Jacobs: If/When

Jacobs, Kathryn Weast

The world we’ll be faced with tomorrow demands big ideas today. In Jacobs’ series of interviews with some of today’s leading industry and academic problem solvers, we discuss the Ifs and Whens of disruption - those phenomena with the potential to unsettle the status quo, as well as those now imminent and emerging.

  1. Resilience by Design: Safeguarding Water Utilities From Cyber Threats

    6 MARS

    Resilience by Design: Safeguarding Water Utilities From Cyber Threats

    According to Check Point Research and Reuters, cyberattacks on U.S. utilities in 2024 increased nearly 70% compared to the year before, leading to an average of 69 attacks every week. In 2025, the trend continued, in the U.S and globally. What can water utilities do to protect themselves from these digital threats?   The answer is a nuanced one, as the challenges extend beyond outdated software and ageing infrastructure. Most water utilities globally are undergoing rapid digital transformation to respond to higher demands from communities, councils and authorities. This has opened more opportunities for cyberthreats, driving more challenges for cybersecurity in Operational Technology (OT) environments. Unlike conventional Information Technology (IT) systems, OT systems directly control pumps, valves, and treatment processes. An attack on OT can have immediate, real-world consequences for water quality, safety and public health.   The OT environment at Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is a success story as it protects one of the largest regional water and wastewater utilities in the U.S., servicing more than 20 counties and cities and 1.5 million people. Thanks to its signature program of embedded visibility, governance and consequence-driven planning, it can serve as a blueprint for water utilities globally.   Today we’ll talk about how to apply this cybersecurity blueprint with Ben Stirling, Director, Cybersecurity & OT at Jacobs, and Roger Caslow, Chief Information Security Officer, Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

    20 min
  2. CEO Conversations: Leadership Lessons in Collaboration

    01/03/2025

    CEO Conversations: Leadership Lessons in Collaboration

    Leaders of global, multi-sector companies are tackling bigger, more complex challenges in our fast-evolving, highly connected world. During times of greater change and shifts, employees are looking to the C-Suite for even more direction and inspiration. Research by Harvard Business Review reveals that for leaders to be successful now, they need to be versatile, resilient and empathetic to thrive in the relentless pace of global corporate organizations. For this If/When podcast, we speak to two inspiring CEOs who embody these qualities and offer some of their experiences as leaders and collaborators. We explore the importance of key partnerships,* shared values, employee engagement and family support and learn how it's all helped shape them in their pivotal roles.   My name is Arthur Jones, and the guests for this episode are Bob Pragada, CEO of Jacobs since January of 2023 and appointed Chair of Jacobs Board of Directors the following September and Christian Norris, who became CEO at PA Consulting, a global innovation and transformation consultancy, in August 2023.  *Jacobs holds a 65% stake in PA Consulting, with the remaining 35% held by PA employees. Both Jacobs and PA operate as separate entities, each responsible for serving clients independently. Follow Jacobs: Website: jacobs.com If/When podcast series: If/When podcast series LinkedIn: @jacobsconnects Instagram: @jacobsconnects X: @JacobsConnects Follow our guests: Bob Pragada Christian Norris More episode details available here.

    29 min
  3. Cleaner Cities: Harnessing Smarter Mobility & Urban Planning

    15/12/2024

    Cleaner Cities: Harnessing Smarter Mobility & Urban Planning

    Transportation is still the highest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and one of the greatest carbon contributors globally. Governments and local authorities are continually researching ways to drive positive change through legislation and policy, and a large part of this will come down to urban mobility and transportation planning.  To make the right decisions in these fields, we need the right data and measurement tools. Case in point: the Transportation Climate Impact Index by StreetLight Data. Their report uncovers how metros in the U.S. rank across eight key factors and reveals the major mobility trends impacting climate. In this episode, we discuss urban mobility and its role in climate change. We explore how to build a climate-resilient transportation system — one that offers social, environmental and commercial value. Our celebrated guests explain why urban mobility is one of the most critical areas of climate response, and more importantly, how we can better design our cities for greener futures with cleaner air and less traffic.  Today, we’re speaking to Dr. Laura Schewel, CEO of StreetLight Data and VP of Transportation Software at Jacobs and Jenny Jones, Head of Transport Planning for Europe at Jacobs.  Follow Jacobs: Website: jacobs.com If/When podcast series: If/When podcast series LinkedIn: @jacobsconnects Instagram: @jacobsconnects X: @JacobsConnects Follow our guests: Dr. Laura Schewel Jenny Jones More episode details available here.

    32 min
  4. Navigating PFAS: Pioneering Solutions for a Healthier Tomorrow

    05/09/2024

    Navigating PFAS: Pioneering Solutions for a Healthier Tomorrow

    How are PFAS affecting your work and our world? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large class of long-lasting, synthetic chemicals used extensively in industrial and household products. Many PFAS don’t degrade readily on their own, and some are highly mobile in the environment. They can be found worldwide in water, soil, air, plants, animals and even our bloodstreams. We’re still uncovering the full impact of these chemicals on the health of humans and our environment, but here’s what is clear: it’s a complex challenge at scale to remediate these so-called “forever” chemicals.   Add fast-changing regulations in different geographies and regional differences to the scale and response to the PFAS challenge, and it all compounds the difficulty. The way forward requires a greater understanding of the risks and challenges of PFAS, but it’s just the start. We’ll need cross-sector collaboration and innovation to tackle these issues and apply the right measurement tools and technology.     Our guests for this episode are defining the solutions for clients and the industry at large: Sharon Minchak, Global Solutions Director for Remediation and Regeneration at Jacobs, and Dr. Russell Ford, Global Director for Drinking Water & Reuse Solutions at Jacobs. Follow Jacobs: Website: jacobs.com If/When podcast series: If/When podcast series LinkedIn: @jacobsconnects Instagram: @jacobsconnects X: @JacobsConnects Follow our guests: Sharon Minchak Russell Ford More episode details available here.

    28 min

À propos

The world we’ll be faced with tomorrow demands big ideas today. In Jacobs’ series of interviews with some of today’s leading industry and academic problem solvers, we discuss the Ifs and Whens of disruption - those phenomena with the potential to unsettle the status quo, as well as those now imminent and emerging.

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