Control Systems Security Specialist

Control Systems Security Specialist Work Role ID: 462 (NIST: N/A) Workforce Element: Cybersecurity

Responsible for device, equipment, and system-level cybersecurity configuration and day-to-day security operations of control systems, including security monitoring and maintenance along with stakeholder coordination to ensure the system and its interconnections are secure in support of mission operations.


Qualification Matrix

  BasicIntermediateAdvancedNotes
Foundational Qualification OptionsEducation A BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science, from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution fulfills the educational requirement for this WRCA BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science, from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution fulfills the educational requirement for this WRCTBDFor additional information pertaining to ABET: www.abet.org or CAE: www.caecommunity.org
Foundational Qualification OptionsOR OR OR
Foundational Qualification OptionsDoD/Military TrainingTBDTBDTBDSee TAB C (DCWF Training Repository) below for additional course information.
Foundational Qualification OptionsCommercial TrainingTBDTBDTBD
Foundational Qualification OptionsOR OR OR
Foundational Qualification OptionsPersonnel CertificationTBDTBDTBDSee TAB B (Certification Index) below for certification vendor information. Courses at higher proficiency levels qualify lower levels.
Foundational Qualification AlternativeExperienceConditional AlternativeConditional AlternativeConditional AlternativeRefer to Section 3 of the DoD 8140 Manual for more information.
Residential QualificationOn-the-Job QualificationAlways RequiredAlways RequiredAlways RequiredIndividuals must demonstrate capability to perform their duties in their resident environment.
Residential QualificationEnvironment-Specific RequirementsComponent DiscretionComponent DiscretionComponent Discretion
Annual Maintenance Continuous Professional Development Minimum of 20 hours annually or what is required to maintain certification; whichever is greater.Minimum of 20 hours annually or what is required to maintain certification; whichever is greater.Minimum of 20 hours annually or what is required to maintain certification; whichever is greater.

Items denoted by a * are CORE KSATs for every Work Role, while other CORE KSATs vary by Work Role.

Core KSATs

KSAT ID Description KSAT
22

* Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.

Knowledge
79

Knowledge of network access, identity, and access management (e.g., public key infrastructure [PKI]).

Knowledge
106

Knowledge of remote access technology concepts.

Knowledge
108

* Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).

Knowledge
708A

Mitigate/correct security deficiencies identified during security/certification testing and/or recommend risk acceptance for the appropriate senior leader or authorized representative.

Task
1157

* Knowledge of national and international laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity.

Knowledge
1158

* Knowledge of cybersecurity principles.

Knowledge
1159

* Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Knowledge
3277

Knowledge of general SCADA system components.

Knowledge
3740

Skill in determining installed patches on various operating systems and identifying patch signatures.

Skill
5823

Apply updates, patches, and security technical implementation while maintaining control system performance and availability requirements.

Task
5829

Establish and maintain security configuration baseline for the control system(s), including field devices, IT components, interconnections, and interfaces.

Task
5830

Implement Risk Management Framework (RMF) Assessment requirements for control systems, and document/maintain records for them.

Task
5831

Maintain knowledge of the function and security of control system and IT technologies with which the control systems interface.

Task
5832

Maintain network segmentation to isolate control systems from business networks and other external connections as directed.

Task
5836

Perform asset management and maintain inventory of control system devices and components through physical inspection or logical scans.

Task
5840

Support risk assessments by reviewing and documenting the implementation status of security requirements of control systems.

Task
6929

Knowledge of control system technologies, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Operational Technology (OT).

Knowledge
6900

* Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses.

Knowledge
6927

Knowledge of control system environment risks, threats and vulnerabilities.

Knowledge
6933

Knowledge of risk management processes specific to control systems.

Knowledge
6935

* Knowledge of cloud computing service models Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

Knowledge
6938

* Knowledge of cloud computing deployment models in private, public, and hybrid environment and the difference between on-premises and off-premises environments.

Knowledge
6940

Skill in applying security and managing risk in resource-constrained systems and networks.

Skill
6941

Skill in architecting compensating security controls to reduce risk for control systems and control system components that do not have adequate or compliant security capabilities.

Skill
6946

Skill in securing control system communication protocols (e.g., IP/TCP, SSL/TLS, MODBUS/DNP3/PROFINET SCADA, GOOSE) and media used for field device control.

Skill

Additional KSATs

KSAT ID Description KSAT
3A

Skill in recognizing vulnerabilities in security systems.

Skill
43A

Knowledge of embedded systems.

Knowledge
69A

Knowledge of risk management processes and requirements per the Risk Management Framework (RMF).

Knowledge
88A

Knowledge of current and emerging cyber technologies.

Knowledge
342A

Knowledge of operating system command line/prompt.

Knowledge
809

Provide input to the Risk Management Framework process activities and related documentation (e.g., system life-cycle support plans, concept of operations, operational procedures, and maintenance training materials).

Task
3353

Knowledge of the Risk Management Framework Assessment Methodology.

Knowledge
5821

Act as a liaison between facility operations/engineer teams and IT or network security teams to coordinate security activities.

Task
5822

Apply tailored organizational security policies and procedures for control system environments to maintain security, but also to ensure system availability.

Task
5826

Consult on control system security matters (e.g., risk assessment, configuration management) as needed.

Task
5828

Ensure configuration and collection of control system audit logs for monitoring and forensic analysis as appropriate.

Task
5833

Off-load and review control system audit logs and review for anomalies.

Task
5834

Participate in control system change management in conjunction with IT personnel and control system experts (e.g., system supplier).

Task
5835

Participate in control system incident and disaster response, including secure system recovery.

Task
6928

Knowledge of control system performance and availability requirements.

Knowledge
6934

Knowledge of RMF assessment types (e.g., Assess & Authorize (A&A), Assess Only) and authorization boundaries (e.g., Closed Restricted Network (CRN), Stand-alone Information System (SIS)).

Knowledge
6937

Knowledge of what “normal” control system operations for specific mission/business functions look like.

Knowledge
6939

Skill in active and passive methods to safely gather information and conduct vulnerability and network analysis scans in control system environments.

Skill
6943

Skill in identifying and investigating “abnormal” control system operations based on what specific mission/business functions look like.

Skill