When CISOs Inherit the Plant Floor: What Happens Next?

What happens when the CISO inherits responsibility for the security of the plant floor?

Dino and Craig discuss a growing trend: CISOs are being expected to oversee cybersecurity for industrial plant floors. Unfortunately, they don't have the background to effectively take on this responsibility.

A perpetuating trend exists where cybersecurity leaders are expected to protect factories and industrial assets without the authority, tools, or support to do so effectively.

In this conversation, Dino and Craig explain why traditional IT security approaches don’t work in these environments, and how things like outdated equipment, disconnected systems, and outside vendors make the challenge even harder.

From weak remote access tools to the confusion around who actually manages plant security, this episode shines a light on the hidden risks most companies overlook.

Whether you're in IT, operations, or a leadership role, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to approach cybersecurity in complex industrial settings.

You'll also gain insights into the steps you can take to protect your people, your technology, and your bottom line.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Smart Tool Choices Start Here
• 00:01:02 - When CISOs Inherit the Factory Floor
• 00:02:17 - Making Friends with OEMs and Integrators
• 00:04:47 - Why OT Security Is a Whole Different Beast
• 00:08:50 - Cyber Budgets: Where’s the Money Really Coming From?
• 00:13:10 - How to Actually Roll Out Security in the Plant
• 00:18:35 - VPNs Aren’t Enough: Fixing Remote Access
• 00:24:42 - What OT Incident Response Really Looks Like
• 00:27:17 - Wrapping It Up: Strategy, Buy-In, and What’s Next

Links And Resources:

• Industrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedIn
• Cybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedIn
• BW Design Group Cybersecurity
• Dino Busalachi on LinkedIn
• Craig Duckworth on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!