Cybersecurity ESSENTIALS

Build your cybersecurity foundations.
Get to the next level.

Welcome to the Cybersecurity Essentials course. 

As cyber threats become more sophisticated and unpredictable, staying secure requires more than just awareness. It demands up-to-date strategies and expertise. This course brings together five targeted sessions, led by experts with extensive backgrounds in cybersecurity, business strategy, and risk management. These sessions provide a solid foundation to help you understand and manage today’s most relevant threats to your systems and data. 

Each session covers essential areas such as understanding and mitigating common cyber threats, safeguarding personal devices and sensitive data, and addressing targeted attacks in key industries. The course also highlights how to strengthen defences through effective cybersecurity strategies and resilience-building measures, taught by professionals who tackle these challenges on a daily basis. 

Whether you are looking to improve your individual cybersecurity practices or enhance your organisation’s security posture, this course offers insights and examples to help you start thinking about effective defences. Complete the entire series to earn a Certificate of Completion, or select the sessions that align with your immediate needs. 

Join us and take proactive steps to defend your digital assets, guided by top industry experts.

The Cybersecurity Essentials course is offered by EIT Digital in partnership with Women4Cyber Spain.

  • Start date: 13 November 2024
  • Weekly two-hour sessions from 11:00 to 13:00 (CET), held over five consecutive weeks
  • Awarded upon completion of all five sessions
  • Validated by EIT Digital
  • Live interactive videoconference
  • English
  • 1 session: €49
  • 5 session package: €129

Enrolment in this course requires no prior cybersecurity experience or prerequisites.

Contact & Information: To inquire about the course and registrations, please contact professionalschool@eitdigital.eu.

Session 1

Cybersecurity Fundamentals & Cyber Hygiene

As digital threats continue to evolve, understanding the cyber threat landscape is critical to personal and professional security. This introductory course provides a foundational understanding of cyber threats, the types of risks they pose, and their potential impact. Participants will also explore essential cyber hygiene practices, focusing on safeguarding personal devices and networks to prevent common attacks and enhance online security.

  • 13 November 2024
  • 11:00 - 13:00 CET
Registration closed.

Learning Topics

  • Overview of the Cyber Threat Landscape
  • Understanding common cyber threats and their impacts
  • Best Practices for Cyber Hygiene: Securing devices and networks

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this session, you will have a clear understanding of essential cyber hygiene practices and how to implement them to protect your devices and networks from common cyber threats.

Biography Eduvigiz (Edu) Ortiz

Eduvigiz (Edu) Ortiz is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in business consulting and IT, having worked with companies like Ernst & Young, Capgemini, Prosegur Cybersecurity and SAS Institute.  Edu is the Founder and President of Women4Cyber Spain, working with local, global and European organisations like ECSO and the World Economic Forum to promote women in cybersecurity and address the talent gap in the sector. Her expertise includes strategy development for partnership ecosystems, driving innovation, and delivering solutions in cybersecurity, big data, cloud, and digital transformation. Deeply committed to equal opportunities, she also served as a mentor and a board member of the Professional Women’s Network in Madrid. Edu holds an industrial engineering degree, a Fulbright-awarded Master’s in Engineering, and management certifications from IESE, ESADE, INSEAD and UCLA.

Session 2

Cybersecurity and Social Engineering

Social engineering is one of the most effective techniques cybercriminals use to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information. This session will take a closer look at how social engineering works, the various forms it can take, such as phishing emails, spear phishing, baiting, and pretexting. Additionally, we will explore how social media and online information gathering can aid these attacks, highlighting the importance of managing our social media presence to protect both ourselves and our businesses. Through practical examples, participants will learn how to recognise, counter, and protect themselves from these deceptive techniques.

  • 20 November 2024
  • 11:00 - 13:00 CET
Registration closed.

Learning Topics

  • Introduction to Social Engineering Tactics
  • Common manipulation techniques used by cybercriminals
  • The role of social media and online information in facilitating attacks
  • Strategies to manage social media presence to reduce vulnerability
  • Strategies to identify and mitigate social engineering threats

What You’ll Take Away

At the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of how social engineering works and how to spot potential attacks. You will gain practical skills to recognise and counter manipulation tactics. This knowledge will help protect sensitive information in both personal and professional contexts.

Biography Beatriz Carratalá LLeó

Beatriz Carratalá LLeó is a cybersecurity and cyber risk management specialist with a strong legal and technological foundation. After earning a law degree with a business focus from Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU and completing postgraduate studies in business law and management (IE Business School, EOI, EDEMn Spain), Beatriz transitioned from the legal-real estate sector to specialise in cybersecurity and compliance in 2018. She holds various certifications in cyber risk management, ethical hacking, and compliance, and she is also a certified insurance broker (Level A) and judicial expert in compliance. In 2022, Beatriz co-founded SECURIZABLE, a cutting-edge consultancy in tech risk management, where she leads cyber risk consulting. A dedicated educator and mentor, she has co-authored training modules, tutored courses, and delivered talks on cybersecurity. Beatriz also serves on the Board of Directors of Women4cyber and actively supports ethical tech use through organisations like National Cybersecurity Institute of Spain (INCIBE).

Session 3

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Strategies

In a world where digital threats evolve faster than ever, a well-crafted cybersecurity strategy is your best line of defense. This module focuses on the necessity of building and implementing effective cybersecurity response strategies. You’ll discover how tailored user awareness programmes and targeted training can strengthen your organisation’s ability to fend off cyber threats. Additionally, we’ll cover key steps for designing proactive measures and response protocols to protect critical digital assets.

  • 27 November 2024
  • 11:00 - 13:00 CET
Registration closed.

Learning Topics

  • Core principles of effective cybersecurity response strategies
  • Essential elements of incident response planning and execution
  • Building organisational resilience and adapting to emerging threats

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this session, you will understand the foundations of effective cybersecurity strategies and be equipped to enhance organisational readiness. You will gain insights on designing user-focused awareness programmes and improving response capabilities to better protect against cyber threats.

Biography Idoia Mateo

Idoia Mateo has over 25 years of experience in executive roles at multinational companies like IBM, Andersen, BearingPoint, and Santander, where she has developed in-depth knowledge and proven expertise in cybersecurity operations, global defence capabilities, and IT risk management. She is currently the CISO Europe & CISO Corporate Center - Group VP at Santander, leading the creation of a unified cybersecurity operating model across Spain, the UK, Portugal, and Poland. Idoia has played a key role in transforming Santander’s cybersecurity into a global industry benchmark.

Idoia is a frequent speaker at cybersecurity conferences and a recognised advocate for women and girls in cybersecurity and STEM. She founded Women in CyberSecurity Spain (WICS) in 2018, has been Vice President of Women4Cyber Spain since 2020, and is an active member of the Santander Women Network (SWN).

She holds a degree in Computer Science from Deusto University and a PDD from IE Business School, along with executive programs completed at IESE-ADE-KPMG and ESADE.

Session 4

Understanding Cyber Threats in Business

This session focuses on the cyber threat landscape at the corporate level, with a special emphasis on industries like finance, banking, and healthcare. Participants will explore the methods used by cybercriminals and gain practical insights into how these industries can defend themselves against targeted attacks.

  • 4 December 2024
  • 11:00 - 13:00 CET
Registration closed.

Learning Topics

  • The corporate cyber threat landscape: current trends and risks
  • Industry-specific vulnerabilities in finance, banking, and healthcare
  • Cybercriminal tactics: malware, phishing, ransomware, and insider threats
  • Assessing and managing business risks from cyber attacks
  • Strengthening cybersecurity frameworks within critical industries

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this session, you will have a clear understanding of the cyber threats facing key industries. You will gain practical knowledge to recognise vulnerabilities and improve your organisation’s strategies to protect against these attacks.

Biography Milena Patiño

Milena Patiño has spent her career at the intersection of national security, strategic intelligence, and private security and antiterrorism in both public and private sectors. She has held key roles on national and international levels, working with global technology and consumer-facing companies in the telecom and finance sectors. Milena’s expertise spans international threats, crisis management, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and the protection of assets and people. 

Currently, Milena serves as the Global Corporate Security - Head of Intelligence & Contingency Unit at BBVA, a multinational financial services company, where she is responsible for driving strategic initiatives in security and risk management across the organisation. 

In addition to her extensive field experience, Milena holds a Bachelor’s in Economics, a Master of Science in Political Studies, and a PhD in Sociology. Her qualifications are further strengthened by specialized training in project management, OSINT, strategic intelligence, and cybersecurity, along with military training for civilians.

Session 5

Data Privacy and Protection

This course explores essential principles of data privacy and protection. Participants will gain insights into the legal and ethical considerations surrounding data handling and learn how to implement effective data protection measures within their organisations. The session will also cover global regulatory frameworks, such as GDPR, and practical strategies to safeguard sensitive information.

  • 11 December 2024
  • 11:00 - 13:00 CET
Registration closed.

Learning Topics

  • Key concepts of data privacy: personal data, consent, and individual rights
  • Overview of global regulations: GDPR, CCPA, and other legal frameworks
  • Best practices for data protection: encryption, anonymisation, and access control
  • Data breach management: prevention strategies and response protocols
  • Ethical considerations in handling personal data

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of the foundational principles of data privacy and protection. You will be familiar with the key regulatory requirements, essential data protection practices, and ethical considerations, enabling you to recognise risks and address privacy concerns within your organisation.

Biography Nathalie Barrera

Nathalie Barrera serves as the Managing Senior Counsel for the Privacy Practice in EMEA and LATAM at Palo Alto Networks, a leader in cybersecurity services. She is the privacy SME for the region and lead negotiator for privacy-related customer contracts. Beyond negotiations, she is the primary point of contact and collaborative partner for Sales, Policy, and Product teams. Her proactive approach in cross-functional work highlights paths for sales growth while reducing customer friction, building an environment where security and progress coexist seamlessly. 

Nathalie's career is underpinned by 10+ years of experience in the technology sector. She has honed her skills in providing legal and privacy advice to some of the most notable names in the industry, such as Cisco and EY. This path fostered a nuanced understanding of the intersection between technology, law, and privacy, enabling her to offer insightful and tailored advice, while taking into account the ever-evolving privacy landscape.

Contact & Information: To inquire about the course and registrations, please contact professionalschool@eitdigital.eu.

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Co-Funded by the European Union