Recent years have seen a growing awareness of the vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure to cyberattacks, particularly from nation-states like Russia, Iran, and China. In this episode of the IoT Security Podcast, host John Vecchi welcomes Khris Woodring, Senior Cybersecurity Architect at Syngenta, to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in securing critical infrastructure. From his serendipitous journey into the field to actionable insights on workforce development, Khris shares how industries can overcome the persistent talent gap and drive proactive change in OT security.

Key topics include:

• The unique challenges of bridging IT and OT security.
• Why workforce shortages hinder progress and how industry and academia can collaborate.
• The importance of standardizing roles, frameworks, and terminology.
• Stories of how early curiosity sparked a career in cybersecurity.

Tune in for a passionate discussion on how to protect the systems that make modern life possible—and the steps we can take to secure a resilient future.

Let’s connect about IoT Security!

Follow John Vecchi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvecchi

The IoT Security Podcast is powered by Phosphorus Cybersecurity. Join the conversation for the IoT Security Podcast — where xIoT meets Security. Learn more at https://phosphorus.io/podcast

Businesses and government organizations have seen threats to critical US infrastructure on the rise in recent years, particularly within IoT and OT systems, posed by cyberattacks, notably from state actors like Iran. With that context, Joel Goins, a veteran of manufacturing, oil and gas, and OT security at large, talks with John Vecchi about the critical need for enhanced security measures for data centers and other vital components, the vulnerabilities present in IoT devices, and the essential steps companies must take to safeguard against both traditional and emerging cyber threats.

Let’s connect about IoT Security!

Follow John Vecchi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvecchi

The IoT Security Podcast is powered by Phosphorus Cybersecurity. Join the conversation for the IoT Security Podcast — where xIoT meets Security. Learn more at https://phosphorus.io/podcast

Explore the intricate challenges and solutions in managing OT cybersecurity, particularly emphasizing the importance of active querying over passive deep packet inspection, with Michael Lester, Senior Product Security Engineer at Rockwell Automation! Lester underscores the necessity of segmenting networks, improving visibility, and fostering collaboration between IT and OT teams to mitigate risks and enhance security. His journey, from passionate mentorship to pursuing a PhD, exemplifies a commitment to advancing industrial cybersecurity frameworks and education.

Let’s connect about IoT Security!

Follow John Vecchi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvecchi

The IoT Security Podcast is powered by Phosphorus Cybersecurity. Join the conversation for the IoT Security Podcast — where xIoT meets Security. Learn more at https://phosphorus.io/podcast