Our Upcoming Updated Rail OT Security Course
DTL have been running our Rail OT cybersecurity course for over 3 years. However, this time, we decided to do things differently. We’re moving away from our previous model of one video per module, to having multiple shorter videos coupled with activities. We brought the whole team into the process. What started with a whiteboard quickly turned into a Gantt chart, and from there, it was a full-on production. From script writing to LMS building, recording sessions to quiz reviews (and a few bloopers in between), we’ve been working together to build something we’re really proud of and we’re excited to give you a peek behind the scenes.
Why We Brought the Whole Team In
While our original course provided a vital overview of Rail OT security, the new version is designed to move from fundamentals to mastery. We’ve re-engineered it to provide the comprehensive, hands-on knowledge required in today’s demanding environment.
We brought in our whole team, and with that came a whole spectrum of expertise. This course is built on a unique foundation of practical experience and academic rigour. It distills years of hands-on knowledge from our team—gained developing our proprietary security tool, CyRail, and implementing OT security in critical energy grids. This real-world perspective is complemented by insights from leading authorities, including Professor Simon Parkinson, Director of the Centre for Cybersecurity at Huddersfield University, and Howard Parkinson, whose role on the IEC 63452 development committee ensures our content is aligned with the latest international standards.
Each person brought a different lens to the course; from deep technical knowledge to real-world operational experience, and even how to make the content more engaging and digestible. Of course, working as a larger group came with its own challenges. Coordinating ideas, aligning on tone, and finding time to meet (between everyone’s regular workloads) took some effort. But the result? A much richer, more dynamic course – one that feels less like a lecture and more like a real conversation about the evolving world of OT security in rail.
We’re building this course not just to inform, but to keep learners interested, thinking, and most importantly ready to apply what they’ve learned.
Turning Ideas Into Action: Coordinating the Chaos
Once we decided to go team-based, we knew we needed someone to steer the ship and that’s where our course coordinator came in. They built out the Gantt chart, assigned responsibilities across the team, and set up our workflow in Jira so we could keep track of progress and, let’s be honest, hold each other accountable.
We had bi-weekly check-ins to stay aligned, solve blockers, and celebrate the small wins. Each team member was responsible for specific module, which involved reworking the content, diving into the research, and eventually recording the material. Everyone had ownership, and that sense of responsibility really brought out some great work.
This structured approach didn’t just help us hit deadlines but it helped turn what could have been a chaotic creative process into something collaborative, focused, and surprisingly fun.
Recording in Progress: The Team Steps In Front of the Camera
Once the scripts were ready, it was time to face the cameras. For some, this was familiar territory. For others… let’s just say it took a few takes. We set up a recording space, prepped the slides, and tried our best to remain confident.
Recording each module was a team effort. Some have voiced their own sections, while others tagged in support for editing, timing, or tech troubleshooting. There were moments of smooth delivery and moments of “Can we do that again.”
Between filming retakes and experimenting with delivery styles, we found a rhythm and even started having fun with it. There may or may not be a growing blooper reel hidden somewhere in our shared drive.
Building the Platform: From Content to Clicks
With the modules recorded and edited, it was time to bring everything together on our LMS. We’re using a variety of tools to upload videos, create quizzes, and track progress; basically turning all our hard work into something learners can interact with.
This part was all about UX: making sure the platform is easy to navigate, visually clean, and actually helps people learn. We designed the course flow to follow a clear learning journey: short modules, checkpoints, and review quizzes to reinforce key ideas.
We also added some downloadable resources and quick-reference guides to make the content more practical because we know many learners will be juggling this alongside their day jobs in rail operations, engineering, or IT.
It’s still a work in progress, but we’re really excited about how it’s coming together.
What’s Next? Almost Ready for Launch
We’re now in the final stretch -> polishing the content, finalizing the LMS, and getting everything ready for launch. It’s been a team effort from start to finish, and we’re incredibly proud of what’s coming together. This course isn’t just a collection of slides and videos it’s a real collaboration across disciplines, built for the realities of OT cybersecurity in the rail industry.
We’ll be announcing the official launch date soon, so stay tuned! If you’re interested in early access, want to be part of a pilot group, or just have questions about the course we’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, we’ll keep sharing updates as we cross the finish line. Thanks for following along and watch this space!
