A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering CIS Controls for VMS Technical Managers
Achieve stronger control postures and more strategic security engagements through structured implementation.
$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 technical managers in industrial or operations technology environments responsible for cybersecurity posture, compliance alignment, and system hardening.
Who this is not for
Entry-level technicians, non-technical auditors, or professionals outside operations-focused cybersecurity roles.
What you walk away with
- Map CIS Controls directly to VMS-relevant infrastructure components
- Lead audit-ready control validations without escalation loops
- Position yourself for higher-margin security projects
- Accelerate control implementation using pre-built configuration templates
- Earn recognition as the internal authority on baseline security hardening
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Introduction to CIS Controls in Industrial Environments
Understand the evolution and relevance of CIS Controls in OT and hybrid IT/OT systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Origins of the CIS framework
- Role in modern compliance
- OT-specific control priorities
- Mapping to NIST CSF
- Control baselines explained
- Implementation maturity tiers
- Benchmarking against peers
- Vendor alignment expectations
- Audit readiness path
- Integration with asset inventory
- Change management linkage
- Common myths debunked
Module 2. Control Inventory and Asset Management
Establish rigorous control over hardware and software assets using CIS standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Asset discovery techniques
- Hardware classification system
- Software inventory protocols
- License tracking integration
- Decommissioning workflows
- Automated reconciliation
- Risk tagging methodology
- Ownership assignment models
- Patch cycle linkage
- CMDB alignment
- Third-party asset handling
- Reporting cadence setup
Module 3. Secure Configuration for Windows and Linux Systems
Implement baseline configurations that meet CIS benchmarks for critical OS platforms.
12 chapters in this module
- Windows 10 baseline settings
- Windows Server hardening
- Linux distribution alignment
- SSH configuration standards
- User access defaults
- Service disablement rules
- Firewall rule templates
- Logging thresholds
- Registry key enforcement
- GPO integration path
- Automated verification scripts
- Remediation playbooks
Module 4. Continuous Vulnerability Management
Deploy a repeatable process for identifying, prioritizing, and resolving system vulnerabilities.
12 chapters in this module
- Scanning frequency standards
- Criticality scoring model
- False positive reduction
- Patch validation method
- Emergency rollback protocol
- Third-party software handling
- Zero-day response plan
- CVSS integration
- Remediation SLAs
- Toolchain compatibility
- Reporting to leadership
- Vendor coordination
Module 5. Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
Enforce least privilege and reduce risk from privileged accounts.
12 chapters in this module
- Privilege tiering model
- Just-in-time access setup
- Session monitoring rules
- Break-glass account policy
- Password vault integration
- Multi-factor enforcement
- Time-bound approvals
- Session recording
- Privilege audit trail
- Emergency override
- Role-based grouping
- Automated deprovisioning
Module 6. Secure Configuration for Network Devices
Apply CIS benchmarks to firewalls, switches, and routers in technical environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule standardization
- Router configuration baseline
- Switch port security
- Firmware update cycle
- Remote access policy
- SSH vs Telnet enforcement
- ACL management
- Logging settings
- Network segmentation
- Change control process
- Backup frequency
- Disaster recovery linkage
Module 7. Boundary Defense and Network Monitoring
Strengthen perimeter security and detect anomalies at network edges.
12 chapters in this module
- Intrusion detection baseline
- IPS rule tuning
- NetFlow collection
- SIEM integration
- Threat intelligence feeds
- Egress filtering
- DMZ architecture
- Zero trust principles
- Log retention policy
- Anomaly detection thresholds
- Incident escalation
- Vendor firewall tuning
Module 8. Data Protection and Encryption Standards
Ensure sensitive data remains protected at rest and in transit.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification schema
- Encryption at rest
- TLS version enforcement
- Key management
- Certificate lifecycle
- Full disk encryption
- Database encryption
- Cloud storage protection
- Endpoint encryption
- Password policy linkage
- Audit of access
- Data loss prevention
Module 9. Incident Response Planning and Execution
Build and maintain a repeatable incident response capability aligned with CIS recommendations.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident classification
- Response team roles
- Playbook development
- Escalation paths
- Forensics readiness
- Containment steps
- Communication plan
- Regulatory reporting
- Post-mortem process
- Tabletop exercises
- Tool integration
- Vendor coordination
Module 10. Penetration Testing and Red Teaming
Integrate offensive testing into the control validation lifecycle.
12 chapters in this module
- Test frequency standards
- Scope definition
- Internal vs external
- Rules of engagement
- Vulnerability exploitation
- Reporting format
- Defensive tuning
- Third-party vendor selection
- Follow-up validation
- Executive summary
- Legal and compliance alignment
- Continuous improvement
Module 11. Change and Configuration Management
Ensure system changes are tracked, reviewed, and approved.
12 chapters in this module
- Change request workflow
- Approval authority
- Rollback planning
- Automated tracking
- Version control
- Emergency change process
- Vendor update management
- Integration with CMDB
- Post-change validation
- Audit trail standards
- Tool selection
- Stakeholder communication
Module 12. CIS Controls Integration and Sustainment
Operationalize CIS Controls into ongoing technical management practices.
12 chapters in this module
- Ownership assignment
- Review cadence
- Automation roadmap
- KPI definition
- Executive reporting
- Vendor alignment
- Audit preparation
- Training integration
- Process refinement
- Lessons learned
- Benchmarking
- Future control readiness
How this maps to your situation
- New system rollout
- Annual audit preparation
- Vendor onboarding
- Security incident follow-up
Before vs. after
Before
Navigating control implementation with fragmented guidance and reactive timelines.
After
Leading structured, audit-ready CIS Control deployments with confidence and authority.
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 8, 10 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over two weeks with real-world application.
If nothing changes
Without structured control implementation, teams face repeated audit findings, higher incident risk, and diminished influence on strategic projects.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic cybersecurity courses, this program delivers role-specific, asset-aligned implementation paths used by top technical teams to achieve control maturity faster and with less rework.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
VMS Technical Managers and similar roles in operations technology environments who own or influence cybersecurity control implementation.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this relevant if my organization doesn’t formally use CIS Controls?
Yes. The controls are widely adopted as a de facto baseline across audits, vendor reviews, and internal hardening initiatives, even when not explicitly named.
$199 one-time. Approximately 8, 10 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over two weeks with real-world application..
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