A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for Senior Software Engineers
Build authority in security-first software delivery with a structured path to becoming the internal reference for secure engineering practices.
$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.
Even strong engineers get sidelined in security reviews because they lack a recognized control framework to cite.
The situation this course is for
Technical depth isn't enough, without a common language, engineers lose influence when compliance, audit, or infrastructure teams weigh in.
Who this is for
Senior software engineers in regulated environments who are expected to comply with security controls but aren't given training in the frameworks that define them.
Who this is not for
Entry-level developers, auditors, or compliance staff without hands-on coding responsibility.
What you walk away with
- Define system hardening benchmarks using CIS Controls Level 1 and Level 2 with confidence
- Lead internal discussions on secure configuration without deferring to external teams
- Produce audit-ready artefacts that align code deployment with CIS Benchmark requirements
- Anticipate control gaps during design phases, reducing rework before review cycles
- Become the default technical reference when security controls are debated across teams
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of CIS Controls
Understand the origin, structure, and real-world application of the CIS Controls framework in enterprise software environments.
12 chapters in this module
- History of the CIS framework
- Control groups and implementation tiers
- Mapping controls to software engineering roles
- CIS vs NIST vs ISO 27001
- Role of automation in control compliance
- How Hologic and similar firms apply CIS
- Control prioritization by risk tier
- Difference between Level 1 and Level 2
- CIS Benchmarks vs CIS Controls
- Integrating controls into SDLC
- Key stakeholders in control adoption
- Common misconceptions about compliance overhead
Module 2. Inventory and Device Management
Establish authoritative control over hardware and software assets in dynamic environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining managed device standards
- Tracking unauthorized software
- Automated inventory sync methods
- Device lifecycle policies
- Reporting on asset compliance
- Handling shadow IT
- Integration with endpoint tools
- Maintaining accurate CMDBs
- Software approval workflows
- Managing BYOD exceptions
- Patch compliance thresholds
- Audit evidence collection
Module 3. Secure Configuration for Systems
Implement hardened baselines for operating systems and software deployments.
12 chapters in this module
- Baseline configuration principles
- Using CIS Benchmarks for Windows
- Using CIS Benchmarks for Linux
- Customizing benchmarks safely
- Maintaining configuration drift
- Automated compliance checks
- Version control for baselines
- Testing secure builds
- Documenting deviations
- Patch management cadence
- Secure boot configuration
- Logging configuration changes
Module 4. Access Control Enforcement
Implement least privilege access across systems and services.
12 chapters in this module
- Principle of least privilege
- User role definitions
- Default deny policies
- Multi-factor authentication
- Privileged account monitoring
- Break-glass access design
- Account deactivation automation
- Service account hygiene
- Password rotation policies
- Session timeout standards
- Remote access controls
- Role-based access templates
Module 5. Malware Defense
Deploy proactive defenses against malicious software in development and production.
12 chapters in this module
- Anti-malware strategy design
- Endpoint protection platforms
- Signature vs behavior detection
- Mail gateway filtering
- Web traffic inspection
- Removable media policies
- False positive management
- Quarantine workflows
- Threat intelligence integration
- Incident response triggers
- Logging malware events
- Regular scanning schedules
Module 6. Firewall and Edge Configuration
Secure network perimeters and segment internal traffic.
12 chapters in this module
- Default deny firewall rules
- Port access reviews
- Network segmentation
- Zero-trust migration
- Cloud provider firewalls
- Change management for rules
- Logging denied traffic
- Automated rule validation
- Egress filtering
- Microsegmentation patterns
- Firewall audit preparation
- Emergency override process
Module 7. Data Protection
Ensure sensitive data is identified, classified, and protected at rest and in transit.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification schema
- Encryption standards
- Data loss prevention
- Portable media encryption
- Secure data transfer
- Key management
- Tokenization use cases
- Data retention policies
- Data destruction verification
- Logging access to PII
- Database activity monitoring
- Secure backup storage
Module 8. Account Monitoring and Control
Maintain accurate and secure user identity systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Provisioning workflows
- Deprovisioning automation
- Access recertification
- Role-based provisioning
- Service account tracking
- Orphaned account detection
- Account lockout policies
- Unique account requirements
- Multi-factor exceptions
- Centralized identity systems
- Logging account changes
- Privileged access reviews
Module 9. Logging and Monitoring
Implement centralized logging and real-time threat detection.
12 chapters in this module
- Log retention duration
- Centralized log storage
- Event correlation
- SIEM integration
- Alert threshold tuning
- Log integrity protection
- Scheduled log review
- Automated alerting
- Incident triage steps
- Root cause analysis
- Audit trail completeness
- Compliance log reports
Module 10. Boundary Defense
Establish defensive layers to detect and block threats.
12 chapters in this module
- Network segmentation
- Intrusion detection systems
- Intrusion prevention systems
- Web application firewalls
- Email filtering
- DNS filtering
- Threat hunting
- Deception technologies
- Breach detection systems
- Network traffic analysis
- Active defense techniques
- Penetration test coordination
Module 11. Incident Response
Prepare and execute effective responses to security events.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident classification
- Response team roles
- Containment strategies
- Forensic data collection
- Legal and regulatory reporting
- Notification procedures
- Recovery validation
- Post-mortem process
- Incident documentation
- Tabletop exercises
- Escalation paths
- Response playbook maintenance
Module 12. CIS Implementation Roadmap
Plan and execute a phased rollout of CIS Controls in your environment.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessment of current posture
- Prioritization by risk
- Stakeholder alignment
- Tooling selection
- Pilot deployment
- Metrics definition
- Training plan development
- Control ownership
- Automation roadmap
- Third-party validation
- Continuous improvement
- Executive reporting
How this maps to your situation
- Designing secure backend services
- Responding to audit findings
- Leading secure coding initiatives
- Aligning with internal security teams
Before vs. after
Before
You implement features that pass code review but get flagged in security assessments.
After
You design systems that meet functional needs and align with CIS Controls from the start, reducing rework and earning trust across teams.
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 for completion in 6 weeks with part-time study.
If nothing changes
Without structured control fluency, even high-performing engineers remain dependent on compliance teams to validate their work, limiting influence and career mobility.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic security courses, this program is tailored to the daily decisions of senior software engineers, connecting CIS Controls directly to code, configuration, and deployment workflows.
Frequently asked
Is this course relevant for someone working in a medical device software environment?
Yes. The principles align with regulated system requirements, and modules include examples from life sciences and device manufacturing contexts.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does the course cover cloud environments like AWS or Azure?
Yes. Specific chapters address implementation of CIS Controls in major cloud platforms, including configuration templates and monitoring strategies.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed for completion in 6 weeks with part-time study..
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