Full Report
The OT cybersecurity training is part of ASE 2025, which takes place in October in Coronado Springs, Florida.
Analysis Summary
# Industry News: ISA Announces Specialized OT Cybersecurity Training Ahead of 2025 Automation Summit
## Summary
The International Society of Automation (ISA) is offering two exclusive, expert-led training courses focused on Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity—IC32 (ISA/IEC 62443 Standards) and IC33 (IACS Assessment)—at the upcoming 2025 Automation Summit & Expo (ASE 2025) in Florida this October. These courses aim to bridge the critical skills gap in securing industrial control systems by providing practical knowledge on international standards and vulnerability assessment.
## Key Details
- Date: Announcement on September 17, 2025; Training offered October 8-9, 2025.
- Companies Involved: International Society of Automation (ISA).
- Category: Training/Education Announcement.
## The Story
The ISA has scheduled two intensive, two-day training sessions to run concurrently with the ASE 2025 event in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, specifically designed for professionals in the industrial and automation sectors. The first course, IC32, focuses on the practical application of the globally recognized ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards for securing control systems. The second course, IC33, concentrates on methodologies for assessing the cybersecurity posture of both new and existing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS), covering vulnerability identification and mitigation strategy development. Notably, separate registration and fees apply, and conference attendance is not a prerequisite for enrolling in these specialized courses.
## Business Impact
### For the Companies Involved
- **ISA:** Reinforces its standing as a primary authority and standard-bearer in OT security education and professional certification within the industrial automation ecosystem. This drives revenue through specialized training fees and increases engagement with its standards community.
### For Competitors
- Other training providers, particularly those focused solely on IT or general cybersecurity, face pressure to demonstrate equivalent depth and recognized accreditation in OT-specific frameworks like IEC 62443.
### For Customers
- Organizations attending gain access to high-value, immediately applicable training critical for meeting regulatory requirements and managing supply chain risk in their industrial environments. This directly addresses the shortage of qualified OT security personnel.
### For the Market
- The emphasis on IEC 62443 adoption through training signals continued market maturation toward standardized, prescriptive approaches for industrial security, moving beyond ad-hoc solutions.
## Technical Implications
The courses directly promote the adoption and deep understanding of two major technical frameworks:
1. **ISA/IEC 62443:** The globally accepted benchmark for securing IACS, covering architecture, system security requirements, and component requirements.
2. **IACS Assessment:** Focuses on practical security audit techniques tailored for operational environments where uptime and safety are paramount concerns.
## Strategic Analysis
- **Market Positioning:** ISA solidifies its position at the intersection of automation and security standards, leveraging its organizational roots in promulgating these benchmarks.
- **Competitive Advantage:** The direct connection between the training (based on ISA standards) and the industry summit provides an integrated, authoritative package difficult for third-party vendors to replicate seamlessly.
- **Challenges:** Ensuring maximum enrollment and maintaining the quality and relevance of the content amid rapidly evolving OT threat landscapes will be key retention factors.
## Industry Reactions
- **Analyst Opinions:** Industry analysts frequently cite the difficulty in implementing IEC 62443; these courses are viewed positively as necessary infrastructure for widespread successful adoption across the CI/OT sector.
- **Expert Commentary:** Experts generally commend ISA for offering specific application-focused training rather than broad theoretical cyber education, which is what operational technology engineers require.
- **Market Response:** Demand for specialized training related to production system security is expected to be high given increasing sector-specific mandates.
## Future Outlook
- Training focused on standards implementation and risk assessment will likely become more frequent and potentially localized, reflecting systemic security maturity efforts across critical infrastructure sectors.
- Watch for future announcements regarding certification maintenance requirements tied to these standards.
## For Security Professionals
Cybersecurity practitioners, especially those transitioning into OT roles or compliance positions (auditors, system integrators, security managers), must leverage these training opportunities. Mastery of IEC 62443 is quickly becoming a fundamental prerequisite for managing security programs within manufacturing, energy, and utilities sectors.