Attract, Develop, & Retain an ICS Workforce
John Ellis and Julia Atkinson present data-driven strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining industrial control systems cybersecurity talent.
Summary
The Critical Shortage in Industrial Cybersecurity Talent
Over 60% of critical infrastructure organizations report acute shortages of qualified cybersecurity professionals, leaving vital industrial assets exposed to risk.
Overcoming Recruitment and Skill Set Barriers
John Ellis and Julia Atkinson analyze the dual competency required for ICS security—combining IT cybersecurity expertise with industrial engineering fundamentals.
Developing Effective Training and Mentorship Pipelines
The authors showcase successful workforce development programs, cross-training initiatives for plant floor engineers, and rotational apprentice programs.
Retaining High-Performing Industrial Security Teams
The presentation provides enterprise leaders with practical retention frameworks, career progression paths, and strategies to build inclusive security cultures.
Related talks
Aerospace Village·28 min
Aerospace cybersecurity practitioners and government leaders discuss career paths, working across airlines and federal agencies, and demystifying aviation security.
ICS Village·24 min
Dennis Skarr · Christopher Von Reybyton · Alexander Vigovskiy
Everett Community College students and faculty share experiences conducting mock security assessments on a custom 10-foot physical ICS training wall.
Career Hacking Village·40 min
Kirsten Renner
Practical guidance on navigating the cybersecurity job market, finding open roles, and standing out to hiring managers.


