Key Takeaways
- The need for expertise in connecting and securing operational technology (OT) is critical and urgent.
- OT is the invisible infrastructure that powers our lives, controlling physical operations in factories, energy plants, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks.
- The skills gap in OT is a major obstacle to growth, with 42% of respondents citing it as their number one challenge.
- Cyber threats are increasingly targeting industrial systems, making the need for professionals to safeguard these critical operations more urgent than ever.
- Cisco Networking Academy is expanding its portfolio to include comprehensive Operational Technology learning pathways, with a focus on practical, industry-aligned training.
Introduction to Operational Technology
Operational technology (OT) is the backbone of modern life, controlling the physical world and ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of critical infrastructure. It is the specialized hardware and software that monitor and control physical operations in various industries, including factories, energy plants, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks. Unlike traditional information technology (IT), which manages data and communications, OT directly controls the physical world. As Industry 4.0 accelerates the shift toward smart, automated, and connected manufacturing, the line between IT and OT is blurring, creating unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation, but also introducing complex challenges that require a new generation of skilled professionals.
The Growing Importance of OT Skills
The shortage of skilled workers in OT is a major concern, with 42% of respondents citing it as their number one obstacle to growth. Nearly two-thirds of respondents have increased their investment in operational technology, yet they struggle to find professionals equipped with the right skills. This skills gap is not just an inconvenience, but a threat to operational efficiency, safety, and security. The real-world impact is clear, with cyberattacks on Ukraine’s power grid, the Oldsmar city water treatment facility, and Costa Rica’s tax collection and healthcare services, demonstrating the direct ability of cyber attackers to disrupt critical national infrastructure.
The Need for OT Education
The need for professionals to safeguard critical operations is more urgent than ever, with cyber threats increasingly targeting industrial systems. To address this need, Cisco Networking Academy is expanding its portfolio to include comprehensive Operational Technology learning pathways. These pathways include four Industrial and Operational Technology courses, with specialized learning pathways that emphasize practice in simulated real-world environments. The courses cover essential networking concepts, industrial IoT and control systems, and industrial cybersecurity essentials, providing learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on practice employers are actively seeking.
Cisco Networking Academy’s Approach to OT Education
At Cisco Networking Academy, the approach to OT education is centered around practical, industry-aligned training. The courses are designed to provide learners with hands-on experience in simulated real-world environments, using Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 and higher. The curriculum is co-designed with subject matter experts from the field, ensuring that it meets current and future workforce needs. The courses include industrial networking essentials, industry-specific specializations, and industrial cybersecurity essentials, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of OT and its applications.
The Future of OT Education
The future of OT education is exciting, with the potential for learners to become experts in connecting and securing operational technology. Whether you’re early in your career and exploring opportunities in the industrial sector, or you’re a professional looking to reskill from another field, Cisco Networking Academy’s new Industrial and OT courses provide the foundational knowledge and hands-on practice employers are actively seeking. Instructors can also join the Cisco Networking Academy educator community and position their program at the forefront of industrial education, providing their students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the OT field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the need for expertise in connecting and securing operational technology (OT) is critical and urgent. The skills gap in OT is a major obstacle to growth, and cyber threats are increasingly targeting industrial systems. Cisco Networking Academy’s comprehensive Operational Technology learning pathways provide learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on practice employers are actively seeking. With the potential for learners to become experts in connecting and securing operational technology, the future of OT education is exciting, and the need for professionals to safeguard critical operations is more urgent than ever.