Specialized Attacks: OT and ICS from Pluralsight

This course will teach you how to perform reconnaissance, analyze network protocols, and conduct attacks against Operational Technology. This will show how weak cyber security in OT environments can significantly disrupt manufacturing operations.

Attacks against Industrial Control Systems (ICS) can cause manufacturing downtime, disrupt electricity generation or water supplies, and stop public services such as transport and telecommunication systems. In this course, Specialized Attacks: OT and ICS, you’ll learn to identify vulnerable systems, exploit inherent weaknesses, and perform actions that could disrupt operational technologies. First, you’ll explore how to identify internet facing operational technology, including control systems. Next, you’ll discover how to analyze the communications between industrial control systems. Finally, you’ll learn how to interact with those systems to perform unintended operations and disrupt operations. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll understand how to assess ICS environments, identify weaknesses and describe the potential consequences of an attack. This will enable you to make the case for continued investment in cyber security and reduce the likelihood of operational downtime.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Exploring ICS and OT Attacks

Exploiting the Modbus Protocol

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches methods for reconnaissance and vulnerability discovery on OT, ICS environment, which is highly relevant to specialists in industrial cybersecurity

Develops hands-on skills for interaction with OT cyber-physical systems and ICS networks relevant to red teamers

Covers unique perspectives and hands-on techniques for exploiting vulnerabilities in Operational Technology environments

Taught by experienced cybersecurity expert Matthew Lloyd Davies

Appropriate for individuals with a background in cybersecurity, particularly those interested in industrial control systems (ICS) and ICS cybersecurity

Assumes familiarity with the Modbus protocol, which may not be suitable for beginners in this field

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Specialized Attacks: OT and ICS with these activities:

Learn about ICS and OT Security

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Start preparing by completing a few tutorials on ICS and OT Security

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Search for tutorials on ICS and OT security
Enroll in one or two tutorials and complete them

Review Network Protocols

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Review the fundamentals of network protocols to ensure a strong foundation for understanding the course materials.

Browse courses on Network Protocols

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Read through existing notes or textbooks on network protocols.
Complete practice problems or quizzes on network protocols.
Review online tutorials or videos on network protocols.

Practice Identifying Vulnerable Systems

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Practice identifying vulnerable systems to improve your understanding of attack surfaces

Browse courses on Vulnerability Assessment

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Set up a lab environment for practicing
Use tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities
Document your findings and recommendations

Three other activities

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Contribute to Open Source OT Security Projects

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the OT security community

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Identify open source OT security projects
Review code and identify areas for contributions
Submit your contributions for review

Create a Report on OT Security Risks

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Develop a comprehensive understanding of OT security risks by creating a report

Browse courses on Risk Assessment

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Research OT security risks and best practices
Identify and assess risks specific to your organization
Develop mitigation strategies and recommendations
Write and present your report

Share Your Knowledge with Others

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Reinforce your understanding by sharing your knowledge with others

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Identify opportunities to mentor others
Prepare materials and resources
Provide guidance and support to mentees

Career center

Learners who complete Specialized Attacks: OT and ICS will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Systems Security Analyst

Information Systems Security Analysts work to protect their organization's information and computer systems. These information systems often make heavy use of Operational Technologies (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). The work of an Information Systems Security Analyst can therefore be made easier by having an understanding of OT and ICS, which this course explores in depth.

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IT Security Consultant

IT Security Consultants help their clients improve their cybersecurity infrastructure. They can make recommendations on IT security measures that address both traditional IT infrastructure and newer systems such as OT and ICS. This course could be useful for IT Security Consultants by providing an understanding of the unique cybersecurity risks associated with OT and ICS.

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Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design and implement cybersecurity solutions for their organizations. This includes securing traditional IT systems as well as newer systems such as OT and ICS. This course could be useful for Cybersecurity Engineers by providing them with an understanding of the specific cybersecurity risks that face OT and ICS systems.

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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for overseeing the cybersecurity of their organizations. With the increasing importance of OT and ICS in many organizations, CISOs will benefit from a deep understanding of the unique cybersecurity risks they face. This course may be useful for CISOs by providing such an understanding.

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Information Assurance Analyst

Information Assurance Analysts help their organizations protect their information and information systems. This includes assuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. With the increasing prevalence of OT and ICS in many organizations, Information Assurance Analysts will benefit from an understanding of the unique risks that they pose. This course could be useful for Information Assurance Analysts by providing such an understanding.

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Network Security Architect

Network Security Architects design and implement secure network architectures. They must stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, including those that affect OT and ICS. This course may be useful for Network Security Architects by providing them with an in-depth understanding of the unique cybersecurity risks that face OT and ICS systems.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts investigate and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents. They must have a deep understanding of cybersecurity, including the unique risks that face OT and ICS systems. This course may be useful for Security Analysts by providing them with such an understanding.

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Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers assess the security of computer and network systems by simulating attacks. This includes testing the security of OT and ICS systems. This course could be useful for Penetration Testers by providing them with an understanding of the specific cybersecurity risks that face OT and ICS systems.

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Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This includes developing software for OT and ICS systems. This course could be useful for Software Developers by providing them with an understanding of the unique cybersecurity risks that face OT and ICS systems.

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System Administrator

System Administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. Many enterprise system administrators must have an understanding of OT and ICS systems, as these systems play an increasingly important role in the modern organization. This course could be useful for System Administrators by providing them with an understanding of the cybersecurity risks associated with OT and ICS systems.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. This includes data from OT and ICS systems. Data Analysts can use this data to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture. This course could be useful for Data Analysts by providing them with an understanding of the cybersecurity risks specific to OT and ICS systems.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and deploy machine learning models. Machine Learning can be used to improve the cybersecurity of OT and ICS systems, for example by detecting and responding to cyber threats. This course could be useful for Machine Learning Engineers interested in working in cybersecurity by providing them with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of securing OT and ICS systems.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud computing solutions. This includes designing and implementing cloud-based OT and ICS systems. This course could be useful for Cloud Architects by providing them with an understanding of the cybersecurity risks specific to cloud-based OT and ICS systems.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation and other instructional materials for technical products and services. This includes OT and ICS systems. This course could be useful for Technical Writers by providing them with an understanding of the cybersecurity risks associated with OT and ICS systems.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts assess the risks that organizations face, including cybersecurity risks. These risks include both traditional IT risks and the unique cybersecurity risks that face OT and ICS. This course could be useful for Risk Analysts by providing them with an understanding of the cybersecurity risks of OT and ICS systems.

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