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SEC1614 Mastering CIS Controls; A Step-by-Step Guide to Enterprise Security Posture

$199.00
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A tailored course, built for your situation

Mastering CIS Controls; A Step-by-Step Guide to Enterprise Security Posture

Build a repeatable, evidence-ready security foundation that positions you as the internal authority on cyber readiness

$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.
Stop reworking control validation packages every cycle, build a living, self-attesting security posture.

The situation this course is for

QA and compliance leaders are spending 70, 100 hours monthly reconciling control evidence, chasing team sign-offs, and responding to auditor follow-ups, especially around CIS-critical domains like configuration hygiene, access enforcement, and patch cadence. The work is foundational but ad hoc, leading to fatigue and inconsistency.

Who this is for

Senior QA or compliance manager at a large enterprise under increasing scrutiny for security posture. Owns or co-owns audit readiness, control mapping, and cross-functional evidence collection. Technically fluent, credibility-focused, and seeks quiet influence through reliability.

Who this is not for

Individual contributors who don't own cross-team validation cycles, consultants selling compliance services externally, or engineers focused purely on test automation without compliance linkage.

What you walk away with

  • Produce auditor-ready control evidence in under 8 hours per cycle
  • Reduce recurring requests for the same data across teams by 90%
  • Establish a documented, version-controlled control mapping practice
  • Position yourself as the first internal reference on CIS benchmark alignment
  • Eliminate last-minute fixes in SOC 2, ISO 27001, and internal audit reviews

The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)

Module 1. Understanding the CIS Controls Framework
Ground your practice in the structure and intent of the CIS Critical Security Controls, with a focus on how QA teams uniquely own execution evidence. Learn to map QA test cycles directly to control benchmarks and avoid redundant work.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Introduction to the CIS Controls and their evolution
  2. Key differences between CIS, NIST CSF, and ISO 27001
  3. How QA work provides primary evidence for control validation
  4. Tiering controls by effort, impact, and ownership
  5. The role of automation in continuous control validation
  6. Benchmarking your current posture against CIS v8
  7. Understanding foundational vs organizational controls
  8. How Oracle's cloud footprint affects control ownership
  9. Mapping CIS controls to common audit frameworks
  10. The importance of documentation maturity in sign-off
  11. Identifying quick-win controls based on test coverage
  12. Setting baseline expectations for control readiness
Module 2. Control 1: Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets
Transform asset discovery from a manual audit chore into a proactive, automated stream of evidence. Build a QA-owned process that validates completeness and accuracy of hardware inventory reports.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Defining what qualifies as a managed hardware asset
  2. How scanning results provide QA testable outcomes
  3. Automating validation of new device onboarding
  4. Testing for unauthorized hardware in production
  5. Validating decommissioning workflows for accuracy
  6. Sampling strategies for large-scale environments
  7. Integrating CMDB accuracy checks into QA cycles
  8. Detecting rogue devices through network scans
  9. Creating repeatable test cases for hardware logs
  10. Benchmarking scan frequency against CIS requirements
  11. Validating documentation of asset lifecycle
  12. Reporting gaps in asset coverage to security teams
Module 3. Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software Assets
Shift software inventory from spreadsheet tracking to a living, auditable data flow. Use QA principles to validate software list accuracy and flag unapproved deployments.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Defining approved vs unauthorized software
  2. Validating automated software discovery tools
  3. Testing for software installation log completeness
  4. Sampling strategies for user-reported software
  5. Automating validation of software removal
  6. Mapping software to CIS control thresholds
  7. Detecting shadow IT through deployment patterns
  8. Validating software license compliance data
  9. Creating test cases for software inventory reports
  10. Benchmarking inventory freshness against policy
  11. Reporting discrepancies in software lists
  12. Documenting QA validation of software baseline
Module 4. Control 3: Data Protection
Embed data classification and handling checks into QA workflows. Validate that data protection policies are operationally enforced, not just documented.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding data classification tiers and handling rules
  2. Validating data labeling in test environments
  3. Testing for unauthorized data transfers
  4. Sampling data access logs for policy compliance
  5. Automating checks for encryption in transit
  6. Validating storage location compliance
  7. Testing backup data protection mechanisms
  8. Detecting PII exposure in logs and reports
  9. Creating test cases for data lifecycle stages
  10. Benchmarking data handling against CIS benchmarks
  11. Documenting QA validation of data flows
  12. Reporting gaps in data protection controls
Module 5. Control 4: Secure Configuration Management
Turn secure configuration into a repeatable QA verification cycle. Build test cases that validate baseline compliance across operating systems and applications.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding CIS secure configuration benchmarks
  2. Validating OS configuration baselines
  3. Testing for unauthorized configuration changes
  4. Sampling system settings across environments
  5. Automating validation of configuration drift
  6. Verifying patch level compliance
  7. Testing default credential removal
  8. Validating service hardening settings
  9. Creating test cases for configuration logs
  10. Benchmarking scan results against CIS benchmarks
  11. Documenting QA validation of configuration state
  12. Reporting gaps in secure configuration compliance
Module 6. Control 5: Account Management
Ensure that user provisioning and deprovisioning meet control standards. Use QA techniques to validate lifecycle accuracy and access recertification.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Validating new account provisioning accuracy
  2. Testing for timely deprovisioning of access
  3. Sampling access recertification workflows
  4. Detecting orphaned accounts through audits
  5. Automating validation of role assignments
  6. Testing for separation of duties violations
  7. Validating privileged access workflows
  8. Checking for shared account usage
  9. Creating test cases for account reviews
  10. Benchmarking account accuracy against CIS
  11. Documenting QA validation of access logs
  12. Reporting gaps in account lifecycle compliance
Module 7. Control 6: Access Control Management
Verify that access enforcement aligns with policy. Build test cases that validate least privilege, role-based access, and timely revocation.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding least privilege principles
  2. Validating role-based access assignments
  3. Testing for excessive access permissions
  4. Sampling access requests for approval
  5. Automating validation of access revocation
  6. Testing for time-bound access expiration
  7. Validating emergency access workflows
  8. Checking for access policy exceptions
  9. Creating test cases for access reviews
  10. Benchmarking access controls against CIS
  11. Documenting QA validation of access logs
  12. Reporting gaps in access enforcement
Module 8. Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management
Embed vulnerability scanning validation into QA cycles. Ensure that scan data is accurate, timely, and actionable.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding vulnerability severity tiers
  2. Validating scan frequency compliance
  3. Testing for missing system coverage
  4. Sampling vulnerability remediation workflows
  5. Automating validation of scan accuracy
  6. Testing for false positive reporting
  7. Validating patch deployment timelines
  8. Checking for unpatched critical systems
  9. Creating test cases for vulnerability reports
  10. Benchmarking findings against CIS thresholds
  11. Documenting QA validation of scans
  12. Reporting gaps in vulnerability management
Module 9. Control 8: Malware Defenses
Validate endpoint protection effectiveness through QA-driven testing. Ensure malware detection and response mechanisms are operational.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding malware defense requirements
  2. Validating antivirus deployment coverage
  3. Testing for real-time scanning functionality
  4. Sampling malware detection logs
  5. Automating validation of update cycles
  6. Testing for banned file types
  7. Validating quarantine workflows
  8. Checking for EDR coverage gaps
  9. Creating test cases for malware response
  10. Benchmarking defenses against CIS benchmarks
  11. Documenting QA validation of malware logs
  12. Reporting gaps in malware protection
Module 10. Control 9: Centralized Log Management
Ensure logging infrastructure meets control standards. Use QA methods to validate log completeness, retention, and searchability.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding log collection requirements
  2. Validating system-level logging
  3. Testing for log forwarding accuracy
  4. Sampling log retention periods
  5. Automating validation of log integrity
  6. Testing for SIEM ingestion accuracy
  7. Validating log search functionality
  8. Checking for log tampering protections
  9. Creating test cases for audit trails
  10. Benchmarking logs against CIS requirements
  11. Documenting QA validation of logging
  12. Reporting gaps in log management
Module 11. Control 10: Network Defense
Verify network segmentation and monitoring controls. Build test cases that validate firewall rules, segmentation, and intrusion detection.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding network segmentation requirements
  2. Validating firewall rule accuracy
  3. Testing for unauthorized traffic
  4. Sampling network zone boundaries
  5. Automating validation of network logs
  6. Testing for intrusion detection alerts
  7. Validating DMZ configurations
  8. Checking for rogue device detection
  9. Creating test cases for network scans
  10. Benchmarking network controls against CIS
  11. Documenting QA validation of network defenses
  12. Reporting gaps in network protection
Module 12. Sustaining and Scaling the CIS Practice
Build a self-renewing control validation system. Turn QA cycles into a continuous, trusted source of compliance evidence across frameworks.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Establishing a control validation cadence
  2. Automating evidence collection workflows
  3. Integrating with ticketing and CMDB systems
  4. Scaling validation across cloud environments
  5. Training teams on QA-led compliance
  6. Documenting repeatable test cases
  7. Creating living runbooks for control checks
  8. Measuring control maturity over time
  9. Benchmarking against industry peers
  10. Reporting posture to executive stakeholders
  11. Maintaining framework updates in QA cycles
  12. Handing over the playbook to new team members

How this maps to your situation

  • Month-end control validation
  • Pre-audit readiness cycle
  • Cross-functional evidence gathering
  • Security posture reporting to leadership

Before vs. after

Before
Spending 80+ hours monthly reconciling control evidence, chasing team inputs, and responding to auditor queries with inconsistent data.
After
Producing clean, version-controlled control packages in under 8 hours, recognized as the go-to source for security posture clarity.

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 on a single weekend, designed for on-demand progress.

If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, control validation remains reactive and labor-intensive, increasing exposure to audit findings, leadership scrutiny, and missed opportunities to lead on cyber readiness.

How this compares to the alternatives

Unlike generic compliance training or vendor-specific certifications, this course is tailored to QA professionals who own cross-functional control validation and need to produce clean, consistent evidence without rework.

Frequently asked

Is this course technical or leadership-focused?
It’s written for technically fluent QA leaders who need to produce evidence, not deep-dive into engineering fixes.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help with ISO 27001 or SOC 2 audits?
Yes , CIS Controls map directly to both frameworks, and the course shows how to reuse evidence across them.
$199 one-time. Approximately 90 minutes on a single weekend, designed for on-demand progress..

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
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