Introduction

In today's rapidly accelerating business landscape, digital transformation is no longer an option but a strategic imperative that profoundly impacts every aspect of an organization, including its governance. Boards are increasingly tasked with overseeing complex technological shifts, leveraging data for strategic advantage, and managing emerging digital risks, demanding a new paradigm for effective oversight. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip current and aspiring board members and senior executives with the essential frameworks and practical strategies to champion digital change and ensure robust governance in this evolving era.

This 5-day intensive program will empower participants to cultivate a deep understanding of digital strategy oversight, master cybersecurity governance, and refine their ability to lead with agility and strategic foresight in a tech-driven environment. You will learn to integrate digital considerations into board discussions, enhance data-driven decision-making, and foster a culture of innovation and responsible technology adoption. By mastering these critical competencies, you will amplify your impact in the boardroom and confidently steer your organization towards a secure, innovative, and digitally mature future.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Senior Leaders and Executives
• Board Members and Directors
• Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
• Chief Digital Officers (CDOs)
• Governance Professionals
• Legal Counsel advising Boards
• Compliance Officers
• Risk Management Professionals
• Consultants specializing in digital transformation

Objectives

• Understand the core concepts of digital transformation and its profound impact on corporate governance.
• Develop a strategic mindset for overseeing digital risks and opportunities.
• Master frameworks for cybersecurity governance and data privacy compliance.
• Learn to integrate technology and data insights into board decision-making.
• Cultivate effective oversight of digital strategy and innovation initiatives.
• Enhance communication skills for discussing complex digital topics in the boardroom.
• Understand the ethical implications of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation).
• Develop strategies for fostering a digitally fluent and resilient board.
• Create a personalized action plan for enhancing board governance in the digital age.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Digital Transformation Imperative for Boards

• Defining digital transformation and its strategic relevance to board oversight.
• Exploring key digital trends and their implications for business models and governance.
• Understanding the characteristics of a digitally mature organization.
• The shift from traditional to digital governance paradigms.
• Assessing your board's current digital readiness and gaps.

Module 2: Board Oversight of Digital Strategy and Innovation

• The board's role in evaluating and approving digital strategies.
• Overseeing investments in emerging technologies (e.g., AI, blockchain, IoT).
• Fostering a culture of innovation and agile development.
• Assessing the impact of digital initiatives on business models and competitive advantage.
• Ensuring alignment between digital strategy and overall corporate objectives.

Module 3: Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Management

• Understanding the board's fiduciary duties related to cybersecurity.
• Key cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and their potential impact.
• Developing a robust cyber-resilience strategy and incident response plan.
• Overseeing cybersecurity investments, controls, and risk mitigation.
• Communicating cyber risks effectively to the board and stakeholders.

Module 4: Data Governance and Privacy Compliance

• The board's role in overseeing data governance frameworks.
• Understanding key data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, other regional laws).
• Strategies for ensuring ethical data collection, usage, and protection.
• Managing data breaches and ensuring transparent reporting.
• The importance of data quality, integrity, and analytics for strategic insights.

Module 5: Ethical Implications of Digital Technologies

• Understanding the ethical challenges posed by AI, automation, and big data.
• The board's responsibility in ensuring responsible technology use.
• Addressing algorithmic bias, fairness, and accountability.
• Developing ethical guidelines for digital product development and deployment.
• Navigating the societal impact of digital transformation.

Module 6: Digital Boardroom Effectiveness and Fluency

• Enhancing board discussions on complex technology topics.
• Leveraging digital tools for efficient board communication and information sharing.
• Strategies for attracting and integrating digitally savvy directors.
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and digital upskilling for the board.
• The role of technology committees and specialized expertise on the board.

Module 7: Building a Future-Ready Digital Governance Framework

• Integrating digital risk and opportunity into enterprise risk management (ERM).
• Developing comprehensive digital governance policies and procedures.
• Measuring the effectiveness of digital governance initiatives.
• Strategies for continuous adaptation to evolving digital landscapes.
• Creating a personalized action plan for championing digital transformation and board governance.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.