New Member Spotlight: SANS Institute

The Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition is glad to welcome SANS Institute (SANS) to its growing membership. As one of the most respected names in cybersecurity training, SANS brings a unique perspective to the coalition, one shaped by years of working directly with the practitioners defending critical infrastructure on the ground. We sat down with SANS to talk about their work, why they joined the coalition, and what they see as the biggest challenges facing critical infrastructure security today.

Tell us a little about what your company offers critical infrastructure owners and operators who want to secure their operations.

The SANS Institute offers cybersecurity training and workforce development programs across multiple curriculums of relevance to critical infrastructure asset owners and operators, with a specific curriculum focused on ICS and OT technologies.

Why did your company decide to join a coalition with their competitors? Why is this so important?

The joint coalition aspect is what drew SANS to the OTCC group, knowing that we have common interests and a shared mission across this community. SANS does not view the OTCC members as competitors, but rather as partners as we all play a role in preparing the workforce to defend global critical infrastructure.

What do you think is the top cybersecurity threat facing critical infrastructure owners and operators today?

Availability and capabilities of resources to support and defend complex process environments. There is a widening gap between the sophistication of threats targeting ICS/OT environments and the number of trained defenders who can effectively respond to them.

What is the most critical step the federal government can take with critical infrastructure owners and operators to better secure their OT systems?

Strengthen public-private partnerships to build better understanding of system operations, establish trusted relationships that could be engaged during a time of need, and jointly prepare together for a collaborative response.

What is the most critical step federal agencies who have operational technology can take to make those systems more secure?

Regulation plays a large role. Programs to develop the capabilities of the workforce to implement and maintain systems in a secure manner is essential.

Welcome to the coalition, SANS Institute. We look forward to working together to strengthen the workforce defending our nation's critical infrastructure.