A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for Business Excellence Leaders
A structured path to total command of cybersecurity control implementation across complex operational 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.
Who this is for
Senior leader in business operations or excellence driving process and performance improvement in regulated or defense-adjacent industries.
Who this is not for
Individual contributors without cross-functional influence, practitioners focused solely on technical IT security execution, or teams seeking quick audit prep without strategic depth.
What you walk away with
- Fluency in all 18 CIS Controls and their implementation tiers
- Ability to map CIS Controls to internal risk and operational workflows
- Confidence leading security-control conversations with technical teams
- Reusable implementation playbook aligned to CIS framework
- Faster alignment between cybersecurity baselines and business performance goals
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Introduction to CIS Controls
Understand the origin, structure, and evolution of the CIS Controls framework. Learn how it compares to other standards and its growing role in operational resilience.
12 chapters in this module
- What are the CIS Controls
- History and development
- Version 8 updates
- CIS vs NIST CSF
- CIS vs ISO 27001
- Use in government contracts
- Adoption in defense sector
- Control categorization
- Implementation groups defined
- Mapping to business outcomes
- Role in supply chain security
- Integration with risk programs
Module 2. CIS Control 1: Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets
Master complete visibility and management of enterprise hardware. Learn implementation strategies for complex, hybrid environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Hardware asset discovery
- Automated inventory tools
- Network-based detection
- Physical asset tracking
- Virtual machine tracking
- Cloud instance monitoring
- Orphaned device identification
- Decommissioning processes
- Ownership assignment
- Integration with CMDB
- Continuous monitoring setup
- Reporting cadence design
Module 3. CIS Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software Assets
Achieve full software transparency across the organization. Implement accurate, up-to-date software inventories.
12 chapters in this module
- Software discovery methods
- Agent vs agentless
- Approved software list creation
- Unapproved software detection
- Version tracking
- License compliance mapping
- Cloud SaaS monitoring
- Shadow IT reduction
- Change logging
- Integration with patch management
- Software lifecycle policy
- Reporting to compliance teams
Module 4. CIS Control 3: Data Protection
Establish robust data classification and protection mechanisms across structured and unstructured data stores.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification framework
- Sensitive data identification
- Encryption at rest
- Encryption in transit
- Data loss prevention
- DLP policy templates
- Cloud storage security
- Backup encryption
- Access logging
- Retention policies
- Data sovereignty
- Audit trail configuration
Module 5. CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets
Implement hardened configuration standards across endpoints, servers, and network devices.
12 chapters in this module
- Baseline configuration definition
- CIS Benchmarks usage
- Hardening checklists
- Configuration drift detection
- Automated remediation
- Endpoint compliance
- Server hardening
- Router and switch settings
- Secure BIOS setup
- Firmware validation
- Change control integration
- Audit logging
Module 6. CIS Control 5: Secure Configuration of Network Devices
Apply secure configurations specifically to firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless access points.
12 chapters in this module
- Network device inventory
- Secure admin access
- Default credential removal
- Remote management security
- Network segmentation
- Firewall rule review
- ACL best practices
- Router hardening
- Switch port security
- Wireless encryption standards
- Firmware update policy
- Logging and monitoring
Module 7. CIS Control 6: Account Management
Implement strong identity and access management practices across systems and platforms.
12 chapters in this module
- User provisioning
- Role-based access
- Privileged account tracking
- Shared account policy
- Just-in-time access
- Multi-factor enforcement
- Password policy design
- Session timeout settings
- Access review cycles
- Service account management
- De-provisioning automation
- IAM integration
Module 8. CIS Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management
Deploy systematic processes for identifying, prioritizing, and remediating vulnerabilities.
12 chapters in this module
- Vulnerability scanning frequency
- Asset criticality mapping
- Severity scoring systems
- Patch prioritization
- Automated patch deployment
- Emergency patching process
- Third-party vulnerability tracking
- Zero-day response
- Reporting to leadership
- Integration with ticketing
- Remediation SLAs
- Metrics and KPIs
Module 9. CIS Control 8: Audit Log Management
Ensure consistent logging, retention, and analysis across systems for security and compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Centralized logging strategy
- Log collection agents
- SIEM integration
- Retention policy design
- Log integrity protection
- Search and correlation
- Incident investigation
- Compliance reporting
- Cloud log sources
- Network vs system logs
- Retention compliance
- Log access controls
Module 10. CIS Control 9: Email and Web Browser Protections
Secure primary user entry points: email and web browsing.
12 chapters in this module
- Email filtering systems
- Phishing detection
- URL rewriting
- Browser hardening
- Extension control
- HTTPS enforcement
- Ad blocking
- Tab isolation
- User training integration
- Click tracking
- Malware sandboxing
- Quarantine review process
Module 11. CIS Control 10: Malware Defenses
Deploy layered defenses against malicious software across endpoints and networks.
12 chapters in this module
- Antivirus vs EDR
- Signature updates
- Behavioral detection
- File execution policies
- USB device control
- Drive-by download blocks
- Sandboxing integration
- Quarantine procedures
- Threat intelligence feeds
- Incident escalation
- Malware reporting
- Recovery procedures
Module 12. CIS Control 11: Data Recovery
Ensure reliable, tested data recovery processes aligned with business continuity goals.
12 chapters in this module
- Backup frequency
- RPO and RTO definition
- Offsite storage
- Encryption of backups
- Air-gapped backups
- Test restoration
- Automated recovery scripts
- Cloud backup validation
- Disaster recovery plan
- BCP integration
- Recovery documentation
- Annual recovery testing
How this maps to your situation
- New cybersecurity mandate rollout
- Pre-audit preparation phase
- Cross-functional control alignment
- Post-incident process review
Before vs. after
Before
Approaching CIS Controls as a compliance checklist with limited influence over implementation depth or speed.
After
Leading with confidence across technical and operational teams, driving faster adoption and deeper control integration.
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 3 hours per module, designed to fit around executive schedules.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic cybersecurity courses, this program focuses exclusively on practical, leadership-level command of the CIS Controls, enabling direct application in enterprise operational environments.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Senior leaders in business excellence, operational resilience, or risk management who need to lead or influence cybersecurity control implementation.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this technical?
It's designed for leaders who don’t need to implement controls themselves but must understand them deeply to guide teams and make decisions.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to fit around executive schedules..
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