Specialist Diploma in Operational Technology Cybersecurity (Ethical Hacking and Incident Response)

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Specialist Diploma in Operational Technology Cybersecurity (Ethical Hacking and Incident Response)

Overview

Course Date:
15 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025
Registration Period:
23 Jan 2024 to 29 Feb 2024
Time:
08:00 AM to 08:00 AM,
240 hours (1 year)
Mode of Training:
Classroom
Venue:
Singapore Polytechnic
Funding:
-

The growth of digitalisation in manufacturing and critical infrastructure demands that industrial control systems (ICS) to have greater connectivity for added benefits such as data analytics, predictive and preventive maintenance, remote management and interoperability of systems.

This greater connectivity bring about merger of Operation Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT). There is now an added challenge of security of the control infrastructure from cyber threats, especially in critical infrastructure such as power plants, transportation systems and water treatment plants.

Singapore Cyber Security Agency (CSA) in October 2019 unveiled the cybersecurity masterplan to protect OT systems from cyber attacks. The first aim in the plan is to enhanced OT cybersecurity in ICS by training.

Please refer to the Academic Calendar.

Enquiries
For course specific details, please contact the course manager:
Name: Mr Tan Hiap Kwee
Email: TAN_Hiap_Kwee@sp.edu.sg

Course Objective

This course aims to develop participants with the competency required for secured deployment of an industrial control systems (ICS) in Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), including power, transportation, oil & refinery sectors.

Participants will learn in-depth technical knowledge on offensive techniques used by attackers to compromise Operational Technology (OT) systems and to propose solutions for cyber security as well as responding to breach in cyber security for such critical systems.

Course Outline

The course is a one-year part-time programme. This modular certificate course is presented through lectures and practical sessions.

Participants will undergo a structured 12-month programme over 2-semester periods. Conceptual knowledge and principles are presented in lectures while practical and mini-projects reinforce the understanding. Learning outcomes are tested by way of written tests, quizzes, assignments, practical tests and projects.

It consists of 2 post diploma certificates (PDCs) conducted over 2 semesters, 1 PDC per semester. The classes are conducted in the evening.

Each PDC comprises two modules and the details are as follows:

Semester One
PDC 1 Certificate in Industrial Control Systems and Cybersecurity Operations

Module 1 - Industrial Control Systems
Module 2 - Cybersecurity Operations*

*Cybersecurity Operations is taught via the industry Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Academy programme. The module prepares students to take this certification examination which is recognised by ICT sector globally.

Semester Two
PDC2 Certificate in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Ethical Hacking & Incident Response

Module 3 - ICS Cyber-Range Essentials
Module 4 - ICS Incident Response and Assessment

Please click here for the Module Synopsis.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants should at least have a diploma or higher qualification from local Polytechnics/Universities in one of these areas:

Infocomm/Information Technology
Cyber Security
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
System Engineering
Computer Engineering

Applications who know cybersecurity or new to cybersecurity and intend to go into Operational Technology Cybersecurity are welcome to apply to this course.

Applicants with other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-to-case basis with relevant working experiences.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission to the course based on evidence of at least 5 years of relevant working experience in IT/Engineering field or supporting evidence of competency readiness.

Suitable applicants who are shortlisted will have to go through an interview and/or entrance test. The Polytechnic reserves the right to shortlist and admit applicants.

Certification / Accreditation

Upon completion of two Certificates within a two-year validity period, the participant will be conferred a Specialist Diploma in Operational Technology Cybersecurity (Ethical Hacking and Incident Response) qualification from Singapore Polytechnic.

Suitable for

This course is suitable for working adults in the Infocomm industry who wish to pick up specialised skills and knowledge in Operational Technology Cybersecurity.

Course Fees

The course fees payable above are inclusive of 9% GST rate.

Applicants/Eligibility	Certificate in ICS & Cybersecurity Operations	Certificate in ICS and Ethical Hacking & Incident Response	Total Course Fees
SINGAPORE CITIZENS BELOW THE AGE OF 40	$444.91	$444.91	$889.82
SINGAPORE CITIZENS AGED 40 AND ABOVE	$296.60	$296.60	$593.20
SINGAPORE PR	$1,218.24	$1,218.24	$2,436.48
ENHANCED TRAINING SUPPORT FOR SME SCHEME (for SC)*	$306.31	$306.31	$612.62
ENHANCED TRAINING SUPPORT FOR SME SCHEME (for PR)**	$372.24	$372.24	$744.48
OTHERS / REPEAT STUDENTS (for SC)	$2,966.04	$2,966.04	$5,932.08
OTHERS / REPEAT STUDENTS (for PR)	$3,045.60	$3,045.60	$6,091.20

*SC - Singapore Citizens **PR - Permanent Residents

* SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Funding and Enhanced Training Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). For details, please refer to here.

Other Fees Payable:

FEE DESCRIPTION	PER SEMESTER (AFTER GST)
	SINGAPORE CITIZENS	SINGAPORE PR AND OTHERS
Examination Fee	-	$16.20
Miscellaneous Fee	$7.49	$7.56
Statutory Licence Fee (CLASS)	$1.01	$1.02
Insurance Fee (GPA)	$1.70	$1.72

- The fees shown are indicative as they are based on prevailing funding policies and subject to review.

- Post-Diploma Certificate Fee is payable on a semester basis.

Refund Policy:
- Withdraw within 2 weeks before semester commencement, 50% refund of paid course fee.
- Withdraw on or after date of semester commencement, no refund of paid course fee.
Please note that other fees paid are non-refundable.

Application Procedure

1. For self-sponsored applicants, please click on the “Register” button to apply for the course. You will be directed to Skills Training & Enhancement Portal (STEP), the official portal to manage all your course activities. Please note that you will be prompted to sign in with Singpass/Student ID.

2. For company-sponsored applicants, please approach your company's Human Resource (HR) team to put in the application through the company portal using CorpPass at STEP (polite.edu.sg). You may only apply after receiving the registration link from your company's HR.

3. Your application does not guarantee acceptance into the course. Your acceptance into the course is dependent on meeting the course requirements and course vacancy.

4. Non‐Singaporeans must possess a valid Employment Pass / Work Permit / Dependant Pass throughout the course duration. You would need to bear the full risk of non-completion should your pass expire and subsequently lapse within the duration of the course.

5. You will be notified by email on the application outcome 6 weeks after the application’s closing date.

6. PACE Academy course schedules, including course trainer, course fees and course availability are subject to change.

7. PACE Academy reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course at short notice; & at its absolute discretion without assigning any reason for such cancellation/postponements. In the event that the applicant’s chosen course is cancelled prior to its commencement, PACE Academy will make a full refund of course fees already paid by the applicant.

8. The data provided to Singapore Polytechnic will be kept strictly confidential and will be used for the purpose of course administration. The data may be passed on to the relevant organisations that require the information related to the course.