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Welcome to our comprehensive Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security program. This course equips you with essential knowledge, practical skills, and strategic insights to safeguard operational technology (OT) environments. We'll progress from foundational concepts to hands-on exercises, simulating real-world attack and defense scenarios. Throughout this journey, you'll learn how ICS differ from traditional IT systems and explore unique challenges in OT security.
Program Code: CX401
Package: CX ICS/SCADA​
Level: 7​
ICS Fundamentals
Why ICS Security Matters:
Real-World Outages
• December 2015 Ukraine Blackout
– Coordinated malware attack on three regional substations
– 225 000 + customers around Kyiv left without power for hours
– Attackers remotely tripped breakers via SCADA malware
• April 2025 Iberian Blackout (Near-Miss)
– Hours without electricity across Spain, Portugal & Andorra
– Root cause still debated—grid fault or covert cyber incident?
– Reminds us how swiftly critical services collapse
Key Takeaway
Whether proven or just suspected, a cyber-driven OT failure can plunge entire regions into darkness—and sow chaos.
What If That Happened Here?
Every module in this course addresses the tools to prevent exactly that.
Course Information
Prerequisites
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Basic Networking Knowledge
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Linux and Windows Operating System
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Basic Scripting or Programming Skills
Duration Options
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Self-paced: N/D
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Trainer-led: 20 hours
Core Features of Cyberium Arena
Labs
Enhance training with defense and attack tasks.
Books
Tailored coursebooks for cybersecurity studies.
Scenarios
Diverse situations mimicking real professional challenges.
Projects
Integrated projects to demonstrate acquired knowledge.
Understanding ICS Architecture
Information Technology (IT)
Traditional IT environments prioritize data security and confidentiality, typically found in office settings with standard computing infrastructure.
Operational Technology (OT)
ICS environments focus on continuous operation and safety, controlling physical processes in industrial settings.
SCADA Systems
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems monitor and control distributed assets across large geographic areas.
PLCs and DCS
Programmable Logic Controllers and Distributed Control Systems manage local industrial processes and manufacturing operations.
ICS Across Critical Sectors
Oil & Gas Pipeline
Electrical Power Grids
Water Treatment
Key Components of ICS
Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Learn about HMI functionality, vulnerabilities, and secure configurations.
Supervisory Systems
Understand the architecture and roles in monitoring and control loops.
Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
Explore communication protocols and usage scenarios for RTUs.
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Dive into logic programming basics, firmware, and common vulnerabilities.
ICS Communication Basics
Network Architecture
Explore ICS network segmentation, demilitarized zones (DMZ), and industrial demarcation points.
Known ICS Protocols
Study Modbus, DNP3, and other protocols like IEC standards, understanding their structures and vulnerabilities.
Network Analysis
Learn to sniff and decode ICS protocols, use Wireshark for analysis, and identify abnormal traffic patterns.
ICS Threat Landscape
Common Threats
Examine malware like Stuxnet and Triton/Trisis, ransomware in OT environments, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
TTPs
Map ICS attacks to frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK for ICS,
understanding attacker strategies.
Vulnerabilities
Identify firmware vulnerabilities, insecure remote access risks,
and threats from rogue devices and removable media.
Hands-On Attack Scenarios
Reconnaissance
Learn techniques attackers use to gather information about ICS targets.
Lateral Movement
Understand how intruders navigate through ICS networks undetected.
ICS-Specific Payloads
Explore malicious code tailored for industrial control systems.
ICS Systems
Engage in ICS-focused exercises to apply learned concepts.
ICS Security Foundations
Defense-in-Depth
Layered security approach for ICS
Least Privilege
Minimal access rights for users and processes
Secure Remote Access
Protected methods for remote operations
Physical Security
Safeguarding physical access to ICS components
These foundational principles form the core of a robust ICS security strategy, adapted to prioritize availability and safety in operational technology environments.
ICS Lifecycle Challenges
Asset Management
Tracking ICS components and versions across the industrial environment requires robust systems and processes to maintain accurate inventory control.
Patch Strategies
Implementing critical updates and security patches while minimizing operational disruption demands careful planning and execution.
Supply Chain Security
Ensuring the integrity of ICS components from manufacturer to installation requires rigorous security controls and verification procedures.
Risk Assessments & Audits
Identify Assets and Threats
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Catalog critical ICS components and potential vulnerabilities.
Analyze Risks
Evaluate the likelihood and impact of potential security incidents
Develop Mitigation Plans
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Create strategies to address identified risks and vulnerabilities.
Conduct Compliance Audits
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Perform regular checks against relevant standards and regulations.
Defense Tools for ICS
ICS-Tuned NIDS/NIPS
Explore intrusion detection systems optimized for industrial protocols.
SIEM Integration
Learn to correlate OT events with enterprise security information.
Endpoint Security
Discover techniques for hardening HMIs and engineering workstations.
Emerging ICS Security Technologies
Data Diodes
Understand how industrial data diodes enable secure one-way data flows, preventing unauthorized access while allowing necessary information transfer.
Machine Learning Anomaly Detection
Explore how AI and behavioral analytics can identify unusual patterns in ICS operations, potentially catching sophisticated attacks.
Next-Gen Remote Access
Learn about advanced solutions for secure remote access, including jump servers and VPNs with enhanced authentication mechanisms.
ICS Incident Response
1. Preparation
Develop ICS-specific incident response plans that prioritize safety and operational continuity.
2. Detection
Identify indicators of compromise in ICS environments using specialized tools and techniques.
3. Containment
Implement strategies to isolate affected systems while maintaining critical operations.
4. Eradication
Remove threats and vulnerabilities, often requiring coordinated efforts with operations staff.
5. Recovery
Restore systems to normal operations, ensuring safety and reliability throughout the process.
Resilience & Recovery in ICS
Disaster Recovery Planning
Develop strategies for backing up and restoring critical ICS configurations and implementing failover systems.
Tabletop Exercises
Conduct simulations to test and improve incident response plans, involving both technical and management teams.
Continuous Improvement
Implement a cycle of post-incident reviews, lessons learned, and plan updates to enhance overall resilience.
