A tailored course, built for your situation
Being the Go-To Name on Linux Hardening in Your Environment
Position yourself as the internal expert others rely on for secure, stable Linux configurations
$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.
Configuration inconsistencies slowing down audits or peer requests
The situation this course is for
Even experienced teams face repeated requests for hardening examples, CIS benchmark interpretations, or secure build templates. Without a recognized internal go-to, effort is duplicated, standards drift, and influence stays siloed.
Who this is for
Senior Linux administrators in managed services who are technically strong but not yet the automatic destination for peer escalation on hardening or compliance questions
Who this is not for
Entry-level sysadmins, consultants selling hardening as a service, auditors focused on reporting
What you walk away with
- Known as the source for hardened, production-ready Linux configurations
- Peer requests routed to you for CIS benchmark implementation questions
- Reusable templates for secure boot, SSH, package management, and logging
- Specific examples on hand when asked to justify control choices
- Documented decision patterns that compound your influence across teams
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. The Hardening Mindset
Shift from reactive configuration to proactive standards setting. Define what makes a hardened system in your environment and how to distinguish it from over-secured but unusable setups.
12 chapters in this module
- What hardening really means today
- The 3 goals of secure configs
- Tradeoffs: security vs uptime
- Audit readiness as outcome
- Common missteps in hardening
- Baseline vs custom rules
- CIS Level 1 vs 2 tradeoffs
- Documentation as influence
- Toolchain expectations
- Building trust with peers
- Internal credibility levers
- How experts stay updated
Module 2. Mastering CIS Benchmark Application
Go beyond checklist compliance. Learn how to interpret and apply CIS benchmarks selectively, justify deviations, and build consistency without over-engineering.
12 chapters in this module
- CIS structure deep dive
- Relevant sections for RHEL
- Relevant sections for CentOS
- Applying Level 1 rules
- Applying Level 2 rules
- When to disable a rule
- Justifying exceptions
- Template annotation method
- Version tracking method
- Peer review workflow
- Mapping to internal policy
- Updating for new versions
Module 3. Secure Boot and Initial Setup
Ensure systems are secure from first boot. Automate partitioning, bootloader protection, and initial lockdown to prevent early-stage drift.
12 chapters in this module
- Secure boot principles
- BIOS vs UEFI settings
- GRUB2 password setup
- Disabling legacy boot
- Automated partitioning
- Filesystem hardening
- Initial user setup
- SSH disable before deploy
- Automatic firewall enable
- Boot integrity checks
- Log early failures
- Validation script template
Module 4. User and Authentication Controls
Harden access at the source. Implement strong password policies, disable insecure defaults, and enforce centralized authentication where applicable.
12 chapters in this module
- Password aging policies
- Enforcing complexity
- Disabling root SSH
- SSH key rotation
- Two-factor integration
- PAM module basics
- LDAP integration tips
- Sudoers file best practices
- Session timeout settings
- Failed login lockouts
- Audit trail for logins
- User provisioning script
Module 5. SSH Hardening Configuration
Secure remote access without sacrificing availability. Apply modern cipher suites, disable weak protocols, and monitor for anomalies.
12 chapters in this module
- Disabling SSHv1
- Using Ciphers securely
- MACs configuration
- Key exchange settings
- AllowUsers directive
- Disable empty passwords
- Max authentication tries
- Idle timeout settings
- Logging verbosity
- Port change rationale
- Fail2ban integration
- SSH config template
Module 6. Firewall and Network Lockdown
Minimize attack surface through precise rule sets. Move from default-deny to intelligent allow-lists based on workload needs.
12 chapters in this module
- iptables vs nftables
- Default deny approach
- Essential allow rules
- Loopback protection
- Outbound rule rationale
- Logging dropped packets
- Time-based rules
- Service-specific rules
- Multi-homed systems
- IPv6 considerations
- Automated rule reload
- Firewall checklist
Module 7. Logging and Monitoring Readiness
Ensure critical events are captured and retained. Configure centralized logging, retention policies, and alert triggers that meet compliance needs.
12 chapters in this module
- rsyslog basics
- Remote log destination
- Log rotation settings
- Auditd enable process
- Key audit rules
- Time sync importance
- Log integrity checks
- Retention policies
- Alert thresholds
- Log review workflow
- Parsing fail patterns
- Sample log dashboard
Module 8. Package Management Security
Lock down software sources and update behavior. Prevent unauthorized changes and ensure patches are applied consistently.
12 chapters in this module
- YUM repo verification
- GPG check enforcement
- Secure mirror selection
- Auto-update policies
- Patch windows
- Hold critical packages
- Unattended-upgrades setup
- Package audit command
- Source validation method
- Downgrade prevention
- Signed packages only
- Update log template
Module 9. Filesystem and Kernel Protections
Leverage kernel-level defenses to block exploits. Apply sysctl tuning, mount options, and execution controls that stop common attacks.
12 chapters in this module
- noexec mount option
- nosuid mount option
- nodev mount option
- Kernel randomization
- Sysctl hardening
- PAX/Grsecurity basics
- Stack protector use
- ASLR configuration
- Core dump disable
- Dmesg restriction
- Module loading control
- Kernel lockdown mode
Module 10. Cron and Automation Safeguards
Secure scheduled tasks. Control access, logging, and permissions for cron and systemd timers to prevent abuse.
12 chapters in this module
- Cron.allow usage
- Root-only cron
- Job logging method
- Environment hygiene
- Script location controls
- Permissions checks
- Systemd timer basics
- Anacron hardening
- Audit cron changes
- Locking /etc/cron*
- Detecting rogue jobs
- Scheduled job checklist
Module 11. Template Creation and Reuse
Turn one-off fixes into repeatable assets. Build hardened VM images, configuration scripts, and documentation templates others adopt.
12 chapters in this module
- Base image selection
- Automated build pipeline
- Golden image process
- Configuration drift check
- Versioning method
- Internal sharing model
- Feedback loop design
- Usage tracking
- Template deprecation
- Peer validation process
- Updating for CVEs
- Template repository setup
Module 12. Becoming the Go-To Practitioner
Position yourself as the default expert. Use documentation, peer collaboration, and quiet consistency to build recognized authority.
12 chapters in this module
- Documenting decisions clearly
- Sharing templates internally
- Responding to requests
- Teaching without lecturing
- Handling edge cases
- Building peer trust
- Speaking up in reviews
- Claiming ownership quietly
- Tracking influence growth
- Measuring adoption rate
- Recognition moments
- Long-term authority path
How this maps to your situation
- When a new server needs to be hardened before audit
- When a peer asks how to configure SSH securely
- When a CIS benchmark update drops
- When leadership asks for hardening metrics
Before vs. after
Before
Configurations vary by admin, peers recreate solutions independently, hardening knowledge stays tacit
After
Teams refer to your templates, your decisions become baseline, you’re consulted before changes go live
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 3-4 hours per module, designed to be completed in parallel with active work.
If nothing changes
Without a clear internal expert, hardening remains inconsistent, audit cycles lengthen, and influence flows to those who document and share first.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic security certifications or vendor documentation, this course delivers specific, reusable hardening patterns used in managed service environments, tied directly to peer influence and internal authority.
Frequently asked
How is this different from a CIS certification?
This isn’t about passing a test, it’s about building internal recognition. You’ll create reusable templates and decision patterns that become adopted across teams, not just meet external criteria.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this work for both RHEL and CentOS?
Yes. Modules are built around shared Linux behaviors and include specific configurations for both RHEL and CentOS environments.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed to be completed in parallel with active work..
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