A tailored course, built for your situation
Implementation-Focused Application Security Programs for Mid-Market Operations
A structured, execution-grade path for building resilient, scalable security practices in mid-market tech environments
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Mid-market teams face pressure to scale securely without the resources of enterprise organizations
The situation this course is for
Security initiatives often stall due to misalignment with operational pace, lack of tailored frameworks, or over-reliance on enterprise models that don't fit mid-market realities. The result is inconsistent coverage, audit fatigue, and technical debt that slows innovation.
Who this is for
Technology and security leaders in mid-market organizations (50, 2,000 employees) responsible for securing application development, integrations, and deployment pipelines
Who this is not for
Enterprise security architects, freelance developers, or individuals seeking certification prep or theoretical frameworks without execution focus
What you walk away with
- Design a scalable application security program aligned to mid-market delivery rhythms
- Implement continuous security practices across development, testing, and deployment
- Reduce friction between security, engineering, and operations teams
- Build audit-ready controls that support compliance without slowing innovation
- Deploy a living security playbook that evolves with product and threat landscape
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of Mid-Market Application Security
Define scope, constraints, and strategic objectives unique to mid-market environments
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding the mid-market security gap
- Mapping organizational velocity to security needs
- Aligning security with business outcomes
- Stakeholder roles and responsibilities
- Regulatory baseline awareness
- Security as an enabler of growth
- Common missteps in early-stage programs
- Resource-aware planning
- Benchmarking current maturity
- Setting realistic implementation goals
- Integrating with existing tooling
- Building cross-functional buy-in
Module 2. Threat Modeling for Real-World Workflows
Apply lightweight, iterative threat modeling to active development pipelines
12 chapters in this module
- Principles of practical threat modeling
- Identifying high-impact attack surfaces
- Data flow mapping for integrations
- Leveraging automation for coverage
- Prioritizing by exploit likelihood
- Integrating into sprint planning
- Using templates for consistency
- Documenting assumptions and gaps
- Reviewing models quarterly
- Scaling with team growth
- Common pattern libraries
- Avoiding over-engineering
Module 3. Secure Development Lifecycle Integration
Embed security checks into CI/CD without disrupting delivery pace
12 chapters in this module
- Phases of the secure SDLC
- Pre-commit security gates
- Static analysis integration
- Dependency scanning automation
- Secrets detection workflows
- Dynamic testing in staging
- Policy as code enforcement
- Developer feedback loops
- Security champion programs
- Measuring SDLC coverage
- Toolchain compatibility
- Optimizing for speed and coverage
Module 4. Identity and Access Governance
Implement least privilege and role-based access at scale
12 chapters in this module
- Principles of least privilege
- Role definition and review
- Just-in-time access patterns
- Service account management
- Multi-factor enforcement
- Audit trail requirements
- Integration with identity providers
- Session management standards
- Access revocation workflows
- Privileged access monitoring
- User lifecycle automation
- Policy exception handling
Module 5. Vulnerability Management at Speed
Prioritize and remediate findings without backlog bloat
12 chapters in this module
- Risk-based triage frameworks
- Automated severity scoring
- Integrating with ticketing systems
- Remediation SLAs by criticality
- Developer ownership models
- False positive reduction
- Patch deployment coordination
- Zero-day response planning
- Third-party library risks
- Vulnerability disclosure readiness
- Metrics that drive action
- Reporting to leadership
Module 6. Application Security Testing Strategy
Combine SAST, DAST, and IAST for maximum coverage
12 chapters in this module
- Choosing the right testing mix
- SAST rule tuning
- DAST coverage planning
- IAST for runtime visibility
- API security testing
- Mobile app testing considerations
- Codeless testing options
- Third-party assessment coordination
- Test frequency planning
- Result correlation strategies
- Reducing noise in findings
- Reporting actionable insights
Module 7. Secure Architecture Patterns
Adopt repeatable, secure-by-design patterns for common use cases
12 chapters in this module
- Layered defense principles
- Microservices security boundaries
- API gateway patterns
- Data encryption standards
- Input validation frameworks
- Error handling securely
- Rate limiting and abuse prevention
- Secure configuration templates
- Container security basics
- Serverless security considerations
- Frontend security hardening
- Audit logging design
Module 8. Incident Response for Mid-Market Teams
Prepare for and respond to security events efficiently
12 chapters in this module
- Incident classification tiers
- Response team structure
- Detection and alerting setup
- Containment playbooks
- Forensic data collection
- Legal and notification requirements
- Stakeholder communication plans
- Post-mortem processes
- Tabletop exercise design
- Escalation paths
- Third-party coordination
- Improvement tracking
Module 9. Compliance Integration Without Overhead
Meet regulatory needs without sacrificing agility
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping controls to frameworks
- SOC 2 essentials
- GDPR considerations
- HIPAA alignment
- PCI-DSS light touch
- Audit evidence automation
- Policy documentation templates
- Control ownership models
- Continuous monitoring
- Gap assessment methods
- Vendor compliance checks
- Reporting efficiency
Module 10. Security Awareness and Culture
Foster security ownership across engineering and operations
12 chapters in this module
- Developer training strategies
- Phishing simulation programs
- Secure coding standards
- Gamification of learning
- Leadership messaging
- Metrics for behavior change
- Feedback from incidents
- Security champion networks
- Onboarding integration
- Quarterly refresh cycles
- Measuring program effectiveness
- Reducing stigma around reporting
Module 11. Third-Party and Supply Chain Risk
Secure dependencies and vendor integrations
12 chapters in this module
- Vendor risk assessment
- Contractual security terms
- API security reviews
- Open source license checks
- Software bill of materials (SBOM)
- Dependency update policies
- Penetration testing third parties
- Incident response coordination
- Exit strategy planning
- Monitoring for compromise
- Due diligence automation
- Ongoing relationship management
Module 12. Scaling and Maturity Advancement
Evolve the program as the organization grows
12 chapters in this module
- Maturity model navigation
- Resource planning for growth
- Hiring for security roles
- Outsourcing considerations
- Tool consolidation strategies
- Budgeting for security
- Executive reporting cadence
- Board-level communication
- Benchmarking against peers
- Continuous improvement cycles
- Knowledge transfer systems
- Program audit and refinement
How this maps to your situation
- New security program launch
- Post-incident improvement
- Pre-audit preparation
- Scaling beyond startup phase
Before vs. after
Before
Security initiatives are reactive, fragmented, and resource-intensive, often slowing delivery and creating friction across teams.
After
Security is embedded, predictable, and enabling, accelerating compliance, reducing risk, and supporting faster, safer innovation.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 60, 70 hours total, designed for steady progress over 8, 12 weeks with team implementation in parallel.
If nothing changes
Continuing with ad-hoc or enterprise-fit security approaches risks audit failures, increased remediation costs, and erosion of trust during growth or customer review cycles.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic security certifications or enterprise-focused frameworks, this course delivers actionable, mid-market-specific guidance with built-in templates and execution playbooks, no theoretical fluff, no over-engineering.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Technology leaders, security champions, and operations managers in mid-market organizations who need to implement practical, scalable application security.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is developer experience required?
Familiarity with software delivery is helpful, but the course is designed for cross-functional leaders, not just engineers.
$199 one-time. Approximately 60, 70 hours total, designed for steady progress over 8, 12 weeks with team implementation in parallel..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours