Cybersecurity Governance & Risk Management – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry

From Technical Expertise to Cybersecurity Leadership

Move beyond technical expertise and gain the skills to communicate risk, lead strategic initiatives, and influence executive decision-making. LevelSec’s Cybersecurity Governance & Risk Management course equips mid-career and senior cybersecurity professionals with applied knowledge in governance, risk assessment, maturity modeling, and executive-level reporting.

Program Delivery Partner: WatSPEED
Seats Available: 40
Course Fee: $299+HST (DNS Members) $399+HST (Non-Members)
Funding Support: This project was made possible in part through the support of the National Cybersecurity Consortium and the Government of Canada (CSIN). // Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au soutien du Consortium national pour la cybersécurité et du gouvernement du Canada (RIC). 

Thanks to support from the Government of Nova Scotia, this training is currently offered at no cost for 10 individuals per cohort and is open exclusively to unemployed or underemployed individuals looking to take the next step in their cybersecurity career.

Course length
Date
Format
Price
8 weeks + 1 week onboarding (approx 40 hours total)
Starts March 23, 2026
Online self-paced course with independent study
$299+HST (DNS Members) $399+HST (Non-Members)

About this course

This 8-week virtual program combines weekly 2-hour live sessions with flexible asynchronous learning, designed for working professionals balancing full-time roles. Participants complete a phased final project grounded in their own organization, including:

  • Enterprise risk assessment
  • Maturity model evaluation
  • Multi-year roadmap and budget
  • Executive-ready presentation

Beyond course content, LevelSec provides professional development opportunities, including expert panels, peer networking sessions, and optional career coaching to support long-term career growth and leadership visibility.

What You Will Gain

By completing this course, participants will:

  • Translate technical cybersecurity risk into executive-ready insights
  • Apply frameworks such as NIST CSF and CMMI to assess organizational maturity
  • Develop multi-year cybersecurity roadmaps and budgets
  • Present strategic findings to executives with clarity and confidence
  • Expand professional networks and access leadership guidance
This course is designed for professionals who:
  • Are moving into leadership, management, or strategic cybersecurity roles
  • Need to communicate technical risk to executives or boards
  • Want to design, evaluate, and govern enterprise cybersecurity programs
  • Seek to expand professional networks and access leadership guidance
Ideal participants include cybersecurity analysts, architects, risk and compliance practitioners, and IT professionals responsible for systems, controls, or secure operations.
Participants should have foundational cybersecurity or IT experience. This course is not a certification program, but a completion-based credential focused on governance, risk, and strategic leadership skills.

Through funding from the Government of Nova Scotia’s One Journey Initiative, 10 full scholarships are available for Nova Scotian's to complete this course in our LevelSec program.

To be eligible for this scholarship, professionals:

  • Must reside in Nova Scotia
  • Currently unemployed or underemployed
  • Actively looking for a full-time role in IT / tech

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This program is made possible through funding by Nova Scotia's Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration's One Journey Initiative.

Quick Facts:

Start Date: March 23, 2026
Duration: 8 weeks + 1 week onboarding (~40 hours total)
Format: Fully virtual, instructor-led program combining live instruction and applied learning
Live Sessions: Fridays, 12:00 PM EST, 2 hours per session
Asynchronous Learning: 4–5 hours per week (readings, applied exercises, phased project work)
Credential: Microcredential Badge
Course Fee: $299+HST (DNS Members) $399+HST (Non-Members)

Apply Now

Applications Open: February 9, 2026 at 10am
Application deadline: February 25, 2026 at 4pm

FAQs

[ click on a question to view the answer ]

Do I need prior cybersecurity experience?

Yes. This course is designed for professionals with foundational cybersecurity or IT experience who are moving into leadership, management, or strategic roles.

Is this a certification program?

Yes, this is a micro-credential program.

How is this different from technical cybersecurity training?

Unlike technical or tool-focused training, this course emphasizes governance, risk communication, budgeting, and executive engagement. You’ll gain the skills to translate technical risk into strategic decision-making at the leadership level.

What does applied learning look like in this course?

Participants complete a phased final project based on their own organization. This includes a risk assessment, maturity evaluation, multi-year roadmap, budget forecast, and an executive-ready presentation.

How much time will I need to commit each week?

Expect 2 hours per week for live sessions plus 4–5 hours of asynchronous learning and project work. Total time commitment is approximately 40 hours over 8 weeks.

Can I take this course while working full-time?

Yes. The course is fully virtual with a blend of structured live instruction and flexible asynchronous learning, designed for working professionals.

How is the course delivered?

The course is online and instructor-led, with weekly live sessions and supporting asynchronous materials, readings, and applied exercises.