OT CT (Ep. 17): OT/ICS Cybersecurity Certifications for 2026

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides valuable, practical information for individuals considering a career in OT/ICS cybersecurity. The speaker’s experience and involvement in the field lend credibility to his advice. He offers a clear overview of the certification landscape, including costs and prerequisites, and addresses common questions from the audience. His argumentation is solid, based on real-world observations and industry trends. He also provides a balanced view, acknowledging the challenges such as lower pay and limited job opportunities, while emphasizing the mission-driven nature of the field.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speaker demonstrates a good understanding of the subject matter, but the video lacks formal citations or references to specific sources. The information is based on personal experience and industry knowledge, which is acceptable for an expert opinion format. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on certifications for 2026. The video is well-structured, with a clear flow from general concepts to specific certifications and career advice. The speaker’s involvement in the CompTIA SecOT+ development adds credibility, but the lack of external sources limits the overall rigor.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on OT/ICS cybersecurity certifications for 2026, including the upcoming SecOT+.

8/10

The speaker is an experienced OT/ICS cybersecurity professional, actively involved in the community and in developing the upcoming CompTIA SecOT+ certification. The information is practical and based on direct experience, but it is largely anecdotal and lacks formal citations or data.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction and welcome to the session on OT/ICS cybersecurity certifications.
• 05:00Discussion on the importance of certifications for career advancement and the different reasons for pursuing them.
• 10:00Overview of the certification matrix for common OT/ICS roles, including IT and OT-specific certifications.
• 15:00Discussion on the upcoming CompTIA SecOT+ certification, its expected cost, and the speaker's involvement in its development.
• 20:00Answering audience questions about entry-level certifications and the role of GRC in OT/ICS.
• 25:00Advice on the job market, including salary expectations and the importance of on-site work.
• 30:00Discussion on the ISA/IEC 62443 certification series and its cost structure.
• 35:00Recommendations for free resources, including the speaker's own YouTube course and newsletter.
• 40:00Further audience questions on specific certifications and study materials.
• 45:00Final thoughts on the future of OT/ICS cybersecurity and the importance of passion for the mission.

• Mike Holcomb's Newsletter — Mentioned as a resource for updates and additional content on OT/ICS cybersecurity.
• Free OT/ICS Cyber Learning Videos — Referenced as a collection of free videos for learning OT/ICS cybersecurity.

• CompTIA SecOT+ — The upcoming certification discussed in the video, expected to launch in 2026.