Detailed Class Syllabus

The Foundation course is organized as follows:

Module 1: Course Introduction
Provides the student with information relative to the course and the conduct of the course in the classroom, virtual classroom, and course materials.

Module 2: The Basics of Cybersecurity

What is cybersecurity?
Types of attackers
Vulnerabilities
Exploits
Threats
Controls
Frameworks
Risk-Based Cybersecurity

Module 3: A Holistic Study of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

History
i. EO 13636
ii. Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014
iii. EO 13800
Uses and Benefits of the Framework
Attributes of the Framework
Framework Component Introduction
i. Framework Core
ii. Framework Profiles
iii. Framework Implementation Tiers

Module 4: Cybersecurity Activities: The Framework Core

Purpose of the Core
Core Functions, Categories, and Subcategories
Informative References

Module 5: Risk Management Considerations: Framework Implementation Tiers

Purpose of the Tiers
The Four Tiers
Components of the Tiers
Compare and contrast the NIST Cybersecurity Framework with the NIST Risk Management Framework

Module 6: Current and Desired Outcomes: Framework Profiles

Purpose of the Profiles
The Two Profiles
Interrelationships between the Framework Components

Module 7: A Primer on the Seven Step Framework Implementation Process

Prioritize and Scope
Orient
Create a Current Profile
Conduct a Risk Assessment
Create a Target Profile
Determine, Analyze, and Prioritize Gaps
Implement Action Plan

The Practitioner course is organized as follows:

Module 1: Course Introduction
Provides the student with information relative to the course and the conduct of the course in the classroom, virtual classroom, and course materials.

Module 2: Applying NIST CSF Tiers and Profiles

Review of the NIST CSF Major Components
Tiers and Tier selection
Current and Target Profiles and the Framework Core

Module 3: An Exploration of Informative References

Defining the major Informative References
CIS Controls v8
ISO/IEC 27001:2013
NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5

Module 4: Risk Management in the NIST CSF and NIST RMF

Risk Management in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Analyzing the NIST Risk Management Framework
a) Introduction and History
b) Purpose, Design, and Characteristics
c) Seven Steps
Prepare
Categorize System
Select Controls
Implement Controls
Assess Controls
Authorize System
Monitor System and Controls
Integrating the Frameworks

Module 5: Understanding and Defending Against Real World Attacks

Major Cybersecurity Attacks and Breaches
MITRE ATT&CK Matrices
Defense in Depth and the NIST CSF
Security Operations Center (SOC) activities and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions in relation to the NIST CSF

Module 6: Assessing Security in the Subcategories

Creating an Assessment Plan
Assigning Roles and Responsibilities
Tiers, Threats, Risks, Likelihoods, and Impact

Module 7: Creating a Written Information Security Programs (WISP)

The Intersection of Business and Technical Controls
What is a Written Information Security Program (WISP)?
Creating a WISP Template
Aligning Current Profile with a WISP

Module 8: A Practitioner’s Deep Dive into Creating or Improving a Cybersecurity Program

Step 1: Prioritize and Scope
a) Identifying organizational priorities
b) Aiding and influencing strategic cybersecurity implementation decisions
c) Determining scope of the implementation
d) Planning for internal adaptation based on business line/process need
e) Understanding risk tolerance
Step 2: Orient
a) Identifying systems and applications which support organizational priorities
b) Working with compliance to determine regulatory and other obligations
c) Planning for risk responsibility
Step 3: Create a Current Profile
a) Cybersecurity Assessment options
b) How to measure real world in relation to the Framework
c) Qualitative and quantitative metrics
d) Current Profile and Implementation Tiers
Step 4: Conduct a Risk Assessment
a) Risk assessment options (3rd party vs internal)
b) Organizational vs. system level risk assessment
c) Risk assessment and external stakeholders
Step 5: Create a Target Profile
a) Target Profile and Steps 1-4
b) External stakeholder considerations
c) Adding Target Profiles outside the Subcategories
Step 6: Determine, Analyze, and Prioritize Gaps
a) Defining and determining Gaps
b) Gap analysis and required resources
c) Organizational factors in creating a prioritized action plan
Step 7: Implement Action Plan
a) Implementation team design from Executives to Technical Practitioners
b) Assigning tasks when priorities conflict
c) Considering compliance and privacy obligations
d) Taking action
e) Reporting and reviewing

Module 9: Continuous Cybersecurity Improvement

Creating a continuous improvement plan
Implementing ongoing assessments