2025-09-06 –, Village 1
Curious about how industrial control systems (ICS) operate, and what happens when things go wrong? OT specialists from Immersive will be running hands-on activities and demonstrations exploring ICS environments' unique security challenges. Drop in to try a mini tabletop exercise, tackle ICS-themed CTF challenges, or see hardware in action.
Industrial control systems (ICS) play a key role in sectors like energy, water, and manufacturing, and they face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. At the ICS Village, attendees can explore these systems through hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to show how they work, how they can go wrong, and what makes securing them so complex.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to:
- Step into the role of an OT incident responder with a short, guided tabletop exercise.
- Take part in a self-paced ICS Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge, with small prizes for the top scorers.
- Interact with industrial systems, and see how these systems behave and how they can be attacked.
- Watch short, live demonstrations of ICS attack techniques and their potential impact.
Whether you’re new to ICS or already working in the field, these activities aim to provide a low-pressure, engaging way to explore the world of industrial cyber security.
Sam Maesschalck is the Lead OT Cyber Security Engineer at Immersive, where he develops practical, hands-on, and strategic-level training in operational technology. He previously worked in the space sector, focusing on cybersecurity, and holds a PhD in honeypots for industrial control systems (ICS) security.
Dr Vijay Kumar is the Cyber Security Lead at the Cyber Innovation Hub, based at Cardiff University, where he oversees the development of cyber-physical testbeds and training programmes focused on Operational Technology (OT) and critical infrastructure.
Vijay holds a PhD in Smart Cities and the Internet of Things from the University of Bristol. His work bridges research, engineering, and education designing hands-on environments that bring realism to OT cybersecurity training. He is working towards collaborations with national infrastructure providers, law enforcement, and defence partners to create scenario-based learning that simulates real-world attacks and cascading system failures.
With a background that spans both technical implementation and strategic leadership, Vijay is passionate about building the UK’s OT cyber capability and making cybersecurity education more practical, inclusive, and future-ready.