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Security Documentation That Wins Authorizations – High-Impact SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and Risk Briefs
Enroll any time. Learn at your own pace.
Security Documentation That Wins Authorizations: High-Impact SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and Risk Briefs is a 10-hour micro-credential for cyber professionals who write and review RMF and ATO packages. You will learn to turn SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and risk briefs from checkbox artifacts into clear, traceable, and prioritized decision tools that explain system context, risk posture, and options so Authorizing Officials, mission owners, and senior stakeholders can confidently make authorization and risk acceptance decisions across government and military systems.
Security Documentation That Wins Authorizations – High-Impact SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and Risk Briefs
Audience
This micro-credential is designed for ISSOs and senior ISSOs; ISSMs; RMF and ATO cybersecurity analysts; cybersecurity compliance analysts focused on RMF, NIST 800-53, and eMASS; cybersecurity policy and risk analysts; SCAs and assessors; cyber systems analysts supporting RMF package review; cybersecurity auditors and IT security assessors; analysts supporting ATO and continuous monitoring; cybersecurity governance analysts and documentation specialists; security program managers; and cybersecurity managers overseeing RMF and ATO portfolios.
What This Course Covers
Module 1
Understanding the Authorizing Official’s View
Reframe security documentation from the Authorizing Official’s perspective, focusing on what decision-makers actually need to approve, conditionally authorize, or reject systems. Examine AO responsibilities, constraints, and pain points and how system-level artifacts should connect to portfolio and mission risk decisions.
Module 2
Writing Effective System Security Plans (SSPs)
Learn how to structure and write SSPs that give a usable, accurate picture of the system, boundary, environment, and implemented controls. Distinguish boilerplate from system-specific content, write clear control narratives, and ensure consistency across diagrams, tables, and text.
Module 3
Turning Assessment Results into SARs and POA&Ms That Matter
Practice converting assessment activities into SARs and POA&Ms that highlight real risk and practical remediation paths. Focus on writing meaningful findings, maintaining traceability to controls and requirements, and building prioritized, realistic POA&Ms that support AO and leadership decisions.
Module 4
Risk Briefs and Executive-Level Communication
Learn to craft concise, visually supported risk briefs for AOs, mission owners, and senior leaders. Turn detailed package content into short, focused narratives and visuals that communicate risk posture, key issues, and decision options, and prepare for common AO and executive questions.
Module 5
Templates, Reviews, and Sustaining Quality
Develop templates, checklists, and review processes that standardize and elevate documentation quality across teams and contracts. Embed AO-focused writing practices into continuous monitoring and change workflows and build a culture that values clear, honest, decision-focused security documentation.
Skills and Learning Outcomes
By the end of this micro-credential, participants will be able to:
01
Understand AO perspectives and decision needs and reflect them in how SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and risk briefs are structured and written.
02
Develop SSPs that clearly and accurately describe systems, boundaries, data flows, and control implementations in ways that support assessment and authorization.
03
Produce SARs and POA&Ms that prioritize findings and remediation based on risk and mission impact and maintain traceability to controls and requirements.
04
Build and deliver concise, compelling risk briefs that translate technical issues into mission-relevant language and clear decision options for AOs and senior leaders.
05
Implement templates, peer reviews, and team norms that sustain high-quality, decision-focused security documentation across contracts and programs.
Optional Live Sessions
There is an optional two-hour live session with JHU Cybersecurity Subject Matter Experts. See the schedule HERE.
Built for Working Professionals
On-Demand Learning
Complete this micro-credential entirely on your own schedule. An optional 2-hour live session with Johns Hopkins Subject Matter Experts is offered at the end of the month you enroll. See the schedule here.
Scenario-Based Exercises
Videos, activities, templates, reflections, low-stakes assessments, case studies, and facilitated discussion in the live section grounded in government, defense, and contracting environments.
Recognized Credential
Earn a certificate of completion upon completing this micro-credential from the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Use this micro-credential for 10 CPEs for certification maintenance.
Subject Matter Experts
A micro-credential designed and taught by Johns Hopkins subject matter experts with real-world experience in government and defense contracting.
Why Choose Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering is recognized for its strengths in cybersecurity, systems engineering, and applied research that support U.S. government and defense missions. This micro-credential offers a focused, practice-oriented path to transforming security documentation from compliance artifacts into trusted decision tools for Authorizing Officials and senior leaders, providing templates and techniques you can apply immediately across your government and military engagements.
Pricing and Continuing Education
Program Cost
$338
If you register by July 30
Continuing Education
Eligible for up to 10 CPEs
Includes 10 contact hours of learning
Partnership Discounts
Members of our partnership organizations always receive membership discounts of 10-20%! These discounts do not apply in addition to the early bird rate.
Log in to the membership portal of your association to get your JHU discount codes to use at checkout!
- Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
- ISC2 Northern Virginia Chapter
- DC Cyber Professionals and the Cover6 Community
Group Enrollment For Your Team
Looking to upskill your team? We offer group enrollment options and discounts to make it simple and cost-effective for organizations of any size. Get in touch, and we will help you get started!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Many learners receive employer support for professional development. Payment options depend on the course type and how the organization plans to pay.
For Executive and Professional Education courses, learners should register as usual and select “Other Method” during checkout if their employer cannot pay by credit card. An EPE team member will follow up within three business days to coordinate payment, such as ACH transfer, employer voucher, or another approved payment arrangement.
For Great Learning courses, learners should contact the EPE team at engineeringexeced@jhu.edu or speak directly with the Great Learning admissions team. The teams will coordinate payment and enrollment.
Organizations interested in enrolling multiple employees or requesting custom education or workforce training solutions should contact the EPE team directly to discuss enrollment options, program needs, and payment arrangements.
Tuition remission is currently available only to eligible full-time Johns Hopkins faculty and staff and applies to a limited number of EPE courses. If a course qualifies, eligible learners who register using their Johns Hopkins email address will automatically have tuition remission applied as their payment method.
Tuition remission does not currently apply to asynchronous (self-paced) online courses or programs taken through our partners such as Great Learning or AIAA. The Johns Hopkins Provost’s Office is reviewing tuition remission policies, including the possibility of extending benefits to asynchronous courses, but no timeline is currently available.
Johns Hopkins alumni receive a 15% discount, which is automatically applied during checkout when they indicate they are alumni.
Eligible Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, students, and Applied Physics Laboratory employees receive a 20% discount on qualifying EPE courses when they register with a Johns Hopkins email address.
Eligible Johns Hopkins faculty and staff receive a 15% discount on Great Learning courses. To receive the discount, learners should identify themselves during the enrollment process and register using a Johns Hopkins email address. Eligibility will be verified before enrollment is finalized.
Select programs may also offer discount codes through partner organizations or special promotions. When available, discount codes can be entered during checkout.
Meet the Johns Hopkins Executive and Professional Education Cybersecurity Instructors
Andrea Molina, PhD, CISM, ITIL, CEH, PMP
Dr. Andrea Molina is a U.S. Coast Guard officer and senior technical program leader with 19+ years of experience delivering cybersecurity, AI-enabled systems, and enterprise platforms across federal and defense environments. She leads Command & Control and Navigation requirements for a $150M+ C5I portfolio supporting 40K+ users and also founded the Coast Guard’s Cyber Mission Capabilities Branch, delivering deployable cyber operations, threat hunting, and incident response capabilities nationwide. Dr. Molina teaches at Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals, where she advises doctoral students in Cyber Analytics and AI/ML. She holds a Doctor of Engineering in Cyber Analytics and specializes in aligning cyber strategy, risk, and AI to mission-critical federal operations.
Caleb Havens, OSCP, CISSP, CRTO, GCPN, eJPT, Security+
Caleb Havens is a Principal Security Consultant at NetSPI, specializing in Red Team Operations and Social Engineering. A former Marine Corps Intelligence and Reconnaissance Officer, he supported the Missile Defense Agency’s Test and Cyber Engineering Directorates and later served as a Red Team Operator for the US Army’s Threat Systems Management Office, conducting adversarial assessments of DoD systems. Caleb now leads Red Team Operations for Fortune 500 organizations across defense, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, bringing real-world operational tradecraft from military intelligence and corporate security to the classroom.
Jay Ferron, CEH, CISM, CISSP, C)PTE, C)ISSM CRISC, CVEi, MCITP, MCSE, MCT, MVP, NSA-IAM
Jay Ferron is a multi-certified information security subject-matter expert with over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, compliance, systems integration, and IT transformation. He has led initiatives to design and implement secure architectures, define IT management processes, and establish meaningful operational metrics for organizations across multiple industries.
Throughout his career, Jay has been deeply involved in both the strategic and hands-on aspects of information security, advising leadership while also working directly with technical teams to improve security posture and resilience. He has authored more than 19 technical courses for Microsoft, Global Knowledge, and other training providers, helping thousands of IT professionals advance their skills in security and related technologies. In addition to his technical and teaching work, Jay founded Interactive Security Training, LLC, a firm dedicated to helping organizations secure and manage their data through consulting, implementation, and training services.
Matthew Burch, M.S., CISSP, CEH, Security+, CCIE (R&S), CCIE (SP), CCDS, AWS SAP, AWS SAA, AWS DVA, AWS MLS, AWS Security, PCEP
Matthew Burch is a cybersecurity and cloud computing leader with over 20 years of experience in highly regulated enterprise environments, including financial services and critical infrastructure. He has led large-scale technology, cloud, and AI initiatives aligned with strict governance, risk, and compliance requirements. Matthew has partnered with federal organizations and contractors through workforce development programs, including Department of Defense–aligned initiatives, helping build certification pathways in cybersecurity and cloud technologies. He currently serves as faculty in cloud and AI programs, preparing professionals to operate effectively in secure, mission-critical environments.
Henry Bromley III, MBA, PMP, CISSP-CCSP, CSEP, CEH, CHFI, SEC+
Henry Bromley brings over 30 years of engineering and cybersecurity experience supporting federal missions, spanning nuclear systems, systems engineering, and information systems security. He serves in a lead security engineering role supporting government and commercial cloud-based programs. As an adjunct graduate professor, he teaches Managerial Computer Forensics and has delivered CISSP Common Body of Knowledge instruction, helping to prepare information security professionals. He is committed to equipping students with practical, job-ready skills for securing high-consequence, mission-critical environments.
Farhat Shah, CISSP, PMP
Ms. Shah currently serves as the cybersecurity subject matter expert for the Department of War (DoW). Ms. Shah has worked in different capacities to launch and implement cybersecurity programs and initiatives within her organization. She provided critical cybersecurity support to systems across the U.S Army leading to successive mission completion.
Ms. Shah began her career as a software engineering intern. She graduated from the Army’s Intern Program, earning a Master’s in Software Engineering from Monmouth University. Ms. Shah holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a second Master’s in Technical Management from the Johns Hopkins University. Her experience entails Software development, Systems Engineering, Project Management, and Cybersecurity for information systems that she has gained over her career as an engineer with the Army.
Barry Hudson, CISSP, CGRC, SSCP, CC
Barry Hudson’s career was primarily with large contractors in the US Government sector. The last 15 years took him on an exciting journey; planning, implementing, maintaining, and managing (as ISSO/ISSM) complex cybersecurity systems for two large government facilities. These efforts include creation of policy and procedures, selecting, building and configuring technology infrastructure, production operations, and compliance monitoring prior to turnover to the Government customer.
His newly discovered energy is to share his experiences and perspective, and to grow the Cybersecurity family. Barry holds a CISSP, CGRC, SSCP, and CC is an ISC2 Authorized Instructor, and independent contractor and lecturer.
Sandra Fonseca-Lind, DBA, EdD, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CDPSE
Dr. Sandra Fonseca is an accomplished information technology professional with more than 40 years of experience in the IT industry, including 15 years serving as a Systems Security Manager, Project Manager, and Data Architect at a federal agency in Washington, D.C. She has spent more than 30 years in higher education, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses across all instructional modalities, and has also served as Program Director for IT and Cybersecurity programs.
Dr. Fonseca holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a specialization in Management Information Systems and a Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in Instructional Design. She has served as both a volunteer and board officer for several professional organizations, including ISACA, ISSA, PMI, ACFE, and ASQ. She currently serves as Associate Director of Governance for the Washington, D.C. Chapter of ISACA, Education Director for the ISSA NOVA Chapter, and a volunteer with the Washington, D.C. Chapter of PMI.
Security Documentation That Wins Authorizations – High-Impact SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and Risk Briefs