Cisco has announced a new OT Security Practitioner certification for people securing industrial networks and operational technology environments. The 810-115 OTSEC exam opens for testing on February 3, 2027, with training beginning earlier and exam topics already available.
The October 20 announcement targets a gap between traditional IT security and industrial operations, where equipment availability and physical safety can change how defenders approach patching, monitoring and incident response.
Training Arrives Before the Exam
Cisco’s announcement sets out three dates for learners planning their preparation:
- November 5, 2026: the OT Security Practitioner learning path is scheduled to launch in Cisco U.
- January 2027: related training is scheduled through Cisco Networking Academy.
- February 3, 2027: the certification exam becomes available for testing.
These are separate milestones. The announcement does not mean candidates can sit the exam now.
Exam Cost and Topics
The official certification page lists a US$150 exam fee, a 60-minute duration and English-language delivery. It lists no prerequisites, and the certification is valid for three years. Earning it requires passing the associated exam.
The published OTSEC v1.0 outline divides the exam into four areas:
- OT Security Fundamentals — 25%.
- Secure Network Infrastructure — 25%.
- Authentication and Access Control — 20%.
- Visibility and Risk Assessment — 30%.
The scope includes supporting OT security operations under guidance, rather than assuming responsibility for an entire industrial security program.
Who This Is For
Cisco identifies early-career learners, OT technicians, industrial networking professionals and IT professionals moving into OT among the intended audiences. The credential may also interest:
- SOC analysts extending their monitoring and investigation work into connected IT/OT environments.
- Security engineers developing industrial-network segmentation and access-control skills.
Those role connections are suggested applications of the curriculum, not additional eligibility requirements. Learners can review the outline now, identify gaps in their industrial-network knowledge and check Cisco’s training pages as the scheduled releases approach.
