Ceremonial inauguration of the "Cybersecurity of industrial systems" course of studies
The "Cybersecurity of industrial systems" postgraduate studies were officially inaugurated at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation. The course was launched in cooperation with the KOMAG Mining Institute, Central Mining Institute and Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa.
The inauguration took place on November 5, 2022. The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Promotion, dr hab. Eng. Tomasz Trawiński, prof. of SUT; the Dean of the Faculty prof. Franciszek Plewa; Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of State Assets, government plenipotentiary for the transformation of energy companies and coal mining, Piotr Pyzik, as well as representatives of companies that co-create the new direction.
- "Cybersecurity of industrial systems" is the first study with its scope covering not only IT, but also OT and elements of certification of products and services in the field of cybersecurity - said the dean of the Faculty of Mining, Security Engineering and Industrial Automation, prof. Franciszek Plewa.
- This is a response to the needs of time, because the mining industry, energy, automation and many other areas of the economy are currently very exposed to cyber attacks. The establishment of cybersecurity studies at the Silesian University of Technology seems to be the most appropriate location for this field. (...) This is the first step to catch up with Europe and the world when it comes to cybersecurity, and the staff that the university will educate from today will fill this gap - said the government plenipotentiary for the transformation of energy companies and coal mining, Piotr Pyzik.
- Cybersecurity is a key technology that will develop very dynamically. The number of cyber attacks is constantly growing, so we have to improve our qualifications and competences in the field of cybersecurity - added Vice- Rector for Infrastructure and Promotion, Dr. Eng. Tomasz Trawiński, prof. of Silesian University of Technology
The "Cybersecurity of industrial systems" studies were created in cooperation with the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, the Central Mining Institute and Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa.
- We, as the Institute, will provide our cyber laboratories equipped with an appropriate number of computers and virtual machines. There, students will be able to acquire their skills - said the director of KOMAG, dr hab. Eng. Dariusz Prostański, prof. ITG KOMAG.
- These studies are related to the activities of ISAC-GIG, i.e. the Information Exchange and Analysis Centre for the mining and energy sector. These are the key sectors for the functioning of the economy. Critical infrastructure, including power plants, and the mines that supply the raw material, are crucial. Therefore, it is necessary to do everything possible to protect these facilities also in the area of cybersecurity - said the director of GIG, prof. Stanisław Prusek.
“Cybersecurity of industrial systems" is a postgraduate study that will enable students to deepen their knowledge of the principles of operation of the National Cybersecurity System, principles of operation of industrial controllers, methods of risk modelling and security design, methods of testing the security of computer applications and networks or the principles of collecting evidence. The studies will be conducted by renowned specialists and lecturers in the field of IT and OT who are also practitioners in this field.
Agreements with Cisco Limited International were signed during the inauguration. The agreement is closely related to the field of study inaugurated and aims to improve the competences of the national cybersecurity system entities in terms of awareness of threats, methods of attacks in cyberspace as well as legal, organizational and technical skills to counteract threats in ICT systems and networks. On behalf of CISCO, the agreement was signed by Mr. Piotr Skirski, director of strategic projects at Cisco Systems Poland Sp. z o. o.
