Understanding industrial Cybersecurity.
CybICS (Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems) is an open-source training platform designed to help cybersecurity professionals, students, and researchers understand the unique challenges of securing industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA environments.
The platform simulates a realistic industrial gas pressure control system complete with:
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) - OpenPLC
- HMI (Human-Machine Interface) - FUXA
- Physical Process Simulation - Gas pressure control system
- Multiple Industrial Protocols - Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, S7comm, DNP3, EtherNet/IP
- ✅ Hands-on Learning: Practice real-world ICS security techniques in a safe environment
- ✅ Cost-Effective: Free and open-source
- ✅ Flexible: Choose between virtual (Docker) or physical (Raspberry Pi + STM32) deployment
- ✅ Comprehensive: Covers reconnaissance, exploitation, and defense
- ✅ CTF-Ready: Built-in capture-the-flag challenges for training exercises
- What is CybICS?
- Deployment Options
- Quick Start - Virtual Testbed
- Physical Process Description
- Hardware
- Software Components
- Training Modules
- Troubleshooting
- Documentation
- Abbreviations
- Contributing
- License
CybICS offers two deployment modes to suit different learning needs and budgets:
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Docker-based deployment for easy setup 
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Hardware-based deployment with Raspberry Pi 
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Advantages:
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Advantages:
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Requirements:
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Requirements:
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Use Cases:
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Use Cases:
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Get CybICS running in under 5 minutes using the virtual environment!
- Docker and Docker Compose installed
- Git for cloning the repository
- At least 4GB of free RAM
- Linux, macOS, or Windows with WSL2
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Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/mniedermaier/CybICS.git --recursive cd CybICS -
Start the virtual environment:
./cybics.sh start
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Access the services:
Once started, open your browser and navigate to:
Service URL Default Credentials Landing Page http://localhost -
# Check status of all services
./cybics.sh status
# View logs from all containers
./cybics.sh logs
# Stop the environment
./cybics.sh stop
# Restart the environment
./cybics.sh restart
# Update Docker images to latest version
./cybics.sh updateCybICS simulates a gas pressure control system commonly found in industrial environments. This simple yet realistic process provides an excellent foundation for learning ICS cybersecurity concepts.
The system maintains gas pressure in a High Pressure Tank (HPT) using gas from a Gas Storage Tank (GST). A PLC controls a compressor that transfers gas between tanks while monitoring pressure levels and safety conditions.
Buffer tank for the external gas supply. The PLC maintains GST pressure between 60-240 bar.
| Pressure | Status | Range (bar) | Color Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| <50 | Low | 0-49 | Red |
| 50-149 | Normal | 50-149 | Green |
| 150+ | Full | 150-255 | Blue |
Control Loop:
- When GST < 60 bar → Start filling from external supply
- Continue until GST ≥ 240 bar → Stop filling
- Prevents compressor operation when GST is too low
Main buffer tank providing pressure to the system. Target range: 60-90 bar.
| Pressure | Status | Range (bar) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Empty | 0 | System offline |
| 1-49 | Low | 1-49 | Below operating range |
| 50-99 | Normal | 50-99 | Safe operating range |
| 100-149 | High | 100-149 | Above target, but safe |
| 150+ | Critical | 150+ | Dangerous overpressure |
Control Loop:
- When HPT < 60 bar AND GST > 50 bar → Start compressor
- Continue until HPT ≥ 90 bar → Stop compressor
- Compressor disabled if GST < 50 bar (safety interlock)
The system can operate normally when HPT is between 50-100 bar:
- HPT < 50 bar → System cannot operate (insufficient pressure)
- HPT > 100 bar → System at risk of damage
Mechanical safety valve (not PLC-controlled) that prevents catastrophic failure:
- Opens when HPT > 220 bar
- Vents toxic gas to atmosphere
- Closes when HPT < 200 bar
- Security implication: Triggering the blowout releases toxic gas
For those choosing the physical deployment, CybICS uses affordable, off-the-shelf components.
Detailed instructions: Hardware Guide | PCB Ordering Guide
CybICS includes 13+ hands-on training modules covering the full ICS security lifecycle:
Each module includes:
- 📖 Background theory
- 🎯 Hands-on exercises
- 🚩 CTF-style flags
- 💡 Hints and solutions
Start training: Training Overview
Comprehensive documentation is available for all components:
- 📘 Quick Start Guide - Detailed installation instructions
- 🎓 Training Overview - All training modules
- 🧪 Testing Guide - Automated testing
- 🔧 Hardware Overview - BOM, assembly, specifications
- 📟 PCB Ordering Guide - Step-by-step JLCPCB ordering
- 📦 3D Case Files - Printable enclosure
- 💾 Software Overview - Setup and configuration
- 🎛️ OpenPLC Integration - PLC programming and configuration
- 🖥️ FUXA HMI - HMI configuration
- 🔌 Virtual Hardware I/O - Virtual process simulation
- 🍓 Raspberry Pi I/O - Physical hardware interface
- 🔬 STM32 Firmware - Embedded firmware (Zephyr RTOS)
| Abbreviation | Full Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BO | Blowout | Safety valve that vents gas at critical pressure |
| CTF | Capture The Flag | Security training challenge format |
| DNP3 | Distributed Network Protocol 3 | SCADA communication protocol |
| GST | Gas Storage Tank | Buffer tank for external gas supply |
| HMI | Human-Machine Interface | Operator control and monitoring interface |
| HPT | High Pressure Tank | Main system pressure buffer |
| I2C | Inter-Integrated Circuit | Serial communication protocol |
| ICS | Industrial Control System | Systems controlling industrial processes |
| LED | Light-Emitting Diode | Visual indicator on hardware |
| OPC-UA | OPC Unified Architecture | Industry 4.0 communication standard |
| PCB | Printed Circuit Board | CybICS custom hardware board |
| PLC | Programmable Logic Controller | Industrial controller (OpenPLC) |
| RTOS | Real-Time Operating System | Zephyr (on STM32) |
| SCADA | Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition | Industrial monitoring system |
| STM32 | STMicroelectronics 32-bit MCU | Microcontroller on CybICS PCB |
| SWD | Serial Wire Debug | Programming/debugging interface for STM32 |
| UART | Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter | Serial communication |
We welcome contributions from the community! Here's how you can help:
- 🐛 Report bugs via GitHub Issues
- 💡 Suggest features or improvements
- 📝 Improve documentation (typos, clarity, examples)
- 🎓 Create training modules for new attack/defense techniques
- 🔧 Submit code improvements via Pull Requests
- 🌍 Translate documentation to other languages
- Fork the repository
- Clone your fork:
git clone --recursive https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/CybICS.git - Create a branch:
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name - Make your changes
- Start the stack and run the full test suite:
./cybics.sh start && pytest tests/ - Commit using Conventional Commits:
git commit -m "feat(landing): describe the change" - Push:
git push origin feature/your-feature-name - Open a Pull Request describing the cause, the fix and what you verified
Everything in git and on GitHub is written in English. The full set of conventions, including the places that must be changed together, is in CLAUDE.md. It is written for AI assistants but applies to everyone.
CybICS is released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.
- OpenPLC: GPL-3.0 License
- FUXA: MIT License
- Zephyr RTOS: Apache-2.0 License
CybICS is developed for educational purposes to improve ICS cybersecurity awareness. Special thanks to the open-source community and all contributors.
Disclaimer: This platform is designed for authorized training and education only. Unauthorized use against production systems is illegal and unethical.
Ready to start?
./cybics.sh start
📘 Detailed Setup Guide • 🎓 Training Modules • 🐛 Report Issues