A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for DevOps Leaders in High-Compliance Environments
Build auditable, repeatable security workflows that align engineering velocity with enterprise-grade control requirements
$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.
Most security controls slow engineering teams down, but misaligned controls create rework, audit friction, and deferred releases
The situation this course is for
In high-compliance environments, DevOps leads often inherit rigid security mandates that weren’t built for CI/CD. This forces trade-offs between velocity and compliance, leading to late-cycle fixes, documentation churn, and last-minute scope changes during audit prep. The result is a reactive posture, even when the team ships securely by design.
Who this is for
DevOps Managers in regulated enterprises who own CI/CD pipeline integrity and must demonstrate control alignment without sacrificing deployment frequency
Who this is not for
This is not for junior engineers learning CI/CD basics, auditors focused solely on reporting, or leaders without hands-on responsibility for pipeline controls
What you walk away with
- Produce evidence-ready outputs for CIS Control 1-6 that pass review without revision
- Embed compliance checks directly into deployment pipelines using automated baselines
- Reduce audit-cycle workload by 40% through forward-prepared documentation
- Lead cross-functional alignment sessions between security, engineering, and compliance with authority
- Be the first called when new control requirements land , not the last to hear
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding CIS Controls in the Context of DevOps
Establish a working foundation of the CIS Critical Security Controls as they apply specifically to CI/CD environments, distinguishing between enterprise IT and engineering-owned systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining the scope of CIS Controls for cloud-native infrastructure
- Differentiating between system ownership and control responsibility
- Mapping CIS v8 to common DevOps toolchains and workflows
- How control expectations shift across hybrid and public cloud
- Identifying which controls are automated, monitored, or manual
- The role of configuration management in control evidence
- Common misconceptions about control 1: Inventory and Control of IT Assets
- Why device ownership matters more than software in audit contexts
- Establishing baseline definitions for 'known' and 'authorized' systems
- Tracking virtual, containerized, and serverless assets effectively
- Integrating asset inventory with existing CMDB or service registry
- Documenting exceptions with supporting technical justification
Module 2. Automating Secure Configuration Management
Leverage tools and templates to automate golden image creation and configuration drift detection across environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining secure baseline configurations for Linux and Windows hosts
- Using infrastructure-as-code to enforce configuration standards
- Integrating CIS benchmarks into Terraform and Ansible workflows
- Detecting and remediating configuration drift in real time
- Generating audit-ready configuration compliance reports
- Version-controlling baseline definitions across teams
- Handling exceptions for development and testing environments
- Aligning configuration policies with patch management cycles
- Documenting configuration decisions for auditor review
- Integrating configuration checks into CI pipelines
- Automating drift response with remediation playbooks
- Measuring configuration compliance over time
Module 3. Implementing Continuous Vulnerability Management
Establish a proactive process for identifying, prioritizing, and remediating vulnerabilities in development, test, and production systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Scheduling regular vulnerability scans across environments
- Integrating vulnerability scanners into CI/CD pipelines
- Setting thresholds for acceptable risk levels
- Prioritizing remediation based on exploit availability
- Automating patch deployment for critical vulnerabilities
- Tracking remediation efforts to closure
- Generating evidence of vulnerability management for auditors
- Integrating scanner results with ticketing systems
- Handling false positives and exceptions
- Measuring mean time to remediate (MTTR) across teams
- Using risk scoring to guide remediation decisions
- Documenting rationale for delayed patching
Module 4. Controlling Administrative Privileges
Design and enforce least privilege access models for system administration and deployment operations.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining standard administrative roles for engineering teams
- Implementing just-in-time privilege elevation
- Using PAM tools to control access to critical systems
- Auditing privileged account usage regularly
- Detecting unauthorized privilege escalation attempts
- Documenting approved exceptions to least privilege
- Integrating privilege reviews with IAM processes
- Automating credential rotation for administrative accounts
- Monitoring for persistent privileged accounts
- Establishing break-glass access procedures
- Integrating session recording with audit workflows
- Measuring privileged account coverage across systems
Module 5. Building Secure CI/CD Pipeline Controls
Integrate security checks into every stage of the software delivery lifecycle to ensure secure code deployment.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping CIS Controls to CI/CD pipeline stages
- Enforcing code signing and integrity checks
- Integrating SCA and SAST tools into build processes
- Validating container images against security benchmarks
- Enforcing deployment approvals for production
- Automating rollback procedures for failed deployments
- Logging all pipeline activities for audit review
- Controlling access to pipeline configuration
- Enforcing separation of duties in deployment roles
- Validating pipeline inputs against trusted sources
- Measuring pipeline security compliance over time
- Documenting pipeline control design for auditors
Module 6. Monitoring and Logging for Compliance
Implement comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect security events and demonstrate control effectiveness.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining required log sources for CIS Controls
- Centralizing logs in a secure, tamper-resistant system
- Setting retention policies aligned with compliance needs
- Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts
- Detecting configuration changes in real time
- Creating alerts for suspicious activity patterns
- Generating audit-ready log reports
- Integrating logs with SIEM or security analytics
- Validating log integrity and completeness
- Documenting logging architecture for reviewers
- Measuring log coverage across critical systems
- Responding to log-related findings from audits
Module 7. Implementing Network Defense Controls
Apply CIS Controls to network infrastructure to protect systems and data in transit.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining network segmentation strategies
- Implementing firewall rule baselines
- Controlling cloud network configurations
- Monitoring for unauthorized network changes
- Enforcing encrypted communications
- Blocking known malicious domains
- Documenting network architecture for review
- Integrating network controls with DevOps workflows
- Validating segmentation through testing
- Measuring network control compliance
- Responding to network-related audit findings
- Updating network defenses based on threat intel
Module 8. Securing Endpoints and Mobile Devices
Ensure endpoint protection aligns with CIS Controls while supporting engineering workflows.
12 chapters in this module
- Enforcing disk encryption on all devices
- Installing and updating endpoint protection software
- Managing mobile device compliance
- Controlling removable media usage
- Detecting and responding to endpoint threats
- Enforcing secure browser configurations
- Integrating endpoint data with central logs
- Validating endpoint security during audits
- Handling exceptions for specialized hardware
- Documenting endpoint security policies
- Measuring endpoint compliance coverage
- Updating endpoint controls based on findings
Module 9. Implementing Email and Web Security Controls
Apply security controls to email and web browsing to prevent phishing and malware delivery.
12 chapters in this module
- Configuring secure email gateways
- Implementing DMARC, DKIM, and SPF
- Filtering malicious URLs and attachments
- Educating users on phishing threats
- Monitoring for email compromise attempts
- Securing web browser configurations
- Blocking access to malicious sites
- Integrating web security with DLP
- Generating evidence for email controls
- Measuring email security effectiveness
- Responding to email-related audit findings
- Updating email defenses based on threats
Module 10. Integrating Third-Party Risk Management
Extend CIS Controls to vendor and partner ecosystems.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing CIS Control coverage in vendor contracts
- Validating third-party compliance evidence
- Monitoring vendor security posture
- Integrating vendor data into risk assessments
- Handling shared responsibility models
- Documenting third-party risk decisions
- Requiring CIS benchmarks from suppliers
- Auditing vendor environments remotely
- Measuring third-party compliance coverage
- Responding to third-party incidents
- Updating vendor requirements based on findings
- Building exit strategies for non-compliant partners
Module 11. Preparing for Audit and Review
Streamline audit preparation with consistent, verifiable documentation.
12 chapters in this module
- Organizing control evidence by CIS Control
- Creating standardized evidence templates
- Validating evidence completeness
- Conducting internal pre-audit reviews
- Responding to auditor questions
- Documenting control implementation details
- Generating executive summaries
- Integrating audit prep into team workflows
- Measuring audit readiness over time
- Reducing audit follow-up requests
- Using audit findings to improve controls
- Building reusable audit packages
Module 12. Leading Cross-Functional Security Alignment
Position yourself as the go-to practitioner for secure DevOps implementation.
12 chapters in this module
- Communicating control requirements to engineers
- Building trust with security and compliance teams
- Leading cross-functional control design sessions
- Translating audit findings into action plans
- Advocating for engineering-friendly controls
- Sharing best practices across teams
- Mentoring junior staff on security practices
- Presenting control status to leadership
- Measuring team-wide control adoption
- Influencing control policy changes
- Building recognition as a security leader
- Sustaining momentum after audit cycles
How this maps to your situation
- After onboarding new team members
- Before audit season begins
- When responding to control failures
- During cloud migration initiatives
Before vs. after
Before
Spending weeks preparing for audits, chasing evidence, and explaining control gaps to teams unfamiliar with DevOps realities
After
Walking into audit season with pre-documented, pipeline-integrated controls that just work , and being known as the person who makes it happen
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 be completed alongside regular work over 4-6 weeks.
If nothing changes
Continuing with ad hoc control implementation risks repeated audit findings, increased rework, and missed opportunities to lead cross-functional security initiatives.
How this compares to the alternatives
Generic cybersecurity courses cover CIS Controls at a theoretical level. This course is engineered specifically for DevOps leaders who must implement them in complex, high-velocity environments , with real artifacts, real decisions, and real documentation standards.
Frequently asked
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this relevant if my team uses different security tools?
Yes. The course focuses on control outcomes, not specific tools , so concepts apply whether you use open source, IBM or third-party solutions.
Will this help me reduce audit friction?
Yes. Every module includes documentation practices that produce evidence auditors accept the first time.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside regular work over 4-6 weeks..
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