SEC595: Applied Data Science and AI/Machine Learning for Cybersecurity Professionals

Experience SANS training through course previews.
Learn MoreLet us help.
Contact usBecome a member for instant access to our free resources.
Sign UpWe're here to help.
Contact UsCelebrate 20 years of ICS security with hands-on workshops, expert insights, and real-world defense strategies to elevate your skills.
This blog was jointly authored by Dean Parsons and Tim Conway.
The SANS ICS Summit was created to address the growing need for cybersecurity education and training across the industrial control systems/operational technology (ICS/OT) communities. It aims to reach and educate a wide spectrum of professionals involved in industrial cybersecurity.
2025 marks the 20th Anniversary of the SANS ICS Summit! The Summit has evolved significantly over the last two decades, playing a pivotal role in advancing ICS/OT security worldwide. Not only has it kept pace with the changing cybersecurity landscape, but it has also anticipated and shaped the future of security practices and technology. The Summit has trained countless leaders and practitioners to defend critical infrastructure across all sectors.
This year’s 20th Anniversary ICS Summit will take place June 15-17 at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The 2025 Summit features an updated three-day format designed to enhance knowledge-sharing hands-on experiences. Attendees will benefit from practical workshops, live demonstrations, and industry expert-led presentations, followed by specialized ICS/OT training courses.
This new format is designed to address modern ICS security challenges and provide real-world, applicable defense strategies for critical infrastructure sectors.
Mike Assante was a highly respected figure in the field of ICS security. His contributions were pivotal in establishing and shaping the SANS ICS Security Summit. Mike served as the SANS lead for ICS and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) security. His work at SANS Institute embodied his deep commitment to enhancing the security of critical infrastructure against evolving threats.
His work extended beyond SANS, as he held leadership roles at organizations like American Electric Power where he served as Vice President and Chief Security Officer (CSO) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) where he served as the first CSO. His research at the Idaho National Laboratory played a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities in control systems and developing cybersecurity strategies to mitigate them. His legacy includes influencing policies, authoring significant papers on cybersecurity and policy issues, and mentoring many in the field.
The Michael J. Assante ICS Security Lifetime Achievement Award, named in his honor, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security of ICS on an international scale, highlighting his lasting impact on the industry.
The Michael J. Assante ICS Security Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to enhancing ICS security on a global scale. This award honors those who actively strive to bridge the gap between IT and OT.
Through education, mentorship, and leadership, recipients of this award have significantly raised awareness of the risks facing ICS environments while championing the belief that achieving cyber secure ICS implementations ICS defense is doable! Recipients will be recognized for their dedication and contributions in shaping the ICS security field and for an optimistic outlook on the potential to make a difference.
Check out the Michael J. Assante ICS Security Lifetime Achievement Awards here.
Over the last two decades, the SANS ICS Summit has made significant contributions to cybersecurity and engineering communities worldwide. Here are 20 key highlights that showcase its impact:
On a personal level, being involved in cyber defense for over 20 years—more than half of that in ICS/OT sectors—I am deeply honored to continue contributing to defending critical infrastructure. Whether through writing the ICS Cybersecurity Field Manual, creating whitepapers, posters, blogs, and instructional videos, or leading training initiatives globally, my mission has always been to empower others with practical knowledge and strategies they need to secure the systems that underpin modern society.
My journey has been profoundly shaped by hands-on experiences, collaborations, and the community spirit fostered by the SANS ICS Summit—a hub for hands-on, practical ICS/OT cybersecurity. From countless conversations with industry peers to invaluable opportunities to work directly with ICS/OT technologies across many sectors, these experiences have solidified my belief and the importance of the SANS ICS mission: the ongoing protection of our critical infrastructure.
https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt36c2e63521272fdc/blt5e3cadae8a1d960d/67ae3bd9baca2ab1945e96f4/dean-summit-3.jpgAs we reflect on the remarkable journey over the past 20 years of the SANS ICS Summit, we extend our deepest gratitude to the entire ICS/OT cybersecurity community. Your dedication and engagement have not only enriched the collaboration in the field but have also propelled the industry forward and built stronger critical infrastructure defenses.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the frontline engineering professionals—from the brave folks climbing poles during storms to ensure reliable power in the electric sector, to the courageous efforts of oil and gas workers, who work tirelessly to maintain a steady energy supply, to the diligent workers in food, beverage, and heavy manufacturing, and the professionals in the water and wastewater sectors, whose essential services preserve the health of our communities.
To all of you working in the critical infrastructure sectors here and abroad, your contributions on the front lines, through your relentless pursuit of safety, efficiency, ICS/OT cybersecurity, and innovation, keeps our daily lives secure and functioning. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for being an integral part of our ongoing mission to protect and enhance our world's critical infrastructure.
Join me in person at the 20th Anniversary SANS ICS Security Summit. Whether you’re new or experienced, currently in the field or in IT security, this is a must-attend event for anyone serious about ICS/OT cybersecurity!
This year’s new three-day format brings even more hands-on workshops, expert-led discussions, and real-world defense strategies tailored for critical infrastructure. The in-person experience gives you direct access to industry “in-the-field” leaders, immersive learning with ICS equipment, and connections you won’t get anywhere else.
And don’t stop with the Summit! Extend your stay and take advantage of specialized ICS Security training courses immediately afterward. I’ll be teaching ICS418TM: ICS Security Essentials for LeadersTM, designed to equip security and operations leaders with the essential knowledge to manage ICS cybersecurity risks effectively.
If you’re looking to level up your expertise and bring actionable knowledge back to your organization, this is your chance. Don’t just hear about it—experience it. Be part of the mission. See you at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, June 15-17. Register now!
Dean Parsons, CEO of ICS Defense Force, has established comprehensive ICS security programs and leading industrial-grade incident responses across sectors like telecommunications and energy. He wrote the pivotal SANS ICS Cybersecurity Field Manuals.
Read more about Dean Parsons