ISA, MBI Answer Need for Industrial Cybersecurity Training in Germany

Summary

ISA and Maschinenbau-Institut GmbH (MBI), a service company of the German mechanical engineering industry association, or VDMA, are joining forces to offer a unique cybersecurity training program for German speakers. The first offering will be a Cybersecurity Fundamentals course for VDMA members located on the group’s Fraunhofer site in Karlsruhe, Germany. With more than 3,300 members, the VDMA is the largest network organization and is an important voice for mechanical engineering in Germany and Europe.

Forged in response to the changing industrial security landscape and growing cyberthreats to automation networks and systems, the collaboration focuses specifically on training VDMA members in operational technology (OT) security standards. Both organizations will share training expertise based on the ISA/IEC 62443 set of cybersecurity standards.

“Cybersecurity needs to be addressed by our members, as recent global ransomware attacks have demonstrated their potential impact,” said managing director Catherine John of MBI, which is the education academy of VDMA. “Our members need to adequately manage the associated cyberrisk stemming from the vulnerabilities of OT technology, coupled with the increased connectivity in our digital era.”

“ISA is committed to providing high-quality technical resources that cover all areas of cybersecurity,” said ISA European director Pieter van der Klooster. “We have covered the entire spectrum of cybersecurity education and advocacy, from the development of the world’s only consensus industrial cybersecurity standard, to critical education, to compliance programs helping companies certify products and systems.” 

This article was originally published in InTech's July/August issue.