Intro to Critical Infrastructure

Critical infrastructure cybersecurity concepts: PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, Modbus protocol, and related OT security topics through hands-on labs.

Cybersecurity NDG

This course is educator-led only.

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About this course

Note: This course is instructor-led only and is not available to self-paced learners. Contact your educator or instructor for enrollment and purchasing details.

Course Details

The Intro to Critical Infrastructure labs introduce you to operational technology (OT) concepts that are essential for securing manufacturing, utilities, and other critical infrastructure environments.

The first six labs cover foundational OT concepts suitable for all levels. Labs seven through fourteen are designed for learners with networking and cybersecurity backgrounds who want to apply those skills to industrial control systems.

Topics covered include:

  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
  • Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
  • SCADA systems
  • Modbus communication protocol
  • Network protocol analysis for industrial environments
  • Attack reconnaissance techniques targeting PLCs

What you'll learn

01 Identify components and architectures of industrial control systems including SCADA and PLCs
02 Analyze threats and vulnerabilities specific to operational technology environments
03 Implement security controls aligned with ICS frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82
04 Navigate the convergence of IT and OT networks and its security implications

Course outline

1 module · 15 labs

Labs

15 items

Lab 01: Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers

Lab 02: PLC Programming Languages

Lab 03: Building Your First PLC Program

Lab 04: Introduction to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

Lab 05: Building a SCADA Human Machine Interface

Lab 06: Introduction to Modbus

Lab 07: Exploring ICS Packet Captures

Lab 08: ICS Protocols

Lab 09: Scanning Industrial Control Systems

Lab 10: MiTM/DoS Attack Automation on ICS

Lab 11: Pentesting a Corporate Environment

Lab 12: Setting Up a Command-and-Control Center

Lab 13: Setting Up a Pivot

Lab 14: Deep Pivot with LDAP

No Lab: Launch Cyber Range

What's in this course

Lab Exercises

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, protocols)
  • Familiarity with general cybersecurity principles
  • No prior ICS or SCADA experience required

Best for

  • Learners exploring careers in industrial control system (ICS) security
  • IT and OT professionals responsible for critical infrastructure protection
  • Security analysts expanding into SCADA and industrial cybersecurity
  • Educators teaching introductory ICS/OT security curriculum
Academic verification required

Resources