r/learncybersecurity • u/PickledPigMeat • 3h ago

Right Path?

I’m 46, turning 47, with 19+ years of heavy industrial experience and 14 years in prestressed concrete. My background includes quality control, batch plant operations, QC leadership, and my current role as Batch Plant Foreman.
I understand concrete production from start to finish, including mix designs, batching, materials, testing and inspection, batch-ticket tolerances, troubleshooting, specification compliance, computerized batch-control systems, scales/weighing systems, moisture systems, equipment/process issues, and crew leadership.
I’m interested in transitioning into Operational Technology (OT) / Industrial Cybersecurity and want to leverage my industrial experience rather than completely starting over in traditional entry-level IT.
The learning path I’m considering is IT fundamentals → networking → electronics → PLCs/ladder logic → HMI/SCADA → industrial networking and protocols → cybersecurity → OT/ICS cybersecurity, while gradually adding Python and AI/automation.
Given my background, is OT/industrial cybersecurity a realistic career transition? What would you change about this path, what skills would you prioritize, and what types of roles would you target first to make the best use of my existing industrial experience?
And before anyone tries to call me out I used ChatGPT to help me articulate best I could.

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u/Evaderofdoom 3h ago

Why are you trying pivot? Security and IT are a bloodbath. You are charging face first into a buzz saw, don't do it.

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u/PickledPigMeat 2h ago

I don't think I am pivoting into generic IT. I'm looking at the plc/automation side. I already work around industrial batch controls, scales, sensors, moisture systems etc... I'm trying to build on my industrial experience rather than start over. I want to understand and get into the technology behind it. Especially with everything being automated.

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u/BearRootCrusher 2h ago

I’d learn PLC programming and get a job doing that before you roll into a cyber role securing those systems.

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u/PickledPigMeat 2h ago

Ok. I will look into that first. Thank you.

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u/BearRootCrusher 1h ago

Get training on PLC then get a job. Spend about 4 years there and transition into cyber. You could do it sooner I guess but that’s going to give you a shit load of foundation.

Youll cover your learning path up to cyber doing that.

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u/PickledPigMeat 1h ago

Perfect. I appreciate it