Cyber-Physical Security Training for the Critical Infrastructure Sectors

Texas Tech University’s National Wind Institute
Reese Technology Center (RTC)
9801 Reese Blvd.
Lubbock, TX 79416

Click to view the Critical Infrastructure Security Training Program (flyer)

Critical infrastructure sectors, like energy, electric utilities, and water, play a crucial role in our everyday life. These systems have become vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to increased network communications. The Critical Infrastructure Security Training will provide a hands-on introduction to resilient, cyber-physical systems for critical infrastructures. All trainees who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate of completion and/or continuing education units (CEUs) as well as professional certification as a SCADA Security Architect(CSSA).

The training is intended for currently employed and unemployed industry professionals, college-level students, and high school students, who maintain an interest in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, renewable energy, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, data science, and more. Sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Grant, this training will be provided at no cost. 

The training is organized into six (6) cohorts. The cohort trainings will take place at two different locations namely, Lubbock and West Texas A&M areas. The training time for each cohort will cover a period of about three (3) months, consisting of intensive online training, followed by a two-day hands-on training at the Reese Technology Center in Lubbock, Texas.

The detailed program schedule can be found here.

Trainees need only attend one weekend training session (usually a Friday or Saturday), and may select their preferred date(s) from the list of available cohorts: 

Available Cohorts and Dates - (By Area) 
*(L) -- Lubbock Area, (A/W) -- Amarilo/ West Texas A&M Area. 

• Cohort 1: November 04, 2024 - January 25, 2025 -- (L)
• Cohort 2: February 03, 2025 - April 26, 2025 -- (L) 
• Cohort 3: May 05, 2025 - July 26, 2025 -- (A/W) 
• Cohort 4: August 04, 2025 - October 25, 2025 -- (L) 
• Cohort 5: November 03, 2025 - January 24, 2026 -- (L) 
• Cohort 6: February 02, 2026 - April 25, 2026 -- (A/W) 

There are 20 total seats available per cohort, with each workshop being limited to 20 participants, 10 participants each on the Friday and Saturday succeeding the online training. You can Pre-register today to secure your seat! 

OPAL-RT Technologies Sessions

In addition to the initially scheduled eight sessions, we are excited to announce that OPAL-RT Technologies will be hosting training sessions focused on their Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). These sessions, held at Texas Tech University, will provide deep insights into the following:

• Concept of Real-Time Simulation
• Why is Hardware in the Loop Important
• Communication Network Emulation
• Cyber-Physical Real-Time Simulation
• Hands-On Application with SEL Relay Controller in the loop

These sessions will be hands-on training and are designed for both Industry Professionals and University students and will be expertly delivered by Maxime Depaire,  Integration Verification and Validation Specialist from OPAL-RT Technologies.

Program Outcomes

The WTCWDC curriculum aligns with the NICE/NIST Framework to prepare earners who complete the training with the skills needed to apply for specific cyber jobs. 

• Trainees will learn to manage IT infrastructure, monitor networks, troubleshoot issues, and implement security measures. 
• Trainees will learn to secure critical infrastructure such as renewable energy, oil and gas, electric utilities, and water facilities. 
• Trainees will learn to detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents by analyzing breaches. 
• Trainees will survey the state-of-the-art Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management and Manufacturing (GLEAMM) microgrid and a cyber-physical system (CPS) testbed.
• Trainees will be engaged with several industry partners.
• Trainees will earn a certificate of completion.  
• Trainees can elect to earn continuing education units (CEUs).
• Trainees will earn a professional certificate as Certified SCADA Security Architect(CSSA). 

By partnering and collaborating with TTU, this grant-sponsored training is intended to:

• Develop a regional cyber-physical security training framework applicable to diverse South Plains industries such as wind energy, oil and gas, and electric and water utilities.  
• Develop a cyber-physical security curriculum and employ instructors at the university/college level to deliver short courses.  
• Create a regional cyber-physical security consortium with a university, college, and industry partnership. 

Training and Location 

• Online modules will be made available through the TTU learning management system. Students are expected to complete the online modules before the hands-on training within the stipulated time frame.
• Followed by two-day hands-on training at the Reese Technology Center of Lubbock, TX succeeding each cohort online training. 

If interested please contact

Manohar Chamana (m.chamana@ttu.edu)

Argenis Bilbao (argenis.bilbao@ttu.edu)

 

To register to the program for the available cohorts and dates, Pre-register today to secure your seat! 

The Critical Infrastructure Security Training is brought to you by the following partners: 

Lead  
Texas Tech University - Renewable Energy 
Texas Tech University – GLEAMM 

Industry and Workforce Development Partners  
West Texas A&M University  
UT Permian Basin 
Group NIRE 
Sandia National Lab 
Xcel Energy  
Apex Clean Energy   
NextERA  
South Plains Electric Co-Op  
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories  
Farmers Electric Co-op 

We would like to acknowledge the generous donation of training equipment from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.  

 

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