Overview | PCIP Class 1 | PCIP Class 2 | PCIP Class 3 | Prerequisites

PCIP Class 2 - CIP Technical Course

Being able to properly design, implement, and manage your system security architecture is a key component of every successful security program. However, critical infrastructure systems, which include SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), DCS (Distributed Control Systems), EMS (Energy Management Systems), Emergency Response 911 systems, Telecommunications networks, or other high availability, mission critical environments require different management and security considerations than a traditional IT environment. Sometimes, these systems, applications, or code may be so out-dated, proprietary, or vendor-dependant that administrators are not able to maintain the necessary security safeguards. It is also possible that implementing a security safeguard could turn out to be more disastrous than the risk itself due to unforeseen system impacts. As these, previously isolated, environments begin merging with IP-based networks, they are becoming susceptible to new vulnerabilities. Some of these vulnerabilities have been discounted as outdated in the IT world, when, in reality, they can still wreak havoc in older critical systems environments. These environments also present a different category of vulnerabilities that traditional safeguards designed for IT environments are not equipped to handle.

This class will address these complexities. Students will study the complete lifecycle of a security threat including both basic and highly advanced techniques used by hackers. This advanced level of knowledge is a key component in a complete security program and these techniques are a distinguished skill set, which only a small percentage of IT, and even security, professionals carry. Students will gain a detailed understanding of vulnerabilities as they exist within each of the critical infrastructure sectors and how to safeguard against them safely and properly. This class goes beyond industry “best practices” and is tailored specifically with the critical infrastructure environment in mind as it aims to bridge the age-old gap between these environments and traditional IT environments. This is a challenging, fast-paced class taught in an interactive, hands-on, learning environment. The last two periods of the course are taken up with an examination, consisting of nine questions that test the major concepts taught on the course. Students prepare short narrative answers (no more than 10 minutes per question) that are scored on both content and argument.

While it is recommended to take the Program course first in the series, candidates may opt to attend the PCIP Class 2 CIP Technical Course beforehand. However, both the Program and Technical Courses must be completed before the PCIP Class 3 CIP Applied Course may be undertaken.

Click here for pricing. Textbooks, breakfast and luncheon meals, all courseware materials, and take-home CDs containing tools used in class are included in the cost

Course Outline: