Dr Josef Horalek
University of Hradec Králové
Czech Republic
josef.horalek@uhk.cz

Prof. Samuel Nuugulu
University of Namibia
Namibia
snuugulu@unam.na

Dr Filip Holik
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Norway
filip.holik@ntnu.no

Annotation: The accelerating digitalization of industrial sectors creates a complex threat landscape where traditional operational boundaries are rapidly dissolving. This Special Session addresses the critical challenges in securing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). We aim to explore the resilience of critical infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats, emphasizing the convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).
We invite researchers and practitioners to submit contributions focusing on AI-driven defense mechanisms, the security of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and the implementation of robust standards such as IEC 62443. This session serves as a forum to discuss novel architectures, forensic methodologies, and proactive defense strategies required to protect the intersection of industrial operations and computational intelligence.

The scope of the session includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems (ICS, SCADA, DCS)
• Critical Infrastructure Protection (Energy, Transportation, Manufacturing)
• Cyber Attack Detection and Prevention in Industrial Environments
• Security Architectures and Standards (IEC 62443, NIST)
• The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Cyber Defense
• Incident Response and Digital Forensics in Industrial Systems
• Security of IoT and IIoT Devices in Industrial Settings
• Threat Modeling and Simulation for Cyber-Physical Systems
• Integration of Security Measures into the Lifecycle of Industrial Systems
• Case Studies and Practical Experiences from Industrial Practice