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The PrOTect OT Cybersecurity Podcast

The PrOTect OT Cybersecurity Podcast

By: Aaron Crow
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Despite the growing attention on industrial cybersecurity, there is still much work to be done to keep pace with the increasing risks. To mature and comprehensively protect against cyber threats to operational technology (OT), it will take collaboration among key players from various sectors and industries.

The PrOTect OT Cybersecurity podcast brings together experts in the field of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and industrial organizations. Join Aaron Crow, the Chief Technology Officer at Industrial Defender, and the OT security community as they explore the latest developments and challenges unique to protecting operational environments

Whether you want to learn the best practices and strategies for protecting power plants, water treatment facilities, food and beverage plants or automotive factories, this podcast is for you.

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Episodes
  • Todd Beebe: Beyond IT vs. OT, The Common Ground for Securing Any Environment

    Todd Beebe: Beyond IT vs. OT, The Common Ground for Securing Any Environment
    Dec 28 2023
    About Todd Beebe: Todd Beebe, a cybersecurity veteran since the early 90s, commenced his journey by thwarting attempts to hack his BBS. His expertise led to pivotal roles with an international organization, securing remote access, fortifying websites, and pioneering firewall deployment. Later, at Ernst & Young, he spearheaded the Attack & Penetration practice in Houston, penetrating Fortune 500 clients and contributing to the precursor of the Hacking Exposed book series. Todd's entrepreneurial spirit thrived as he founded cybersecurity companies, notably inventing the telecom firewall 'TeleWall' and the web application firewall 'eServer Secure,' holding nine US patents. His career includes fortifying the White House and Pentagon against cyber threats and building cybersecurity programs for multiple Fortune 500 organizations.In this episode, Aaron and Todd Beebe discuss:Their journeys into cybersecurity careersNavigating the convergence of IT and OT securityFinding common ground and overcoming historical hurdlesShared labs for enhanced understanding and effective problem-solvingCybersecurity challenges in critical infrastructureKey Takeaways:In addressing cybersecurity challenges, it's crucial for IT and OT teams to collaborate closely, recognizing that the threat landscape targets common denominators such as IP addresses, ports, and Windows systems, and adopting a unified approach to securing both environments is essential in the evolving landscape of cyber threats.In navigating the convergence of IT and OT, the key lies in recognizing the shared technological foundation, fostering collaboration to merge expertise, and dispelling the misconception of a takeover, ultimately shifting the focus from being adversaries to allies in the pursuit of a secure and efficient operational landscape.Fostering collaboration between IT and OT teams through shared advisory roles, regular communication, and the establishment of a collaborative lab environment not only enhances technical expertise but also builds trust, camaraderie, and a common language, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and stable organizational infrastructure.While Todd is excited about the increasing diversity of people entering the cybersecurity field, he expresses concern about the SEC's decision to hold CISOs accountable for breaches and emphasizes the challenge of training junior analysts to effectively identify and respond to cyber threats in the evolving landscape. "I'm ready to continue learning. I believe that's the most important part for anyone in cybersecurity. It's whether they have that mindset: it's not failure, it's learning. If we can get that into the mindsets of the next generation, I think then we've done what we needed to do." — Todd Beebe Connect with Todd Beebe: Email: tvbeebe@freeportlng.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbeebe/Connect with Aaron:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrowLearn more about Industrial Defender:Website: https://www.industrialdefender.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrial-defender-inc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/iDefend_ICSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@industrialdefender7120Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Ron Fabela: Secure Access That Makes Sense for Operations

    Ron Fabela: Secure Access That Makes Sense for Operations
    Dec 21 2023
    About Ron Fabela: Ron Fabela, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience, specializes in safeguarding Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operations Technology (OT). Currently serving as the Field CTO at XONA, Ron leads initiatives to establish secure industrial access, ensuring safe operations for asset owners globally. With a background rooted in hands-on experience across diverse critical infrastructure sectors such as power generation, offshore oil, and refineries, he excels in overcoming industry-specific challenges and possesses a unique skill set to articulate technical and business concepts effectively to a broad audience.In this episode, Aaron and Ron Fabela discuss:Adopting secure remote access in OT as an operational requirementThe complex landscape of active scanning in ICSBuilding trust and bridging the gap between cybersecurity and OTBalancing innovation, risk, and security in a changing landscapeKey Takeaways:In the dynamic world of ICS, securing remote access is not just a cybersecurity necessity but a practical operational requirement, as witnessed through the evolution from air gaps to accepted industry practices, embracing the concept of zero trust while facilitating secure access is not only a cybersecurity feat but a collaborative effort aligning operational needs with stringent security measures.The shift from passive to active scanning is crucial for effective threat detection and asset visibility; while skepticism persists, bridging the gap between security and operations through trust-building and advocacy is essential to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in securing critical infrastructure.To establish trust and enhance cybersecurity in operational environments, genuine collaboration, understanding the challenges of control system engineers, and acknowledging small victories are crucial steps toward securing critical infrastructure and ensuring operational resilience.The future of industrial cybersecurity brings excitement and concern with the shift to advanced systems like cloud, edge, and virtualization, offering scalability but inheriting a substantial attack surface. This underscores the importance of a strategic security approach in this evolving landscape. "I appreciate where I'm at. That's why I stay in the community. I don't think I could ever go back to enterprise and have that same feeling of mission and importance without letting it get to you. Early on, a lot of us were like, "We're saving the world." It's like, "No, no, no. We're just trying to help people, and we're helping ourselves in the process." That's why I love the community." — Ron Fabela Connect with Ron Fabela: Email: ron@fabela.co (unofficial business) & ron@xonasystems.com (official business)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronniefabela/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ron_fabConnect with Aaron:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrowLearn more about Industrial Defender:Website: https://www.industrialdefender.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrial-defender-inc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/iDefend_ICSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@industrialdefender7120Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    52 mins
  • Dan Gunter: Lessons Learned from Real-World Attack on Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure

    Dan Gunter: Lessons Learned from Real-World Attack on Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure
    Dec 14 2023
    About Dan Gunter: Dan Gunter, founder and CEO of Insane Forensics, is a seasoned cybersecurity professional renowned for his extensive expertise in the field. With a background as an officer in the United States Air Force, specifically with the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team (AFCERT) and operational CYBERCOM teams, Dan has a wealth of experience in protecting critical infrastructure sites. His leadership extends to the private sector, where he served as the Director of Research and Development for Dragos Inc. before founding Insane Forensics. As a prominent speaker at major cybersecurity events, including Black Hat and ShmooCon, Dan shares his insights on incident response, threat hunting, consequence analysis, and security operations. Under his guidance, Insane Forensics provides a cutting-edge cybersecurity automation platform and services, catering to the unique challenges faced by industrial sites with limited cybersecurity resources.In this episode, Aaron and Dan Gunter discuss:Addressing the growing threat of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, reflecting on Mandiant’s report on attacks in UkraineNavigating the complexities, resource limitations, and timely application of threat intelligenceRethinking industrial cybersecurityThe intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and OTKey Takeaways:In the face of escalating cyber threats to critical infrastructure, exemplified by recent attacks like the Ukraine power grid incident, it is evident that a passive approach alone is insufficient; as attackers grow more sophisticated, understanding and actively monitoring both network and host activities become imperative for effective defense strategies.The evolving landscape of OT cybersecurity demands a nuanced approach, addressing the historical lack of understanding, resource constraints, and the critical need for timely threat intelligence application, highlighting the urgency for industry-wide collaboration and the integration of advanced technologies like AI.To navigate the integration of AI and ML in industrial settings, overcoming fear and resistance is key. Scaling incident response, fostering collaboration, and embracing proactive and reactive measures are essential for building a resilient security foundation in critical infrastructure.In the next 5 to 10 years, the increasing scale and sophistication of cyber attacks, especially in critical infrastructure, pose a significant concern, requiring a holistic approach that combines people, processes, and technology to address evolving threats and vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for proactive design considerations in new environments and fostering collaborative efforts to share knowledge and solutions. "I worry about how we keep up. We're not going to do it by people alone. We won't do it by process or technology alone. It's going to be all three. It's going to be just us being smart about it and being open to the future." — Dan Gunter Connect with Dan Gunter: Website: https://insaneforensics.com/ Email: dan@insaneforensics.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSBx8on8ffSm00kqUcTrRPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gunter/Twitter: https://twitter.com/insaneforensicsConnect with Aaron:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrowLearn more about Industrial Defender:Website: https://www.industrialdefender.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrial-defender-inc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/iDefend_ICSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@industrialdefender7120Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    58 mins
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