Short Master in Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems (cics)

The short master is dedicated to the cybersecurity of industrial control systems, known as ICS, which govern plants and production processes and which, with the spread of Industry 4.0, are increasingly connected and therefore more exposed to cyber threats. The programme is divided into ten training modules that address ICS security, vulnerability analysis and cyber risk management, with the aim of providing tools to recognise threats, assess critical issues and implement effective defence strategies. Industrial control systems have different requirements from traditional IT systems, such as operational continuity and response times, and the programme teaches how to protect them without compromising production.

Teaching comprises 100 hours in total, split equally between lectures, exercises and practical labs. It is held in a blended weekend format, with about half of the activities in person and half remote. Attendance is compulsory for at least 80% of the hours and the final assessment is a multiple-choice test. Admission is capped, with 35 participants. The stated duration is one year, while the language of instruction is not stated and is presumed to be Italian. The page does not indicate the credits or the start date. The balance between lectures, exercises and labs makes it possible to link concepts to practice, working on scenarios typical of industrial environments and learning to communicate the results of analyses to both technicians and managers, and the weekend format makes it possible for those who work to take part. The balanced split between lectures, exercises and labs makes it possible to put vulnerability analysis and defence techniques into practice, using scenarios that reproduce the typical architectures of plants.

The aim is to train professionals specialised in ICS security, able to identify threats, assess critical issues and implement defence strategies, in technical and consulting roles. Related professions include cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity specialist, security consultant and cybersecurity engineer. The programme is aimed at bachelor's graduates and professionals with experience in the sector, interested in strengthening their skills in a field where the integration of operational technology and IT makes security a priority for manufacturing, energy and service companies, as well as for the consulting and engineering firms that assist them. The resulting profile is useful to manufacturing companies, infrastructure operators and consulting firms, which must deal with the growing exposure of plants to cyber threats.