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Mid-Market Application Security Programs for Senior Leaders

$199.00
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A tailored course, built for your situation

Mid-Market Application Security Programs for Senior Leaders

Build, scale, and lead application security initiatives with strategic clarity and operational precision.

$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.
Application security efforts in mid-market companies often stall due to misaligned priorities, limited resources, and unclear ownership, leading to reactive fixes instead of proactive programs.

The situation this course is for

Security initiatives start strong but lose momentum when they lack executive sponsorship, clear metrics, or integration with development workflows. Leaders are expected to deliver results without a structured framework to follow.

Who this is for

Business and technology executives in mid-market organizations (100, 2,000 employees) responsible for overseeing or launching application security programs, CTOs, CISOs, VPs of Engineering, Compliance Officers, and senior IT leaders.

Who this is not for

Individual contributors focused solely on technical execution, entry-level security analysts, or professionals in large enterprises with mature AppSec teams.

What you walk away with

  • Design a board-aligned application security strategy that supports business growth
  • Implement a prioritized, risk-based program within mid-market resource constraints
  • Integrate security into CI/CD pipelines without slowing product delivery
  • Communicate program value and risk posture confidently to executives and auditors
  • Leverage templates and frameworks to accelerate program rollout in 90 days

The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)

Module 1. The Strategic Role of AppSec in Mid-Market Growth
Define the executive mandate for application security and align it with business objectives.
12 chapters in this module
  1. From compliance to competitive advantage
  2. Understanding board expectations on software risk
  3. Mapping AppSec to product innovation cycles
  4. Balancing speed and security in mid-market contexts
  5. The evolution of security leadership roles
  6. Case study: SaaS company scaling securely
  7. Key stakeholders in AppSec governance
  8. Creating a security vision statement
  9. Setting measurable outcomes for leadership
  10. Linking security to customer trust metrics
  11. Benchmarking against peer organizations
  12. Defining success in your context
Module 2. Foundations of Risk-Based Prioritization
Adopt a pragmatic approach to identifying and ranking application risks.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Principles of risk-based security decision-making
  2. Asset classification for mid-market portfolios
  3. Threat modeling at scale with limited resources
  4. Leveraging OWASP ASVS appropriately
  5. Integrating business impact into risk scoring
  6. Using DREAD and other lightweight models
  7. Automating risk assessment inputs
  8. Prioritizing tech debt with security impact
  9. Engaging developers in risk conversations
  10. Reporting risk posture to non-technical leaders
  11. Common pitfalls in risk prioritization
  12. Building a living risk register
Module 3. Governance and Executive Alignment
Establish clear ownership, accountability, and reporting structures.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Designing AppSec governance committees
  2. Defining RACI for security decisions
  3. Setting cadence for security reviews
  4. Integrating AppSec into executive dashboards
  5. Aligning with SOX, HIPAA, GDPR requirements
  6. Creating executive-level status reports
  7. Managing third-party risk oversight
  8. Working with legal and procurement teams
  9. Budgeting for AppSec initiatives
  10. Securing buy-in during leadership transitions
  11. Documenting policies for audit readiness
  12. Measuring governance effectiveness
Module 4. Team Structure and Capability Building
Design effective roles, responsibilities, and skill development paths.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Centralized vs embedded vs hybrid models
  2. Hiring for AppSec in competitive talent markets
  3. Upskilling developers as first-line defenders
  4. Defining core competencies for AppSec staff
  5. Creating career ladders for security engineers
  6. Outsourcing vs insourcing key functions
  7. Managing fractional CISO relationships
  8. Running effective security champions programs
  9. Onboarding and continuous learning plans
  10. Assessing team maturity objectively
  11. Fostering collaboration across silos
  12. Reducing burnout in high-pressure roles
Module 5. Integrating Security into DevOps Workflows
Embed security practices into existing development pipelines.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Understanding CI/CD pipeline anatomy
  2. Shifting left without slowing delivery
  3. Selecting SAST tools for mid-market budgets
  4. Configuring SCA with license and vulnerability checks
  5. Integrating DAST without false positives
  6. Automating security gates and approvals
  7. Managing scan results at scale
  8. Reducing developer friction in security workflows
  9. Creating actionable feedback loops
  10. Using IDE plugins for real-time guidance
  11. Measuring pipeline security efficacy
  12. Troubleshooting integration bottlenecks
Module 6. Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management
Secure the software supply chain with practical controls.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Assessing vendor security during procurement
  2. Standardizing vendor questionnaires
  3. Reviewing SOC 2 and other assurance reports
  4. Managing open source license compliance
  5. Monitoring for compromised dependencies
  6. Enforcing software bills of materials (SBOMs)
  7. Handling incident response with vendors
  8. Negotiating security clauses in contracts
  9. Auditing vendor access and permissions
  10. Tracking vendor risk over time
  11. Responding to third-party breaches
  12. Building a vendor risk escalation path
Module 7. Compliance and Audit Readiness
Turn regulatory requirements into operational advantages.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Mapping controls to common frameworks
  2. Preparing for ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA
  3. Documenting policies and procedures efficiently
  4. Conducting internal readiness assessments
  5. Working with external auditors effectively
  6. Maintaining continuous compliance posture
  7. Using automation for evidence collection
  8. Responding to auditor findings professionally
  9. Training teams on audit expectations
  10. Avoiding over-compliance and waste
  11. Communicating compliance status to leadership
  12. Updating programs after regulatory changes
Module 8. Metrics, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
Measure what matters and demonstrate progress over time.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Choosing leading vs lagging indicators
  2. Defining mean time to detect and remediate
  3. Tracking vulnerability backlog trends
  4. Measuring developer engagement with security
  5. Calculating return on security investment
  6. Benchmarking against industry norms
  7. Creating executive dashboards
  8. Using data to justify resource requests
  9. Conducting post-mortems with action items
  10. Running quarterly security health checks
  11. Linking metrics to business KPIs
  12. Avoiding vanity metrics and misreporting
Module 9. Incident Response and Resilience Planning
Prepare for security events with clarity and confidence.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Designing an incident response playbook
  2. Defining roles during a security event
  3. Classifying incident severity levels
  4. Communicating internally during crises
  5. Engaging legal and PR teams appropriately
  6. Preserving evidence for investigation
  7. Coordinating with external responders
  8. Conducting tabletop exercises
  9. Reducing mean time to contain
  10. Post-incident review best practices
  11. Updating plans based on lessons learned
  12. Building organizational resilience
Module 10. Executive Communication and Influence
Translate technical risk into business language.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Speaking to CFOs about risk and cost
  2. Presenting to boards without jargon
  3. Using storytelling to convey risk impact
  4. Aligning security initiatives with strategy
  5. Negotiating resources with peers
  6. Managing up when concerns are dismissed
  7. Building coalitions across departments
  8. Influencing without direct authority
  9. Handling pushback on security demands
  10. Creating compelling presentations
  11. Developing a security narrative for investors
  12. Maintaining credibility under pressure
Module 11. Scaling AppSec Across Products and Teams
Expand security practices without overextending resources.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Phased rollout strategies by product line
  2. Standardizing secure development practices
  3. Creating reusable security design patterns
  4. Enforcing consistency across teams
  5. Managing technical debt at scale
  6. Automating policy enforcement
  7. Using platform engineering approaches
  8. Building internal developer platforms with security
  9. Scaling training and awareness
  10. Monitoring adoption across business units
  11. Adjusting strategy based on feedback
  12. Sustaining momentum over time
Module 12. Sustaining and Evolving the Program
Ensure long-term relevance and adaptability.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Conducting annual security strategy reviews
  2. Updating programs in response to market shifts
  3. Incorporating lessons from industry trends
  4. Engaging with external advisory boards
  5. Benchmarking against evolving threats
  6. Investing in emerging capabilities
  7. Balancing innovation and stability
  8. Preparing for leadership transitions
  9. Documenting institutional knowledge
  10. Fostering a culture of shared responsibility
  11. Planning for technology lifecycle changes
  12. Ensuring continuity beyond key individuals

How this maps to your situation

  • Launching a new AppSec initiative from scratch
  • Scaling an existing but fragmented program
  • Responding to increased regulatory or customer scrutiny
  • Preparing for growth, acquisition, or IPO

Before vs. after

Before
AppSec efforts are reactive, inconsistently applied, and struggle for executive support due to unclear value and resource constraints.
After
You lead a structured, risk-informed, and business-aligned program that enables secure innovation and earns stakeholder confidence.

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, 4 hours per module, designed for busy leaders to complete at their own pace over 8, 12 weeks.

If nothing changes
Without a deliberate approach, application security remains a cost center prone to gaps, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities to strengthen customer trust and enable growth.

How this compares to the alternatives

Unlike generic security certifications or vendor-led training, this course is focused exclusively on the operational and strategic challenges faced by mid-market leaders, with practical tools and real-world examples tailored to resource-conscious environments.

Frequently asked

Who is this course designed for?
Executives and senior leaders in mid-market organizations responsible for shaping or overseeing application security programs, including CTOs, CISOs, VPs of Engineering, and compliance leaders.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is there video content?
No, the course is entirely text-based with downloadable templates and examples to support implementation.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3, 4 hours per module, designed for busy leaders to complete at their own pace over 8, 12 weeks..

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
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