Cyber security MBA available early 2015

Slightly more than one year after the idea was first put forward, a National Cyber Security MBA was launched at an event staged at the House of Commons recently.

MP Chi Onwurah announced the  new qualification, which is due to be available from January next year. National MBA’s advisory board chair and ex-GCHQ director Sir Kevin Tebbit commented:

“There is a practical rather than theoretical focus. It might suit a company secretary with responsibility for risk, or a CISO or CIO reporting to the board, or a finance director broadening skills.

“We are talking about fast-burn quick-delivery – trying to up-skill people on how to use cyber security to benefit their organisation.”

The MBA, which includes eight modules, will cost students £10,500. Typically, it will take between 18 months and two years. However, there is flexibility offered with the option to spread the course over a six-year period. Much of the course, in this case, will be via eLearning, along with video lessons delivered by experts in the industry.

Some students, who receive sponsorship from their firm, may be in a position to study issues that would immediately benefit the companies for which they work. However, these issues would likely encompass broad areas.

Businesses would certainly take a huge step in increasing their information security by sponsoring their employees. However, a problem exists, in that many still fail to realise the importance of the position. Before even considering investing in sponsoring their staff, they need to look at their current IT security strategy and assess whether or not they are doing enough in that department.