As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of education and technology, I've witnessed countless transformations in how we prepare learners for the workforce. But few developments have been as critical-or as urgent-as the need to build expertise in connecting and securing operational technology (OT).

That's why I'm excited to share that Cisco Networking Academy is expanding our portfolio to include comprehensive Operational Technology learning pathways. This isn't just another course addition; it's a response to a fundamental shift in how our world operates.

What is operational technology (OT)?

Operational technology is the invisible infrastructure that powers our lives. Every day, we rely on systems that work silently behind the scenes, controlling traffic lights in our cities, ensuring clean water flows from our taps, and keeping the electricity running in our homes. These systems are powered by Operational Technology (OT): the specialized hardware and software that monitor and control physical operations in factories, energy plants, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks.

Unlike traditional information technology (IT), which manages data and communications, OT directly controls the physical world. Even though most people never see OT in action, it's essential to the safe and efficient functioning of modern life.

As Industry 4.0 accelerates the shift toward smart, automated, and connected manufacturing, the line between IT and OT is blurring. This convergence creates unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation-but also introduces complex challenges that require a new generation of skilled professionals.

OT skills grow more critical

Here's the reality that keeps industry leaders awake at night: according to Cisco's 2024 State of Industrial Networking Report, 42 percent of respondents cite the shortage of skilled workers as their number one obstacle to growth. Nearly two-thirds have increased their investment in operational technology, yet they struggle to find professionals equipped with the right skills.

This skills gap isn't just an inconvenience-it's a threat to operational efficiency, safety, and security. The real-world impact is clear:

• In December 2015 and again in December 2016, cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grid caused widespread blackouts, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. These incidents demonstrated the direct ability of cyber attackers to disrupt critical national infrastructure.
• In February 2021, hackers remotely accessed the Oldsmar city water treatment facility's OT system and attempted to increase sodium hydroxide (lye) levels to dangerous concentrations, putting public health at risk.
• Similarly, in 2022, a series of ransomware attacks by the Conti group forced Costa Rica to declare a national emergency-the first nation to do so as a direct result of a cyberattack. The attacks devastated tax collection, disrupted healthcare services, and caused widespread economic losses.
• In June 2022, a cyberattack on Iran's Khuzestan Steel Company caused a major operational disruption, resulting in a fire and halting production. The attackers claimed to have targeted industrial control systems, causing physical damage to equipment.

As cyber threats increasingly target industrial systems, the need for professionals to safeguard these critical operations is more urgent than ever.

Learning by doing: Our approach to OT education

At Cisco Networking Academy, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. That's why we've developed four Industrial and Operational Technology courses with specialized learning pathways that emphasize practice in simulated real-world environments.

Our Industrial/OT pathways include:

• Industrial Networking Essentials (35 hours): The foundation course that introduces learners to essential networking concepts for modern industrial infrastructures. This course emphasizes the integration of IT and OT, with a focus on the Energy and Manufacturing verticals.
• Industry-Specific Specializations (15 hours each): Learners can choose between the following options.
  • Industrial IoT and Control Systems in Energy: Explore how Industrial IoT and Control Systems meet modern energy network requirements within Smart Grid environments.
  • Industrial IoT and Control Systems in Manufacturing: Explore how Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are transforming manufacturing through smart technologies.
• Industrial Cybersecurity Essentials (25 hours): The capstone course that introduces learners to protecting industrial systems from cyber threats. Through real-world scenarios, learners explore common Industrial Control Systems (ICS) vulnerabilities, threats, and mitigation strategies, and are introduced to industry frameworks such as IEC 62443.

Each pathway includes approximately 75 hours of comprehensive training, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on labs and Cisco Packet Tracer activities that feature industrial devices.

Empowering the Future of Industry:

Build Your OT Skills with Cisco Networking Academy

Designed for real-world impact

What sets these courses apart is their practical, industry-aligned approach. We've co-designed this curriculum with subject matter experts from the field, including members of two advisory boards-one for manufacturing and one for power energy-composed of industry professionals and academia. These boards have played an active role in the design and review of the course content, ensuring it meets current and future workforce needs.

Using Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 and higher, students can safely simulate industrial scenarios-from programming through Ladder Logic to configuring network redundancy on a smart grid-all from their own computers.

Two Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 topologies: the upper shows a power and energy distribution network with IT/OT integration; the lower depicts a chemical mixing manufacturing process controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) and industrial devices.

The future needs you

Imagine being the expert who keeps a factory's automation running smoothly, or the professional who secures a city's power grid against cyber threats. These aren't distant possibilities-they're real roles that organizations are struggling to fill right now.

Whether you're early in your career and exploring opportunities in the industrial sector, or you're a professional looking to reskill from another field, Cisco Networking Academy's new Industrial and OT courses provide the foundational knowledge and hands-on practice employers are actively seeking.

Find a Cisco Networking Academy near you to get started. 

Bring operational technology education to your students

Instructors, your students can be the next generation of skilled professionals, ensuring the future of industry is connected, secure, and sustainable. But they need educators like you to guide them.

Join the Cisco Networking Academy educator community and position your program at the forefront of industrial education. Explore courses