The Air Gap Myth: How Misinformation Is Endangering Your Plant Floor

In this week's episode, Dino and Jim, CTO and COO for Velta Technology, discuss the misconceptions surrounding the security of operational technology in industrial settings.

They debunk the common belief around air-gapped systems, explaining how these are usually not as isolated as many think.

Dino and Jim talk about real-world examples of oversight and communication gaps that compromise plant operational security, stressing the need for better collaboration between IT and operational staff to safeguard critical infrastructure.

They also address the struggles of implementing cybersecurity measures on the plant floor, which are absolutely necessary to prevent costly downtime and protect against external threats.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kickoff: Unpacking Industrial Cybersecurity
• 00:00:51 - Introducing Your Guides: Dino and Jim
• 00:01:13 - Myth Busting: The Truth About OT Air Gaps
• 00:02:08 - Tales from the Plant Floor: Examples of Miscommunication
• 00:04:47 - Connectivity Challenges: The Realities of Remote Support
• 00:06:25 - The High Cost of Downtime: Strategies for Effective Remote Access
• 00:07:38 - Securing the Plant: Cybersecurity’s Critical Role in Operations
• 00:11:59 - Initiating the Hunt: Identifying and Closing Security Gaps
• 00:14:07 - Navigating Complex Plant Networks: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Legacy Systems
• 00:16:33 - Cybersecurity Ownership: Who's in Charge Here?
• 00:18:58 - Building Cybersecurity Practices in OT Supplier Networks
• 00:20:45 - Supply Chain Security: Bridging the Gap Between IT and OT
• 00:22:21 - On-the-Ground Insights: Practical Steps for Securing Industrial Environments
• 00:24:02 - The Crucial Role of Continuous Monitoring in Cybersecurity
• 00:26:09 - Closing Insights: Key Takeaways and Future Directions

Links And Resources:

• Velta Technology
• Dino Busalachi on LinkedIn
• Jim Cook on LinkedIn
• Craig Duckworth on LinkedIn

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