A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering APRA CPS 234 for Financial Services Leaders
Build authority in information security governance with a structured path to compliance and influence.
$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.
Security governance decisions are being made without clear input from experienced leaders who understand both risk and execution.
The situation this course is for
Even with strong frameworks in place, misalignment between compliance, technology, and leadership teams leads to delayed sign-offs, rework, and diluted accountability. The gap isn't knowledge of the standard, it's the ability to consistently influence how it's applied.
Who this is for
Senior compliance or risk leaders in financial services with operational oversight and cross-functional influence, often with a Big 4 background, now in strategic roles where governance input shapes outcomes.
Who this is not for
Individual contributors focused only on audit checklists, technical implementers without decision-making scope, or those outside financial services subject to APRA oversight.
What you walk away with
- Confidently lead discussions on CPS 234 applicability across business units
- Anticipate and shape security governance requirements before they become constraints
- Produce clear, defensible position papers that align technical and executive stakeholders
- Establish a documented decision trail that supports regulatory inquiries
- Increase visibility into security design choices across vendor and internal delivery teams
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding APRA CPS 234 in Context
Explore the intent, scope, and regulatory context of CPS 234 within Australian financial services and its global parallels.
12 chapters in this module
- Origins and objectives of APRA CPS 234
- How CPS 234 differs from SOX 404 and ISO 27001
- Mapping CPS 234 to enterprise risk management frameworks
- Key definitions: information assets, security incidents, materiality thresholds
- Regulatory expectations for governance and accountability
- Common misconceptions about compliance scope
- Relationship between CPS 234 and other APRA standards
- Global equivalents and cross-jurisdictional alignment
- Role of board and senior management under CPS 234
- CPS 234 and its impact on third-party risk management
- How regulators assess compliance maturity
- Preparing for the first internal CPS 234 gap assessment
Module 2. Governance Framework Integration
Learn how to embed CPS 234 into existing governance structures without creating siloed compliance efforts.
12 chapters in this module
- Integrating CPS 234 into existing risk committees
- Aligning with COSO and SOX 404 control environments
- Role of the Chief Information Security Officer under CPS 234
- Establishing clear accountability for information security
- Documenting governance responsibilities across functions
- Creating cross-functional ownership models
- Avoiding duplication with other compliance mandates
- Linking CPS 234 to business continuity planning
- Engaging legal and compliance teams effectively
- Reporting mechanisms for senior management
- Tracking governance maturity over time
- Using internal audit to validate governance design
Module 3. Identifying and Classifying Information Assets
Develop a systematic approach to identifying critical information assets and assigning appropriate protection levels.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining what constitutes an information asset
- Inventory methods for distributed data environments
- Classification frameworks based on sensitivity and criticality
- Assigning ownership and stewardship roles
- Handling hybrid cloud and third-party hosted data
- Mapping data flows across business units
- Documenting asset registers for audit readiness
- Automating classification where possible
- Updating asset inventories in dynamic environments
- Integrating asset classification with vendor risk
- Common pitfalls in asset identification
- Validating completeness with technical teams
Module 4. Designing Risk-Based Controls
Translate CPS 234 requirements into practical, risk-aligned controls that balance security and operational efficiency.
12 chapters in this module
- Principles of risk-based control design
- Mapping threats to information asset classifications
- Selecting appropriate control families
- Balancing defense depth with usability
- Incorporating industry benchmarks and best practices
- Leveraging NIST CSF and ISO 27001 controls
- Documenting control rationale and trade-offs
- Ensuring controls scale with business growth
- Addressing insider threat considerations
- Testing control effectiveness proactively
- Maintaining control documentation for audits
- Updating controls in response to threat intelligence
Module 5. Incident Response and Notification Requirements
Build a compliant incident response framework that meets CPS 234 timelines and reporting expectations.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining reportable security incidents
- Establishing incident detection thresholds
- Creating an internal incident triage process
- Roles and responsibilities during incident response
- Documentation requirements for incident logs
- Internal reporting timelines and escalation paths
- Notifying APRA within required timeframes
- Coordinating with legal and public relations teams
- Conducting post-incident reviews and remediation
- Avoiding common notification delays
- Simulating incident scenarios for readiness
- Integrating lessons into control improvements
Module 6. Third-Party Risk Management
Ensure CPS 234 compliance extends to vendors and outsourced service providers.
12 chapters in this module
- Applying CPS 234 to third-party arrangements
- Assessing vendor compliance maturity
- Incorporating CPS 234 into procurement contracts
- Managing multi-tiered vendor relationships
- Conducting remote audits and assessments
- Using SIG and other standard questionnaires
- Validating vendor incident response capabilities
- Monitoring ongoing compliance performance
- Handling vendor non-compliance situations
- Termination clauses and exit planning
- Documenting due diligence for regulators
- Building vendor risk dashboards for leadership
Module 7. Internal Audit and Assurance
Prepare for internal and external assurance activities with confidence in your compliance posture.
12 chapters in this module
- Scope of internal audit under CPS 234
- Planning audit cycles aligned with business rhythm
- Selecting audit scope based on risk ranking
- Engaging audit teams with clear documentation
- Responding to audit findings effectively
- Tracking remediation actions to closure
- Demonstrating continuous improvement
- Preparing for APRA review cycles
- Using audit results to refine governance
- Benchmarking against peer institutions
- Integrating audit feedback into training
- Maintaining audit trail integrity
Module 8. Training and Awareness Programs
Develop targeted training that ensures CPS 234 principles are understood across the organization.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying training audiences by role
- Designing role-specific security content
- Communicating incident reporting expectations
- Measuring training effectiveness
- Using phishing simulations and drills
- Incorporating real-world breach examples
- Ensuring leadership participation
- Updating materials with regulatory changes
- Documenting completion for auditors
- Integrating training into onboarding
- Tracking awareness over time
- Scaling programs across global teams
Module 9. Documentation and Record Keeping
Create a sustainable documentation system that supports compliance and reduces audit burden.
12 chapters in this module
- Required records under CPS 234
- Retention periods and secure storage
- Version control and change tracking
- Centralizing documentation access
- Protecting sensitive compliance records
- Using templates to ensure consistency
- Automating record generation where possible
- Validating documentation completeness
- Preparing for document requests
- Handling document access during audits
- Integrating documentation with GRC tools
- Ensuring records survive leadership changes
Module 10. Continuous Improvement and Maturity
Adopt a continuous improvement mindset to strengthen compliance posture over time.
12 chapters in this module
- Measuring CPS 234 compliance maturity
- Using maturity models to prioritize efforts
- Benchmarking against industry peers
- Conducting regular self-assessments
- Incorporating lessons from incidents
- Updating policies based on findings
- Engaging external experts for validation
- Sharing best practices across teams
- Recognizing and rewarding compliance behaviors
- Integrating feedback into governance
- Planning for CPS 234 revisions
- Sustaining momentum beyond initial compliance
Module 11. Cross-Jurisdictional Compliance
Navigate overlapping regulatory expectations when operating across multiple geographies.
12 chapters in this module
- Comparing CPS 234 with GDPR and NIS2
- Handling data sovereignty requirements
- Aligning with US financial regulations
- Managing compliance in APAC markets
- Coordinating global incident reporting
- Standardizing controls across regions
- Documenting jurisdictional differences
- Avoiding conflicting control mandates
- Centralizing oversight without overreach
- Leveraging global frameworks like ISO 27001
- Working with local regulators
- Designing flexible compliance architectures
Module 12. Sustaining Leadership Influence
Position yourself as the go-to advisor on information security governance beyond compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Communicating risk in business terms
- Building credibility with technical teams
- Advising on strategic technology decisions
- Influencing vendor selection processes
- Shaping security architecture choices
- Contributing to M&A due diligence
- Mentoring emerging leaders
- Publishing internal guidance notes
- Leading cross-functional working groups
- Presenting to executive committees
- Evolving from compliance to advisory
- Leaving a lasting governance legacy
How this maps to your situation
- Current compliance oversight responsibilities
- Cross-functional decision influence
- Regulatory engagement readiness
- Strategic advisory capacity
Before vs. after
Before
Security governance decisions unfold without clear input from risk leaders, leading to reactive positioning and diluted influence.
After
You are consistently consulted early on security design, vendor choices, and incident protocols , your perspective shapes outcomes.
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 90 minutes per week over six weeks, with flexible access to all materials.
If nothing changes
Without structured influence, critical security decisions may be made in isolation, increasing exposure and reducing alignment with broader risk strategy.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance trainings, this course is tailored to financial services leaders with cross-functional influence, focusing on real-world application of APRA CPS 234 in complex environments.
Frequently asked
Is this course relevant if I'm not based in Australia?
Yes. While CPS 234 is an APRA standard, its principles align with global expectations for financial institutions, making it valuable for leaders in multinational firms.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me influence technical teams?
Yes. The course includes methods for translating compliance requirements into operational language that resonates with engineers and architects.
$199 one-time. Approximately 90 minutes per week over six weeks, with flexible access to all materials..
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