OT Cyber Tuesday (Ep. 7) - How to Get Started in OT/ICS Cybersecurity

OT Cyber Tuesday (Ep. 7) - How to Get Started in OT/ICS Cybersecurity

by Mike Holcomb

Applied Sciences & Engineering Computing & Cybersecurity UComputing and Information TechnologyURComputer security
🎙 Mike Holcomb 👥 27K 📅 November 26, 2025 ⏱ 62 min 👁 881 📄 tutorial 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

OT/ICScybersecuritycareerPLCSCADAresources

Summary

In this episode of OT Cyber Tuesday, Mike Holcomb provides a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in starting a career in OT/ICS cybersecurity. He begins by acknowledging the intimidation factor and emphasizes that learning takes time. He introduces two ebooks available on his website, tailored for IT cybersecurity professionals and OT engineers, respectively. The first two steps of his 10-step approach differ based on background, while the remaining eight are common. For IT professionals, he stresses the importance of learning to think like an engineer and understanding ICS fundamentals such as PLCs, SCADA, and safety systems. He recommends resources including books like ‘Sandworm’ by Andy Greenberg, ‘Hacking Exposed: Industrial Control Systems’, and ‘Countdown to Zero Days’ by Kim Zetter, as well as podcasts and certifications like CompTIA Security+ and ISA courses. He highlights the supportive OT/ICS community and encourages leveraging GenAI tools for faster learning. The session includes interactive audience participation and ends with a Q&A segment.

157 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video offers valuable, practical advice for career changers, drawing on the speaker’s extensive experience in the field. The argumentation is solid, based on real-world examples and recommended resources. However, the presentation is informal and occasionally digresses, which may reduce the perceived rigor. The speaker effectively argues that OT/ICS cybersecurity is accessible and that a supportive community exists, but he does not provide empirical evidence or formal studies to support his claims.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speaker demonstrates good scientific rigor by referencing well-known books, certifications, and industry figures. However, he does not provide formal citations or links to specific sources within the video, relying instead on general recommendations. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video stays on topic. The speaker’s credibility is enhanced by his practical experience and active engagement with the community.

148 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: a practical guide on getting started in OT/ICS cybersecurity, with a focus on resources and mindset.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video provides practical, experience-based guidance for entering OT/ICS cybersecurity. The author demonstrates deep domain knowledge and references reputable sources (books, certifications, community figures). However, the content is largely anecdotal and lacks formal citations or peer-reviewed evidence, and the presentation is informal with some digressions.

Key Moments

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

Cited Sources

  • Mike Holcomb's Newsletter — Mentioned as a resource for joining the community and receiving updates.
  • Free videos for learning OT/ICS cyber — Mentioned as a free resource for learning OT/ICS cybersecurity.

Concurring Sources

  • SANS ICS Security — The speaker mentions SANS as a key organization for ICS training and certifications.
  • ISA/IEC 62443 — The speaker references ISA certifications and standards for automation and control systems.

Contribution & Novelties

The video provides a practical, step-by-step guide for entering OT/ICS cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of mindset and community. It offers a curated list of books, podcasts, and certifications, which is valuable for beginners. The speaker’s personal experience adds authenticity.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • SANS ICS Security — Official training and certifications for ICS security.
  • ISA/IEC 62443 — International standards for industrial automation and control systems security.
  • NIST SP 800-82 — Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security.

78 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows balanced scores across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in information quantity and quality, reflecting the video's practical advice and resource recommendations. The technical level is moderate, suitable for beginners, and the overall reliability is good due to the speaker's experience.

Reliability 7/10

💬 Sur les 0 commentaires analysés, aucune tendance n'a pu être dégagée.