ICS/SCADA Security Fundamentals: Protecting Industrial Control Systems

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA networks power the world's critical infrastructure, from water treatment plants to electrical grids. Securing these operational technology (OT) environments requires a specialized mindset distinct from traditional IT security. This text-based course guides you through the foundational principles of ICS/SCADA security, giving you the knowledge to identify vulnerabilities and defend vital industrial systems against modern cyber threats. What you'll learn: - Understand the core differences between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) security priorities. - Analyze the architecture of ICS/SCADA systems, including PLCs, RTUs, and the Purdue Model. - Identify common industrial protocols like Modbus, DNP3, and Ethernet/IP, along with their security weaknesses. - Apply modern threat modeling and zero-trust concepts to legacy industrial networks. - Discover how to perform basic vulnerability assessments and risk management in OT environments. - Practice designing defense-in-depth strategies to secure critical infrastructure against real-world cyberattacks. You will start by exploring essential terminology and the physical components of industrial networks before moving into protocol analysis and modern defense methodologies. Through written scenarios and conceptual exercises, you will learn how to apply security controls without disrupting critical operations. This course is designed for cybersecurity beginners, IT professionals transitioning to OT, and industrial operators wanting to understand the fundamentals of digital security. No prior industrial engineering experience is required. Begin your journey into operational technology security and learn how to protect the systems that keep our world running.