Critical infrastructure is a fundamental pillar upon which any nation relies to ensure its stability and security. In the United States, safeguarding this infrastructure is of paramount importance, especially with the increasing threats posed by cyber-attacks and digital vulnerabilities targeting vital systems such as energy, water, transportation, and communications. The Critical Infrastructure Security in the United States course, offered by the British Academy for Training and Development, aims to equip participants with in-depth knowledge and skills to secure vital systems in the U.S. in accordance with the best international standards and practices.

This course covers a wide range of topics related to the protection of critical infrastructure, from federal policies and regulations such as the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA) to strategies for cybersecurity and operational continuity in the event of a crisis. The course’s goal is to enhance participants' ability to identify threats, assess risks, and implement preventive measures while responding to crises effectively to ensure the security and resilience of critical infrastructures.

Who Should Attend?

• Cybersecurity professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in securing critical infrastructure systems.
• Executives and officials in public and private institutions involved with critical infrastructure.
• Emergency response teams and information security personnel tasked with securing vital facilities.
• Information security consultants providing solutions to protect critical sectors.
• Employees in the energy, water, and telecommunications sectors needing to enhance their skills in securing national infrastructure.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Provide participants with the foundational knowledge of critical infrastructure systems and the importance of protecting them.
• Enhance understanding of U.S. federal standards for critical infrastructure protection.
• Train participants on how to analyze risks and apply cybersecurity strategies to vital systems.
• Enable participants to prepare and implement crisis management and emergency response protocols.
• Improve participants' ability to coordinate between the public and private sectors for critical infrastructure security.

• The Importance of Critical Infrastructure
  • Definition of critical infrastructure.
  • The role of critical systems in national stability.
  • Potential consequences of compromised infrastructure.
• U.S. Federal Policies for Protecting Critical Infrastructure
  • The Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA).
  • Government cybersecurity standards: NIST and FISMA.
  • Role of agencies such as CISA in securing critical infrastructure.
• Frameworks for Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
  • ISO 27001 standards for information security management.
  • The U.S. National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP).

• Types of Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure
  • State-sponsored attacks and targeted cyber threats.
  • Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) and their impact on vital systems.
  • Malware and viruses targeting critical systems.
• Impact Assessment of Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
  • Evaluating the impact of cyber-attacks on vital operations.
  • Measuring economic and societal consequences of attacks on infrastructure.
  • Case studies of recent cyber-attacks on infrastructure, such as energy sector breaches.
• Coordination Between Government and Private Sector
  • Public-private partnerships in addressing cyber threats.
  • The importance of collaboration between government agencies and private entities.
  • Organizing information-sharing sessions and incident analysis.

• Basic Security Techniques for Critical Infrastructure
  • Encryption for securing sensitive data.
  • Advanced firewall systems for network protection.
  • Role of monitoring and intrusion detection systems in security.
• Access Control and Identity Management
  • Access control mechanisms and unified identity management systems.
  • Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect access.
  • Tools for preventing unauthorized access to critical infrastructure.
• Network and Communications Security
  • Securing internal and external networks of critical infrastructure.
  • Use of VPN and IPSec technologies for securing communications.
  • Protecting industrial control systems from targeted attacks.

• Conducting Risk Assessments for Critical Infrastructure
  • Specialized methods for assessing risks to critical infrastructure.
  • Risk classification based on threat severity and impact.
  • Using advanced tools for cybersecurity risk assessment.
• Risk Mitigation Techniques and Threat Prevention
  • Strategies to improve system resilience against cyber-attacks.
  • Integration of various security tools to minimize vulnerabilities.
  • Developing adaptive strategies to deal with emerging threats.
• Role of Incident Response Teams in Threat Management
  • Effective training of response teams for crisis situations.
  • Setting priorities in response efforts during emergencies.
  • Conducting investigations and analyzing attacks on systems.

• Developing Emergency Response Policies
  • Creating incident response plans for cyber-attacks in critical sectors.
  • Procedures for implementing these plans during emergencies.
  • Importance of coordination between agencies during incidents.
• Managing Cybersecurity Crises for Critical Infrastructure
  • Foundations of handling cyber-attacks impacting critical infrastructure.
  • Phases of effective crisis response.
  • Post-incident review and evaluation of crisis management strategies.
• Crisis Resolution and Business Continuity
  • Establishing strategies to ensure operations continue amidst crises.
  • Disaster recovery plans for critical infrastructure.
  • Decision-support systems for effective crisis management.

• Advanced Technologies for Securing Critical Infrastructure
  • The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in cybersecurity defense.
  • Using cloud computing technologies for securing data.
  • Blockchain technologies to improve cybersecurity.
• The Role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in Critical Infrastructure Threats
  • Impact of IoT devices on security systems.
  • Securing connected devices affecting critical infrastructures.
  • Security strategies for dealing with IoT threats.
• The Future of Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure
  • Innovations in cybersecurity to combat emerging cyber threats.
  • Developing protective programs for increasingly complex technologies.
  • Ensuring sustainable cybersecurity in an interconnected world.