ISA delivers industrial cybersecurity training at US Army National Guard Cyber Shield 19 exercise

Summary

May 1, 2019 — The International Society of Automation (ISA) in April provided operational technology (OT) training in support of the US Army National Guard’s national cyber-operations exercise, Cyber Shield.

Cyber Shield 19—held 5-18 April 2019 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana—brought together approximately 800 Army and Air National Guard network defenders and world-class cybersecurity professionals, industry network owners, an Army Reserve assessment team, and federal and state agencies to train the next generation of cyber warriors in the ever-changing, dynamic world of information systems and networks.

Cyber Shield includes a critical training component that offers industry-leading courses and seminars that are organized into tracks based on the roles of the participating cyber team members.

“We focus on getting people prepared for cyber defense,” said Col. Teri Williams, Commander, Cyber Shield 19. “There are a lot of people we bring to the table for that first week of training. Microsoft, CISCO and SANS are on hand for some of the cyber defensive training. The International Society of Automation (ISA) provides ICS/SCADA network training. “

ISA was selected by the National Guard because of its leadership and experience in developing the world’s only consensus-based series of industrial cybersecurity standards, ISA/IEC 62443. These standards, which also serve as the basis for ISA cybersecurity training, protect the industrial automation and control systems (IACS) and networks that operate OT machinery and associated devices within critical infrastructure. Without these defenses in place, industrial cyberattack can result in plant shutdown, operational and equipment impairment, severe economic and environmental damage, and public endangerment.

Given their protective capabilities, the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards are key components of the US Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity  (dated April 2018), a how-to guide developed through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help strengthen America’s cyber defenses.

During the first week of Cyber Shield 2019, ISA’s subject-matter experts taught three ISA courses:  ISA Cybersecurity courses included: Introduction to Industrial Automation Security and the ISA/IEC 62443 Standards (IC32C); IACS Cybersecurity Design & Implementation (IC34), and IACS Cybersecurity Operations & Maintenance (IC37) courses.

To access additional images, visit the Cyber Shield 2019 photo page on the Defense Visual Distribution Service website.

Developed by international cybersecurity experts from industry, government and academia, ISA/IEC 62443 is a framework for preventing and limiting cyber damage to IACS and networks.

Because most IACS are not designed to ensure resilience against cyber warfare, an IACS cyberattack can impair and disable safe operations of industrial facilities. The consequences—which can include plant shutdowns, widespread power blackouts, explosions, chemical leaks, and more—can place national and economic security as well as lives, personal safety and the environment at risk.

ISA/IEC 62443 enables owners and operators of critical infrastructure to achieve and maintain IACS security improvements through a lifecycle that integrates design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement.

About ISA

The International Society of Automation is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world. 

ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation, an association of non-profit organizations serving as “The Voice of Automation.” Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute