Episode 85

When the Plant Can't Stop: Securing Systems That Never Sleep

Published on: 5th August, 2025

In this episode of Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, Craig Duckworth sits down with Ian Bramson, VP of Global Industrial Cybersecurity at Black & Veatch, to explore what it really takes to secure complex industrial systems. 

Whether you're retrofitting legacy brownfield environments or designing cybersecurity into greenfield builds, Ian unpacks the foundational questions every organization must answer:

  • What do you need to protect?
  • Where are your holes?
  • Can you see what's happening and respond if something goes wrong?

From AI-enabled attackers to real-time asset visibility, he shares actionable insights on risk management, OT monitoring, and why leaders must begin treating cybersecurity like safety, not just an IT function. 

Whether you’re managing a water treatment plant, a power plant, or smart transportation infrastructure, this conversation delivers clarity in complexity - and guidance for what to do next.

Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 - Uncovering Hidden Dangers in Remote Access
  • 00:00:59 - Meet Ian Bramson: Defending the World’s Most Critical Systems
  • 00:02:58 - Why Critical Infrastructure Is Everyone’s Business
  • 00:03:30 - Power and Water: The Frontlines of Cyber Defense
  • 00:09:07 - Decoding NERC CIP: What You Really Need to Know
  • 00:10:38 - Walking the Tightrope Between Compliance and True Security
  • 00:17:01 - Proven Cybersecurity Tactics That Actually Work
  • 00:22:50 - AI in Cybersecurity: Game-Changer or New Threat?
  • 00:24:47 - How Public and Private Sectors Tackle Cyber Risk Differently
  • 00:29:31 - Ian Bramson’s Final Playbook for Today’s CISOs

Links And Resources:

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About the Podcast

Industrial Cybersecurity Insider
Everything You Need to Know to 'Get Safer Sooner'
Industrial Cybersecurity Insider offers a thorough look into the field of industrial cybersecurity for manufacturing and critical infrastructure. The podcast delves into key topics, including industry trends, policy changes, and groundbreaking innovations. Each episode will feature insights from key influencers, policy makers, and industry leaders. Subscribe and tune in weekly to stay in the know on everything important in the industrial cybersecurity world!

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Hector Santiesteban