Learn how to develop cyber strategies that increase security and align with business needs through a comprehensive examination of the cybersecurity field.
Cultivate the skills needed to design and implement a comprehensive information security strategy through Georgetown’s Online Certificate in Cybersecurity Strategy. Academics and industry experts will guide you through a combination of independent study, lectures, and group work approaching the practice of cybersecurity through a managerial lens.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop strategic knowledge of security models, risk assessment, secure systems development, crisis management, and legal, regulatory, and compliance issues. You’ll also gain tactical knowledge by examining access control, encryption, network security, and social engineering.
Additional Cybersecurity Programs
If you're looking for more advanced studies in cybersecurity, we also offer the following programs:
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you’ll be able to:
Understand the major types of threats and vulnerabilities in current systems (Scan)
Describe the major threat actors (e.g., hacktivists, nation-states, insiders) and their motivations to attack (Focus)
Define the major vulnerabilities exploited by the threat actors
Develop a high-level plan to train users to minimize a specific risk or vulnerability (Act)
Operationalize a variety of technical countermeasures, including antiviruses, firewalls, and encryptions
Initiate and manage an organization-wide risk assessment
Prioritize and remediate identified risks
Assess the efficacy and effectiveness of the broad spectrum of cybersecurity standards and guidelines for containing threats and vulnerabilities and for applying countermeasures
Assess key roles and responsibilities for information security in an organization or agency.
Assess the role of management in reviewing key security technology trends affecting the enterprise.
Create and apply effective metrics for cybersecurity
Design a cybersecurity strategy that both increases security and aligns with business needs
Develop a training program
Triage and make cybersecurity decisions under pressure with limited information
Document an incident response
Manage upward, executive communication and expectations under pressure
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
"Making the Business Case for Cybersecurity" was a GREAT foundation course. It left me with a sense that I have a good base-line to do more in the field.
Ethan S. Burger
Certificate in Cybersecurity Strategy
The Certificate in Cybersecurity Strategy is designed for busy professional learners who appreciate flexible study schedules with the guidance of skilled faculty.
You must successfully complete the six required modules, for a total of 10.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 108.0 contact hours. The six modules are:
Making the Business Case for Cybersecurity (Required; 1.8 CEUs)
Threats, Vulnerabilities and Social Engineering (Required; 1.8 CEUs)
Technical Countermeasure and Risk Assessment (Required; 1.8 CEUs)
Managing Security (Required; 1.8 CEUs)
Leadership and Strategy in Cybersecurity (Required; 1.8 CEUs)
What Is Asynchronous Online Learning?
Course materials for this self-guided course can be accessed at your convenience within the specified time frame. These materials are uploaded to Canvas, an online learning management platform, and include a variety of resources such as text-based lecture notes, interactive learning modules, and pre-recorded lectures and podcasts. You are responsible for completing assignments based on your understanding of the course material while meeting specified deadlines for each assignment. The self-paced nature of the course allows you to review information, take notes, and practice retention without worrying about the speed of a lecture or the pace of your classmates. This flexibility enables you to shape your learning experience according to your individual needs and preferences, ensuring a personalized and effective educational journey.
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How to Register
Program Prerequisites
Students should have at least 3-5 years of professional experience in the information technology industry and a working knowledge of current cybersecurity issues.
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs.
Registration
This certificate is an open-enrollment program. No application is required. Click the "Register Now" button, select your courses, and then click "Add to Cart". Course registration is complete when your payment is processed. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received. Please retain the payment confirmation message for your records.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native English speakers but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs; however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
For more information on our online policies, please visit the Online Students page.
Tuition & Funding
Tuition for the course is $3,995.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
While you may choose to complete your certificate program in one semester, many programs (but not all) allow up to two years to complete all requirements. As a result, you may choose to register for required and elective courses over several semesters to spread out the cost of tuition over time. We generally offer every course in a program each semester, so you'll have many opportunities to enroll in required and elective courses within the two-year time frame.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
Georgetown University alumni and SCS certificate completers are eligible to receive a 30% tuition discount for many certificates offered within SCS’s Professional Development & Certificates (PDC) portfolio. When registering for an eligible certificate through the SCS website, you will see the "30% Georgetown Alumni Discount" as an option. The Enrollment Team will then verify your eligibility status as a Georgetown University alumnus or certificate completer.
Georgetown SCS offers a 20% discount for eligible certificates to organizations that register 5 or more employees for the same certificate cohort at the same time. Eligible organizations include government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and for-profit businesses. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps and procedures to ensure your group has access to the discount.
Employees of companies that belong to the EdAssist education network may receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses. Contact EdAssist directly to find out if you qualify.
Eligible federal employees across the country receive a 10% scholarship applied to the current tuition rate for all SCS degree programs and professional certificate programs each academic semester. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps to be added to this discount group.
