State support for eligible learners
Depends on your situation – write to us and we will look at it together.
Certification track · mentor-supported · taught in English
CISO
A 5-week preparation programme for the PECB Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) track – online, with mentor support, at your own pace.
Programme overview
Volume60 academic hours (26 live sessions + 34 hours of independent work)
Length5 weeks
FormatMentor-led live sessions, group work, case studies, practical and independent work
LanguageEnglish (materials and exam)
PracticeFinal artefact: an information security programme improvement or innovation proposal and a group presentation
CertificateEVK certificate + preparation for the PECB exam
What the programme gives you
- You connect the information security programme to your organisation's strategy.
- You plan security architecture, risk management and compliance.
- You develop policies, controls and incident-response processes.
- You lead change and a security-aware culture across an organisation.
- You demonstrate CISO-level strategic leadership capability and readiness for the PECB exam.
5 weeks, week by week
01
Week 1 · Information security fundamentals and the CISO role – the information security programme, governance, and the CISO's own responsibilities.
02
Week 2 · Compliance, risk and security architecture – compliance programmes, capability assessment, risk frameworks, security architecture.
03
Week 3 · Controls, incidents and change – implementing controls, incident management, response, and change management.
04
Week 4 · Culture and programme management – awareness, measurement, quality, continuous improvement.
05
Week 5 · Leadership and professional development – strategic communication, stakeholders, ethics, the innovation proposal.
Is this programme right for you?
Who this is for
This is a good fit for information security and IT leaders, information security specialists moving into a leadership role, people responsible for security programmes, risk managers, and experienced specialists who need a CISO-level view of the whole picture.
Who this is not for
This is not the right fit if you are looking for an introductory cybersecurity course or hands-on tool training, if you need only ISO/IEC 27001 documentation and an implementation project (see the ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer track instead), if you are not yet familiar with basic information security concepts, or if you expect the course itself to hand you a CISO position at your organisation or the PECB Chief CISO credential without meeting its own experience requirements.
Price and support
Every route below explains how it works for this particular programme. Full overview: participation support (in Estonian).
Ordered by an employer
The capability to lead information security strategically stays in-house. Talking points and a sample letter are on the support page.
As a private individual
Ask for a personal quote – we will get back to you with a fit assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the Chief CISO credential right away?
Not automatically. PECB distinguishes two levels: a base level with no experience requirement, and a Chief level that requires 5 years' experience (including 2 years in information security) and 300 hours of project work. The course prepares you for the exam; which credential level you can pursue depends on meeting the certification body's own requirements.
What language is the programme taught in?
Materials and tests are in English; at least an intermediate level of English is needed.
How much time per week does this take?
60 academic hours across 5 weeks in total: live sessions plus independent work at your own pace.
Does EVK issue the PECB credential?
No. Preparation + PECB credential after the certification body's own requirements – Ettevõtluskeskus provides the preparation, PECB issues its own credential once you meet its own requirements.
How does this differ from ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Cybersecurity Manager?
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer teaches how to implement that one management-system standard; Lead Cybersecurity Manager teaches running a cybersecurity programme. CISO connects information security to business strategy, architecture, executive decisions, culture and stakeholders more broadly.
What do I need to take part?
A computer and a stable internet connection for live online sessions.
How does mentoring work?
Mentor-led live sessions and group work; 1:1 mentoring is available if needed.
How much does it cost?
The price is confirmed on request – contact us. State support is available to eligible learners – ask us.
When does the next group start?
The registration form below always shows the current start dates – check your fit and pick the one that works for you.
Check your fit before you decide
Check your fit – the registration form below shows the current start dates.
CISORegister
Registration openAvailable dates are in the registration form. Picking one is not a commitment yet, it is how you tell us what works for you
Check your fit – the registration form below shows the current start dates.
The road to the PECB credential – kept in clearly separate layers
Each layer has a different owner. Ettevõtluskeskus provides the preparation; PECB issues its own credential once you meet its own requirements.
1 · Ettevõtluskeskus
Preparation programme + EVK certificate
A 5-week mentor-led programme, online; on achieving the learning outcomes you receive a certificate from Ettevõtluskeskus OÜ, otherwise a certificate of participation.
2 · PECB scheme (CISO)
PECB CISO scheme
The programme follows PECB's own official training materials (400+ pages); the scheme belongs to PECB, not Ettevõtluskeskus.
3 · Exam
PECB certification exam
PECB organises the certification exam under its own requirements and schedule; whether the exam is included in the price is confirmed on request.
4 · PECB · your step
PECB CISO credential
Preparation + PECB credential after the certification body's own requirements. PECB distinguishes two levels: PECB Certified Information Security Officer (no experience required) and PECB Certified Chief Information Security Officer (5 years' experience, including 2 years in information security, and 300 hours of project work). The official exam and both credentials belong to PECB; Ettevõtluskeskus does not issue either.
What you leave with
An information security programme proposalAs your final artefact, you build an innovation or improvement proposal for an information security programme and present it to the group.
Group work with feedbackWeekly case studies, group discussions, a demo, and reflection.
Exam readinessStructured preparation for the PECB CISO exam.
EVK certificateOn achieving the learning outcomes you receive a certificate from Ettevõtluskeskus, otherwise a certificate of participation.
Who will guide you
Instructor
Silvana Tomić Rotim
A PMP-certified project management, risk management and information security professional; listed by PECB in the role of Director, Consultant, and Cybersecurity Manager.
Mentor-led group sessions are the main format; 1:1 mentoring is available if needed.
Check your fit
Check your fit – the registration form below shows the current start dates.
Our team confirms the right programme, group price, any support you may be eligible for, and how to join.
Looking for a different path?
If this certification path is not quite yours: programmes taught in English · programmes by role.