A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering OWASP for Sr Directors in Data & Analytics Leadership
Build defensible, source-backed security decisions that hold up under scrutiny
$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.
Having to justify security decisions without clear sources or framework alignment
The situation this course is for
Even experienced leaders find themselves second-guessed when security calls lack traceable reasoning. Without documented justification rooted in OWASP, NIST, or SOC 2, decisions get revisited, delayed, or overruled, even when technically sound.
Who this is for
Sr Director in Data & Analytics at a regulated financial institution, accountable for secure data systems but not formally embedded in AppSec teams
Who this is not for
Junior developers, consultants selling security audits, or teams without regulatory compliance exposure
What you walk away with
- Map OWASP Top 10 controls directly to data layer vulnerabilities with cited examples
- Reference NIST 800-53 and SOC 2 compliance line items when defending design choices
- Build a personal repository of decision memos with source-backed reasoning for recurring scenarios
- Explain trade-offs between OWASP mitigation strategies using real implementation cost data
- Own peer review escalations with structured responses that preempt pushback
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding OWASP in the Data Layer
How data workflows introduce unique attack surfaces covered under OWASP but often missed by siloed teams. Learn to spot them and assign clear ownership.
12 chapters in this module
- Data injection vs code injection distinctions
- Where data pipelines touch OWASP A1
- APIs as data gateways under A2
- Session data stored in warehouses
- Broken access in shared datasets
- Cryptographic failures in ETL
- Misconfigurations in cloud data stores
- Cross-site scripting in BI exports
- Insecure dependencies in Python scripts
- Buffer overruns in legacy loaders
- Logging data exposure risks
- Trust boundaries in automated pipelines
Module 2. Mapping OWASP to NIST 800-53 Controls
Direct pairings between OWASP recommendations and NIST security control families, enabling auditable justifications.
12 chapters in this module
- NIST AC-2 and user provisioning
- NIST SC-7 network isolation
- NIST SI-4 event monitoring
- NIST CM-6 baseline configurations
- NIST AU-9 logs and accountability
- NIST IA-5 access controls
- NIST RA-3 risk assessment
- NIST SA-11 developer oversight
- NIST CA-7 continuous monitoring
- NIST SC-13 crypto standards
- NIST AC-6 least privilege
- NIST SI-10 anti-tamper measures
Module 3. Aligning OWASP with SOC 2
Tie OWASP implementation to Trust Services Criteria for audit-ready narratives that satisfy external reviewers.
12 chapters in this module
- SOC 2 CC6.1 access controls
- CC6.2 user access reviews
- CC6.3 segregation of duties
- CC6.4 data deletion workflows
- CC6.5 authentication strength
- CC6.6 access logging
- CC6.7 data encryption
- CC6.8 change management
- CC6.9 exception handling
- CC6.10 monitoring alerts
- CC6.11 audit trail retention
- CC6.12 incident response
Module 4. Documenting Security Decisions
Build a repeatable memo format that captures risk rationale, trade-offs, and framework references for future use.
12 chapters in this module
- Decision memo structure
- Citing OWASP test cases
- Linking to NIST control versions
- Referencing SOC 2 audit points
- Including threat model excerpts
- Adding data flow diagrams
- Appendix of tool configurations
- Versioning your rationale
- Storing in shared repos
- Updating for new threats
- Sharing with peer reviewers
- Archiving for audits
Module 5. Anticipating Peer Challenges
Common counterpoints raised in security reviews and how to respond with specific sources.
12 chapters in this module
- We don't store user data
- That risk is theoretical
- Our vendor handles it
- We're not a target
- It's already patched
- Our team owns security
- No customer impact
- We have compensating controls
- No audit finding
- We'll fix it later
- It's a legacy system
- Budget doesn't allow
Module 6. Integrating OWASP into Data Reviews
Embed security checks into existing data governance workflows without adding friction.
12 chapters in this module
- Checklist for pipeline reviews
- OWASP tag in data catalog
- Automated scans in CI/CD
- Security KPIs for sprint demo
- Quarterly control validation
- Mapping data sources to A1-A10
- Flagging high-risk transformations
- Ownership matrix updates
- Training for data engineers
- Feedback loop from pentests
- Sign-off workflows
- Audit preparation sync
Module 7. Building Cross-Functional Credibility
Earn trust from AppSec and InfoSec teams by speaking their reference points and standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Speaking OWASP fluently
- Understanding pentest reports
- Using MITRE ATT&CK mapping
- Engaging on CVE timelines
- Asking informed vendor questions
- Sharing data-specific findings
- Contributing to org-wide posture
- Clarifying scope boundaries
- Escalating real risks
- Avoiding overreach
- Documenting assumptions
- Following up on resolutions
Module 8. Risk-Based Prioritization Framework
Rank OWASP findings by actual data exposure, not just CVSS scores.
12 chapters in this module
- Data sensitivity tiering
- Access volume thresholds
- Internal vs external exposure
- Downstream data flow
- Automated exfiltration risk
- Time to exploit
- Existing monitoring capability
- Reputation impact level
- Regulatory scrutiny likelihood
- Historical incident patterns
- Vendor SLA implications
- Cost of mitigation
Module 9. Creating Reusable Security Artefacts
Develop templates and checklists that compound your effort across reviews.
12 chapters in this module
- Standard decision memo
- Data pipeline threat model
- OWASP control matrix
- Peer review response pack
- Control mapping spreadsheet
- Rationale repository
- Exception approval form
- Pentest follow-up tracker
- Security KPI dashboard
- Cross-team comms pack
- Audit prep package
- Framework alignment guide
Module 10. Maintaining Defensibility Over Time
Keep your security posture current as frameworks and threats evolve.
12 chapters in this module
- OWASP version tracking
- NIST draft monitoring
- SOC 2 requirement updates
- Internal review cycle
- Change control integration
- Documentation refresh
- Team knowledge transfer
- Training new hires
- Lessons learned archive
- Post-mortem integration
- Vendor reassessment
- Board-level reporting sync
Module 11. Leading Security Conversations
Facilitate discussions that surface risks early and align on trade-offs.
12 chapters in this module
- Framing risks concretely
- Asking source-based questions
- Challenging assumptions
- Presenting trade-offs fairly
- Building consensus
- Escalating when needed
- Managing conflict
- Summarizing decisions
- Tracking action items
- Communicating outcomes
- Updating stakeholders
- Celebrating wins
Module 12. Institutionalizing Your Approach
Turn personal defensibility into team capability that survives turnover.
12 chapters in this module
- Mentorship plan
- Team documentation standard
- Playbook onboarding
- Peer review rotation
- Knowledge sharing
- Template maintenance
- Feedback collection
- Process improvement
- Metrics tracking
- Leadership reporting
- Cross-functional alignment
- Culture signals
How this maps to your situation
- When reviewing a new data pipeline
- During SOC 2 audit preparation
- After a pentest finding
- Before approving a vendor solution
Before vs. after
Before
Reacting to security reviews with fragmented knowledge and ad hoc responses
After
Leading with documented, source-backed rationale that earns peer trust and audit pass rates
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 2 hours per module, designed for completion within 30 days with leadership responsibilities.
If nothing changes
Continuing to rely on informal justification risks repeated challenges, delayed launches, and diminished influence in cross-functional security decisions.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic OWASP trainings focused on developers, this course is tailored to senior data leaders who must justify choices across AppSec, InfoSec, and audit teams using concrete, defensible reasoning rooted in actual frameworks.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Sr Directors and senior leaders in Data & Analytics who influence or own security decisions but are not embedded in AppSec teams.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this cover technical coding fixes?
No. It focuses on defensible decision-making, control alignment, and peer negotiation , not code-level remediation.
$199 one-time. Approximately 2 hours per module, designed for completion within 30 days with leadership responsibilities..
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