Move from being relied on for technical answers to being trusted to lead people, decisions and organisational response.
The global cybersecurity industry is expected to reach $2.66 billion by 2027. Like with any high growth industry, new challenges invariably arise, such as skills and talent shortages, issues with employee retention, highly skilled technical individual contributors being promoted to leadership roles without the requisite skillset or management training. Solving these challenges requires leaders with a different skill set.
The Leading in Cybersecurity course, from Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and the Irish Management Institute (IMI) and supported by Cyber Ireland, will help you build a critical awareness of your leadership style, allow you to become an effective and influential communicator, develop your emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate engagement and wellbeing within your team.
Are you an employer looking to upskill one or more team members? Click here ↓The objective of this programme is to broaden the focus of learners from technical or operational leadership to people leadership, providing them with the skills and mindset to become strong leaders in the cybersecurity sector.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is aimed at mid-level and high-potential cybersecurity managers. It focuses on broadening their leadership capabilities and equipping them with the knowledge and people management skills they need to become more confident and competent cybersecurity leaders.
This programme is designed for professionals at a key career inflection point and those who may want to transition from a purely technical role to becoming a strategic leader
What will you learn?
Develop the key skills leaders need to succeed and thrive in the cybersecurity sector. This programme will focus on sharpening these skills, building confidence and empowering you to take your leadership to the next level.
The course begins with a virtual launch event, followed by 5x in-person learning days, and lastly an in-person Capstone Project event.
Every learning day is underpinned by an exploration of the real life challenges and dilemmas faced by cybersecurity professionals and their teams.
Virtual Launch: 26th November 2026 / 10am-12pm
Module 1 – Me As A Leader: 9th December 2026 / 9.30am-5pm
Gain self-awareness of your management style and become a more emotionally intelligent cybersecurity leader. Shift your mindset from technical leadership to people leadership.
Module 2 – Leading People: 27th January 2027 / 9.30am-5pm
Learn tips, techniques and communication skills to lead others effectively, gain an understanding of individual personality types and communication preferences and learn how to manage, nurture and grow cybersecurity professionals.
Module 3 – Leading Teams: 28th January 2027 / 9.30am-5pm
Learn how to build trust, engage and motivate teams and foster a positive team culture to improve performance and increase retention. This module will address wellness and eliminating burn out.
Module 4 – Building Relationships: 25th February 2027 / 9.30am-5pm
Improve ability and confidence to communicate, collaborate and influence others both within the cybersecurity industry and with senior external and internal stakeholders at all levels.
Module 5 – Leading in a Crisis: 8th March 2027 / 9.30am-5pm
Develop the mindset and thinking skills for better decision making when leading in a crisis. Learn how to build team unity for an effective response.
Capstone Event: 23rd March 2027 / 9.30am-1pm
Facilitated by the Programme Director, this session provides a space for participants to present their project, reflect on their journey, and network with peers. They’ll also identify areas of opportunity for further growth and learn how to apply insights into their work.
A team of IMI senior expert associates and thought leaders will contribute to this programme ensuring that participants get the very latest insights from a diverse panel of experts within the ICT industry.
Programme Director: Kevin Quigley
Kevin specialises in leadership practice and leading change. He is IMI’s Programme Director for our Leadership in Technology programme. Prior to joining IMI’s faculty, Kevin spent a career working as a European Director of Learning at Intel and leading Organisational Development at General Electric. His experience in identifying and supporting the career pathway of high potentials is significant. He has a particular focus on team development.
Anna Connelly
Anna is a Chartered Organisational psychologist, who supports people leadership in their communications through story-telling, decision-making and role-modelling behaviours. Anna is also a Coach and supports teams in their aim to deliver high performance. Previously, Anna held several senior management positions in Ericsson, a global ICT service provider. Her clients span national and international entities with a particular focus on international technology.
Dr. Jay Chopra PhD.
Jay is a former Fortune 100 executive, specialising in leadership development, teaming, innovation and culture change. Jay holds a PhD in science. As an organisational development consultant he has worked in 20+ countries. Previously, Jay served on the Innovation Leadership Team for Pfizer Global Supply in New York. Jay is one of only a handful of master certified Whole Brain® facilitators globally.
Course Fees
The fees for this programme are part-funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet. Part-funded fees are only available to eligible* applicants.
Full course fee: €3,750
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet grant: €855
Subsidised course fee: €2,895*
Subsidised fees are only available to eligible applicants*.
*Funding Eligibility
Applicants must be working in a private or commercial semi-state organisation registered in the Republic of Ireland (Business, Consultant, Freelancer) to avail of the grant-aided fees. As a government-funded training network, we can only support those meeting these criteria with funding towards courses.
Public sector employees, non-profits, or charitable organisations that do not meet our funding criteria may apply privately for the full course fee once places are available.
Once you have received your offer of a place on the programme, please be aware that we have a limited number of subsidised places available. Due to high demand, we cannot hold places without payment. To ensure fairness, priority for these places will be granted to those who have both completed full payment of the subsidised fee and are deemed eligible by the college or training provider.
If you would like to apply, are considering the programme for a member of your team, or would like further information, use the Make An Enquiry form to speak directly with our programme team.
Note: The course will close once capacity is reached. We strongly advise taking prompt action to confirm your place. The IMI is the final arbitrator regarding acceptance onto the programme.
Hear directly from professionals who completed the Leading in Cybersecurity programme and learn how the experience helped them reflect on leadership, strengthen their confidence and apply their learning in a cybersecurity context.
Barry shares how the programme supported his development as a cybersecurity leader and helped him reflect on the shift from technical expertise to people leadership.
Michael discusses the value of the course experience, including cybersecurity context, practical leadership development and peer discussion.
If your organisation has technically strong cybersecurity professionals moving into greater people, team or organisational responsibility, Leading in Cybersecurity provides focused development for that transition.
The programme helps participants strengthen their people leadership, team performance, stakeholder influence and decision-making, with learning grounded in the real challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals.
If you are considering the programme for one or more employees, our programme team can help you assess candidate suitability, funding eligibility and available places.
