As government agencies continue their push toward digital transformation, a critical yet often overlooked domain demands attention: Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. While many organizations have covered the importance of upskilling in cloud, data, and zero trust, few address the growing skills gap in securing OT systems, the core of infrastructure like water treatment plants, transportation grids, and public utilities.
The cyber risks in OT environments are fundamentally different from those in traditional IT. OT systems control physical processes; failure or compromise can have real-world consequences, from power outages to public safety threats. Yet most workforce training programs remain siloed, focusing either on IT or OT, but rarely both.
Where We Are Now
Recent World Economic Forum white papers have rightly highlighted the importance of continuous learning and digital skill-building across both the private sector and government. However, the unique demands of OT cybersecurity, legacy systems, real-time constraints, and limited patching capabilities, remain underrepresented in federal and state workforce development plans.
This misalignment means that many cybersecurity professionals in the public sector may be highly capable in cloud security or endpoint defense but unprepared to defend a SCADA system or an industrial control network from increasingly sophisticated threats.
Global Case Studies: OT-Focused Upskilling in Action
Some governments are already tackling this head-on.
In Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation has supported targeted industrial cybersecurity training programs to prepare defenders for nation-state attacks on critical infrastructure. These programs combine classroom theory with live operational labs to simulate real-world OT breach scenarios, building not just knowledge but also hands-on competency.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has partnered with industry to launch its ICS Cybersecurity Lab and Training Center, providing public-sector professionals with practical exposure to OT systems, protocols, and attack simulations. Their success highlights the power of public–private collaboration in developing a specialized cyber workforce.
Best Practices for U.S. Government Reskilling
What can U.S. agencies learn from these models?
First, we need to move beyond generic cybersecurity certifications and toward dual-skilling frameworks that include both IT and OT domains. Training programs should be designed for convergence, reflecting the reality that most modern threats target both operational and information assets simultaneously.
Second, agencies should invest in sandboxed environments or lab facilities where public servants can practice responding to OT-specific attacks without risking real-world systems. These safe testbeds are critical for building confidence and readiness among cyber personnel.
A Call to Action
Addressing this gap requires joint leadership from government, academia, and nonprofit organizations. Federal agencies like DHS or DOE can help fund pilot programs, while universities can tailor cybersecurity degrees to include OT modules. Nonprofits and industry associations can offer open-access training and simulations.
By working together, we can bridge the gap and develop a workforce ready to protect not only data, but also the physical systems that keep our society running. In an era of converging threats, building OT cyber skills isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
Dr. Rhonda Farrell is a transformation advisor with decades of experience driving impactful change and strategic growth for DoD, IC, Joint, and commercial agencies and organizations. She has a robust background in digital transformation, organizational development, and process improvement, offering a unique perspective that combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of business dynamics. As a strategy and innovation leader, she aligns with CIO, CTO, CDO, CISO, and Chief of Staff initiatives to identify strategic gaps, realign missions, and re-engineer organizations. Based in Baltimore and a proud US Marine Corps veteran, she brings a disciplined, resilient, and mission-focused approach to her work, enabling organizations to pivot and innovate successfully.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.