Overview
In today’s digital-first economy, cybersecurity is a strategic and cultural imperative, not just an IT function. This introductory 1-day course empowers employees at all levels to understand the evolving cyber threat landscape and their shared role in protecting digital value. Participants explore how digital transformation introduces new risks, learn the fundamentals of business risk, and discover how to adopt and adapt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) to strengthen organisational resilience.
As the first module in the DVMS Professional® training series, this course builds the foundation for understanding digital business risk, enabling participants to contribute to a culture of cyber awareness and resilience within their organisation.
Prerequisites
Participants should have:
- A general awareness of digital business operations and processes.
- No prior cybersecurity experience is required.
- Interest in understanding how business and technology intersect in risk management.
Target audience
This course is designed for professionals who:
- Contribute to the creation, protection, or delivery of digital services.
- Need a practical understanding of cybersecurity as business risk.
- Wish to foster a culture of digital resilience within their organisation.
- Operate in non-technical roles but influence business continuity or risk decisions.
Delegates will learn how to
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain what it means for an organisation to become digital and how digital evolution expands business risk.
- Recognise the components of cyber risk, including threats, vulnerabilities, assets, and controls.
- Understand the fundamentals of risk assessment and the purpose of frameworks such as NIST CSF.
- Describe how cybersecurity supports business value and competitive advantage.
- Appreciate the influence of culture, leadership, and collaboration in building resilience.
- Identify how frameworks like NIST CSF guide continual improvement and organisational learning.
Outline
Digital business evolution
- Transition from industrial to digital enterprise models.
- Understanding the digital mindset and how it reshapes operations.
- Expanding the digital threat surface through connectivity, automation, and data reliance.
- Leadership adaptation and decision-making in the digital age.
Digital business risk and cybersecurity
- Defining cyber risk and its significance for business performance.
- Analysing key components of cyber risk: threats, vulnerabilities, assets, and controls.
- Introducing the Cyber Kill Chain™ as a tool to understand and mitigate threats.
- Linking cybersecurity to business outcomes: innovation, trust, and brand reputation.
- Moving from IT control to enterprise risk management and value protection.
Adopting and adapting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- Understanding the NIST CSF and its role in digital transformation.
- Overview of the six core functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
- Distinguishing between adoption as a strategic leadership decision and adaptation as a cultural discipline.
- Embedding continual improvement and measurable resilience practices.
- Using NIST CSF as a common organisational language for cyber-resilience.
Integrating awareness and culture
- Building a shared responsibility model for cybersecurity across departments.
- Creating behavioural change through awareness, collaboration, and leadership.
- Linking individual action to organisational protection and recovery.
- Case examples illustrating cultural maturity in digital-risk-aware organisations.
Exams and assessments
There are no formal examinations for this course. Participants will complete short knowledge checks and reflective exercises throughout the sessions to reinforce key learning outcomes. Completion of the course awards the DVMS Professional® Digital Business Risk Awareness digital badge.
Hands-on learning
This course emphasises applied understanding through:
- Scenario-based discussions exploring real-world cyber incidents.
- Guided exercises on identifying digital risks and mapping them to NIST CSF functions.
- Group activities that link business objectives to cybersecurity responsibilities.
- Practical insights that prepare participants for advanced DVMS Professional® modules.
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
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Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
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QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
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When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.