Course overview.
This course combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on, practical exercises to provide a comprehensive understanding of cyber security for national infrastructure. Participants will explore real-world cyber threat scenarios, incident response planning, and risk mitigation strategies. By the end of the course, learners will be able to anticipate potential cyber attacks, strengthen organisational defences, and coordinate rapid, effective responses, ensuring the continuity and security of essential services.
Who it's for.
This course is designed for cyber security professionals, IT managers, critical infrastructure operators, government officials, and anyone responsible for safeguarding national assets. It is also ideal for individuals seeking to expand their understanding of cyber threats, enhance risk management capabilities, and develop practical skills in defending critical systems.
What you'll learn.
Module 1: Cyber Security Fundamentals for Critical Infrastructure
This module introduces the core concepts of cyber security as they apply to national infrastructure. Participants will learn about common threats, including malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats, and how these can impact essential services. The module also covers risk assessment, security frameworks, and regulatory compliance, providing a solid foundation for protecting critical systems.
Module 2: Protection and Mitigation Strategies
In this module, participants will explore practical measures to safeguard infrastructure assets. Topics include network defence, access management, encryption, system hardening, and monitoring. Learners will also examine strategies for mitigating human error and insider threats, ensuring that all layers of infrastructure security are addressed.
Module 3: Incident Response and Recovery
The final module focuses on responding effectively to cyber incidents. Participants will develop incident response plans, conduct tabletop exercises, and simulate real-world cyber attacks to test their readiness. The module emphasises coordination with internal teams and external agencies, rapid decision-making, and restoring critical operations with minimal disruption.
What you'll leave with.
By the end of the day you'll be able to:
- Explain why essential services face distinct cyber risks and cascading failures
- Describe how IT and OT networks differ and why segmentation matters
- Use the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework to review your defences
- Identify practical protection and monitoring measures for critical systems
- Plan and run a tabletop incident response exercise
Before you book: None, though some familiarity with IT or operational systems helps. Not sure it's the right level? Take the one-minute self-check.
Pairs well with:
Protecting what everyone relies on.
Essential services fail differently from ordinary IT. Here's how the day builds a defence for them. Select any stage to jump to it.
Is this course right for you?
Five quick questions, about a minute. You'll get an honest read on whether Cyber Security and National Infrastructure Protection fits where you are now, and which parts of the course will help you most.
This course is fully fundable through ReACT+.
If you've been made redundant or are facing redundancy in Wales, the Welsh Government's ReACT+ scheme can fund up to £1,500 toward this course — plus childcare, travel and accommodation expenses. We'll handle the application.
Benefits of Attending This Course
Develop a deeper understanding of cyber security challenges affecting national and critical infrastructure. Learn how to identify risks, strengthen resilience and support effective protection strategies for essential services.
Ascent Training Wales · Bridgend.
Our conference room is purpose-built for effective training — bright, modern, and fully equipped for workshops, seminars and accredited sessions.
Llynfi Enterprise CentreHeol Ty Gwyn Industrial Estate
Maesteg, Bridgend, CF34 0BQ
Protect Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
Understand Infrastructure Risks
Learn how cyber threats impact critical infrastructure and explore the risks facing essential services and operational environments.
Improve Protection Strategies
Develop practical approaches to strengthen cyber resilience, reduce vulnerabilities and safeguard important systems and assets.
Support Organisational Resilience
Gain the knowledge needed to prepare for cyber incidents, improve response capabilities and protect critical operations.
What people get wrong.
Three things we hear before almost every Cyber Security and National Infrastructure Protection course, and what's actually true.
Our control systems aren't connected to the internet.
Reality
Many 'air-gapped' systems have remote access, laptops or USB paths that bridge the gap. Assume connection until proven otherwise.
Patching fixes everything.
Reality
Operational systems often can't be patched quickly. Segmentation, monitoring and compensating controls do much of the work.
A cyber incident is IT's problem.
Reality
In essential services, it's an operational, safety and public-confidence problem. Response has to involve the whole organisation.
Common questions.
Quick answers to what most people ask before booking. Still need help? Get in touch.
How long is the course and where is it delivered?
How much does it cost and what's included?
When is the next date available?
Is this course eligible for ReACT+ funding?
Can you deliver this course in-house for our team?
Which regulations apply to critical infrastructure in the UK?
What's the difference between IT and OT security?
Is this suitable for supply-chain organisations?
From the classroom.
Our Bridgend venue is purpose-built for working learning — bright, modern, configurable for cohorts of four to twelve, with quality AV throughout and free parking right outside.
Llynfi Enterprise Centre · Bridgend · More about our venue →
More in Professional Development.
Courses that pair well with Cyber Security and National Infrastructure Protection Course, or that your team often takes as a sequence.
Ready when you are.
Book Cyber Security and National Infrastructure Protection Course for £275 a seat, or send us a brief and we'll come back with a tailored in-house quote for your team within two working days.