(CS)²AI Podcast Show: Control System Cyber Security Derek Harp

Today, we are thrilled to welcome Roya Gordon as our guest. 
Roya is an executive industry consultant specializing in operational technology, cybersecurity, and Hexagon. She is a military veteran, an accomplished technologist, and a prolific speaker in our industry. Her creativity knows no bounds, encompassing her passion for the arts and her love of opera and symphonies. She is also an avid traveler and a super fun person to have around.
Roya brings a unique and engaging perspective to our discussion today. She shares her journey from a pre-law magnet program to becoming a skilled speaker in the Navy, highlighting the value of communication skills for conveying technical information to audiences and sharing the challenges and opportunities veterans face when breaking into the cybersecurity industry.
Stay tuned as Roya shares her invaluable insights and experiences, offering guidance for veterans aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field. You will not want to miss the wisdom and stories Roya shares with us today.
Show highlights:
Roya shares her background as an army brat.Roya discusses her six-year experience in the Navy.How Roya gradually realized she was involved in technology through her Navy intelligence workRoya talks about her studies in international relations and national security after leaving the Navy and how she pivoted to studying cyber-warfareRoya landed a job as a security researcher at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) despite lacking an IT background.Roya talks about the foundational training she received in OT cybersecurity at INL. How advanced tools often get underutilized due to a lack of trained personnel   Roya highlights the value of certifications. How non-technical roles like journalism and event planning can offer entryways into the cybersecurity space.
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Derek Harp on LinkedIn
Hexagon
Roya Gordon on LinkedIn

We are thrilled to have Max Aulakh, the Founder and CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform, joining us today. 
Max is a military veteran and motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys doing voluntary work. He is a prolific contributor to the cybersecurity community, always willing to be of service to others. When Max was three, his father applied for American citizenship at the US Embassy in India. It was an extremely long process, and after losing all hope, he and his family finally migrated to Oklahoma a decade later. 
Join us to learn how Max transitioned from the military to founding the successful Ignyte Assurance Platform. He also shares his views on regulations, discusses how AI has impacted the security field, and offers prudent and practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career. 
Stay tuned for today’s candid and fascinating interview with Max Aulakh, the Founder and CEO of Ignyte.
Show highlights:
How Max’s military experience led to his career in securityMax’s Air Force mentor encouraged voluntary service.How working with the Department of Treasury, scrubbing hard drives, led to Max’s interest in security.Max explains how his military experience instilled a service mindset beneficial for security roles.While in service, he attended the American Military University due to its flexible programs for deployed personnel.The challenges he faced transitioning from a services company to a product-based companyMax shares how he launched Ignyte in 2019/2020How Max assists companies with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model, particularly in thedefense sector.Why standardization and testing are essential in operational technologyMax shares his views on the potential of AI
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Derek Harp on LinkedIn
Ignyte Assurance Platform
Max Aulakh on LinkedIn

We are delighted to have Mike Holcomb joining us on the show today.
Mike is both a fellow and a cybersecurity director, and he currently serves as the ICS OT Cybersecurity Global Lead at Fluor, a massive multinational engineering and construction firm with over 40,000 employees. He has participated in many major building projects, and we are excited to learn from his extensive experience today. 
Stay tuned as Mike shares his insights and expertise.
Show Highlights:
Mike discusses the two years he spent in China building bowling alleysMike talks about his time teaching and consulting at a training company in San DiegoHow Mike had the opportunity to double his salary and work with the Navy SEALs during 9/11Mike discusses his experience working in IT securityMike explains that Fluor has built some of the largest control system environments in the world Mike discusses challenges in the energy sectorHow regulations impact cybersecurity in various industriesWhy cybersecurity regulations are essential within critical infrastructureMike discusses the challenge of aligning IT and OT cybersecurity teams 
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Derek Harp on LinkedIn
Bridewell
Michael Holcomb on LinkedIn
Fluor

We are delighted to have Chase Richardson, the VP of Consulting at Bridewell, back on the show today. 
Bridewell boasts a rich history in industrials, offering comprehensive cybersecurity services across the entire cybersecurity spectrum, including operating technology. 
Recently, Bridewell came up with an insightful report on cybersecurity within the US critical infrastructure. In this episode, Chase dives into the current state of cybersecurity regulations in critical infrastructure and shares the details and origin of the upcoming Bridewell report, which falls squarely within the interest of CSAI. 
Tune in to learn more about this exciting project.
Show highlights:
How the attacks experienced by CISOs and cyber managers have decreased despite an increase in risk sentiment The challenges small and mid-sized airports face when implementing regulations due to their limited cybersecurity budgetsHow cybersecurity regulations in the US differ from those in the UKWhat is the link between IT and OT security?Why it is essential to implement a hybrid of IT and OT security measures to protect critical infrastructureWhy organizations need to comply with relevant cybersecurity standards and regulationsChase shares key findings and insights from Bridewell's upcoming cybersecurity report for critical infrastructure.
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Derek Harp on LinkedIn
Bridewell
Chase Richardson on LinkedIn

We are delighted to have Chase Richardson, Head of US Operations for Bridewell, and Martin Riley, Director of Managed Services for Bridewell, joining us today!
We are changing things slightly for this episode, with Martin and Chase diving into how to integrate OT systems into your sim rather than presenting our regular biographical format. Their focus today is predominantly on the increasingly relevant topic of managing data across diverse platforms, particularly in OT applications. 
Join us as we explore this integration and unravel the challenges it presents.
Show highlights:
The evolution of cybersecurity technologyHow the industry struggles with integrating IoT and OT data into security simsWhy integrating separate systems into one platform is crucial for security teams How security and operational technology leadership teams convergeWhy hybrid teams are essential for managing cybersecurity risksThe importance of asset visibility and understanding the architecture for effectively implementing security solutions How AI and machine learning can help to reduce noise in security operationsWhy threat intelligence is essential for business risk and control validationThe importance of threat intelligence in the cybersecurity industry
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Chase Richardson on LinkedIn
Martin Riley on LinkedIn
Bridewell
Derek Harp on LinkedIn

We are thrilled to welcome Juan Carlos Buenano as our distinguished guest for today’s episode of the CS2AI podcast! 
Carlos is the Chief Technology Officer for OT at Armis. He is a born technologist and an engineer by training. Beyond his professional endeavors, he embraces a life filled with adventure, enjoying many outdoor activities, including scuba diving, mountain biking, and exploring the scenic expanses of unspoiled nature. 
Carlos was born in Venezuela and grew up in a small town outside Caracas. After graduating as an electronic engineer in Venezuela, he traveled to Australia to learn English, fell in love with the country, the lifestyle, and the nature, and has lived there for the last 23 years.
Carlos brings a unique perspective to today’s show, shaped by his professional and personal experiences. Join us for an engaging discussion as he shares his wealth of experiences and insights and explains how he serves his community.
Show Highlights:
Carlos shares his journey to becoming an engineer in the energy industryHow his interest in control systems beganCarlos recounts his early cybersecurity experiences in industrial systems during the early 2000sThe importance of keeping operating systems up to date to prevent vulnerabilities and ensure reliabilityWhy it is essential to understand how technology works in both physical security and cybersecurityCarlos discusses the challenges of integrating cybersecurity into process control systemsCarlos offers advice for engineers who want to get into cybersecurityThe importance of mentorship and learning from others in their industryCarlos discusses the weekly open mic Ask Me Anything sessions he does at work
Links and resources:
(CS)²AI 
Derek Harp on LinkedIn
Carlos Buenano on LinkedIn
Armis