PrOTect It All

AI is changing OT cybersecurity - but success still depends on understanding your operations. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow welcomes Vivek Ponnada for a practical conversation about how artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations defend critical infrastructure. With decades of experience in industrial automation and OT security, Vivek shares firsthand insigh...

When it comes to OT cybersecurity, the fundamentals still matter - even in the age of AI. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Caleb Davis for a practical discussion on securing industrial environments where uptime, safety, and resilience are non-negotiable. From legacy control systems and tight budgets to AI-powered threats and open-source security tools, Aaron and C...

Quantum computing isn't a future problem - it's a cybersecurity challenge organizations need to start preparing for today. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow welcomes Jim Sortino for a timely discussion on quantum readiness, cryptographic risk, and the future of cybersecurity . As organizations continue accumulating technical debt and relying on aging cryptographic systems, the ar...

Cybersecurity isn't the goal. Business resilience is. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Lee Ward to explore why organizations need to move beyond compliance checklists and start focusing on what really matters: the ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to disruption. Drawing on more than two decades of experience spanning the UK civil service, logistics, su...

What if trust wasn't something you granted once - but something you continuously verified? In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Frank Goodman to explore one of the most important challenges in modern cybersecurity: establishing trust in an increasingly connected world. As organizations expand across cloud, OT, AI, APIs, and distributed workloads, traditional approache...

Technical skills might get your attention - but soft skills build cybersecurity careers. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with technology leader and mentor Robert Whetstine for a candid conversation about what it really takes to succeed in today’s cybersecurity job market. As AI reshapes hiring, the market becomes more crowded, and professionals struggle to stand out, A...

The future of cybersecurity belongs to people who can adapt - not just those with the longest list of certifications. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Peter Schawacker for a candid conversation about the evolving intersection of AI, cybersecurity, talent, and career growth . With nearly 30 years of experience in cybersecurity and technology leadership, Peter share...

AI is rapidly transforming cybersecurity but are critical infrastructure environments ready for what comes next? In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with longtime colleague and cybersecurity expert Clark Liu to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping both IT and OT security operations. From incident response and compliance frameworks to workforce shifts and operat...

AI agents are changing cybersecurity faster than most organizations can adapt. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow welcomes back cybersecurity veteran Ken Foster for a deep dive into how AI is reshaping risk, identity, and resilience across IT and OT environments. With more than 30 years of experience spanning the Navy, manufacturing, fintech, government programs, and startups, Ken...

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology - it’s about people. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Sean Tufts for a conversation that goes far beyond tools and tactics. From the locker room to control rooms, Sean shares how his journey from professional football to OT cybersecurity shaped his approach to trust, teamwork, and leadership . Together, they unpack one of...

Construction sites are no longer just physical - they’re digital, connected, and increasingly vulnerable. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Lee Carsten to explore the rising cyber risks across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. As digital transformation accelerates - with AI, digital twins, and connected building systems becoming standar...

The biggest challenge in OT cybersecurity isn’t just technology - it’s people. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Mike Holcomb to explore one of the most urgent issues facing the industry today: the growing skills gap in OT and ICS cybersecurity. Mike shares his journey from IT into operational technology security and breaks down why more professionals are needed to...

You can’t manage risk you can’t measure - or even see. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with Nicholas Friedman to explore how organizations can move beyond compliance and build real, measurable cybersecurity programs across IT and OT environments. With experience spanning banking, aerospace, and critical infrastructure, Nicholas shares how risk management principles tr...

In this special milestone episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow steps away from the usual format to share his personal journey - from early days working with PLCs at a kitchen table to building a platform that connects and educates cybersecurity professionals around the world. This episode is more than a reflection - it’s a story of persistence, curiosity, and community. Aaron walks through...

Strong OT cybersecurity programs aren’t built on tools alone, they're built on strategy, communication, and smart investment. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow is joined by cybersecurity expert Don C. Weber for a candid, real-world discussion on what it actually takes to build and sustain effective security programs across IT and OT environments. From CapEx vs OpEx decisions to th...

Cyberattacks don’t just test your systems - they test your preparedness. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down key lessons from the Striker attack and what it reveals about today’s evolving threat landscape across IT and OT environments. From energy and healthcare to manufacturing systems, attackers are increasingly using sophisticated techniques like “living off the land...

Global conflicts are no longer confined to physical battlefields - they’re spilling into cyberspace. In this urgent episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down the rising wave of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure , from energy and water utilities to manufacturing and transportation systems. Drawing on recent global events and real-world incidents, Aaron explores how natio...

What happens when attackers target the systems that keep the lights on? In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down the December 2025 cyberattack on Poland’s energy infrastructure , where coordinated attackers disrupted wind farms, solar installations, and heat and power plants - impacting nearly half a million people. This real-world incident highlights the growing risks facin...

AI can accelerate cybersecurity - or accidentally expose it. In this solo episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down how cybersecurity professionals can safely integrate AI into their IT and OT workflows. As tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and enterprise AI platforms become part of daily operations, the question isn’t whether to use AI - it’s how to use it responsibly. Aaron moves beyond...

Passing an audit doesn’t mean you’re secure. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow dives into one of the biggest misconceptions in operational technology: the belief that compliance equals protection. Using NERC CIP 15 as a real-world case study, Aaron explores why meeting regulatory requirements is only the starting point - not the finish line. A major focus of this conversation is...

You can’t secure OT environments with checklists alone - you secure them with trust, clarity, and focused action. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow sits down with OT security expert Dean Parsons to unpack what actually improves cybersecurity maturity in manufacturing, water, and wastewater environments. From remote access blind spots to outdated network architecture, they explore...

Shiny tools don’t break attackers in basic mistakes. In Episode 92 of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Corey LeBleu, founder of Relix Security and seasoned penetration tester, for a candid look at what actually causes organizations to get compromised and why fundamentals still matter more than the latest security trends. Drawing from years of red-team and penetration-testing experien...

Remote access transformed overnight - and OT environments are still feeling the impact. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow is joined by Steve Rutherford , VP of Sales at Hyperport and former military officer, for a candid conversation on how secure remote access in operational technology (OT) has evolved - and where it’s heading next. They unpack how COVID accelerated remote conne...

Remote access is no longer optional in OT - but unmanaged connectivity is one of the fastest ways to lose control of critical systems. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down the real challenges of securing connectivity across IT and OT environments. As vendors, technicians, and support teams increasingly rely on remote access, many organizations struggle with poor visibili...

Small businesses aren’t too small to be targeted; they're often the first targets. In this episode of Protect It All , host Aaron Crow breaks down what cybersecurity really looks like for small and medium-sized businesses with limited resources . With nearly half of all cyberattacks aimed at SMBs and many companies never recovering, this episode focuses on what actually matters when budgets, time,...