Learn to safeguard industrial networks and critical infrastructure — develop practical cybersecurity skills for ICS and IIoT environments using real-world frameworks, Cisco Packet Tracer, and Kali Linux.
As industrial operations become more digitised and interconnected, safeguarding critical systems from cyber threats is more important than ever. Modern factories, energy facilities, and infrastructure rely on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) — making robust cybersecurity a foundational requirement for ensuring safe and reliable performance. This course provides a solid foundation in safeguarding industrial networks and assets, covering real-world cyberattack scenarios, threat actor analysis, and key industrial cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82. Practical skills are developed through 6 Cisco Packet Tracer activities and 11 interactive labs, including select labs in a secure Kali Linux Virtual Machine environment, covering vulnerability identification, security best practices, and incident response.
Curriculum Chapters
- 1. Introduction to Industrial Cybersecurity
- Cyberattacks of the IACS
- Cybersecurity Basics
- IIoT Security Requirements
- The McCumber Cube Security Model
- IT, OT, and IoT Security Requirements
- 2. Attack Concepts and Techniques
- Industrial Cyber Attacks
- Threat Actors
- Methods of Attack
- Analyzing Attacks
- Cyberwarfare
- 3. Industrial Cybersecurity Frameworks and Regulations
- Standards and Frameworks
- The ISA/IEC 62443 Family of Standards
- NIST SP 800-82 and the Cyber Security Framework
- Other Standards
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- 4. Vulnerabilities
- Common ICS Vulnerabilities
- Vulnerability Testing Types and Tools
- 5. Risk Assessment
- Risk Assessment Concepts and Approaches
- Using a Risk Assessment Tool
- Assessing Risk with Threat Modeling
- 6. Securing Industrial Networks
- Designing Secure Industrial Networks
- Secure Network Segmentation
- Network Security Monitoring
- 7. Authentication and Authorization Controls
- Access Control Concepts
- Access Control Models
- Secure Remote Access
- 8. Hardening the Industrial Network Infrastructure
- Harden Industrial Networks and Protocols
- Industrial Network Infrastructure Security
- 9. Frontiers in Industrial Cybersecurity
- The Emerging Threat Landscape
- Zero Trust Architecture in Industrial Environments
- The Network as a Sensor
Skills You Will Learn
Explain the role of cybersecurity in IIoT and ICS environments including the McCumber Cube security model and IT/OT/IoT security requirements. Analyse real-world industrial cyberattack scenarios, threat actors, attack methods, and cyberwarfare concepts. Apply key industrial cybersecurity frameworks including ISA/IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and other relevant standards. Identify common ICS vulnerabilities and apply vulnerability testing techniques and tools. Conduct risk assessments using risk assessment tools and threat modelling approaches. Design secure industrial networks using network segmentation and security monitoring. Implement access control concepts, access control models, and secure remote access solutions. Harden industrial network infrastructure and protocols. Explore the emerging threat landscape, Zero Trust Architecture in industrial environments, and the network-as-a-sensor concept.
Technologies Used
Cisco Packet Tracer (6 activities)
Kali Linux Virtual Machine (select interactive labs)
ISA/IEC 62443 & NIST SP 800-82 frameworks
Vulnerability testing and risk assessment tools
Course Details
Course Type: Instructor-led
Time: 25 Hours
Modules: 9
Labs: 17 labs (11 interactive + 6 Cisco Packet Tracer activities)
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites
Completion of Industrial Networking Essentials AND completion of either Industrial IoT and Control Systems in Energy or Industrial IoT and Control Systems in Manufacturing.
Certification & Career
Career and Certification alignment: No target certification exam for this course. Upon completion, earners receive the Industrial Cybersecurity Essentials Cisco digital badge. The course prepares learners for cybersecurity roles in industrial OT environments including manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Achievements & Badges
Upon completion, earn a Cisco Networking Academy digital badge. Share your verified achievement on LinkedIn, your CV, or professional profile.
What Cisco verifies: Cisco verifies the earner of this badge successfully completed the Industrial Cybersecurity Essentials course. The holder of this credential has foundational knowledge of industrial cybersecurity concepts for ICS and IIoT environments, including cyberattack analysis, industrial security frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82), vulnerability assessment, risk management, secure network design, access control, and infrastructure hardening, with hands-on practice using Cisco Packet Tracer and Kali Linux.