The IT Career Hiding in Factories and Power Plants: Cisco OT Security Practitioner
Send us Fan Mail Beef. Gas. Luxury cars. What do they all have in common? They make or move something physical, and they’ve all been shut down by cyberattacks. In this episode, I break down Cisco’s new OT Security Practitioner certification (810-115 OTSEC): what it is, what it costs, when you can take it, what’s on the exam, and who it’s for. If you already have your CCNA, you might be closer to this cert than you think. 📌 Cert quick facts Exam: 810-115 OTSEC Cost: $150 Length: 60 minutes ...
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Castro 
RSS Feed 
YouTube Key Takeaways
- Physical industries like manufacturing, food, and logistics rely heavily on operational technology (OT) and are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.
- Cisco's new Cisco OT Security Practitioner certification (exam 810-115 OTSEC) offers an emerging and lucrative niche for IT professionals looking to expand their skills.
- If you already hold a CCNA, you may already possess foundational knowledge that brings you closer to earning the OT Security Practitioner certification.
- The OTSEC exam costs $150, takes 60 minutes to complete, has no strict prerequisites, and becomes available for testing on February 3, 2027.
Beef. Gas. Luxury cars. What do they all have in common? They make or move something physical, and they’ve all been shut down by cyberattacks.
In this episode, I break down Cisco’s new OT Security Practitioner certification (810-115 OTSEC): what it is, what it costs, when you can take it, what’s on the exam, and who it’s for. If you already have your CCNA, you might be closer to this cert than you think.
📌 Cert quick facts
Exam: 810-115 OTSEC
Cost: $150
Length: 60 minutes
Prerequisites: none
First test date: February 3, 2027
🔗 Links
Cisco OT Security Practitioner page: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/certifications/cybersecurity/ot-practitioner.html
Official exam topics: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/otsec-exam-topics
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This video is not sponsored.
🎯 1-ON-1 COACHING — ONLY 10 AT THIS RATE
60 minutes to figure out your next move, plus your roadmap in writing. If you're stuck in a call center trying to get into IT, this is the conversation.
→ https://cal.com/debtfreeinitwmike/it-career-strategy-session
📱 STUDYING FOR A CERT RIGHT NOW?
Stop waiting till you get home. Pocket Prep is practice questions on your phone A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, and more. Ten questions on your break beats the hour you keep telling yourself you'll find tonight.
👉 https://pocketprep.sjv.io/3kaEbK
🛠️ BUILD YOUR TECHNICAL FOUNDATION
Know the workflow but need the tech side? KodeKloud gives you hands-on labs right in your browser, so you can practice real skills instead of just watching videos. It's a solid way to fill the gaps before you go after that IT role.
👉 https://tidd.ly/46XZJpj
📬 THE LOG FILES NEWSLETTER
Weekly, practical advice for starting your IT career.
→ https://thelogfiles.beehiiv.com/subscribe
⸻
🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: Debt Free In IT w/ Mike
Website: https://www.debtfreeinitwithmike.com
🌐 CONNECT
IG: @debtfreeinit | TikTok: @debtfreeinit | Facebook: @DebtFreeInIT
LinkedIn: Michael Bowden
Website: http://debtfreeinitwithmike.com
Questions or topic suggestions? Comment below or email Debtfreeinit@gmail.com
💵 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
cash.app/$DebtFreeinIT
🛒 My full Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/debtfreeinitwmike
🌏 NordVPN (3 months extra, 30-day money-back): https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=612&aff_id=153284&url_id=14830
🎵 Music from Epidemic Sound (free trial): https://share.epidemicsound.com/vi35vl
📌 If this helped, drop a comment and share it with someone trying to break into tech 💻
#helpdesk #callcenter #ITcareer #breakintotech #ITsupport #careerchange #CompTIA #ITjobs #debtfreeinit
⸻
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cisco OT Security Practitioner certification?
The Cisco OT Security Practitioner (810-115 OTSEC) is a new certification focused on securing operational technology found in factories, power plants, and other physical infrastructure.
How much does the Cisco OTSEC exam cost and how long is it?
The exam costs $150 and has a time limit of 60 minutes with no official prerequisites required to take it.
When can you take the Cisco OT Security Practitioner exam?
The first official test date for the Cisco OTSEC exam is scheduled for February 3, 2027.