BlackHat US [August 6th-9th 2022] Build, Break, Secure (In-person in Vegas!)

Discover the world of Industrial Control Systems with an attack mindset! In this training, we will follow a hands-on approach, growing from a very simple local process to a realistic ICS environment with 3 words in mind:
Build: how does it work?
Break: what are the weaknesses and how to exploit it?
🔒 Secure: what can we do to fix it?

This training will take place over 4 days, allowing a full day for the CTF and an additional case study on how to secure ICS.


You will perform a lot of lab sessions, including: programming a PLC in ladder logic, analyzing network captures of ICS protocols, perform Modbus (serial & tcp) requests, using Metasploit to compromise a Windows host and gather sensitive information from an Active Directory, and much more! The last half-day is dedicated to the Capture-the-Flag, in which you will apply the newly acquired techniques to compromise a corporate network, pivot to the ICS network and take control of the process to capture a flag with a robotic arm.
Moreover, the training doesn’t stop on the third day! With the WhiskICS training kit, you’ll be able to redo all the exercises after the training and continue experimenting with ICS security on your own.

Course outline

DAY 1

  • Introduction to Industrial Control Systems
  • Automation basics & programming PLC
  • ICS protocols
  • Hacking the process
  • Focus on PLC security

DAY 2

  • Process supervision: SCADA and DCS
  • Linking to corporate environments: Windows & Active Directory security
  • SCADA/DCS specific vulnerabilities
  • An introduction to safety
  • Industry 4.0 & IIoT

DAY 3

  • Capture the Flag

DAY 4

  • ICS cybersecurity general approach & standards
  • Focus on ICS architectures
  • Case study: improving the security of the ICS from the CTF

All the exercises are also covered in video:

Exercise: Programming a PLC

Exercice: Packet capture analysis

The CTF

To end the training, the Capture The Flag is always the most fun!

You’ll connect your VM to a VPN, and will have to compromise a Windows corporate environment, pivot to the ICS network and hack it in order to capture the flag!

The CTF setup is composed of real ICS components (Schneider & Siemens PLCs, Schneider SCADA software…) and will get a remote access to the setup and a video stream of the physical process so you can check if your attacks are working 🙂

What is included in the training?

The training will be taught in-person in Vegas!

By registering for this training, you’ll also get 30 days access to the online platform, including videos, the lab and CTF environments.

Target audience

This training aims at bridging the gap between IT and ICS: it is designed to allow OT professionals to understand the security challenges of ICS with an offensive mindset, while allowing IT professionals to discover the world of Industrial Control Systems and adapt their cybersecurity knowledge to this new world.

The training is heavily hands-on. While no ICS or pentest knowledge is required, it is recommended for attendees to have basic networking and computers skills (using virtual machines, the command line, understanding TCP/IP…).

No need to bring a laptop! All virtual machines, including the attendees’ machines, will be hosted in the cloud and you’ll directly connect from any computer with an Internet access.

This training is not suited for people that already have a strong ICS cybersecurity technical experience.

Pricing and registration

You can register directly on BlackHat’s website : https://www.blackhat.com/us-22/training/schedule/#industrial-control-systems-build-break-secure-25630

Early bird pricing ends on May 29th.

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