Application Security Toolkit
This implementation toolkit equips security practitioners and IT leaders with structured frameworks, templates, and workflows for establishing or improving application security programs. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate issued by The Art of Service.
Executive Overview
Organizations face growing risks from insecure software development practices, third-party code dependencies, and evolving threat landscapes. Security teams often lack standardized processes to assess, prioritize, and embed security controls across the application lifecycle. This toolkit provides structured frameworks, proven workflows, and reference templates that practitioners use to implement consistent application security practices. It supports both new program setup and enhancement of existing controls using repeatable methodologies.
What You Will Be Able To Do
- Develop a comprehensive application security roadmap aligned with industry standards
- Conduct a current-state assessment using a 994+ requirement diagnostic across key process areas
- Establish a risk-based application inventory and classification system
- Create a secure development lifecycle policy using provided templates
- Design a threat modeling process for new and existing applications
- Implement a vulnerability remediation tracking system with SLA definitions
- Generate executive-level reporting using the pre-filled assessment dashboard
- Build a software bill of materials (SBOM) management process
- Define role-specific security responsibilities across development and operations
- Produce a 30-day action plan to initiate or advance your application security program
Who This Toolkit Is For
- Application Security Manager - accountable for program design and execution; uses toolkit to standardize controls and measure progress
- Security Architect - responsible for integrating security into system design; applies templates for threat modeling and control mapping
- IT Director - oversees technology risk and compliance; leverages assessment workbook to evaluate program maturity
- DevSecOps Engineer - implements tooling and automation; references playbook for integration points and workflow design
- Compliance Officer - ensures adherence to regulatory requirements; uses requirement set to validate control coverage
What You Receive Within 24 Hours of Purchase
- 144-chapter implementation playbook (PDF) covering end-to-end application security workflow
- 20+ downloadable templates in Excel and Word, including risk rating matrix, secure SDLC policy, threat model worksheet, vulnerability intake form, remediation tracker, and application onboarding checklist
- Self-assessment workbook with 994+ case-based requirements organized across 7 process areas in application security
- Pre-filled assessment dashboard in Excel demonstrating results generation and reporting
- 30-day rollout work plan structured by week with role-specific milestones
- Maturity diagnostic across 5 capability domains specific to application security
Detailed Module Breakdown
Module 1: Foundations of Application Security
- Understanding common attack vectors in modern applications
- Mapping security to the software development lifecycle
- Defining core roles and responsibilities in application security
- Overview of regulatory and compliance drivers
Module 2: Current State Assessment
- Using the 994+ requirement set to evaluate existing controls
- Scoring maturity across key domains
- Identifying critical gaps and high-risk areas
- Documenting findings for stakeholder review
Module 3: Strategy and Roadmap Development
- Setting measurable objectives based on assessment results
- Prioritizing initiatives by risk and feasibility
- Aligning application security goals with business priorities
- Developing a phased implementation plan
Module 4: Secure Development Lifecycle Design
- Integrating security gates into development workflows
- Defining entry and exit criteria for each phase
- Creating policies for code review and dependency management
- Establishing approval processes for production deployment
Module 5: Threat Modeling and Design Review
- Applying STRIDE and other frameworks to system diagrams
- Documenting threats and assigning mitigation owners
- Conducting design review meetings with development teams
- Tracking threat resolution through to implementation
Module 6: Vulnerability Management Implementation
- Standardizing vulnerability intake and triage procedures
- Setting severity ratings and remediation SLAs
- Using the tracker template to monitor progress
- Escalating overdue items to management
Module 7: Governance and Oversight
- Establishing an application security steering committee
- Defining metrics and KPIs for program health
- Scheduling regular review cycles
- Reporting to executives using dashboard templates
Module 8: Operational Security Controls
- Configuring static and dynamic analysis tools
- Managing false positives and tuning scan rules
- Enforcing secure configuration in CI/CD pipelines
- Handling secrets and credentials in code
Module 9: Measurement and Reporting
- Calculating mean time to remediate (MTTR)
- Tracking scan coverage across the application portfolio
- Measuring policy compliance rates
- Generating monthly and quarterly reports
Module 10: Capability Building and Training
- Identifying skill gaps in development and security teams
- Delivering role-based security awareness content
- Running secure coding workshops
- Tracking training completion and effectiveness
Module 11: Program Sustainability
- Updating policies in response to new threats
- Reassessing maturity annually
- Integrating lessons learned from incidents
- Managing turnover and knowledge retention
Module 12: Practitioner Certification
- Completing the final assessment checklist
- Submitting evidence of applied work
- Receiving feedback from the review team
- Earning the certificate from The Art of Service
The 994+ Requirements Workbook
The self-assessment workbook is organized across 7 process areas: secure development lifecycle, threat modeling, vulnerability management, security testing, third-party risk, governance, and training. Practitioners use it to evaluate current practices, identify control gaps, and build prioritized improvement plans. Example questions include 'Is every application assigned an owner responsible for security?', 'Are threat models updated when major changes occur?', and 'Do developers receive feedback on vulnerabilities within 48 hours of detection?' Each requirement is phrased as a verifiable statement to support objective scoring.
The 20+ Templates
Templates include the application inventory log, secure SDLC policy, threat model worksheet, vulnerability intake form, remediation tracker, risk acceptance form, developer security onboarding checklist, and executive dashboard. All are provided in editable Excel and Word formats, allowing users to modify content, branding, and structure for internal use. Templates follow consistent naming and formatting conventions to support integration across workflows.
Course Outcomes and Certification
Upon completion, you will have produced 3 concrete deliverables built using the toolkit: a completed maturity assessment, a 30-day action plan, and a customized set of security policies using the provided templates. The Art of Service issues a certificate of completion confirming demonstrated knowledge and applied capability in application security.
Delivery and Access
Single user license. Account in the learning environment provisioned within 24 hours of purchase. Lifetime access to all toolkit updates. Templates in editable Excel and Word. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Common Questions
Q: Is this for established or new application security programs?
A: Both. The workbook helps assess current state. The playbook covers both greenfield and improvement scenarios.
Q: How is this different from OWASP SAMM or BSIMM?
A: This toolkit includes executable templates, a detailed rollout plan, and a structured learning path not found in maturity models alone. It focuses on implementation, not just assessment.
Q: What format are the templates in?
A: Editable Excel and Word. You can adapt them to your own use.
Q: Is this a single user license?
A: Yes, one purchase is for one individual user. For organization-wide access, reach out via reply for volume pricing.
Q: What level of prior experience is assumed?
A: Familiarity with basic security concepts and software development is recommended. No advanced certification or coding skills are required to use the toolkit.
Ready to Start
One-time payment of $495. Single user license. Access provisioned within 24 hours. Lifetime updates included. 30-day money-back guarantee. Reach us via reply if you want guidance on whether this fits your specific situation before purchasing.