The CARVER Mindset: Learn to Think Like a Spy (ONLINE)
Perform a personal assessment of your situational awareness skills, while reading others to determine their motivations and susceptibility to persuasion. The perfect way to learn to identify threats and vulnerabilities all around you in this entertaining online course.Â
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The Fundamentals of the CARVER Methodology (ONLINE)
Learn the basics of the time-tested CARVER Methodology in order to make smarter and faster decisions under duress. This online course provides a foundation for understanding one of the most useful analytical tools for determining risks, using a measurable formula.Â
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The CARVER Target Analysis & Vulnerability Assessment Training Course (LIVE)
The premier 3-day course for those looking for advanced security assessment skills. Successful completion of this popular training includes a certificate from the University of South Florida and an official designation as a Certified CARVER Assessment Professional (CCAP). Â
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CARVER Leadership (LIVE)
Become a more strategic thinker and build and lead stronger teams in this highly interactive live day and a half course. Taught by industry leaders on the subject, this is a unique take on leadership utilizing the CARVER perspective and is perfect for those who must lead in the boardroom, war room, or the locker room. Â
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"CARVER Sarasota" is June 24-26
Earn you Certified CARVER Assessment Professional (CCAP) designation in beautiful downtown Sarasota, Florida from June 24-26. Enjoy 2.5 days of intense CARVER training at the newly renovated Voco Hotel, just steps to the water. Â
See "CARVER Sarasota" Details
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How to Make Better Strategic Decisions Using CARVER
Start here for a brief overview of how the CIA's CARVER Methodology can help you better assess threats and vulnerabilities, enhance your situational awareness, and make better strategic decisions. Â
The CARVER Target Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology is a time-tested vulnerability assessment methodology that balances efficiency with reliability.
It is a unique analytical tool because it facilitates both a qualitative and a quantitative assessment of an asset’s vulnerabilities. Most assessment tools are limited to qualitative assessments. A quantitative assessment assists in highlighting vulnerabilities, prioritizing assets and remedial efforts.
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Comprehensive Executive Programs
The USF Security Training Collaborative and the CARVER Training Institute offers senior security, defense, law enforcement, and intelligence practitioners five different programs that advance analytical, strategic, leadership, and critical decision-making skills. Our practical delivery programs are for professionals who are seeking a disruptive way of thinking, based upon a time-tested, qualitative and quantitative process. Â
Choose from the following six unique courses
- CARVER Target Analysis and Vulnerability
Assessment Methodology - 2.5 days - The Fundamentals of the CARVER Methodology - Online (5 hours)
- The CARVER Mindset - Online (3 hours)
- CARVER Strategy -1.5 days
- Â CARVER Leadership - 1.5 daysÂ
- CARVER Business Mastery - 2 days
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Download the 2025 Training Calendar and Course DescriptionsSTART HERE!
The world is becoming a more dangerous place... let's start your journey to become a more strategic decision-maker. Â
You need a smarter way to gauge risk and become a better decision-maker, particularly when faced with a dangerous situation.Â
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At the CARVER Training Institute, we believe that hope is an expensive commodity; it makes better sense to be prepared. Â
That's why, for more than two decades, we have developed and refined our CARVER Methodology courses. CARVER not only helps you identify threats before they become a problem, but it also assists in identifying vulnerabilities in people, places, and things so you can exploit those weaknesses for your own strategic advantage.  Â
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Are You Ready to Learn the Targeting/Assessment Methodology Utilized by the CIA and Special Operations Community?
SMI is the security industry's leader in the CARVER Target Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology.
Click here to get a FREE downloadable chapter from “The CARVER Target Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology" book.
Learn the Six Powerful Criteria of CARVER
WATCH THE 30-MINUTE VIDEO
PROBLEM SOLVE LIKE A SPY: UTILIZING THE CARVER METHODOLOGY TO ASSESS SITUATIONS.
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Watch the 30-minute video
Trusted by many organizations, including:
Join the CARVER International Membership Program
When you become CARVER certified, you join a select club of individuals, the majority of whom come from the fields of intelligence, military special forces, and homeland security.
The CARVER Methodology is one of the most effective tools that a security professional can use.
- General James L. James,
Former U.S. National Security Advisor, Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Want Some Down-and-Dirty CARVER Videos That Explain the Methodology?
Join CARVER subject matter expert, Luke "Coach CARVER" Bencie for an on-going series of tutorial videos that explain CARVER using easy-to-understand process visuals.
Click to Explore CARVER Chalk Talk
The CARVER Methodology is one of the most effective tools that a security professional can use.
- General James L. James,
Former U.S. National Security Advisor, Supreme Allied Commander Europe
As the person who was ultimately responsible for the security of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, I fully grasp the tremendous value that the CARVER Methodology provides to security
professionals. Simply put - CARVER works!"
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- Dr. Jennifer Hesterman, Colonel, USAF (Retired) Former Vice Commander of Andrews Air Force Base
