A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for Cyber Security Architects at Defense Contractors
Build unshakable command of the framework driving modern security architecture in high-assurance 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 security architect at a defense contractor with cloud compliance responsibilities, holding CCSP or similar credential, actively implementing security controls but not yet fully fluent in the underlying framework structure.
Who this is not for
Entry-level analysts, auditors focused on checklists, or professionals outside government contracting or cloud security.
What you walk away with
- Recite all 18 CIS Control families from memory with confidence in their scope
- Map CIS Controls to NIST 800-53 and ISO 27001 without cross-reference
- Explain implementation logic for each safeguard in operational terms
- Lead internal training sessions on control applicability by domain
- Anticipate auditor questions and respond with precise control citations
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. The Foundation of CIS Controls
Establish the core principles, history, and governance of the CIS framework. Understand its role in federal contracting and how it complements other standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Origins of the CIS Controls
- Version evolution and current release
- Relationship to Center for Internet Security
- How CIS differs from NIST CSF
- Alignment with federal directives
- Role in contractor certification
- Control taxonomy overview
- Implementation tiers explained
- Mapping to cloud environments
- Integration with zero trust
- Adoption trends in DoD supply chain
- Common misconceptions clarified
Module 2. Inventory and Control Management
Master the first CIS Control: hardware and software asset discovery, classification, and lifecycle management.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining asset criticality tiers
- Automated discovery techniques
- Cloud instance tagging standards
- CMDB integration patterns
- Orphaned resource detection
- Decommissioning workflows
- License compliance linkage
- Virtualization sprawl control
- Container inventory methods
- Serverless function tracking
- API endpoint census
- Asset ownership models
Module 3. Secure Configuration for Systems and Software
Implement CIS Control 2 with precision across OS, cloud, and application layers.
12 chapters in this module
- Hardening baseline definition
- CIS Benchmarks usage
- Golden image maintenance
- Patch cadence standards
- Unnecessary service removal
- Default credential changes
- Secure boot enforcement
- UEFI configuration locks
- Group policy baseline
- Cloud security groups by default
- Server configuration automation
- Compliance drift detection
Module 4. Continuous Vulnerability Management
Execute CIS Control 3 with speed and accuracy across hybrid environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Scanner selection criteria
- Scan frequency benchmarks
- Authenticated vs unauthenticated
- Cloud-native scanning tools
- Prioritization by exploit availability
- CVSS scoring interpretation
- Remediation SLA definition
- False positive reduction
- Patch validation workflows
- Zero-day response integration
- Vulnerability dashboard design
- Reporting to leadership
Module 5. Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
Apply CIS Control 4 to limit privilege escalation and enforce least access.
12 chapters in this module
- Privileged account inventory
- Just-in-time access models
- Credential vaulting setup
- Session monitoring standards
- Break-glass procedure design
- Multi-person approval workflows
- Privilege auditing frequency
- Emergency override logging
- Cloud console access controls
- Root account safeguards
- Admin session timeouts
- Privilege attestation cycles
Module 6. Secure Authentication and Identity Management
Implement strong identity controls in alignment with CIS Control 5 and cloud best practices.
12 chapters in this module
- MFA enforcement policies
- Password policy benchmarks
- SSO integration patterns
- Identity provider hardening
- FIDO2 key adoption
- Biometric authentication risks
- Service account management
- Directory sync security
- Role-based access reviews
- Identity lifecycle automation
- Cloud IAM best practices
- Identity anomaly detection
Module 7. Email and Web Browser Protections
Apply CIS Control 6 to reduce attack surface in user-facing applications.
12 chapters in this module
- Email filtering configuration
- URL rewriting standards
- Phishing simulation baselines
- Browser security settings
- Pop-up blocker policies
- Extension control
- Safe browsing enforcement
- Email header inspection
- DMARC setup for outbound
- Sandboxed link preview
- Browser-based exploit mitigation
- User reporting mechanisms
Module 8. Malware Defense
Deploy CIS Control 7 with layered detection and response capabilities.
12 chapters in this module
- EDR solution evaluation
- Signature update frequency
- Behavioral analysis tuning
- Ransomware rollback plans
- Cloud workload protection
- File integrity monitoring
- Registry change alerts
- Memory scraping detection
- Quarantine workflow design
- Malware detonation analysis
- Threat intelligence integration
- Automated response playbooks
Module 9. Data Protection and Encryption
Enforce CIS Control 10 with comprehensive data classification and protection schemes.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification schema design
- DLP policy baselines
- Encryption key lifecycle
- At-rest encryption standards
- In-transit TLS enforcement
- Cloud storage encryption
- Database encryption methods
- Tokenization use cases
- Data masking implementation
- Data retention automation
- Cross-border data flow controls
- Encryption audit logging
Module 10. Network Security Monitoring
Implement CIS Control 12 with modern detection and segmentation patterns.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule review cycles
- Network segmentation standards
- East-west traffic controls
- Micro-segmentation design
- Cloud VPC architecture
- DNS traffic monitoring
- NetFlow analysis setup
- Anomaly detection thresholds
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Zero trust network access
- Remote access security
- Network logging standards
Module 11. Incident Response Planning
Build readiness per CIS Control 18 with actionable plans and team coordination.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident classification tiers
- Response team roles
- Communication tree design
- Forensic readiness
- Containment procedures
- Eradication checklists
- Recovery validation
- Post-mortem facilitation
- Tabletop exercise design
- Regulatory reporting triggers
- Legal counsel coordination
- Public disclosure protocols
Module 12. Framework Mastery and Leadership
Synthesize all controls into a unified mental model and lead organizational adoption.
12 chapters in this module
- Control dependency mapping
- Framework recall drills
- Training delivery methods
- Executive briefing design
- Audit preparation templates
- Control gap assessment
- Maturity scoring models
- Vendor control validation
- Cross-functional alignment
- Continuous improvement cycle
- Certification readiness
- Personal mastery benchmark
How this maps to your situation
- Designing new cloud architecture
- Preparing for external audit
- Leading internal security initiative
- Mentoring junior team members
Before vs. after
Before
Relies on external references for control details, response to auditors requires preparation, team looks to others for framework clarity.
After
Instantly recalls control structure and mappings, leads training without prep, becomes the internal reference for CIS Controls.
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, with self-paced completion over 6-8 weeks recommended for mastery.
If nothing changes
Remaining at partial fluency means continued dependency on reference materials during audits, slower incident response due to control uncertainty, and missed opportunities to lead internal upskilling or assume higher-responsibility roles.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this program focuses exclusively on deep internalization of the CIS Controls framework with application to defense contractor environments. Compared to certification prep, it emphasizes operational fluency over test-taking.
Frequently asked
Is this course aligned with any certification?
While not a certification prep course, the content supports CCSP, CISSP, and CISM domains related to security operations and controls.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Can I access the materials after completion?
Yes, lifetime access is included with purchase.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, with self-paced completion over 6-8 weeks recommended for mastery..
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