Building an Operational Technology/Control System Cybersecurity Workforce: A Whole Government Challenge

Securing critical infrastructure requires a combination of resources, technology and people that understand the unique nature of control systems and their supporting technology. People are the most critical element of the equation — without the right team that understands how to resource a control system/operational technology program, and without the right people to operate and maintain both cybersecurity capabilities and compliance programs, OT/CS becomes an un-executable mandate.

There are many challenges within government organizations tied to acquiring, utilizing and retaining cyber talent. This is especially true for the CS/OT space, where there is high competition even among commercial companies for a small number of qualified professionals.

In this edition of the Dragos Federal Webinar Series, we will explore what it takes to build a control systems cyber workforce, what skills are needed at the entry and mid-tier levels of this work role and touch on the knowledge that leaders and managers should have to connect with and lead these highly specialized professionals. We will also talk about building and encouraging diversity in the workforce, size/composition of the workforce in the public sector and provide some realistic and actionable recommendations for what we should do now to lay the groundwork for the CS/OT workforce of tomorrow.