ICS Cybersecurity Awareness: Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Through Practical Skill Deployment

Welcome to this follow-up blog on Industrial Control Systems/Operational Technology (ICS/OT) cybersecurity awareness. In addition to teaching at SANS Institute, I am an active practitioner in the field. My work includes conducting ICS/OT cybersecurity assessments, threat hunting in engineering networks in industrial environments (often wearing personal protective equipment as per the physical safety requirements), engaging directly with engineering staff, and presenting on ICS security risk management that prioritizes safety protocols—from the plant floor to the boardroom.

When I’m on site and only see traditional IT security awareness being deployed, I see increased risk to safety. This blog explores actionable steps to enhance critical infrastructure security by managing human risk factors more effectively, with ICS/OT-specific cybersecurity awareness short course training modules.

Addressing Human Vulnerabilities in Industrial Environments

Studies reveal that human error contributes to over 80% of security breaches. Therefore, equipping personnel with the skills to identify and mitigate threats is essential to secure ICS/OT systems effectively.

Key Topics Covered in This Blog

1. The need for ICS/OT-specific cybersecurity awareness short-course training modules.
2. The benefits of short-course modules in reducing plant-floor risk.
3. Roles that can be quickly upskilled.
4. A guide to deploying ICS/OT-specific cybersecurity awareness training.
5. Augmenting traditional security awareness programs with ICS/OT-specific content to upskill end users, engineering staff, operations, and leaders in control system environments.

IT Controls Can Kill ICS/OT Environments

IT and ICS/OT environments are often mistakenly treated as similar, but they differ significantly. ICS systems incorporate specialized devices, such as embedded operating systems and proprietary engineering hardware, often operating on non-standard protocols. Threats targeting ICS/OT environments require tailored tactics and defenses.

Unlike IT systems, ICS/OT systems directly impact operational safety and physical processes. A cyberattack in this context can result in catastrophic outcomes, such as equipment failure, environmental harm, or loss of life. These risks necessitate conducting specialized training and awareness to prepare personnel for incident response, implementing effective security controls, and aligning workflows with the unique demands of ICS/OT environments.

ICS/OT-Specific Short Course Training Modules

ICS networks are under constant threat, yet many professionals lack training tailored to the unique demands of critical infrastructure environments. This gap underscores the value of specialized, role-based training modules like the SANS ICS Security Awareness Training. These 20+ short course modules are designed to address unique risks and empower individuals working within critical infrastructure.

Targeted Roles

ICS Security Awareness Training modules are designed to empower key roles in enhancing ICS security, addressing responsibilities ranging from understanding system impact and securing devices to managing supply chain risks and implementing robust defenses. 

1. ICS End Users
   These individuals play a crucial role in ICS/OT defense by understanding how their actions impact system safety and security.
2. ICS Practitioners
   Tactical team members working directly with control systems, devices, networks, and engineering hardware gain skills to assess risks, secure devices, and enhance overall system resilience.
3. ICS Leadership
   Leadership-focused modules address critical areas such as supply chain risk management, patch validation, breach notification handling, and secure remote access implementation, emphasizing ICS-specific considerations.

Each training module combines live course recordings delivered by expert ICS instructors and practitioners, complemented by animations illustrating each learning objective. The modules are designed to detail the most recent ICS threats, related countermeasures, and attainable risk-reducing improvements. These modules can be deployed in a newly established ICS security awareness program or added to an existing traditional IT security awareness program to address ICS specific challenges, risks, and related control system defenses.

Taking Attainable Action

Taking attainable action to strengthen ICS/OT cybersecurity begins with practical, role-based training and easily accessible resources designed to integrate into your organization's safety and security culture.

ICS Security Awareness Video and Poster Resources

The ICS Security Awareness (SSA) poster is an essential resource for organizations seeking to implement, track, and measure ICS/OT-specific training. Complemented by a series of videos, it provides a comprehensive guide to deploying a successful security awareness program.

ICS SSA Poster Short Video #1: Role-Based Training

This quick video reviews the purpose of the ICS/OT Security Awareness Poster, and highlights safety culture, the differences between IT and ICS/OT, and 20+ role-specific training modules. This video also covers the common roles for the training modules: End Users learn their critical role in ICS defense, Practitioners gain skills in risk assessment and device security, and Leadership focuses on supply chain risks, validation, and incident handling. The modules, poster and videos apply to all ICS sectors, with a strong emphasis on safety.

Role-Based Training

ICS SSA Poster Short Video #2: Implementation Strategy using ADKAR

This quick video explores how to practically use the ICS SSA poster as a guide to leveraging the ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) model to make positive and effective changes towards improving ICS/OT cybersecurity awareness through the short course training modules. An example on how to apply ADKAR is used to ensures ICS security awareness becomes part of your organization’s culture.

Implementation Strategy Using ADKAR

ICS SSA Poster Short Video #3: Tracking & Reporting

This video provides tips on deploying, tracking, and measuring the success of your security awareness program. It covers role-based deployment, tracking participation and knowledge check results, appointing ICS Security Champions to support implementation, and recommended content refresh frequency.

Tracking and Reporting

Your Free ICS Cybersecurity Awareness Poster

Integrating cybersecurity awareness into your organization’s safety culture strengthens resilience and enhances the protection of vital systems. As with any critical infrastructure organization, they know ICS is the business (SANS Strategy Guide ICS Is the Business). You can put the ICS SSA poster into practice immediately. Download your copy HERE.

Building Resilience Through ICS/OT Cybersecurity Awareness

Addressing the unique challenges of ICS/OT cybersecurity begins with a fundamental shift in how organizations approach cybersecurity awareness and training. As highlighted in this blog, integrating role-specific, ICS-focused short course training modules alongside traditional IT security awareness programs is a pragmatic and effective way to upskill engineering teams on engineering risks and mitigations. By empowering end users, practitioners, and leadership with tailored ICS knowledge, aligned with the organization’s culture, organizations can build a more resilient defense against evolving cyber threats.

The steps are straightforward, and the short course training modules are available in a standard format for deployment. The courses include knowledge checks and up skilling for end users, practitioners, and leadership, which will reduce overall ICS/OT cyber risk and increase compliance.

Start today! Download the FREE ICS Security Awareness Poster and review the three short videos mentioned above so you can put these strategies into practice immediately.

About the Author

Dean is the CEO and Principal Consultant of ICS Defense Force, a SANS Principal Instructor of ICS515^TM: ICS Visibility, Detection, and Response^TM and co-author of ICS418^TM: ICS Security Essentials for Leaders^TM. He holds numerous certifications, including GICSP, GRID, GSLC, GCIA, and CISSP®, and is a proud member of the ICS/OT cyber defense community, bringing 22 years of technical and management experience to the classroom. He has worked in both IT and ICS Cyber Defense in critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications; electricity generation, transmission, distribution; and oil and gas refineries, storage, and distribution. Dean is an ambassador for defending industrial systems and an advocate for the safety, reliability, and cyber protection of critical infrastructure. His mission as an instructor is to empower each of his students. Dean earnestly preaches that “Defense is do-able!”

Check Dean’s teaching schedule and join him in class sometime.