World-renowned 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing to Add Cybersecurity, ESG Focus
March 06, 2023
Professor Glenn Sumners will continue to lead the 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management. A respected educator, his influence can be felt in classrooms and companies around the globe.
BATON ROUGE - The 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing, the world鈥檚 first and premier university-based internal audit education program, is expanding to include a greater focus on cybersecurity risk and environmental, social & governance (ESG) issues. In recognition of these changes, the program has been renamed the 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management (海角社区CIA&CRM).
鈥淏uilding on the success of the groundbreaking internal audit program, we are meeting critical business needs and ensuring that graduates will thrive in the careers of tomorrow,鈥� said E. J. Ourso College of Business Dean Jared J. Llorens. 鈥淐ybersecurity, ESG reporting, and talent development have been identified as top risk factors for companies for the foreseeable future. 海角社区CIA&CRM addresses all three critical issues. Not only does this benefit employers, but it provides students from all backgrounds the opportunity to launch a lucrative and rewarding career in internal auditing.鈥�
Cyber risk is a business issue impacting organizations of all sizes. The costs related to cybercrime and other breaches continue to grow. According to IBM statistics from 2022, the average data breach in the US costs $9.44 million; the same statistics show that a ransomware attack costs $4.54 million, while destructive attacks cost an average of $5.12 million. Curriculum enhancements will help students identify cybersecurity concerns when looking at an organization鈥檚 overall risk profile. Students who pursue additional cybersecurity courses will do so with a strong foundation in internal auditing principles.
鈥淐ertifications are a hallmark of our program,鈥� said Professor Glenn E. Sumners, director of the Center for Internal Auditing and Cybersecurity Risk Management. 鈥淲e provide students with the background needed to pursue credentials, including the the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), the standard of achievement for professionals who audit and assess an entity鈥檚 information technology.鈥�
In addition to cybersecurity, students will receive instruction in ESG issues. Faced with new SEC regulations requiring ESG disclosures, many companies and financial services firms are moving ESG activities under risk and compliance teams. As a result, internal audit professionals must have a comprehensive understanding of ESG. To address this need, the internal auditing program first held a pilot course on ESG in fall 2022 and is on track to add the class to 海角社区CIA&CRM鈥檚 permanent offerings starting next academic year.
鈥淐ompanies seek out our graduates because of their preparation and professionalism. By adding a focus on cybersecurity and ESG, we know that the demand will become even greater. The 海角社区CIA&CRM program will enhance job prospects for any 海角社区 student, no matter their major,鈥� said Sumners.
These curriculum enhancements support 海角社区鈥檚 Scholarship First Agenda鈥擠efense Priority by producing leaders who are essential to protecting our economy, critical infrastructure,
and vital resources.
About the 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management
Established in 1985, the 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing was the world's first university-based internal auditing training program and has served as the gold-standard model for numerous programs worldwide. In 2023, the program was renamed the 海角社区 Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management (海角社区CIA&CRM) to recognize its growing focus on cybersecurity and environmental, social, and governance issues. 海角社区CIA&CRM offers a concentration and minor that are open to any on-campus 海角社区 student.