The OT (operational technology) space has never been more of a target to cyber threats than today. A recent McKinsey & Company article stated “As this sector embraces digitalization, its ‘attack surface’ is skyrocketing. In a space that boasted about being air-gapped, or unplugged from the internet environment in years past, these new capabilities have made it vulnerable to attack – and threat actors are chomping at the bit.”

In this episode we discuss cybersecurity in the process industries with cybersecurity expert, Marco Ayala, President of the Houston chapter of InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and the private sector for the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure. Marco, who has a long history in industrial security, comes from the unique perspective of being a supplier to the process industries as well as an end user.

We discuss:

• Current landscape of cybersecurity
• Challenges facing owner operators today
• Role of regulatory agencies and standards organizations
• Strategies asset owners are undertaking and first steps to achieve them

Join our series hosts, Jonas Norinder and Don Mack, for an episode filled with helpful information that will guide you on your journey to stay cybersafe!

Show Notes:

• Video: NOVA – A.I. Revolution (https://to.pbs.org/4aWsoe5) time 47:50 in video
• Article: Board of directors: The final cybersecurity defense for industrials (https://mck.co/454z5cH)
• Website: Cyber Informed Engineering (https://bit.ly/4e4ypbl)
• Website: Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (https://bit.ly/4aC8O6p)
• Website: InfraGard – Partnership for Protection (https://www.infragard.org/)
• Additional resources: https://bit.ly/3yD2Q8j

Upcoming webinar (Wednesday, July 11, 2024):

Navigating the Digital Workforce: 4 Strategies for Success in the Age of Technology (https://bit.ly/3Va6H4m)

Contact us:

· Marco Ayala (marco.ayala@infragardhouston.org)

· Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com)

· Jonas Norinder (jonas.norinder@siemens.com)