Can your board demonstrate its competency in cybersecurity, AI & data privacy governance to regulators, investors, and other stakeholders?

Why Boards Can No Longer Ignore Cybersecurity

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Fiduciary Duty

72% of boards report uncertainty about their legal responsibility in overseeing cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Ignorance is no defense in the eyes of regulators.

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Financial Exposure

Cyber incidents cost organizations an average of $4.45 million per breach, with regulatory fines adding millions more for non-compliance. 

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Insurance Premiums & Coverage 

Cyber insurance premiums have increased 50–100% without documented board-level cybersecurity oversight, and most insurers now require proof of board training. 

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Regulatory Crackdowns & Lawsuits

Global regulators are holding boards personally liable, with investigations rising 35% annually — and lawsuits against directors for cybersecurity failures are becoming more common and costly.

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Reputational & Operational Impact

60% of small to mid-sized businesses go out of business within 6 months of a major cyberattack. 

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Lack of Cyber Education at the Board Level

Only 27% of board members say they understand the cyber risks facing their organization, leaving most directors without the knowledge needed to ask the right questions, challenge management, or make informed decisions.

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Survey Results by Private Board Directors

Clarus Tech Partners conducts an annual survey to assess the current state of cybersecurity training for board directors of private companies.

The survey includes questions on the types and perceived effectiveness of cybersecurity training received, preferred training methods, compliance and regulatory knowledge, and confidence in managing cybersecurity risks on their respective boards. 

The results reveal a critical gap.  While directors recognize the importance of cybersecurity, many lack specialized training and confidence in meeting their fiduciary duties — underscoring the need for targeted, board-specific programs.

Provide your email to receive the latest executive summary report and gain valuable insights on what most boards and organizations are missing in cybersecurity readiness and compliance. 
We hope you find this Survey Report helpful - drop us a note for any questions or feedback!

Course Contents

Module 1: Cybersecurity & Fiduciary Duties

 Board's Fiduciary Duties

Examine the board’s legal responsibilities in overseeing cybersecurity, including duty of care, duty of loyalty, and how the business judgment rule applies in the context of cyber risk and governance failures.

 Prioritizing Cybersecurity

Learn how to elevate cybersecurity to a board-level priority—aligning it with business strategy, enterprise risk, and long-term value creation.

 Top Cybersecurity Threats: Case Studies & Lessons Learned

Examine high-profile breaches and emerging threats through real-world case studies. Gain insights into what went wrong, what boards should have known, and how to apply lessons learned in your own oversight role.

 Peer Group Studies

Understand how your peers across industries are approaching cybersecurity training and governance. Compare board practices and oversight strategies to benchmark your approach.

 Role of the Board in Compliance

Clarify the board’s responsibilities in overseeing cybersecurity and data privacy compliance. This includes regulatory expectations, third-party risks, and understanding how governance frameworks support compliance obligations.

Module 2: Navigating the Language of Cybersecurity

 Brief History of Cybersecurity

Gain perspective on how cybersecurity has evolved from a technical concern to a board-level imperative—understanding the milestones that shaped today's digital risk environment.

 Understanding the Threat Landscape & Attack Surface

Learn to identify key cyber threats and comprehend the organization’s digital exposure—from phishing and ransomware to third-party risk and insider threats.

 Essential Cybersecurity Terms for Board Members

Master the must-know terminology that enables clear communication with CISOs, executive leadership, and external stakeholders. No jargon—just practical language for informed decision-making.

 Incident Response Readiness

Understand your board’s role before, during, and after a cyber incident. This section covers governance best practices, key questions to ask, and how to assess your organization’s preparedness.

 Cybersecurity & AI Frameworks

Clarify the board’s responsibilities in overseeing cybersecurity and data privacy compliance. This includes regulatory expectations, third-party risks, and understanding how governance frameworks support compliance obligations.

Module 3: Data Security & Privacy Regulatory Compliance

 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Regulations Governance

Understand how boards oversee and govern compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy laws—ensuring accountability and proper risk management.

 U.S. Cybersecurity & Data Breach Regulatory Requirements

Learn about key federal and state requirements, data breach notification laws, and board-level expectations for oversight.

 U.S. Data Privacy Regulations

Gain clarity on evolving privacy laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and other state-level laws, and how they affect data handling, consent, and consumer rights.

 International Regulatory Requirements

Explore major global regulations such as the EU’s GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and frameworks emerging in APAC and LATAM—highlighting differences and common board-level responsibilities.

 Implications for Multinational Companies

Examine how cross-border data flows, jurisdictional conflicts, and varying breach requirements impact multinational companies—and what boards need to do to stay ahead.

Module 4: Cybersecurity & AI Governance

 Cybersecurity Governance

Understand the board’s role in establishing cybersecurity as a core governance issue—ensuring policies, oversight structures, and accountability mechanisms are in place.

 The Board’s Pivotal Role in Compliance

Learn how boards oversee regulatory and ethical compliance in cybersecurity and AI, aligning business practices with evolving laws, standards, and stakeholder expectations.

 Evaluating Your Current Cybersecurity Governance Program

Discover practical strategies to assess the effectiveness of your organization's current cybersecurity governance framework—identifying gaps, weaknesses, and areas for board engagement.

 Security Risk Assessments & Management

Explore how boards should review and interpret risk assessments, ensure appropriate risk management practices, and hold management accountable for mitigation strategies.

 Staying Ahead of Emerging Threats

Equip yourself to anticipate and respond to emerging cybersecurity and AI risks—from deepfakes and generative AI abuse to evolving ransomware and supply chain threats.

Module 5: Cost, Legal & Insurance Implications

 Direct and Indirect Costs of a Data Breach

Learn how breaches impact the bottom line—from immediate costs like forensics and legal response to long-term damage such as reputational harm, customer loss, and operational disruption.

 Legal and Compliance Implications

Explore the legal exposure of boards and organizations under regulatory frameworks, shareholder litigation, and failure-to-supervise claims—especially in the wake of cyber incidents.

 Cybersecurity and D&O Insurance

Understand what boards need to know about coverage, exclusions, and risk disclosure in cybersecurity and Directors & Officers liability insurance.

 M&A Due Diligence

Examine how cybersecurity readiness—and past incidents—impact mergers, acquisitions, and investor confidence, and how boards should approach cyber due diligence.

 Asset-Based Approach to Securing Your Valuable Data

Learn how to guide your organization in identifying, classifying, and protecting its most valuable digital assets—taking a strategic, asset-based approach to data security.

Module 6: Risk Management & Organizational Governance

 Risk and Organizational Governance

Understand the board’s role in aligning risk management with corporate governance—ensuring strategic decisions are informed by a clear view of enterprise-wide cyber and operational risks.

 Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Insights and Tools

Learn how integrated GRC frameworks help boards oversee cybersecurity posture, ensure compliance, and foster a culture of risk-aware decision-making.

 Incident Response Management

Discover how boards should assess and support incident response planning—ensuring preparedness, accountability, and communication during a cyber crisis.

 Securing Your Supply Chain: Vendor & Third-Party Risk Oversight

Understand the board’s responsibility in overseeing third-party risks, including vendor cybersecurity assessments, contract controls, and managing exposures across the supply chain.

 Collaboration Between the Board, Executive Management, and IT Leaders

Strengthen coordination across leadership—understanding how boards can engage effectively with CISOs, CIOs, and executive teams to embed cybersecurity into governance and strategy.

Confidently Answer
Key Questions

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By completing the Cybersecurity Governance for Board of Directors Program, you'll gain the confidence and knowledge to address these critical questions in your role as a board director.
  • What is our organization’s current cybersecurity posture?

  • How are we staying ahead of emerging threats, such as AI, IoT, and cloud security challenges?

  • Are we compliant with relevant data privacy regulations applicable to our industry and locations? 

  • What is our approach to managing third-party and vendor risks?

  • Do we have a comprehensive incident response plan?

The Clarus Learn Program
Prepares You To