🚀 Available Now: AWIT’s Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization, sponsored by 1Password and Microsoft
Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization, sponsored by 1Password and Microsoft! AWIT’s fourth Coursera Specialization designed to accelerate and future-proof your career in tech. This offering helps anyone and everyone interested in cybersecurity, whether you're just starting out in cybersecurity or ready to lead as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Get started at https://www.coursera.org/specializations/real-world-cybersecurity-leadership
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Why Should You Sign Up for Cybersecurity Leadership?
Want a successful career in cybersecurity? Learn what leaders expect — directly from them.
This Specialization gives you the perspective of the people you’ll work for and eventually replace. Learn what CISOs need, how they think, and what it really takes to lead.Hear directly from real world leaders, including:
Steve Zalewski, former CISO of Levi Strauss, who brings his career-long reflections of what it takes to succeed in cybersecurity;
Nancy Wang, founder & CEO of AWIT; SVP, Head of Engineering at 1Password; and Venture Partner at Felicis Ventures
Kevin Magee, Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups @ Microsoft for Startups
Renee Guttmann, former CISO of Coca-Cola, Royal Caribbean, and Time Warner
Manju Mude, former CISO of Splunk
Heather Hinton, former CISO of PagerDuty
Lena Smart, former CISO of MongoDB
Swathi Joshi, VP of Security at Oracle
Trisha Dixon, former VP of Cyber Operations at IronNet Cybersecurity
Paul Bingham, SVP and Executive Dean at Western Governors University, the largest cybersecurity academic program; former member, FBI Cybercrime Task Force
Gordon Yu, former CISO of Bedrock Security
It’s high-impact, high-quality content.
AWIT’s other Coursera Specializations are accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit; this Specialization is built to meet the same academic standards while being packed with industry relevance.Future-proof your career.
Cybersecurity jobs are growing, but not all jobs are created equal. This program helps you learn where the real demand is, how to get there, and how to scale up your impact in any organization.
What You’ll Learn
🔐 What it really means to be a CISO
Explore the CISO career path, the three core CISO mindsets (technical, cyber risk, and business enablement), and how the top job varies across startups, SaaS companies, and enterprises.
📊 Metrics, vendors & risk management
Learn how security leaders measure success, manage third-party risk, and lead with business-aligned strategies.
🗣️ Leadership, communication & legacy
Master how to influence your CEO and board of directors, build high-performing teams, and stay ahead of tomorrow’s security threats.
What Featured Security Leaders are Saying
“This Specialization is the distillation of everything I wish I’d known earlier in my career,” said Steve Zalewski, former CISO of Levi Strauss. “It’s my way to give back to anyone interested in cybersecurity by giving them real-world lessons from decades in the field. I’m passionate about helping the next generation lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.”
“The cybersecurity industry is looking for its next generation of leaders,” said Nancy Wang, founder and CEO of Advancing Women in Tech, SVP, Head of Engineering at 1Password, and Venture Partner at Felicis Ventures. “No matter what your background, or where you are in your career, it’s never too early to start thinking like a leader. Because the sooner you understand what leaders need, the faster you can start impressing your current leaders and, if you desire, become a leader.”
Who’s It For?
Everyone! Whether you're exploring cybersecurity or already years into your career, AWIT’s Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization offers something for you. The content is structured to guide total newcomers while also challenging advanced practitioners to step into leadership.
🎉Let’s Get Started!
AWIT’s Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership Specialization is available exclusively on Coursera. Don’t just prepare for your next job — prepare to lead your organization through its next big security challenge.
Join us, learn from the best, and become the cybersecurity practitioner and leader the industry needs.
👉 Explore all of AWIT’s Specialization on Coursera now at www.coursera.org/awit
Want to keep learning? Check out our other specializations in Product Management, Cloud Product Management, and Engineering Management - all featuring real-world experts who empower learners of all backgrounds to get their first, or next, job in tech.