Industrial Network Cybersecurity British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Program Description

This diploma in Industrial Network Cybersecurity will prepare graduates for entry level positions in this emerging occupation. This program focuses on preparing graduates to provide industrial networking and industrial network security for the operational technology on the plant side of an organization. Students undertake a comprehensive study of industrial measurement and control technologies; computer information technologies; and networking, industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity. A strong component of the program involves the development of relevant, practical skills by working with modern industrial equipment in well-equipped labs. Many industrial organizations can be divided into two distinct entities – plant operations and business operations. Plant operations produces goods for consumption whereas business operations manages the financial well being of the organization. Business operations employs traditional information and networking technology to manage daily operations. Plant operations employs operational technology such as sensors, controllers, and final control elements to automate production of consumables. A cyberattack on the plant operations can be much more costly, irreversible, and detrimental to business continuity than a cyberattack on business operations. Hence the need for Industrial Network Cybersecurity. The food we eat and water we drink, the petroleum products that fuel our cars and heat our homes, and the electricity that powers our modern society all rely on industrial control systems. The measurement and control devices that make-up an industrial control system are collectively known as operational technology. Today’s operational technology often employs embedded hardware and operating systems and Ethernet-based networking interfaces that make them susceptible to the same electronic attacks that plagues traditional information technology. This has created a significant need for, and shortage of, network security professionals that understand the unique computing and networking requirements of industrial control systems. Students will graduate with a solid foundation in industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity.

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