A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for Senior Software Developers
Build resilient systems with verified security controls that scale across complex 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.
Security control implementation remains inconsistent across teams, leading to rework and audit findings
The situation this course is for
Even with clear CIS benchmarks available, engineering teams often interpret controls differently, resulting in configuration drift, failed compliance checks, and repeated remediation cycles. The gap isn't policy, it's execution clarity.
Who this is for
Senior Software Developer working in regulated or security-conscious environments, responsible for implementing secure configurations and compliant system designs
Who this is not for
This is not for junior developers learning syntax, or for security analysts writing policies without coding responsibilities.
What you walk away with
- Translate CIS Controls into developer-ready implementation guides
- Produce system configurations that pass internal and external reviews
- Reduce rework caused by misaligned control interpretation
- Serve as a trusted technical anchor for compliance-driven development cycles
- Confidently contribute to security reviews and architecture alignment sessions
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Introduction to CIS Controls and Their Role in Secure Development
Understand how the CIS Controls framework aligns with software engineering responsibilities, emphasizing real-world application over theoretical compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Overview of the CIS Controls framework and structure
- How CIS Controls differ from general security guidelines
- Mapping controls to software development lifecycle stages
- Understanding control implementation levels (L1 vs L2)
- Why secure configuration matters at the code level
- The role of developers in achieving CIS compliance
- Common misconceptions about CIS and engineering teams
- Integrating controls into CI/CD pipelines early
- Balancing agility and security in control implementation
- How CIS aligns with NIST CSF and ISO 27001
- Examples of developer-led CIS implementation success
- Setting up your personal learning environment
Module 2. CIS Control 1: Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets
Learn how to support accurate hardware asset tracking through code-enabled discovery and integration with infrastructure tools.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding the scope of hardware asset control
- How developers influence asset visibility through tagging
- Automating hardware identification in cloud environments
- Tagging strategies for virtual machines and containers
- Integration with CMDB via API-driven workflows
- Ensuring consistent metadata across provisioning scripts
- Validating asset completeness in serverless contexts
- Handling edge cases in dynamic scaling environments
- Developing guardrails against unapproved instance types
- Working with security teams on inventory thresholds
- Using Terraform to enforce approved hardware profiles
- Testing compliance of hardware inventory automation
Module 3. CIS Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software Assets
Implement reliable software inventory through code-level practices and automated dependency tracking.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining software inventory in modern development stacks
- Automating software manifest generation in pipelines
- Using SBOMs to track software components systematically
- Integrating CycloneDX and SPDX into build processes
- Detecting unauthorized software through runtime checks
- Blocking non-compliant packages at ingestion points
- Maintaining accurate records for open-source components
- Version tracking across microservices environments
- Enforcing software approval workflows programmatically
- Auditing software changes across deployment stages
- Handling license compliance in software inventories
- Validating software inventory completeness reports
Module 4. CIS Control 3: Data Protection
Apply data protection controls directly in code to ensure classification, encryption, and access integrity.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping data types to protection requirements
- Implementing data classification in application layers
- Automated tagging of sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Using code to enforce encryption standards uniformly
- Integrating key management systems with applications
- Validating encryption implementation across environments
- Preventing accidental exposure in logs and errors
- Securing backups through developer-controlled workflows
- Enforcing retention policies via configuration code
- Implementing data loss prevention at API gateways
- Testing data protection controls in staging environments
- Documenting data handling for compliance reviews
Module 5. CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Devices
Build secure configuration baselines for servers and workstations using infrastructure-as-code.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding CIS Benchmarks for device hardening
- Translating hardening guidelines into automation scripts
- Creating secure OS images for rapid deployment
- Using Ansible playbooks to enforce secure settings
- Validating configuration drift across environments
- Automatically remediating insecure settings
- Integrating configuration checks into CI/CD pipelines
- Handling exceptions and justified deviations
- Testing secure configurations under load
- Maintaining compatibility with business applications
- Documenting configuration decisions for auditors
- Scaling secure baselines across global deployments
Module 6. CIS Control 5: Account Management
Implement robust account lifecycle controls in identity-aware applications and services.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding privileged and non-privileged accounts
- Automating user provisioning and deactivation
- Enforcing least privilege in application roles
- Implementing role-based access control in code
- Integrating with central identity providers
- Validating access removal upon role change
- Detecting dormant accounts in service accounts
- Auditing account usage patterns programmatically
- Preventing hardcoded credentials in repositories
- Using short-lived tokens for system access
- Implementing just-in-time access models
- Testing account controls in integration environments
Module 7. CIS Control 6: Access Control Management
Design and implement access control logic that aligns with organizational policies and audit expectations.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping organizational policies to technical controls
- Implementing attribute-based access control
- Enforcing separation of duties in workflows
- Integrating access reviews into development sprints
- Automating access recertification triggers
- Using policy engines like Open Policy Agent
- Validating access changes before deployment
- Logging access decisions for audit trails
- Handling emergency access securely in code
- Preventing privilege escalation paths
- Testing access control logic under edge cases
- Documenting access rules for compliance reviewers
Module 8. CIS Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management
Integrate vulnerability scanning and remediation workflows directly into development pipelines.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding the vulnerability lifecycle
- Integrating SCA tools into build pipelines
- Prioritizing vulnerabilities by exploitability and context
- Automating patch deployment for common libraries
- Handling false positives in vulnerability reports
- Setting risk-based thresholds for code acceptance
- Integrating threat intelligence into triage
- Using CVSS scores effectively in decision-making
- Tracking remediation timelines in issue systems
- Generating compliance reports from scan data
- Validating fixes in pre-production environments
- Coordinating disclosure processes for found flaws
Module 9. CIS Control 8: Audit Log Management
Ensure comprehensive, immutable logging is implemented and accessible across distributed systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying critical events for logging
- Designing structured log formats for analysis
- Ensuring log integrity and preventing tampering
- Centralizing logs with secure transport methods
- Setting retention policies in code and config
- Protecting log access with granular permissions
- Validating log completeness during incidents
- Integrating logs with SIEM and SOAR platforms
- Testing log correlation across systems
- Handling privacy requirements in log content
- Automating log review workflows
- Demonstrating compliance during audits
Module 10. CIS Control 9: Email and Web Browser Protections
Apply secure configuration principles to client-facing applications and browsing environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding risks in email and browser stacks
- Enforcing secure browser configurations via policy
- Blocking malicious extensions through management tools
- Hardening default settings for enterprise browsers
- Implementing safe browsing practices in web apps
- Filtering malicious content in email attachments
- Using DKIM, SPF, and DMARC effectively
- Detecting phishing attempts in user workflows
- Educating users through embedded guidance
- Testing browser security configurations
- Monitoring for policy violations in real time
- Updating protections in response to new threats
Module 11. CIS Control 10: Malware Defenses
Integrate endpoint protection and runtime security into development practices.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding modern malware delivery mechanisms
- Integrating EDR solutions into system builds
- Enabling runtime application self-protection
- Blocking unauthorized code execution paths
- Using application whitelisting in production
- Detecting suspicious behavior in containers
- Implementing file integrity monitoring
- Responding to malware alerts with playbooks
- Testing anti-malware controls in staging
- Ensuring signature updates are automated
- Validating detection coverage across platforms
- Coordinating with IR teams on outbreaks
Module 12. Implementing and Sustaining CIS Control Adoption
Lead long-term control integration within development teams and build institutional knowledge.
12 chapters in this module
- Creating developer-friendly control documentation
- Training teams on secure implementation patterns
- Building internal support communities
- Measuring control adoption across projects
- Auditing compliance without slowing delivery
- Incorporating feedback into control updates
- Scaling practices across global engineering teams
- Maintaining alignment with evolving benchmarks
- Using dashboards to track implementation gaps
- Preparing for third-party validation
- Documenting success for leadership reviews
- Planning next-phase improvements
How this maps to your situation
- Developer receives handoff of security mandates from architecture teams
- Team implements new baseline configurations in production pipeline
- Audit findings require code-level changes to meet CIS benchmarks
- Regulator-facing review includes developer-level control implementation
Before vs. after
Before
Receiving security directives without clear implementation paths, leading to rework and misalignment
After
Confidently executing on CIS-based requirements with audit-ready code and standardized patterns
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 6-8 hours per module, designed for integration into working development schedules.
If nothing changes
Continuing without structured implementation methods increases the likelihood of repeated audit findings, misaligned security controls, and escalations from peer teams due to configuration drift.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic security awareness training, this course provides developer-specific implementation patterns for CIS Controls, with real-world code examples, audit alignment strategies, and integration into CI/CD workflows.
Frequently asked
Is this course only for security specialists?
No , it's designed specifically for senior software developers who need to implement security controls correctly and efficiently without deep security backgrounds.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I receive templates I can use immediately?
Yes , every module includes downloadable, reusable templates and worked examples tailored to developer implementation of CIS Controls.
$199 one-time. Approximately 6-8 hours per module, designed for integration into working development schedules..
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