How Cybersecurity Skills Can Future-Proof Your Controls and Automation Engineering Career

Connected Manufacturing Is Expanding the Role of Controls and Automation Engineers

Connected manufacturing is creating new opportunities for controls and automation engineers. As operational technology (OT), cloud platforms, AI and industrial IoT become more interconnected; employers increasingly value engineers who can identify and manage cybersecurity risks alongside system performance and reliability.

But organizations are noticing a cybersecurity skill gap, and it’s becoming a business concern. About 60% of organizations say their teams lack the cybersecurity skills needed, and 27% of organizations report breaches linked to those capability gaps. The manufacturing industry experiences the highest volume of cyberattacks, accounting for 26% of all ransomware attacks globally.

Traditional IT security expertise does not always translate directly to industrial environments, while controls and automation engineers have historically received limited cybersecurity training. For engineers motivated to gain cybersecurity experience, this gap presents an opportunity to upskill and advance your career.

How Cybersecurity Skills Can Strengthen Your Engineering Career

Cybersecurity fluency can make your controls and automation expertise more valuable. Controls and automation engineers who understand both operational requirements and cyber risk can often contribute to system design reviews, modernization initiatives, risk assessments and Industry 4,0 projects, expanding both their responsibilities and career opportunities.

Essential Cybersecurity Skills for Controls and Automation Engineers

You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert. You need enough cybersecurity fluency to account for cyber risks within the normal scope of your role. This includes:

• Authentication and authorization: Identifying who has the credentials to access certain systems or equipment and what they are authorized to do.
• Backup and recovery planning: Ensuring that updated copies of critical files are made, stored safely and able to be accessed in the event of a cyberattack or damage.
• Configuration management: Tracking complex systems, servers and applications to identify issues, implement changes and facilitate version management.
• Life cycle planning for aging equipment: Phasing outdated equipment that can no longer receive security updates or patches and ensuring all data is properly wiped.
• Segmentation of critical systems: Dividing networks into isolated zones to control the flow of data and contain possible breaches.

How to Demonstrate Your Cybersecurity Skills to Employers

Employers are looking for controls and automation engineers who understand how engineering decisions affect cybersecurity risk and know when to collaborate with IT and cybersecurity specialists. Being able to speak to the following competencies can help you remain competitive in an evolving job market and showcase your ability to fill cybersecurity skills gaps.

Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems Awareness

You’ll need to demonstrate an understanding of OT, industrial control systems (ICS) and how they connect with enterprise IT. Just as important, however, is balancing cybersecurity with manufacturing operational realities.

Strategize how to ensure security while meeting manufacturing needs. Consider how you would schedule software updates in equipment that needs to run continuously, secure legacy systems with older protocols, and balance security tools with safety and performance requirements.

Cross-Functional Communication

Communication is key to managing risk in connected manufacturing. Controls and automation engineers are uniquely positioned to coordinate among engineering, operations, maintenance, IT, cybersecurity teams and equipment vendors because they understand both the physical process and the systems that control it.

Focus on improving your ability to document risks, escalate concerns and communicate trade-offs to technical peers and business leaders alike. Practice explaining production constraints to cybersecurity teams and then translating security requirements into practical engineering actions.

Knowledge of Industrial Cybersecurity Standards

As your cybersecurity knowledge grows, you’ll likely encounter industrial cybersecurity standards, frameworks and regulatory requirements. Start gaining familiarity with standards like:

• International Society of Automation/International Electrotechnical Commission 62443 (ISA/IEC 62443)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 (CMMC 2.0)
• Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA)

How to Build Cybersecurity Experience

Many of your engineering skills can be transferred to cybersecurity work. You can begin gaining experience by partnering with your organization’s IT and cybersecurity teams to understand their workflows, learn existing security protocols and practice communicating across teams.

For more formal training, consider pursuing certifications like the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), Microsoft SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect Expert designation or CompTIA Security+. These can help you build a strong foundation and validate your cybersecurity skills.

You can also gain hands-on experience by exploring contract roles. Contract opportunities can expose you to different cybersecurity roles across multiple organizations, helping you build experience quickly.