Program Overview

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Certificate Program

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective CISOs. The program is co-administered by Heinz College and the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and blends on-campus and synchronous distance learning.

Program Overview

The CISO Certificate Program is a six-month program that aims to enhance the careers of cyber leaders and technology managers. The program is designed for individuals with at least seven years of relevant experience managing projects and/or people.

Program Costs

• The program cost is $19,500 for the entire program.
• A discounted rate of $15,600 is available for Carnegie Mellon alumni, U.S. government employees, veterans, and employees of non-profit organizations.
• The program cost is a flat rate with no additional fees.

Deadlines

• The deadline for Cohort 26 is January 6, 2026.
• Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis if space remains.

Logistics

• A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 1/6 of the total program cost is required to reserve a seat in the program.
• An optional credit card installment payment plan is available.

CISO Calendar and Curriculum Details

The program includes the following modules:

• Role of the CISO
• Advanced Cyber Risk Management
• Cyber Risk Quantification with the FAIR Method
• SCRM and Operational Resilience
• Insider Threat
• Cybersecurity First Principles: A Reboot of Strategy and Tactics
• CISO Org Structure and Operations
• Security Metrics and Reporting
• Executive Communications
• Business of Cyber
• Cybersecurity Architecture and Tooling
• Cloud Security Strategy
• CISO's Guide to Software and Product Security
• Securing Cyber-Physical Systems
• Data-Driven Threat Intelligence
• Securing AI and AI for Cyber
• Effective Incident Management
• Cyber Law
• Crisis Communications

Benefits, Discounts, and the Fine Print

• Graduates of the CISO Certificate Program will have access to new CISO Program modules created in the future.
• Students who complete the CISO Certificate Program and are admitted into the Heinz College MSIT Degree Program are eligible for a tuition discount scholarship.
• A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 1/6 of the total program cost is required to reserve a seat in the program.

What's the difference between a CISO and a CIO?

• Chief Information Security Officers focus on security, risk, and compliance, protecting organizational assets from cyber threats.
• Chief Information Officers focus on technology strategy, innovation, and IT alignment, leveraging technology to achieve business goals.

More Tech Leadership Programs for Executives

• Chief Data & AI Officer Certificate
• Chief Information and Digital Officer Certificate
• Chief Risk Officer Certificate
• Master of Science in Information Technology (Online)