The CARVER Essentials: Foundational Training on the CARVER Methodology
Learn to run your business like a CIA operative—analyze risks, identify opportunities, and make strategic decisions with the precision of an intelligence professional. A master class for solo and/or boutique consulting firms.
Dates
Ongoing
Format
Online
Time
90 minutes divided across seven videos
Fee*
$97
Application Due
None
Certifications
First step in CCAP/CMP certification
Click here to watch a sneak peek at the CARVER Essentials Course
Welcome to the CARVER Essentials Online Training Course.
This is your foundational training of the well-established CARVER Methodology, which was made popular by the CIA, the US Special Operations Community, and the Department of Homeland Security. This initial video series provides you with a background on how the methodology came into existence and its usage across the fields of critical infrastructure protection, HUMINT targeting, strategy, operational tradecraft, and leadership.
This is the initial course offered at the CARVER Training Institute and is the first step towards you earning both your Certified CARVER Assessment Professional (CCAP) and your Certified Master Practitioner (CMP) designations. These prestigious certifications are granted through the CARVER Training Institute, as well as the University of South Florida’s Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education. They are also recognized for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through organizations such as ASIS-International and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). By earning your CCAP and CMP, you are demonstrating that you are a leading expert in the CARVER Methodology.
CURRICULUM SUMMARY
Inside this Elite Course…
- Module 1: Introduction to CARVER
Discover what CARVER is, why it was developed, and how it continues to be one of the most effective analytical tools for prioritizing assets, risks, and opportunities in today’s world. - Module 2: The History and Evolution of CARVER
Trace CARVER’s origins from World War II special operations to its refinement within the CIA and its adoption as a global standard for critical infrastructure protection and decision-making. - Module 3: Cognizant Security Strategy
Learn how to apply the six CARVER criteria—Criticality, Accessibility, Recoverability, Vulnerability, Effect, and Recognizability—to real-world situations, and understand how they form the backbone of effective risk analysis. - Module 4: The CARVER Mindset
Explore compelling case studies that show CARVER in action, from protecting critical infrastructure to shaping competitive business strategies, and develop the mental framework to see problems like an intelligence professional. - Module 5: CARVER Leadership
Examine how CARVER principles apply to leadership and decision-making, including a practical walkthrough of the revised CARVER Leadership acronym, with tips on interpreting results and making high-stakes calls. - Module 6: Bringing it All Together
Synthesize what you’ve learned and find out how to begin your journey to becoming a Certified CARVER Assessment Professional and a CARVER Certified Master Practitioner. - Bonus Session: Live Q&A with Luke Bencie
Luke answers student questions on applying CARVER to careers, leadership, and everyday decision-making
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is ideal for:
- Business leaders and executives seeking better decision-making tools
- Security and risk management professionals
- Military, law enforcement, and intelligence personnel
- Entrepreneurs and consultants looking to analyze opportunities strategically
- Anyone seeking to sharpen critical thinking and prioritization skills
REVIEWS
CARVER Essentials is a fantastic primer. Luke makes a complex methodology easy to understand and immediately actionable. I now use CARVER every week to prioritize projects and manage risk for my organization.”
— Chris, Fortune 500 Security Manager
The Q&A session was worth the price alone—hearing real stories from Luke’s CIA background made the methodology come alive.”
— Rodolfo, International Business Executive
Intelligence is the ability to see the hidden, connect the dots, and act before others even realize there’s a decision to be made. CARVER serves as my cheat sheet.”
— Joe, Intelligence Officer
INSTRUCTOR
Your primary instructor for the course will be Luke Bencie. However, there will also be surprise guest speakers who are experts in the field of CARVER Business Mastery.
LUKE BENCIE has spent over two decades working within the US Intelligence Community, traveling to over 130 countries as an intelligence professional and as a certified CIA training instructor. The author of eight books on security and intelligence, he began his career as a technical operations officer at the CIA, where he was assigned to the Office of Special Activities and served as a liaison to the US Department of State’s Foreign Emergency Support Team. He later worked for Raytheon Company in the Intelligence and Information Systems Division. For the past fifteen years, he has run the globally successful consulting firm, Security Management International.
In 2010, Luke started his own global security consulting firm, Security Management International, which specializes in training government agencies and Fortune 500 security teams in the CIA’s CARVER Methodology.
He has been a keynote speaker for the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) in McLean, Virginia, the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers (AIPIO) in Melbourne, Australia, as well as the International Spy Museum in Washington DC, along with various universities. He has lectured at the Pentagon, regarding the latest espionage threats facing military personnel during their overseas deployments. Luke has also been a consultant to Paramount Pictures, where he lectured to Hollywood reporters about espionage and surveillance methods for the release of the movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the CARVER Essentials course?
Do I need any prior knowledge of security or intelligence to take this course?
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
How is CARVER Essentials different from the 3-day live CARVER TAVA course?
How long do I have access to the course?
Contact SMI with any Questions about CARVER Training.
We'll be in touch as soon as possible to learn more about how we can help your organization adopt the CARVER Methodology.
