The demand continues to grow for skilled professionals who can navigate both the technical and insurance sides of the cyber insurance market. The Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) Scholarship Program was designed to meet this demand by providing access to world-class training for talented professionals eager to advance their careers.
Following the success of its first round, the Scholarship Program is now open for a second round, with applications closing on September 25, 2025. To further understand its impact, we spoke with three past recipients – Ercin Mengecin, Dawnie Wong, and Linda Kaniaru – about how the scholarship influenced their careers.
Expanding Knowledge and Skills with CCIS Training
The CCIS scholarship provided a comprehensive foundation in both the technical and insurance aspects of cyber risk.
Ercin found value in gaining “a solid understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals as well as the key components of cyber insurance, including coverage structures and underwriting risk assessment criteria.” He highlighted the practical insights offered by the underwriting modules, which deepened his understanding of how cyber risks are measured and evaluated.
For Dawnie, the course bridged two worlds of cybersecurity and cyber insurance. This dual perspective allowed her to better understand business exposures and structure coverage accordingly.
“One of the most important takeaways for me was gaining a deeper understanding of cyber insurance, not only from an insurance perspective but also from the technical side of cybersecurity and IT infrastructure.”
Dawnie Wong, Senior Commercial Account Manager, Summit
Linda appreciated the program’s clarity and real-world examples: “From simple definitions of cyber acronyms to complex topics in the cyber world, it enabled me to grasp why and how we need to protect ourselves and our clients against cyber-attacks. The real-world life examples drove the point home.”
CCIS Scholarship Brought Career Impact and Confidence
The impact of the CCIS Scholarship was immediate and tangible. Ercin continues to work in the global insurance industry, now with increased confidence when discussing cyber risks, requirements, and coverage solutions:
“The CCIS Designation has significantly enhanced my ability to understand cyber risks more clearly and positively influenced my perspective on the evolving role of cyber within the insurance market.”
Ercin Mengecin, Country Manager, Wiener Städtische Versicherung
Dawnie remains a Senior Commercial Account Manager but is also now working toward her goal of making cyber coverage as standard as property and liability insurance: “The knowledge I gained through CCIS has been instrumental in shaping this vision and enhancing my professional development.”
Linda has taken on responsibility for cyber claims in her current role: “The CCIS course has boosted my confidence in how I handle cyber claims… Because of this course, I was able to train our intermediaries on what to expect when our clients have a cyber claim.” She also expressed her commitment to sharing her new expertise with colleagues and the industry.
Applications for the CCIS Scholarship are now open, and the Cyber Insurance Academy is looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of ambitious professionals ready to make their mark on the future of cyber insurance.
