The industrial landscape is evolving at an incredible pace. As IT and OT environments continue to converge, the traditional boundaries of network security are shifting, creating both new challenges and significant professional opportunities.

It was a privilege to connect with so many of you at Cisco Live this year to discuss the critical workforce and skills gap in OT security. Whether we spoke during my session or connected on the show floor, the energy around securing our critical infrastructure was palpable.

Recap: CISCOU-1065 – Securing Tomorrow’s Factories

In our session, Securing Tomorrow’s Factories: Developing Essential IIoT Job Skills for Organizational Resilience, we dove deep into the unique security and operational challenges of industrial IoT (IIoT). For those who attended, we explored:

• The IT/OT gap: We discussed why OT-specific skills are currently among the most sought-after assets in the industry.
• Hands-on application: We walked through a live, interactive Packet Tracer lab, demonstrating how to model industrial control systems in a simulated environment.
• The Cisco ecosystem: We highlighted how to leverage the NetAcad’s Industrial IoT curriculum and modules on Cisco U. to upskill yourself and your team. Cisco U. is where you can access a variety of content that meets your needs-whether that’s certification training, product training, tutorials, and much more.
• Framework development: We looked at actionable ways to become an advocate for workforce development within your own organization.

Your 10-Module OT Security Starter Pack

If you missed the session or want to revisit the material, the best way to continue your journey is by mastering the fundamentals. I recommend these 10 modules on Cisco U. as your essential foundation for understanding OT security:

Visibility & foundations

• Introduction to OT and ICS Fundamentals
• OT Network Communication Principles
• OT Protocols Overview
• Common OT Vulnerabilities and Threats

Segmentation & architecture

• Industrial Ethernet Architecture
• Network Convergence: OT and IT
• Introduction to Security in OT
• Security Architecture for OT

Compliance & protection

• OT Security Standards (ISA 62443, NIST 800-82)
• Critical Infrastructure Protection

Keep the Conversation Going

The factories of tomorrow are being built today, and they require secure, resilient networks. The learning doesn’t stop when the event ends. I encourage you to log in to Cisco U., explore these free modules, and continue building the skills necessary to bridge the IT/OT divide.

Thank you to everyone who joined me at Cisco Live. I look forward to seeing how you apply these skills to secure the future of our critical infrastructure.