NYU School of Law and Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence Announce Cybersecurity Program for Public Company Board Members

The NYU School of Law and Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence are excited to offer a new NYU Law-Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence Cyber Scholar Program, a premier cybersecurity certificate program tailored exclusively to public company board members. This innovative program, developed by scholars at the NYU School of Law and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, is designed to provide board members with comprehensive insights into cybersecurity risk and help enhance their ability to conduct oversight responsibilities.

The program’s curriculum was crafted with input from experienced public company directors for a tailored learning experience. “I am excited that NYU Law and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence are offering this new cybersecurity certificate program that addresses the professional development interests and busy schedules of corporate directors,” said Bethany Mayer, who serves on several public company boards, including as Chair of the Board of Box. “I have experienced first-hand the high-caliber faculty and programming that NYU Law offers and was happy to advise the developers of this new program.” Mayer is a 2022 graduate of the NYU Masters in Cybersecurity Risk & Strategy program, a 12-month degree program for experienced professionals in the private and public sectors. 

Participating directors will gain an understanding of cybersecurity challenges in the face of a rapidly evolving technology landscape, enabling them to make more informed decisions and ask more targeted questions to help safeguard their organizations and meet their fiduciary duties with regard to corporate cybersecurity protection. The program takes special account of rules recently adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and incident disclosure.

Incorporating a blend of virtual and in-person components, the program will provide participants with an opportunity to foster a sense of community and collaborate with each other as well as instructors and industry experts.

“Cyber risk is rightfully at the top of every public company director’s list of concerns, yet many directors feel unprepared to meet the challenges of cybersecurity oversight,” said Randal Milch, Professor of Practice at the NYU School of Law, former General Counsel and head of Public Policy at Verizon and a public company director.

“This curriculum is designed to give public company directors the insights and information they need to confidently fulfill their oversight duties,” said Judith Germano, Distinguished Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Law at NYU School of Law, founder of GermanoLaw LLC and a public company director, who has been instrumental in creating the curriculum and program design.

Given stakeholders' increased focus on cybersecurity oversight by corporate boards, the NYU School of Law and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence have developed a synchronous certificate program that encourages student engagement and interaction. Recognizing the insight and experience executive students will bring to this course, NYU Law and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence created a forum where corporate board members can discuss challenges and best practices and learn not just from experienced professors but also from each other.

Upon successful completion of this course, board members will receive a NYU Law-Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence Cyber Scholar Certificate, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing education. Program graduates will also have access to further learning opportunities for ongoing professional development.

“We are excited to unveil the NYU Law-Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence Cyber Scholar Program, which combines academic rigor with real-world insights from experienced professionals. Together, the NYU School of Law and the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence are committed to equipping board members with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address ongoing cybersecurity challenges,” said Vanessa Mesics, Head of Director Experience and Co-Leader of the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence.

For more information, visit the NYU Law-Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence Cyber Scholar website. Please direct any questions to boardexcellence@nasdaq.com.