Is Ransomware the Biggest Threat to OT?

What’s the Best Approach to Investing in OT Cyber Long-term?

88% of Boards of Directors view cybersecurity as a business risk— so why are budgets for industrial cybersecurity so scarce? Funding is often an issue because cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) environments is a relatively new idea brought on by the rapid IT-OT convergence. In this mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Rob Wade, Global Head of Sales and Strategy for Industrial Cybersecurity, walk through the journey of solidifying budget and buy-in throughout the organization, from CISOs to shop floor managers.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

Are Cybersecurity Professionals Equipped for the IT-OT Convergence?

Do Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments have anything in common? While some cybersecurity professionals may answer yes, the reality is that IT and OT are two separate worlds with vastly different priorities. In this mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Keon McEwen, Global Lead - Security Operations Center (SOC), discuss the IT-OT convergence and the resulting industry-wide need for OT-specific protection against cyber attacks.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

Does Your Organization Have a Perception Gap?

What does cybersecurity mean to your company? In this mini-episode, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Ian Bramson and CEO Ryan Moody explore how different functions in industrial organizations perceive cyber risks.

From the board of directors to the team on the plant floor, the idea of OT cybersecurity and how to successfully implement it varies greatly. Regardless, hackers continue to exploit critical perception gaps to their advantage, including the misconception that IT personnel are equipped to handle cyber attacks on operational technology and critical infrastructure.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

Is Ransomware the Biggest Threat to OT?

In this Cybersecurity Awareness Month mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Dennis Hackney, Solutions Development Director of Industrial Cybersecurity Services, discuss the specifics of what ransomware is and the difference between how it impacts IT environments and Operational Technology (OT) environments.

While ransomware in IT can hold your data hostage, ransomware in OT remains a whole different ballgame. Why? Because upon initial access to your OT network, it can completely halt your operations, causing you to lose total control and visibility. This can ultimately result in physical impact, enormous financial and reputational damages or even loss of life.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

OT Cybersecurity: What Now? What Next?

When it comes to cyber targets, critical infrastructure remains in the line of fire. Furthermore, the attacks against them continue to develop in complexity with each strike, leaving operational technology (OT) and IT controls extremely vulnerable. This is especially true for the oil and gas space, which has been exposed to several organized crime syndicates in recent years. So, what’s next for your security infrastructure in combating these cyber attacks?

Join host Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, Jim Linn, CIO of American Gas Association and Executive Director for DNG-ISAC, and Rock Lambros, Cybersecurity Leader and CEO for RockCyber, to explore next steps for addressing your OT cybersecurity.

About the Guests

Kyriakos "Rock" Lambros is the CEO and Founder of RockCyber, LLC. Founded in 2018, RockCyber is a cybersecurity executive consulting firm specializing in aligning cybersecurity strategy to enterprise business goals. Lambros is a seasoned cybersecurity and information technology executive with expertise in aligning cybersecurity and technology strategy with enterprise business goals. He has served in several senior cybersecurity and technology roles for global companies such as MPLX (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation), eBay, Honeywell, General Dynamics Information Technology, Wells Fargo and Agilent Technologies.

Jim Linn is the CIO of the American Gas Association and the Executive Director for the Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center (DNG-ISAC). Linn has spent the past 35 years of his career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity management with several non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC area, including eight years as IT Director for the Chemical Manufacturers Association. In addition, he is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Association Executive, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Protection Professional and holds many other industry certifications.

About the Host:

Ian Bramson heads the global cybersecurity organization at ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), an affiliate of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), where he works closely with senior executives to help minimize their cybersecurity risks. For over 20 years, Ian has helped organizations adapt to their digital environments and solve business challenges related to industrial cybersecurity, risk management and digital transformation. He has built successful companies, global sales organizations and cybersecurity programs across multiple industries, including power, maritime, oil and gas and more. Ian is a recognized thought leader and market developer in the emerging threat landscape of attacks on industrial operations and critical infrastructure. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from Cornell University.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America’s Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group