CTO Courses

 

CTO Courses

In a tech-driven world, many organisations and businesses, both small and large across many sectors, have naturally decided that they need a CTO (Chief Technology Officer). This is an all-encompassing role, covering a vast range of IT related tasks including research and development as well as day-to-day IT operations. Training for the role, in a plethora of IT and CTO focused courses, is of course available from many trainers.

The reason that so many operations have employed a CTO is because of the incredible penetration of IT in every facet of our working lives. Of course there are some forms of penetration that are unwanted, such as when it is performed by hackers against an organisation. This makes this role of vital importance, whether looking to defeat hackers, gain a competitive edge on competitors or even getting the payroll run.

The role involves strategic oversight of an organisations entire IT infrastructure. Staff at CIO (Chief Information Officer) or CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) level may report directly to them.

They will have comprehensive knowledge of IT in general, including information security, project and programme management and agile development methodologies

Because the buck stops with them, CTO’s must have an overall understanding of all critical IT issues of the day, whether at work or in general. Without such skills they would not be able to direct effectively. Learning new techniques and technology, partly through relevant course attendance, will always be a winner, even at this level.

 

How to become a CTO

To become a CTO you would usually have a hands on background in an IT discipline such as business analysis, information security, software development or systems engineering together with a proven track record of successful IT project delivery.

The role nowadays necessitates an understanding of system, network and application security, enabling secure environments for data, staff, customers and all communication.  This is especially important as new rules and regulations, such as GDPR (see https://www.eugdpr.org/ ), are about to impact upon organisations.

 

Introduction to Courses relevant to CTO’s

They say learn something new every day and we think that this specifically applies to even the most experienced of CTO’s! They may have spent a lifetime of learning new skills, but there is always room for a little more learning. In relation to information security, as hackers adapt their tactics, it is important for CTO’s to keep abreast of such developments via attendance on suitable InfoSec courses.

 

CTO level information security focused courses

1) CISMP Courses for CTO’s

CTO’s with limited experience of information security will benefit from training courses offered by the Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP). These courses are geared towards staff that manage or direct an organisations information security. CISMP provides widely recognised information security certifications. Their courses provide a good general understanding of the information security threats present in today’s world. This makes them an ideal grounding for CTO’s with limited IT security experience due to their background maybe being in a different specialism. Furthermore, CISMP certification means moving on to CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) certification is facilitated for CTO’s

2) CISSP Courses for CTO C level staff

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification provided a step up in education for those that work, or need to better understand, information security management. A CISSP course will provide students with deep learning regarding today’s IT and information systems security environments.

3) CISM Courses – CTO training

CISM ((Certified Information Security Manager) certification provides far deeper knowledge of information security to senior and C-level staff such as CTO’s. CISM certified graduates learn to effectively manage the most complicated of IT security related issues. As CISM courses are focused at the more senior management level, they are the most suitable for most CTO level staff.

CISM is globally recognised as the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has accredited them with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

4) Ethical Hacking for the CTO?

To understand a kidder sometimes it is best to have been a kidder, or so the old saying goes. This is why we think that even CTO level staff could benefit from training towards being a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker). An experienced CTO may not have ever tried hacking into systems but not knowing how to hack may be a mistake. Hacking techniques are forever being modified, which means the methods used to counter them must adapt. Certified Ethical Hacker training offers the ability to investigate today’s various, often incredibly devious, basic hacking techniques. If a CTO understands the latest techniques better then they will be forewarned against potential future uninvited intrusions into their realm of responsibility from cyberspace!

 

Job skills that a CTO needs:

• Provide leadership and vision for the organisations future IT requirements, strategic direction of specialist IT teams.
• Organising information security and IT training courses for staff.
• Delivering effective change via efficient resource allocation.
• Monitoring and mentoring with an eye on improving their environment.
• Ensuring compliance with all legislation.
• Controlling budgets and forecasts relating to IT.
• Managing staff, hiring and firing, appraisals, redundancy, arbitraging and discovering new talent.
• Partner, stakeholder, vendors, and third party management.
• Directing staff and direct reports effectively.
• Coordinating IT research development, testing and risk analysis, providing direction, and help where necessary, to teams and the business or organisation.