A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering ISO 27001 for Defense Program Leaders
Build auditable, resilient security frameworks that scale with mission complexity
$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.
Compliance work that feels scattered, reactive, or dependent on others’ timelines
The situation this course is for
Program managers in defense contracting are expected to deliver compliant outcomes, but often lack direct influence over control design or evidence workflows. This forces reliance on downstream teams, creating delays and rework when audit timelines tighten.
Who this is for
Senior Program Manager in U.S. defense contracting, overseeing multi-vendor, compliance-heavy programs with regular audit exposure
Who this is not for
Entry-level project coordinators, auditors without program delivery responsibility, or technical implementers focused only on firewall configurations or endpoint controls
What you walk away with
- Define control ownership clearly across classified and unclassified workstreams
- Structure evidence collection so it aligns with program milestones, not audit deadlines
- Lead ISO 27001 implementation planning without deferring to external compliance teams
- Document control mappings that survive personnel changes and contract transitions
- Anticipate auditor questions using real-world SoA patterns from peer programs
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding ISO 27001 in the Defense Context
Ground your program’s compliance approach in the specific demands of U.S. defense contracting, including CMMC overlaps, DFARS obligations, and multi-tier supply chain risk.
12 chapters in this module
- How ISO 27001 complements NIST 800-53 in classified environments
- Mapping DoDILSR requirements to Annex A controls
- The role of the Program Manager in ISMS governance
- Why auditor expectations are shifting post-the current cycle
- Integrating compliance into EVM reporting cycles
- Managing third-party evidence dependencies
- Classified data handling under A.8.2 and A.13.2
- Balancing transparency with OPSEC in control documentation
- Using ISO 27001 to strengthen contract renewal positioning
- How recent DIB-wide audits are shaping control expectations
- The difference between compliance readiness and audit pass
- Establishing program-level ownership of control effectiveness
Module 2. Building the Foundation: Scope and Statement of Applicability
Define clear, defensible boundaries for your program’s ISMS and create a SoA that reflects actual risk, not template defaults.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying in-scope systems in hybrid cloud environments
- Documenting exclusions with auditor-grade justification
- Tailoring SoA language for multi-contractor teams
- Linking control selection to mission-critical assets
- How to avoid over-scoping across program boundaries
- Using risk tiering to prioritize control effort
- Versioning the SoA across program phases
- Incorporating lessons from past audit findings
- Stakeholder review cycles for SoA finalization
- Aligning SoA with PMO documentation standards
- Common pitfalls in SoA drafting for defense programs
- Validating scope with technical leads before lock
Module 3. Risk Assessment That Drives Action
Move beyond checklist risk assessments to create actionable, defensible risk registers that align with program priorities.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing risk criteria that reflect mission impact
- Scoring likelihood without over-reliance on subjective input
- Integrating threat intelligence into risk workshops
- Using past incident data to inform likelihood ratings
- Documenting risk treatment decisions with clarity
- Linking risk register updates to change control
- Managing residual risk acceptance at program level
- Presenting risk posture to technical and non-technical leads
- Automating risk register updates using existing tools
- Avoiding 'risk theater' with concrete mitigation plans
- How auditors evaluate risk assessment maturity
- Creating a living risk register updated quarterly
Module 4. Designing Controls for Real-World Execution
Translate ISO 27001 controls into practical, enforceable procedures that work in dynamic, resource-constrained environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Writing control objectives that align with program goals
- Breaking down A.5.1 into actionable team behaviors
- Defining clear roles for control ownership and review
- Integrating control checks into existing stand-ups
- Using Jira workflows to track control compliance tasks
- Documenting control implementation evidence efficiently
- Avoiding over-documentation while meeting audit needs
- Tailoring access control policies for hybrid teams
- Implementing remote work controls without compromising security
- Managing contractor access under A.8.1 and A.8.2
- Using automated logs to demonstrate control consistency
- Creating control dashboards for leadership review
Module 5. Managing Third-Party and Supply Chain Risk
Extend control effectiveness across vendors and partners without direct authority over their systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing subcontractor compliance maturity
- Using SIG questionnaires effectively without overburdening
- Mapping vendor risk to specific program components
- Conducting remote vendor control reviews
- Documenting due diligence for audit purposes
- Managing risk acceptance for critical vendors
- Integrating vendor compliance into contract SOWs
- Using SLAs to enforce security expectations
- Tracking vendor control evidence over time
- Handling non-compliance findings with partners
- Leveraging prime-contractor status for influence
- Building vendor compliance playbooks for reuse
Module 6. Internal Audit and Continuous Monitoring
Design internal review processes that catch gaps early and reduce last-minute scrambles before external audits.
12 chapters in this module
- Scheduling audits to align with program milestones
- Training internal reviewers on auditor expectations
- Using checklists without creating 'checklist culture'
- Documenting findings with clear remediation paths
- Integrating findings into existing defect tracking
- Prioritizing findings based on mission impact
- Reporting audit status to leadership succinctly
- Using automated tools to monitor control effectiveness
- Conducting spot checks between formal audits
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Avoiding audit fatigue in long-running programs
- Transitioning from reactive to proactive auditing
Module 7. Preparing for External Certification Audits
Enter external audits with confidence by ensuring evidence is complete, consistent, and easily accessible.
12 chapters in this module
- Understanding auditor priorities by certification body
- Creating an audit readiness checklist tailored to ISO 27001
- Organizing evidence in auditor-friendly formats
- Conducting mock audits with internal teams
- Training team members on auditor interactions
- Handling document requests efficiently
- Responding to non-conformities in real time
- Using past audit reports to anticipate questions
- Managing time zones and access for remote audits
- Building an audit communication plan
- Documenting corrective actions effectively
- Closing out findings before next audit cycle
Module 8. Incident Management and Business Continuity
Ensure compliance doesn’t stop when incidents occur , integrate response and recovery into your ISMS.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining incident severity levels for defense programs
- Integrating IR plans with existing SOC protocols
- Documenting incident response workflows clearly
- Conducting tabletop exercises with cross-functional teams
- Preserving evidence for post-incident review
- Reporting incidents to stakeholders without panic
- Linking incident data to control improvements
- Maintaining compliance during crisis response
- Testing BCPs in classified environments
- Updating plans based on real-world incidents
- Using lessons learned to strengthen ISMS
- Demonstrating resilience to auditors post-incident
Module 9. Change Management and Configuration Control
Maintain compliance integrity through changes in systems, personnel, and scope.
12 chapters in this module
- Integrating change control with ISO 27001 requirements
- Assessing security impact of proposed changes
- Documenting change approvals efficiently
- Managing emergency changes without bypassing controls
- Updating control documentation after changes
- Communicating changes to affected teams
- Using CMDBs to track configuration items
- Auditing change control effectiveness
- Linking change logs to compliance evidence
- Avoiding scope creep in configuration management
- Training teams on change control processes
- Automating change impact assessments
Module 10. Training and Awareness That Sticks
Move beyond annual training mandates to build real security awareness across diverse teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing role-specific security training content
- Using real-world scenarios from defense programs
- Delivering training in short, frequent sessions
- Measuring awareness improvement over time
- Engaging leadership as security champions
- Using phishing simulations effectively
- Tracking completion without micromanaging
- Integrating training into onboarding workflows
- Creating culture through non-punitive reinforcement
- Addressing contractor training requirements
- Using training data to inform risk assessments
- Building reusable training modules for new programs
Module 11. Documentation and Evidence Management
Create a sustainable system for maintaining compliance evidence that doesn’t collapse when personnel change.
12 chapters in this module
- Choosing the right documentation level for each control
- Using templates without creating boilerplate
- Organizing evidence for easy retrieval
- Versioning control documents effectively
- Storing evidence in compliant repositories
- Linking evidence to audit checklist items
- Automating evidence collection where possible
- Reviewing documentation for completeness
- Training new staff on evidence standards
- Reducing duplication across programs
- Using metadata to improve searchability
- Ensuring long-term document retention
Module 12. Continuous Improvement and ISMS Evolution
Turn compliance from a periodic event into a continuous program strength.
12 chapters in this module
- Using metrics to track ISMS maturity
- Conducting management reviews with purpose
- Identifying improvement opportunities systematically
- Implementing corrective actions efficiently
- Benchmarking against peer programs
- Adapting to new threats and regulations
- Updating the ISMS based on lessons learned
- Engaging stakeholders in improvement planning
- Demonstrating value to leadership
- Sustaining momentum after certification
- Planning for re-certification cycles
- Building a legacy of resilience and trust
How this maps to your situation
- When your program faces its first ISO 27001 audit
- After inheriting a fragmented compliance approach
- Before onboarding a new prime contractor
- During a leadership transition in the PMO
Before vs. after
Before
Compliance work feels reactive, dependent on others’ timelines, and vulnerable to auditor surprises.
After
You lead with structured, reusable control frameworks that anticipate audit needs and scale across portfolios.
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: 90 minutes per module, designed to be completed over 12 weeks with practical integration between lessons.
If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, compliance remains fragile , dependent on individual effort, prone to rework, and vulnerable to audit findings that delay program milestones.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this program is built specifically for Defense Program Managers , combining ISO 27001 rigor with real-world delivery constraints, multi-contractor dynamics, and mission-critical timelines.
Frequently asked
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this relevant if my program isn’t certified yet?
Yes , the course prepares you to lead certification from start to finish, even if you're in early stages.
Do I need a security background to benefit?
No , it's designed for program leaders who need to own compliance outcomes, not technical implementers.
$199 one-time. 90 minutes per module, designed to be completed over 12 weeks with practical integration between lessons..
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