A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering SOC 2 for Program Managers Leading Compliance Initiatives
Build authority, streamline audits, and lead with confidence in high-pressure compliance 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.
Most program managers spend cycles chasing evidence and clarifying scope because they lack structured control ownership.
The situation this course is for
Even experienced leaders find themselves responding to auditor requests rather than shaping them. Control mapping is outsourced to consultants. Scope decisions feel fragile. The result: repeated revisions, last-minute escalations, and diluted ownership. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Who this is for
Senior program managers in consulting or federal services who lead compliance-adjacent delivery but don’t yet own framework decisions.
Who this is not for
Entry-level coordinators, auditors focused on testing (not design), or practitioners outside regulated delivery environments.
What you walk away with
- Define and justify SOC 2 scope with confidence, reducing negotiation cycles with external teams
- Map controls to business processes using repeatable logic accepted by top-tier auditors
- Anticipate evidence requirements six weeks before request, accelerating readiness
- Lead internal readiness reviews as the subject-matter owner, not just the scheduler
- Document decision trails that survive leadership changes and auditor rotations
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding SOC 2 Trust Service Criteria
Break down each of the five Trust Service Criteria, Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy, into operational realities. Learn how to interpret them beyond auditor checklists and align them to program objectives.
12 chapters in this module
- What SOC 2 measures and why it matters
- Trust Service Criteria explained
- Security criterion deep dive
- Availability in federal environments
- Processing Integrity defined
- Confidentiality requirements
- Privacy vs data protection
- How criteria overlap
- Common misinterpretations
- Auditor expectations by domain
- Mapping criteria to deliverables
- From policy to proof
Module 2. Defining Audit Scope with Authority
Learn how to establish and defend audit boundaries based on risk, not convenience. Use proven logic to exclude low-impact systems and focus on mission-critical controls.
12 chapters in this module
- What belongs in scope
- System boundary fundamentals
- Identifying in-scope components
- Exclusion justification framework
- Stakeholder alignment tactics
- Documenting scope decisions
- Handling pushback from teams
- Scope creep red flags
- Evidence for boundary choices
- Versioning scope over time
- Auditor challenges to scope
- Final scope sign-off process
Module 3. Control Mapping to Business Processes
Turn generic control frameworks into specific, actionable steps tied to real workflows. Avoid one-size-fits-all templates that create noise and rework.
12 chapters in this module
- From framework to function
- Identifying process owners
- Control ownership model
- Mapping controls to workflows
- Process-specific evidence
- Avoiding over-control
- Control sufficiency test
- Cross-system dependencies
- Change management integration
- Control rationalization
- Documenting mappings
- Auditor review prep
Module 4. Designing Evidence Collection Systems
Build predictable, sustainable evidence pipelines that reduce last-minute scrambles. Design systems that generate proof continuously, not just during audit season.
12 chapters in this module
- Evidence types and tiers
- Automated vs manual proof
- Log retention strategies
- Screenshot policies
- System-generated reports
- User access reviews
- Change logs as evidence
- Timestamp accuracy
- Chain of custody basics
- Evidence retention rules
- Sampling protocols
- Evidence review workflow
Module 5. Writing Policies That Stand Up to Scrutiny
Move beyond copy-paste templates. Write policies that reflect actual operations and withstand auditor follow-ups.
12 chapters in this module
- Policy vs procedure
- Auditable language
- Tailoring to environment
- Version control
- Policy distribution
- Acknowledgment tracking
- Review cycles
- Policy exceptions
- Risk-based justification
- Linking to controls
- Updating after incidents
- Auditor Q&A prep
Module 6. Managing Auditor Relationships
Shift from reactive coordination to proactive leadership in audit engagements. Understand what auditors need, and when, to reduce friction.
12 chapters in this module
- Auditor types and firms
- Request lists decoded
- Timeline expectations
- Evidence delivery standards
- Follow-up protocols
- Escalation paths
- Managing scope changes
- Draft report review
- Management response writing
- Deficiency classification
- Remediation planning
- Post-audit debrief
Module 7. Risk Assessment Integration
Integrate risk assessments into SOC 2 planning so control design reflects actual threats, not theoretical checklists.
12 chapters in this module
- Risk assessment purpose
- Threat modeling basics
- Likelihood vs impact
- Inherent vs residual risk
- Risk register structure
- Linking risks to controls
- Risk owner assignment
- Updating for changes
- Third-party risk
- Risk-based scope
- Audit alignment
- Reporting to leadership
Module 8. Third-Party Vendor Management
Extend SOC 2 rigor to vendors without overextending your team. Use proven methods to assess and monitor subcontractor compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Vendor risk tiers
- Due diligence checklist
- Contractual obligations
- Subservice organizations
- SSAE 18 review
- Vendor audit rights
- Evidence collection from vendors
- Monitoring frequency
- Incident reporting clauses
- Vendor offboarding
- Vendor scorecards
- Auditor scrutiny of vendors
Module 9. Incident Response and SOC 2
Ensure your incident response plan supports SOC 2 compliance, especially for Availability and Processing Integrity criteria.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident types and classifications
- Detection and logging
- Response workflow
- Escalation paths
- Post-incident review
- Documentation requirements
- Linking to controls
- Notification obligations
- Downtime tracking
- Remediation evidence
- Auditor follow-up
- Lessons learned integration
Module 10. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
Move beyond point-in-time audits. Implement ongoing monitoring to keep systems audit-ready year-round.
12 chapters in this module
- What to monitor
- Automated control checks
- Alert thresholds
- Review frequency
- Trend analysis
- Control testing schedule
- Remediation tracking
- Metrics that matter
- Executive dashboards
- Internal audit coordination
- Pre-audit walkthroughs
- Improvement backlog
Module 11. Preparing for Type 1 and Type 2 Engagements
Understand the differences in preparation, evidence, and timeline between Type 1 and Type 2 audits, and how to lead both.
12 chapters in this module
- Type 1 vs Type 2 defined
- Timeline differences
- Evidence depth
- Management assertion
- System description
- Testing requirements
- Monitoring period
- Change during audit
- Interim reviews
- Final report structure
- Common deficiencies
- Renewal cycle prep
Module 12. Leading Compliance as a Program Manager
Synthesize everything into a leadership model where you own the narrative, set the pace, and expand your decision authority.
12 chapters in this module
- From coordinator to leader
- Building credibility
- Cross-functional influence
- Decision ownership
- Communicating with executives
- Managing up effectively
- Mentoring junior staff
- Developing playbooks
- Knowledge transfer
- Succession planning
- Personal brand in compliance
- Next steps after certification
How this maps to your situation
- When starting a new SOC 2 engagement
- Before auditor fieldwork begins
- After first draft report received
- During annual renewal cycle
Before vs. after
Before
Waiting for auditors to define scope, reacting to requests, managing timelines without control authority.
After
Setting the scope, anticipating evidence needs, and leading the process with recognized decision-making power.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters total)
- 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 2-3 hours per week over 12 weeks to complete all modules and apply templates.
If nothing changes
Continuing without structured control ownership means recurring rework, diminished influence, and missed opportunities to expand your role.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance overviews or auditor-focused training, this course is built specifically for program managers who lead delivery but want to own the framework, not just manage the calendar.
Frequently asked
Is this course technical or management-focused?
It's designed for management and coordination roles. You'll learn how to lead, not configure systems.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me pass an audit?
Yes, by helping you lead a well-structured, evidence-rich engagement that reduces findings and rework.
$199 one-time. Approximately 2-3 hours per week over 12 weeks to complete all modules and apply templates..
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