Cybersecurity Leaders Program

The Cybersecurity Leaders Program is a training program aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is part of the "CyberIC" program for developing the cybersecurity sector. The National Cybersecurity Authority launched it in collaboration with several global universities on November 20, 2022.

The Cybersecurity Leaders Program aims to equip the officials of cybersecurity in national entities with leadership skills that enhance cybersecurity. It also aims to increase readiness to address cyber risks and strengthen risk management skills within the cybersecurity system.

The Cybersecurity Leaders Program targets approximately 160 leaders working in cybersecurity roles within national entities. Participants in the program are able to train on cyber crisis management mechanisms and gain insights into the latest experiences in this field.

The program was implemented in collaboration with the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, Harvard Business Publishing, and the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), which serves as the technical arm of the National Cybersecurity Authority.

The training journey of the Cybersecurity Leaders Program spans six months. It includes approximately 140 training hours in leadership skills and cybersecurity risk management, dialogue sessions, about ten practical exercises, and professional mentoring sessions with cybersecurity experts to apply the learned outcomes and conduct a specialized workshop utilizing augmented reality.

On January 10, 2023, the National Cybersecurity Authority announced the launch of the "Cybersecurity Leaders Program" in partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, "Harvard Business Publishing", and the technical arm of the authority, the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE). The program aims to enhance the cybersecurity system in the Kingdom and develop the leadership skills of cybersecurity officials in national entities. The launch took place at the National Cybersecurity Academy, with leaders representing fifty-five national entities participating.

The authority explained that the training program extends to six months and features a variety of training methods and tools. It includes 140 training hours in leadership skills and cybersecurity risk management, four dialogue sessions, over ten practical exercises, and three professional mentoring sessions with experts in the field to apply the learned outcomes. Additionally, a specialized workshop utilizing augmented reality is conducted, along with training in cyber crisis management mechanisms to explore the latest experiences in the field.