A tailored course, built for your situation
Deeper command of the CIS Controls framework
Master the structure, sequence, and implementation logic behind effective cyber defense
$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.
Stalled deals due to security misalignment
The situation this course is for
Technical buyers can't translate sales claims into control outcomes, so procurement slows or blocks deployment.
Who this is for
Enterprise sales leaders engaging technical security stakeholders in complex B2B sales cycles
Who this is not for
Individual contributors focused only on internal compliance, or engineers implementing controls in isolation
What you walk away with
- Complete fluency in the CIS Controls structure, control families, and implementation levels
- Ability to map enterprise solutions to specific CIS Controls with confidence
- Faster alignment with CISO teams and security architects during procurement reviews
- Sharper positioning language that anticipates security team objections
- Increased win rate on deals where cybersecurity justification is required
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Introduction to CIS Controls framework
Understand the origin, purpose, and evolution of the CIS Controls as a prioritized baseline for cyber defense. Learn how it differs from ISO 27001 and NIST CSF in focus and implementation approach.
12 chapters in this module
- What the CIS Controls are
- Why they were created
- How they prioritize action
- The role of consensus communities
- Version differences overview
- How organizations adopt them
- Mapping to business risk
- Integration with other standards
- The 18 control categories
- Implementation levels defined
- Foundational vs organisational controls
- How maturity is measured
Module 2. Structure of Control Families
Break down the three groups of CIS Controls: Basic, Foundational, and Organizational. Gain clarity on sequencing and dependencies between controls.
12 chapters in this module
- Group 1 scope and intent
- Group 2 scope and intent
- Group 3 scope and intent
- Control dependencies explained
- Sequencing logic across groups
- How to read control language
- Sub-control granularity
- The role of Safeguards
- Mapping to MITRE ATT&CK
- Control ownership models
- Resource implications per group
- Implementation pacing strategies
Module 3. Implementation Level 1 mastery
Master the first implementation level, essential for all organizations. Covers inventory, secure configurations, and continuous vulnerability management.
12 chapters in this module
- Inventory of authorized devices
- Inventory of unauthorized devices
- Secure configuration for hardware
- Secure configuration for software
- Vulnerability assessment process
- Controlled use of administrative privileges
- Audit log management
- Email and web browser protections
- Malware defense mechanisms
- Data recovery capabilities
- Network configuration standards
- Firewall and router hardening
Module 4. Implementation Level 2 expansion
Advance to organizational-level controls, including policy enforcement, audit workflows, and centralized monitoring.
12 chapters in this module
- Boundary defense strategies
- Segmented network architecture
- Continual vulnerability scanning
- Account monitoring and control
- Email protection baseline
- Web application security
- Wireless access controls
- Change control processes
- Penetration testing cycles
- Security skills assessment
- Application software protection
- Incident response planning
Module 5. Implementation Level 3 specialization
Tackle advanced cyber resilience requirements, including red teaming, advanced threat detection, and supply chain risk.
12 chapters in this module
- Advanced phishing defense
- Multi-factor authentication
- Public-facing device hardening
- Secure engineering lifecycle
- Threat intelligence integration
- Email authentication standards
- Web session security
- Cloud service configuration
- Application sandboxing
- Vendor risk controls
- Data leakage prevention
- Cyber deception techniques
Module 6. Mapping solutions to controls
Learn how to align product capabilities with specific CIS Controls, enabling stronger positioning in procurement reviews.
12 chapters in this module
- How to read control requirements
- Identifying solution overlaps
- Gap analysis methodology
- Positioning language templates
- Procurement objection handling
- Cross-walking to NIST CSF
- Cross-walking to ISO 27001
- Using the CIS Controls matrix
- Scoring implementation depth
- Certification readiness paths
- Audit preparation mapping
- Sales playbook integration
Module 7. Stakeholder communication strategy
Develop messaging that resonates with CISOs, security architects, and compliance teams using the shared language of CIS Controls.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding security buyer priorities
- Speaking the language of controls
- Framing value in risk reduction
- Avoiding technical misrepresentation
- Tailoring presentations to teams
- Aligning with internal audits
- Preparing for vendor questionnaires
- Responding to SOC 2 requests
- Positioning during M&A due diligence
- Leveraging control maturity
- Documenting compliance claims
- Sales and security collaboration
Module 8. Control prioritization logic
Understand the research and real-world breach data behind the control sequence, enabling credibility in technical discussions.
12 chapters in this module
- Why CIS prioritizes certain controls
- Breach origin analysis
- Common attack vectors blocked
- Cost-benefit of early actions
- ROI of Level 1 implementation
- Threat modeling alignment
- Industry-specific applicability
- Regulatory alignment paths
- Cloud vs on-prem emphasis
- Compliance overlap efficiency
- Risk-based control sequencing
- Benchmarking adoption rates
Module 9. Vendor assessment using CIS
Use the framework to evaluate third-party offerings and strengthen competitive positioning.
12 chapters in this module
- Building a vendor scorecard
- Mapping product documentation
- Identifying control gaps
- Asking the right questions
- Benchmarking against peers
- Validating security claims
- Using control maturity in RFPs
- Positioning completeness
- Enabling procurement teams
- Negotiating based on gaps
- Driving remediation timelines
- Scoring third-party responses
Module 10. Sales integration playbook
Integrate CIS Controls fluency into discovery calls, demos, and procurement cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- Discovery questions for security
- Uncovering control maturity
- Mapping pain to controls
- Positioning during demo
- Handling procurement pushback
- Anticipating audit concerns
- Preparing handoff to services
- Creating defense-ready proposals
- Including implementation timelines
- Building trusted advisor status
- Tracking control coverage
- Sales engineering collaboration
Module 11. Cross-functional alignment
Bridge gaps between sales, security, and compliance teams using a common control framework.
12 chapters in this module
- Building internal alliances
- Security team engagement
- Compliance department needs
- IT operations collaboration
- Legal and risk coordination
- Creating shared artifacts
- Joint readiness assessments
- Standardizing terminology
- Reducing sales friction
- Accelerating approvals
- Feedback loop design
- Control-based objection handling
Module 12. Mastery application and review
Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios, validate understanding, and build a personal implementation plan.
12 chapters in this module
- Case study: onboarding a new platform
- Case study: cloud migration
- Case study: post-breach recovery
- Case study: M&A integration
- Self-assessment quiz
- Control mapping exercise
- Sales objection simulation
- Procurement response drafting
- Framework comparison grid
- Personal fluency plan
- Ongoing learning path
- Certification next steps
How this maps to your situation
- Engaging security stakeholders in procurement
- Overcoming technical objections in enterprise sales
- Positioning solutions against compliance frameworks
- Accelerating approval cycles with precise control alignment
Before vs. after
Before
General understanding of cybersecurity frameworks without precise command of how controls map to real-world implementation.
After
Complete fluency in the CIS Controls structure, sequence, and implementation logic, enabling confident engagement with security teams and faster deal velocity.
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 4-6 hours per module, with self-paced access to all materials.
If nothing changes
Deals continue to face delays or objections from security and compliance teams due to imprecise positioning and lack of control-specific justification.
How this compares to the alternatives
Public CIS Controls training focuses on implementation for IT teams. This course is tailored for enterprise sales professionals who need to speak the language of controls fluently without becoming engineers.
Frequently asked
Is this course for technical implementers?
No, it's designed for sales and business leaders who engage technical stakeholders. The focus is on fluency, not configuration.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I be able to map our solutions to the framework?
Yes, Module 6 provides a step-by-step methodology for aligning product capabilities to specific controls.
$199 one-time. Approximately 4-6 hours per module, with self-paced 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