Navigating the Path to IEC-62443 Expert Certification: A Cybersecurity Journey
After completing my CRISC and CISM certifications, I often questioned the necessity of pursuing the IEC-62443 training & certification. Despite leveraging IEC-62443 standards on a near-daily basis in my roles as a Product Security Leader and Cybersecurity Product Manager at multiple organizations, I found myself questioning the additional value this course could offer. However, upon completing the course and obtaining the certification, I can confidently attest to its immense worth.
The training content is very comprehensive and structured and is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure industrial automation and control systems (IACS).
ISA currently offers four courses as part of the IEC-62443 Cybersecurity Certificate Program, each essential for achieving the esteemed title of “IEC-62443 Expert.” The journey begins with the ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist certification, which serves as a prerequisite for the subsequent courses:
- ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist
- ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Specialist certificate
- ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Design Specialist certificate
- ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Maintenance Specialist certificate
For further details and current offerings from ISA, you can explore the program through this link: ISA IEC-62443 Cybersecurity Certificate Program
My Preparation Strategies
After I completed my IEC-62443 training & started preparing for writing the certification exam, I couldn’t find a lot of information & resources on how to prepare for the exam, which topics are more important over others, etc…
Drawing from my experience of navigating through the certification process, I am eager to share some best practices and methods that aided me in successfully clearing the examinations without divulging specific details or patterns. Although the examination is very straightforward, you may find some of my preperation strategies below:
- Thorough Study of Course Material: Dive deep into the course material, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each concept and principle. Questions in the exams will be drawn from this material, testing your conceptual grasp of the topics.
- Utilize Visual and Auditory Learning: For learners like myself, who are inclined towards visual and auditory methods, watching course videos and taking detailed notes proves to be immensely beneficial. If available, revisit these resources to reinforce understanding.
- Dedicated Preparation Time: Allocate one weekend, approximately two days, per course for thorough learning and preparation. Plan to invest 8-10 hours of focused study per course to cover all essential material and practice questions adequately.
- Sequential Approach: Follow a structured sequence in your certification journey, starting with Course IC32 (a prerequisite for all other courses), followed by IC33, IC34, and finally IC37. This approach ensures a logical flow of content, building upon foundational knowledge as you progress.
- Overlap of Concepts: Be mindful of overlapping concepts between courses, so there might be questions from “Risk Assessment Specialist” course topics when you are writing “Design Specialist” examination. Leveraging sequential learning can aid in reinforcing shared concepts and enhancing overall understanding.
I am more than willing to share my preperatory notes with interested individuals. Feel free to reach out to me at supratik.pathak@gmail.com.
By adopting these preparation strategies, aspiring candidates can approach the IEC-62443 certification exams with confidence and readiness, paving the way for a successful and rewarding certification journey.
