Michael Weigand: From Planes to Power Plants, Protecting The Intersection of Physical and Digital The PrOTect OT Cybersecurity Podcast

About Michael Weigand: Michael Weigand is the visionary co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Shift5, spearheading the realization of Shift5’s ambitious growth strategies. With a distinguished background, he spent eight years as an innovative leader in the U.S. Army, pioneering cyber operations and commanding specialized cyber units. Michael's pivotal contributions include shaping the Army's platform mission assurance program, pioneering expeditionary cyber forces, and fostering breakthrough projects in collaboration with the Defense Digital Service. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy and possesses a unique ability to navigate both the digital realm and the skies, flying small airplanes into tight spaces.

In this episode, Aaron and Michael Weigand discuss:
Enhancing operational reliability and security in modern vehicle fleetsSecuring critical infrastructure in the age of advanced technologyStrategies for successful onboarding of new assetsEnabling secure and adaptive OT for a changing landscape
Key Takeaways:
Shift5 pioneers cybersecurity solutions for modern vehicles, equipping defense systems, aerospace, and rail with transformative hardware and software that not only safeguard against cyber threats, but also harness unique data for proactive optimization, revealing a compelling convergence of security and operational efficiency.In the intersection of physical systems and digital environments in OT, protecting assets like airplanes and power plants from vulnerabilities is crucial, demanding advanced anomaly detection and proactive responses to ensure security, safety, and operational stability amid rapid evolution.Navigating the complex journey of onboarding new assets involves multidisciplinary collaboration, early integration for efficiency gains, and a keen focus on quantifiable value to maximize returns and operational effectiveness.The future of cybersecurity holds exciting advancements in automated vulnerability identification and secure software development, but challenges lie in reconciling slow safety processes with the need for agile and rapid responses to emerging threats, as adversaries increasingly exploit AI-powered tactics.
"We encourage everybody to ensure they're tapping and monitoring everything, not only infrastructure but also those legacy and serial protocols that are quite obscure. We want everybody to ensure they can see themselves so they can defend their interests." — Michael Weigand
 

Connect with Michael Weigand: 
Website: shift5.io 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-weigand/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/shift5/
Emails: andy.oare@shift5.io, mike@shift5.io, and jessica@shift5.io
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCrUBI5C0bWil1-uKJaXUg 

Connect with Aaron:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrow

Learn more about Industrial Defender:
Website: https://www.industrialdefender.com/podcast 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrial-defender-inc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iDefend_ICS
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@industrialdefender7120



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