In the modern digital economy, technology risk is no longer a niche IT concern—it is a core business risk that demands executive-level attention and strategic oversight. From devastating cyberattacks to regulatory non-compliance and reputational damage, the consequences of inadequate technology governance can be catastrophic. This training course is specifically designed for board members and senior leaders who need to move beyond a superficial understanding of technology to a strategic, proactive approach to risk management. It provides the essential knowledge and frameworks required to effectively govern technology and protect enterprise value in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Over this five-day program, you will learn how to translate complex technological issues into business-centric conversations, enabling you to ask the right questions and make informed decisions. We will explore the critical role of the board in overseeing cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital innovation, equipping you with the tools to establish a robust governance model. By the end of this course, you will be empowered to guide your organization's technology strategy with confidence, ensuring that your company is not only resilient to risk but also positioned to leverage technology for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Board Members
• Audit and Risk Committee Members
• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
• Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
• Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
• Chief Risk Officers (CROs)
• General Counsel and Corporate Secretaries
• Senior Executives responsible for technology strategy
• Digital Transformation Leaders

Objectives:

• Understand the board's fiduciary duties and legal responsibilities related to technology
• Develop a framework for identifying, assessing, and monitoring technology risks
• Ask the right strategic questions to challenge and oversee technology leadership
• Establish a robust cybersecurity governance program and culture
• Oversee data privacy, data governance, and regulatory compliance
• Evaluate the risks and opportunities of emerging technologies like AI and IoT
• Formulate an effective crisis management and incident response plan
• Ensure the organization’s technology strategy aligns with its business objectives
• Build and lead a high-performing technology and cybersecurity committee

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Evolving Landscape of Technology Risk

• Defining technology risk beyond cybersecurity
• Understanding the convergence of IT, OT, and digital risk
• The financial, operational, and reputational impact of tech failures
• Board oversight of technology as a strategic asset and risk
• Case studies in technology risk from a board's perspective

Module 2: The Board's Role in Tech Governance

• Fiduciary duties and legal obligations of board members
• Best practices for a technology or cybersecurity committee
• The relationship between the board, CEO, and CIO/CISO
• Communicating tech risk effectively to the full board
• Key metrics and reports for board-level oversight

Module 3: Cybersecurity Governance for the Board

• Understanding the threat landscape and attacker motivations
• Frameworks for cybersecurity governance (NIST, ISO 27001)
• Assessing the organization's cybersecurity posture
• The role of cybersecurity in mergers, acquisitions, and due diligence
• Evaluating and approving the cybersecurity budget and strategy

Module 4: Data Privacy and Regulatory Compliance

• The impact of global regulations like GDPR and CCPA on board accountability
• Establishing a data governance and privacy program
• The ethical considerations of data collection and use
• Oversight of third-party vendor risk and data sharing agreements
• Best practices for managing a data breach and regulatory response

Module 5: Strategic Risk in Digital Transformation

• Integrating risk management into digital transformation initiatives
• The risk of legacy systems and technical debt
• Balancing innovation with security and resilience
• The role of the board in guiding a technology roadmap
• Ensuring alignment between business strategy and technology investments

Module 6: Managing Cloud and Third-Party Risk

• The unique governance challenges of cloud computing
• Due diligence for selecting cloud providers and technology partners
• Establishing clear service level agreements (SLAs) and security clauses
• Monitoring and auditing third-party vendors for compliance
• Developing a strategy for vendor lock-in and exit plans

Module 7: Emerging Technologies and Future Risks

• The governance and ethical risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
• Oversight of Internet of Things (IoT) security and data flows
• Understanding the implications of quantum computing and blockchain
• How to foster innovation while managing new risks
• Preparing the board to oversee a rapidly changing tech environment

Module 8: Incident Response and Crisis Management

• The board's role before, during, and after a cybersecurity incident
• Developing and testing an enterprise-wide incident response plan
• The importance of legal and public relations counsel during a crisis
• Post-mortem analysis and continuous improvement after an event
• Communicating with stakeholders and investors during a crisis

Module 9: Building a Resilient Governance Model

• Creating a culture of accountability and risk awareness
• Integrating tech risk into the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework
• Benchmarking against industry best practices and standards
• Continuing education for the board on technology trends
• Developing a long-term strategic plan for technology 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.