The Cyber Leadership Program: Why I did it and why you should as well

I first learnt about the Cyber Leadership Program (CLP) when I met Phillimon Zongo at ITWeb Security Summit in 2022. If you ever meet Phil, you will know instantly that anything he is involved with is worth exploring in more detail. When looking into the Cyber Leadership Institute, I learnt that there were two more industry pioneers involved, Darren Argyle FCIIS and Jan Schreuder. At this point, I knew the CLP had to be done.

But why did I want to do the CLP after having obtained more than 20 IT and Cybersecurity certifications already? Because up until the CLP, no course or certification has ever explicitly focused on and taught me how to develop an effective cyber resilience strategy. I mean practically teach me how to create a cyber resilience strategy from scratch.

The CLP offers a structured approach, 100% industry aligned, and is packed with real life case studies and examples. There is nothing theoretical about this course. In terms of the course structure, it is an eight-week online course, with live sessions once a week to review and discuss course topics, share experiences, and ask questions from the facilitators. The learning platform is solid, support is seamless, and things work.

In terms of the price, it is expensive. Not SANS Institute expensive, but still expensive. At USD 2750, most South Africans simply cannot afford the CLP. That is just our reality. However, if you are fortunate enough to work for a company that supports development, make a case, and try to do. Remember, being resourceful is better than having resources. The Cyber Leadership Institute today announced that they are launching an African Leader Scholar – again proving that they are living in the real world and trying to make it accessible for all.

The CLP even highlights the importance for cyber leaders to have a #CISM and/or a #CISSP, that is how practical and real it is. It is based on the reality of what the threat landscape is, and also what organizations are looking for in cyber leaders. By every measurement, I would recommend the CLP to any existing or aspiring cyber leader.

Note: I was not paid, nor asked to write this review. I was just genuinely impressed by the course and the people behind it.