Run Your Own OT ICS Lab in Less Than 10 Minutes!

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2025-02-11

Setting up an OT (Operational Technology) ICS (Industrial Control Systems) lab can be a daunting task, but with Labshock, you can have it up and running in just 396 seconds. Whether you’re an OT engineer, a security expert, or a CISO, this lab environment is designed to help you build hands-on skills in ICS cybersecurity, programming, and incident detection and response.

What’s Included in Labshock:

  • Engineering Station: Comes with a built-in IDE for seamless development.
  • Real-time SCADA: Enables fast learning and simulation of industrial systems.
  • PLC Programming: Supports all IEC 62443 languages, including ST (Structured Text) and FBD (Function Block Diagram).
  • Pentest Station: Equipped with Kali Linux for penetration testing and security assessments.

Practical Commands and Tools:

1. Setting Up Kali Linux for ICS Pentesting:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install kali-linux-default

This ensures you have the latest tools for penetration testing.

2. Simulating SCADA Systems:

Use open-source tools like OpenPLC or ScadaBR to simulate industrial environments:

git clone https://github.com/thiagoralves/OpenPLC_v3.git
cd OpenPLC_v3
./install.sh

3. PLC Programming with ST:

“`structured-text

PROGRAM Example

VAR

StartButton : BOOL;

Motor : BOOL;

END_VAR

IF StartButton THEN

Motor := TRUE;

ELSE

Motor := FALSE;

END_IF


<ol>
<li>Network Scanning with Nmap:
```bash
nmap -sV -p 1-65535 192.168.1.1

This command scans all ports on a target device to identify open services.

5. Modbus Protocol Analysis:

Use tools like `mbpoll` to interact with Modbus devices:

mbpoll -m rtu -a 1 -b 9600 -P none -t 4 -r 1 -c 5 /dev/ttyUSB0

What Undercode Say:

Setting up an OT ICS lab is a critical step for anyone involved in industrial cybersecurity. Labshock simplifies this process, allowing professionals to focus on skill development rather than infrastructure setup. By leveraging tools like Kali Linux, OpenPLC, and Nmap, you can simulate real-world scenarios and practice incident detection and response in a controlled environment.

For OT engineers, mastering PLC programming languages like ST and FBD is essential. Security experts should focus on understanding protocols like Modbus and how to secure them. CISOs, on the other hand, must ensure their teams are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect critical infrastructure.

Here are some additional Linux commands and tools to enhance your OT ICS lab experience:
– Wireshark for Protocol Analysis:

sudo apt install wireshark

– Metasploit for Exploitation Testing:

sudo apt install metasploit-framework

– Snort for Intrusion Detection:

sudo apt install snort

For further reading and resources, check out:

By combining these tools and techniques, you can build a robust OT ICS lab that prepares you for real-world challenges in industrial cybersecurity. Stay tuned for more updates on protocols like Modbus and advanced lab setups!

References:

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