A tailored course, built for your situation
Deeper command of the CIS Controls framework mapping
Build authoritative control implementations grounded in the full logic of CIS
$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.
Struggling to translate CIS Controls into working code that sticks through audit?
The situation this course is for
Teams often treat CIS Controls as a checklist to implement post-hoc, leading to rework, configuration drift, and audit findings that trace back to misunderstood control intent. Without deep framework fluency, even strong engineers ship systems that appear compliant but fail under scrutiny.
Who this is for
Senior software and systems engineers in large-scale tech environments who own or influence security control implementation and need to demonstrate durable, auditable compliance
Who this is not for
Entry-level practitioners, compliance auditors without technical implementation roles, or managers seeking high-level overviews
What you walk away with
- Full command of the CIS Controls version 8 structure, including sub-control dependencies and implementation tiers
- Ability to map controls directly to architectural patterns and IaC templates
- Faster translation of control requirements into working, testable code
- Higher confidence in audit readiness due to implementation fidelity
- Reusable decision logic for recurring control patterns across services
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding CIS Controls v8 structure
Break down the framework’s design philosophy, control groupings, and implementation tiers to establish a mental model for deeper work.
12 chapters in this module
- Control vs sub-control distinctions
- The three implementation groups
- Mapping framework to NIST CSF
- Control maturity levels explained
- How CIS differs from ISO 27001
- The role of automated validation
- Control priority scoring logic
- Implementation order guidelines
- Mapping to cloud environments
- Key changes from v7 to v8
- Control ownership patterns
- Framework update cadence
Module 2. Inventory of authorized and unauthorized devices
Master the device control lifecycle from provisioning to decommission, with patterns for reliable discovery and enforcement.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining authorized device profiles
- Network-based discovery methods
- Agent-based tracking setups
- Cloud instance inventory strategies
- Container fleet visibility
- Automated alert thresholds
- Integration with CMDB
- Handling BYOD exceptions
- Device attestation workflows
- Zero-trust device enrollment
- Audit evidence collection
- Control mapping to AWS EC2
Module 3. Inventory of authorized software
Implement software whitelisting and runtime detection with precision, reducing false positives and coverage gaps.
12 chapters in this module
- Software approval workflows
- Binary fingerprinting techniques
- Container image signing checks
- Runtime process monitoring
- Whitelist maintenance cycles
- Integration with CI/CD
- Open-source license tracking
- Shadow IT detection logic
- Software end-of-life alerts
- Package manager controls
- Evidence for auditors
- Framework alignment details
Module 4. Secure configurations for hardware and software
Build repeatable baselines for OS, cloud, and application configurations that align with CIS Benchmarks.
12 chapters in this module
- CIS Benchmark structure explained
- Using CIS-CAT for validation
- Automated config drift detection
- OS hardening priorities
- Cloud platform defaults override
- Group policy design patterns
- Configuration as code setup
- Golden image pipelines
- Patch compliance thresholds
- Mobile device policies
- Audit log retention settings
- Control interaction points
Module 5. Continuous vulnerability assessment and remediation
Scale vulnerability detection and patching with prioritization grounded in control urgency and exploit likelihood.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal vs external scanning
- Vulnerability scoring systems
- Remediation SLA definitions
- Automated ticket routing
- Critical system exceptions
- Zero-day response planning
- Integration with SIEM
- False positive reduction
- Threat intelligence feeds
- Risk-based patching logic
- Evidence for auditors
- Metrics that matter
Module 6. Controlled use of administrative privileges
Enforce least privilege with audit-ready justifications and temporary elevation workflows.
12 chapters in this module
- Privileged account discovery
- Just-in-time access patterns
- Session recording requirements
- Password vault integration
- Break glass account design
- Multi-person approval flows
- Privilege creep detection
- Role-based access reviews
- Cloud console access controls
- Elevation request logging
- Audit trail completeness
- Zero standing privilege models
Module 7. Multi-factor authentication enforcement
Deploy MFA across systems and services with resilience against bypass and fallback risks.
12 chapters in this module
- MFA method strength ranking
- Phishing-resistant options
- Conditional access rules
- Break glass access design
- Device binding techniques
- FIDO2 and WebAuthn setup
- Legacy system adaptation
- User exception handling
- Audit evidence examples
- Risk-based step-up logic
- Cloud provider integration
- Recovery workflows
Module 8. Secure configuration for network devices
Apply hardened baselines to firewalls, routers, and switches with automated compliance checks.
12 chapters in this module
- Network segmentation principles
- Default deny policies
- Management interface security
- ACL review cycles
- Firmware update controls
- Logging and monitoring setup
- Remote access restrictions
- Backup and version control
- VLAN configuration rules
- DDoS mitigation settings
- Audit trail requirements
- Cloud-native equivalents
Module 9. Boundary defense mechanisms
Design layered network perimeters with intrusion detection, filtering, and segmentation.
12 chapters in this module
- Next-gen firewall setup
- IPS vs IDS distinctions
- Micro-segmentation strategies
- Ingress/egress filtering
- DNS query monitoring
- Threat feed integration
- East-west traffic inspection
- Cloud security groups
- Load balancer controls
- Encrypted traffic handling
- Logging for detection
- False positive tuning
Module 10. Data protection and encryption
Implement end-to-end encryption with key management and access control alignment.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification schema
- DLP policy design
- At-rest encryption options
- In-transit protection levels
- Key rotation policies
- HSM integration patterns
- Cloud KMS usage
- Tokenization strategies
- Backup encryption setup
- Access logging details
- Audit requirements
- Framework alignment
Module 11. Visibility and auditing
Ensure logs capture the right events with retention, centralization, and analysis workflows.
12 chapters in this module
- Critical log sources list
- Central SIEM integration
- Log retention policies
- Automated alerting rules
- User behavior analytics
- Incident response triggers
- Log integrity protection
- Timestamp synchronization
- External audit readiness
- Query templates for audits
- Retention compliance
- Cross-system correlation
Module 12. Operationalizing CIS in engineering workflows
Embed CIS Controls into CI/CD, change management, and incident response for lasting compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Integrating controls into onboarding
- Automated policy checks in CI
- Change advisory board input
- Incident playbooks alignment
- Post-mortem control reviews
- Training for new hires
- Metrics for leadership
- Third-party audit prep
- Continuous improvement cycle
- Cross-team collaboration
- Roadmap integration
- Sustainability strategies
How this maps to your situation
- When rolling out a new cloud service
- Before a major infrastructure audit
- During SOC 2 or ISO 27001 alignment
- After a security incident review
Before vs. after
Before
Implementing CIS Controls as a checklist without full understanding of intent or interdependencies
After
Applying controls with precision, confidence, and architectural alignment , turning compliance into engineering advantage
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 engineering delivery cycles.
If nothing changes
Without deep command of the framework, implementations risk being superficial, leading to audit findings, rework, and missed opportunities to build security in by design.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this training is built for engineers who need to implement controls in code, not just pass audits. Compared to vendor-led training, it offers framework-specific depth without product lock-in.
Frequently asked
Is this course relevant if I'm not in a security role?
Yes. If you design, deploy, or maintain systems that must meet compliance standards, this course gives you the framework fluency to build correctly from the start.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Can I apply this to cloud environments like AWS or GCP?
Yes. Each control includes implementation patterns for major cloud providers, with code-level examples.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to fit around engineering 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