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom. As the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today’s directors are well-prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. World-class boards join NACD to elevate performance, gain foresight, and instill confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and corporate governance stakeholders, NACD has been setting the standard for responsible board leadership for 40 years. To learn more about NACD, visit www.NACDonline.org. To become an NACD member, please contact us at Join@NACDonline.org or 202-572-2089. If you are already a member, contact your NACD Membership Advisor at MembershipAdvisor@NACDonline.org to ensure that you are receiving the best value from your membership.
About Ridge Global
Ridge Global, the risk management and cybersecurity firm founded by Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, helps organizations decrease security risks and improve enterprise resilience. Ridge Global possesses a team of globally recognized experts who offer clients strategic counsel on identifying, preparing for, and mitigating cyber risk. Ridge Global offers leading cyber advisory services and groundbreaking technologies, as well as innovative training and insurance solutions. To learn more, visit www.ridgeglobal.com.
About the Software Engineering Institute
The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and operated by Carnegie Mellon University. The SEI works with organizations to make measurable improvements in their software engineering capabilities by providing technical leadership to advance the practice of software engineering. For more information, visit the SEI website at www.sei.cmu.edu. The CERT Division of the SEI is the world’s leading trusted authority dedicated to improving the security and resilience of computer systems and networks and a national asset in the field of cybersecurity. For more information, visit www.cert.org.