Overview of the ISA OT Cybersecurity Summit 2025
The International Society of Automation (ISA) is gearing up for its
third annual Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Summit, scheduled to take place in Brussels from
June 18 to June 21, 2025. As industries increasingly depend on automation, ensuring the security of these systems has never been more vital. This year’s summit aims to gather hundreds of leading experts from various sectors including energy, manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation, and government policy, to discuss critical issues surrounding OT security.
Event Structure
The summit will feature a
two-track program focused primarily on two significant topics:
threat intelligence and
supply chain security. Along with these core themes, attendees can expect additional discussions that will emphasize the application of industry standards and conformity assessments that can help businesses navigate new regulatory landscapes.
Prominent
keynote speakers have been announced, including:
- - Lauren Neal, Project Manager at BP, UK
- - John Fitzpatrick, Founder of Lab539
These sessions will delve into a variety of topics such as:
- - Protecting national infrastructure during major events like the FIFA World Cup
- - Innovative uses of software-defined networking (SDN) to enhance PLCs (programmable logic controllers)
- - Utilizing IoT devices for continuous reef monitoring in smart shipping
- - Complying with new European regulations, including NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act
- - Identifying emerging threats within the current chaotic political climate
ISA aims to leverage this platform to highlight how
consensus standards can play a pivotal role in addressing the pressing needs arising from recent developments and legislation. Among these standards is
ISA/IEC 62443, the first globally recognized cybersecurity framework specifically designed for automation and control systems.
The Value of ISA and Cybersecurity
Claire Fallon, CEO of ISA, emphasized that the ISA community encompasses many of the world’s foremost experts in industrial cybersecurity. She noted, "The ISA OT Cybersecurity Summit stands out by offering attendees valuable insights into the implementation of our standards and best practices for maintaining robust cybersecurity structures."
Feedback from past attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the event’s focused approach on control engineers compared to other cybersecurity events, which often center more on IT concerns. Participants remarked about the enriching environment that promotes exchange of ideas and solutions.
Exciting Features for 2025
In addition to the in-depth technical program, the 2025 OT Cybersecurity Summit promises a lineup of engaging workshops, specialized events, and training opportunities including a
Cyber Escape Room designed to test and enhance participants’ skills in a simulated environment, leveraging VR technologies from
VisCo.
Other training sessions include:
- - Utilizing ISA/IEC 62443 Standards to Secure Control Systems (IC32)
- - Assessing Cybersecurity in New and Existing IACS Systems (IC33)
- - Incident Command Systems training tailored for Industrial Control Systems (ICS4ICS), incorporating external resources such as FEMA and DHS insights to improve cyber incident response.
Registration is currently open for the event with early bird pricing starting at
762 EUR for ISA members.
For more details on registration, the program, and sponsorship opportunities, visit
otcs.isa.org.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing automation to build a better world. Its mission encompasses empowering the global automation community, developing integral standards, providing education, and fostering networking and career development opportunities for its members worldwide. For further information, explore ISA's initiatives at
www.isa.org.