A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for Program Managers in High-Efficiency Tech Environments
A structured path to embedding security into program execution with precision 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.
Who this is for
Senior Program Manager in a high-pressure tech environment responsible for aligning security, compliance, and delivery timelines across engineering teams
Who this is not for
Individual contributors focused solely on documentation, entry-level coordinators, or practitioners outside tech delivery functions
What you walk away with
- Produce security-aligned program plans that gain rapid approval from architecture review boards
- Anticipate and resolve control gaps before escalation points
- Shape vendor selection criteria with authority on security implementation timelines
- Build repeatable templates that maintain compliance without slowing deployment velocity
- Position yourself as the internal reference for secure program execution across technical stakeholders
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding the CIS Controls Framework in Modern Tech Delivery
Lay the foundation by mapping the CIS Controls to real-world program management responsibilities in fast-moving engineering organizations.
12 chapters in this module
- Overview of the CIS Controls version 8 structure
- How CIS Controls integrate with Agile and DevOps workflows
- Distinguishing between implementation groups and control maturity
- Mapping controls to engineering team ownership boundaries
- Security expectations in Meta-scale deployment environments
- Translating control language into actionable program tasks
- Common misalignments between security frameworks and delivery pace
- Identifying which controls are proactive vs reactive
- The role of automation in satisfying control requirements
- Benchmarking current program maturity against CIS IG1
- How recent efficiency drives impact control implementation
- Integrating CIS into pre-mortem planning sessions
Module 2. Integrating CIS Controls into Program Lifecycle Planning
Embed security from initiation to closure by aligning control expectations with phase gates and delivery milestones.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping CIS Controls to project initiation checklists
- Defining security deliverables in sprint zero
- Aligning control ownership with team leads
- Setting milestones for control validation
- Documenting evidence paths early in the timeline
- Balancing speed and compliance in MVP planning
- Incorporating control feedback into iteration planning
- Creating traceability from user stories to controls
- Using risk registers to prioritize control adoption
- Planning for audit-readiness from day one
- Adjusting scope when control conflicts arise
- Building time buffers for control validation rounds
Module 3. Translating Technical Controls into Cross-Team Action Plans
Break down control requirements into coordinated actions across engineering, security, and operations teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Decoding CIS language for non-security engineers
- Creating shared definitions of 'implemented' and 'validated'
- Designing handoff workflows between teams
- Clarifying ownership for hybrid control responsibilities
- Translating control outcomes into service-level expectations
- Using RACI to map CIS accountability across teams
- Building cross-functional control review meetings
- Developing visual tracking dashboards for control progress
- Standardizing communication about control status
- Managing scope creep in control implementation
- Facilitating conflict resolution on control ownership
- Synchronizing control timelines with product releases
Module 4. Evidence Generation for Audit and Review Boards
Produce clean, complete, and review-ready evidence packages that reflect actual program execution.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining evidence standards for each control
- Timing evidence collection to avoid rework
- Automating log and configuration capture
- Linking Jira tickets to control validation
- Building audit trails from CI/CD pipelines
- Using Terraform state to prove configuration compliance
- Documenting compensating controls clearly
- Preparing narratives for control exceptions
- Validating evidence completeness before submission
- Reducing follow-up requests from auditors
- Creating reusable evidence templates by control
- Versioning evidence for recurring audits
Module 5. Influencing Architecture and Vendor Selection Through Control Clarity
Leverage CIS understanding to shape foundational decisions in system design and third-party adoption.
12 chapters in this module
- Including CIS alignment in vendor RFP criteria
- Assessing third-party control maturity during due diligence
- Negotiating service-level security terms
- Mapping vendor responsibilities to CIS control ownership
- Using CIS Benchmarks to compare platform options
- Evaluating cloud providers on implementation speed
- Shaping internal architecture standards with CIS
- Influencing API design for control observability
- Recommending tools that support automated compliance
- Setting expectations for vendor audit participation
- Documenting control gaps in integration planning
- Building exit strategies into vendor contracts
Module 6. Anticipating and Resolving Control Conflicts in Fast Delivery Cycles
Identify and resolve tension points between speed, security, and control adherence without sacrificing quality.
12 chapters in this module
- Predicting control conflicts in sprint planning
- Identifying high-risk implementation areas
- Using threat modeling to prioritize controls
- Creating fast-path validation for low-risk services
- Applying risk-based exemptions with documentation
- Building temporary compensating controls
- Escalating control conflicts to architecture review
- Maintaining velocity while remediating findings
- Tracking control debt like technical debt
- Aligning security with incident response timelines
- Using war games to test control resilience
- Creating after-action reports for control failures
Module 7. Building Repeatable Security Program Artefacts
Create templates and checklists that scale across programs and teams while maintaining compliance integrity.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing reusable security onboarding playbooks
- Standardizing control implementation across teams
- Creating modular evidence packages by service type
- Developing pre-approved control configurations
- Building audit-ready documentation kits
- Versioning control implementations over time
- Maintaining artefacts across leadership changes
- Using Notion templates for control tracking
- Sharing best practices without over-prescribing
- Customizing artefacts for team maturity levels
- Automating artefact updates from code repos
- Archiving completed programme security packages
Module 8. Leading Cross-Functional Security Reviews
Run effective review sessions that resolve control questions and build confidence across stakeholders.
12 chapters in this module
- Structuring review agendas around control progress
- Preparing engineering leads for security scrutiny
- Facilitating productive challenge-and-response
- Documenting decisions without slowing delivery
- Using visual aids to clarify control status
- Managing dissenting opinions on control scope
- Summarizing outcomes for executive consumption
- Tracking action items with clear owners
- Creating feedback loops to improve future reviews
- Running dry-run audits before official cycles
- Incorporating lessons into team retrospectives
- Recognizing teams for control excellence
Module 9. Scaling Secure Delivery Across Multiple Teams
Extend control practices across a portfolio of programs while maintaining consistency and reducing overhead.
12 chapters in this module
- Creating centralized control enablement resources
- Training tech leads to be control champions
- Standardizing tooling across service domains
- Implementing shared compliance platforms
- Measuring control adherence across teams
- Identifying control outliers and support needs
- Sharing successful implementation patterns
- Reducing duplication through reusable modules
- Coordinating release timing for control updates
- Building cross-team compliance dashboards
- Scaling automation for configuration management
- Supporting business-critical systems first
Module 10. Communicating Security Progress to Senior Leadership
Translate control implementation into business value and risk reduction for executive audiences.
12 chapters in this module
- Reframing controls as delivery enablers
- Reporting progress beyond checkbox completion
- Highlighting reductions in incident response time
- Demonstrating faster audit cycles
- Linking security to customer trust metrics
- Using maturity models to show improvement
- Creating executive summaries per control group
- Anticipating follow-up questions on coverage
- Presenting control debt like tech debt
- Connecting security to product innovation speed
- Using benchmarking to show relative progress
- Aligning security stories with business goals
Module 11. Optimizing for Future Control Revisions and Audits
Design implementation strategies that anticipate future changes and reduce rework over time.
12 chapters in this module
- Monitoring CIS for upcoming control changes
- Creating forward-looking implementation roadmaps
- Designing modular control implementations
- Reducing churn in control evidence paths
- Building audit-friendly documentation structures
- Tracking control implementation cost over time
- Using feedback to refine internal control standards
- Incorporating lessons from previous audits
- Preparing for unannounced audit cycles
- Developing rapid response playbooks for findings
- Planning for control sunset and replacement
- Aligning control strategy with product lifecycle
Module 12. Becoming the Trusted Authority on Secure Program Execution
Position yourself as the go-to practitioner for integrating security into high-velocity delivery.
12 chapters in this module
- Building credibility through consistent delivery
- Mentoring others in control implementation
- Sharing proven templates across the org
- Presenting successes at internal tech talks
- Contributing to internal security communities
- Writing clear, reusable guidance for engineers
- Gaining recognition beyond the immediate team
- Shaping hiring criteria for security-aware roles
- Influencing promotion paths for dual-track careers
- Maintaining independence while being collaborative
- Documenting your impact on security outcomes
- Creating a legacy of repeatable success
How this maps to your situation
- Integrating CIS Controls into existing program management workflows
- Managing security expectations in high-efficiency environments
- Leading cross-functional alignment on control implementation
- Building influence through structured, repeatable outcomes
Before vs. after
Before
Security controls feel like external demands that slow delivery and create last-minute scrambles before audits.
After
You lead with confidence, producing clean evidence, shaping architecture, and influencing decisions before they’re contested.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters total)
- 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 12 weeks, designed to fit around delivery cycles.
If nothing changes
Continuing without a structured approach risks recurring audit findings, delivery delays, and missed opportunities to lead security strategy discussions.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this program is tailored to the realities of high-velocity tech environments and focuses on actionable implementation, not theoretical frameworks.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Senior program managers in tech who are responsible for delivering projects on time while ensuring security and compliance requirements are met.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I receive practical templates?
Yes, every module includes downloadable templates and real-world examples you can adapt immediately.
$199 one-time. Approximately 90 minutes per week over 12 weeks, designed to fit around delivery cycles..
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