Enhancing ICS Cybersecurity: The Strategic Partnership Between West Yost and SANS 

By Joel Cox, GICSP, GPEN, GRID, CCNA, Cybersecurity expert at West Yost

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In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, the need for increased cybersecurity measures in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environments has never been greater. Recognizing this critical need, West Yost has partnered with SANS to assist with the delivery of specialized ICS cybersecurity training to critical infrastructure sectors support staff, including the water sector. This collaboration aims to equip professionals with the skills needed to defend against emerging threats and protect our clients by enhancing their utilities’ operational resilience. 

“By participating in the ICS612 course, our team will gain advanced cybersecurity skills tailored to the industry’s specific needs, particularly in the water/wastewater sector.”

SANS is a globally recognized leader in cybersecurity training and certification. Dedicated to delivering hands-on IT and ICS cybersecurity skills, SANS offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to equip professionals with the knowledge needed to defend against emerging threats. 

West Yost, a leader in the water sector, has joined forces with SANS to enhance the delivery of ICS specific cybersecurity training courses. This partnership allows West Yost to bring its extensive industry knowledge to the classroom, enriching the learning experience for all participants. In turn, West Yost will benefit from SANS’s expertise in ICS cybersecurity, broadening its understanding and capabilities in this critical area. 

Joel Cox, an Operations Technology, Cybersecurity, and Resilience (OTCR) expert at West Yost has participated in this training, calling attention to the knowledge gained from the ICS Cyber Security InDepth course (ICS612). This advanced course focuses on the engineering, implementation, and support of secure control system environments. Unlike traditional IT security courses, ICS612 addresses the unique challenges of securing Operational Technology (OT) environments. Over five days, participants move from theoretical concepts to practical applications, learning to identify vulnerabilities and build robust defenses through hands-on lab exercises and real-world scenarios. 

“As we look to the future, this collaboration promises to continue delivering valuable insights and skills, helping to secure critical infrastructure against emerging threats.”

By participating in the ICS612 course, our team will gain advanced cybersecurity skills tailored to the industry’s specific needs, particularly in the water/wastewater sector. Every cybersecurity system or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) plan is unique based on the facility, regulations, risks, and restrictions. Having ICS612 as a foundation allows the team to provide more effective and efficient solutions to our clients, ensuring the safety and reliability of their operations. 

The practical nature of the training means that participants can immediately apply it in their work environments. For example, a recent participant from a major utility company was able to identify and mitigate a critical vulnerability in their SCADA system and prevent a potential cyber-attack. Testimonials from clients highlight the course’s effectiveness in preparing them to handle real-world cybersecurity challenges. 

This new partnership between West Yost and SANS represents a significant step forward in ICS cybersecurity training. By combining West Yost’s OTCR industry expertise with SANS’s comprehensive training programs, we are better equipped to meet the evolving cybersecurity needs of our clients. As we look to the future, this collaboration promises to continue delivering valuable insights and skills, helping to secure critical infrastructure against emerging threats. 

By Joel Cox, GICSP, GPEN, GRID, CCNA, Cybersecurity expert at West Yost

Joel Cox is a tech specialist who provides a broad range of design and delivery of communications systems and data center infrastructure with a focus on network communications and cybersecurity. He has served as Project Manager and subject Matter Expert for the design and implementation of Information Technology (IT) enterprise systems and Operational Technology (OT) to support manufacturing, services, and municipal water and wastewater treatment systems. His experience includes project management, disaster recovery planning and information system security; communications network design and implementation; database design and implementation; storage design and implementation; and virtualization design and implementation. In previous engagements, Joel led the IT team from startup to initial public offering (IPO) for a leading identity theft protection organization, which involved rigorous information security design and testing to protect personally identifiable information (PII). He worked closely with the audit and security teams to maintain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 and payment card industry (PCI) certifications. Joel has been featured in IBM SAP implementation marketing materials highlighting successful project implementations.