OT After Hours

In this episode of OT After Hours, Ken Kully (Systems Support Lead for Rockwell SecureOT), sits down with Rick Kaun (Global Director of Cybersecurity Sales), Natalie Kalinowski (Network & Cybersecurity Specialist), and Lance Lamont (Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead), for a lengthy discussion about IT/OT convergence, how Rockwell's SecureOT platform can enable and accelerate advanced security, asset management, and operational efficiency for Rockwell's clients, and why Verve was renamed to SecureOT late last year.
Key Takeaways
Rockwell's Secure OT Rebranding and Strategic Direction: What was behind the transition from Verve to Rockwell's SecureOT branding? What were the strategic motivations, the business strategy review process, and the implications for product positioning and market approach?
Secure OT Platform Capabilities and Value Proposition: What are the SecureOT Platform's technical capabilities? How can it serve as data repository, support advanced security, enable asset management, and drive operational efficiency for Rockwell's clients?
Secure Digital Operations (SDO) and IT/OT Convergence: What are Secure Digital Operations (SDO)? What is its organizational structure, and how can it help bridge the gap between IT and OT security practices within manufacturing environments?
Regulatory Environment and Security Program Evolution: How does SecureOT address the expanding regulatory landscape for critical infrastructure, the importance of defensible security decisions, and the shift from compliance-driven to programmatic security strategies.
Security Culture Versus Rules: What is the distinction between enforcing security through rigid rules versus fostering a culture of security?
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In this episode of OT After Hours, Ken Kully (Systems Support Lead for Rockwell SecureOT), sits down with Natalie Kalinowski (Network & Cybersecurity Specialist), Lance Lamont (Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead), Zach Woltjer (Technical Account Manager), and Rick Herzing (Systems Support Analyst)
The team reviews last year's predictions for 2025 in industrial cybersecurity, confirming that most came true and discussing their impact on hybrid workforces, regulatory compliance, AI integration, dynamic detection, zero trust, legacy device security, monitoring, and third-party risks. They then discuss emerging cybersecurity threats and trends for 2026, focusing on AI-driven attacks, deep fakes, mandatory MFA, compliance enforcement, insurance-driven resilience, and ongoing supply chain risks.
2025 Predictions Reviewed
Hybrid Workforce Risks: TRUE. The expansion of hybrid workforces has increased device risks, with companies adopting solutions like VPNs, MFA, and endpoint protection to mitigate new attack vectors.
Regulatory Compliance Challenges: PARTIALLY TRUE. The vagueness of some regulations, the struggle for end users to translate them into actionable metrics, and the slow pace of regulatory change, leave much to be desired.
AI Integration in Cybersecurity: TRUE. There has been growing use of AI in cybersecurity products. The SecureOT research team has found AI to be highly confident but only moderately accurate, underscoring the importance of human oversight.
Dynamic Detection and Zero Trust: TRUE. The shift from signature-based detection to dynamic methods due to adaptive malware, has been ongoing for years. Zero trust policies have become more prevalent.
Legacy Device Security and Obsolescence Planning: TRUE. The persistent challenge of securing legacy devices in industrial environments continues unabated.
Monitoring and Third-Party Risks: PARTIALLY TRUE. Combining passive and active monitoring tools is not on track to become a standard in OT cybersecurity. But there is growing concern over third-party risks and the mitigation thereof, especially with new compliance requirements like the Cyber Resiliency Act.
Predictions and Trends for 2026:
AI-Driven Cyber Attacks: We can expect to see more end-to-end AI cyber attacks. There is potential for increased automation and sophistication, including lateral movement into OT environments.
Deep Fakes and Social Engineering: We can expect to see an expansion in the ongoing threat posed by deep fakes and phishing, given the growing ease of generating convincing audio and images.
Mandatory MFA and Compliance Enforcement: We are unlikely to see truly mandatory MFA adoption; that legal compliance and fines may well be necessary for widespread adoption, especially in OT.
Insurance-Driven Cyber Resilience: Insurers may drive faster adoption of cyber hygiene practices by requiring verified resilience for coverage. Some companies may choose pay fines instead.
Supply Chain and Open Source Risks: The threat of supply chain infections, especially with increased AI-generated code contributions, will grow in the year to come. Organizations should focus on retaining skilled software engineers to validate code.
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In this episode of OT After Hours, Ken Kully (Systems Support Lead for Rockwell SecureOT), sits down with Natalie Kalinowski (Network & Cybersecurity Specialist), Tyler Bergman (Operations Team Lead) and Lance Lamont (Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead) to discuss the recently-concluded Rockwell Automation Fair.
And if you weren't able to attend Automation Fair, you can still find videos and presentations from it on the Rockwell YouTube channel.
Key Takeaways
Automation Fair is a major annual event held by Rockwell Automation, attracting both employees and customers. The event features workshops, tech demos, and product displays, not unlike a mini-CES for Rockwell, its partners, and its clients.
Workshops ranged from basic controller programming to advanced topics like CPWE design with Cisco and Powerflex fundamentals. Keynotes are a valuable way to gauge Rockwell's strategic direction, including the announcement of a $2 billion investment in a new greenfield facility in southeastern Wisconsin, set to open in 2028 as a showcase for automation, AI, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Numerous robotics demos at the Automation Fair, including collaborative robots (cobots), multi-brand robot arm interoperability, and advanced material handling systems.
Verve Industrial Protection has been rebranded to Rockwell Secure OT, which was a prominent presence in Rockwell's display area. Lots of conversations at the SecureOT booth, discussing asset inventory, risk analysis, and the new risk scoring features, while engaging with customers and IT/OT professionals to address practical use cases and integration challenges.
Vibrant event culture, including pin-collecting, and swag at the SecureOT booth, the role of casual interactions in networking, and the significance of shared spaces like the lunch hall in fostering connections among attendees.
Timestamps
00:36 – Preamble and recording kickoff
00:56 – Introductions by Lance, Tyler, and Natalie
01:37 – What is the Automation Fair, and where was it held?
04:54 – Robots, cobots, and robot inter-operatbility
18:04 – Workshops, keynotes, and collectible pins
27:26 – Massive space for lunch...and networking
28:11 – FIRST Robotics and Student Mentorship
32:25 – The SecureOT Booth Experience
46:24 – Wrap-ups, more robotics, and final takeaways
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In this episode of OT After Hours, Lance Lamont, Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead, sits down with Tyler Bergman (Operations Team Lead) and Richard Melito (Senior Software Engineer) to discuss Richard's history at Verve and now Rockwell, the development process for Verve's software, and what standout features are in version 1.42 of the Verve Security Center (VSC).
This episode was recorded at the end of September, but was under embargo until the release of VSC 1.42.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and explanation of episode embargo
01:46 – Introductions by Lance, Tyler, and Richard
03:07 – What is the Verve Development Gathering?
17:30 – Richard Melito's career trajectory
27:11 – "Software With Consequences" - real-world impacts of critical software
30:54 – The Integrations team and what they do, and Richard's current role
33:32 – Risk Management in VSC 1.42 and custom asset risk scoring
39:12 – Richard's thoughts on software and application development
42:24 – Wrap-ups, future podcast ideas, and the challenges of marketing
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In this episode of OT After Hours, host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, sits down with Zach Woltjer and Connor Murphy, Technical Account Managers at Rockwell Automation to explore how the U.S. Department of Defense's SkillBridge program is helping veterans transition into civilian careers in OT cybersecurity.
Zach shares how his own journey through SkillBridge not only eased his transition out of the military but also inspired him to help set up the program at Verve. Connor recounts his path from military intelligence into OT security, proving that determination, adaptability, and soft skills can open doors—degree or no degree. Together, their stories highlight how military training and mindsets translate into critical skills for protecting industrial infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
SkillBridge as a bridge: A program designed to help military personnel transition smoothly into civilian careers, including cybersecurity roles.
Soft skills are critical: Strategic thinking, adaptability, and communication—often honed in the military—translate directly to success in OT security.
From intel to OT security: Zach and Connor share how experiences in military intelligence prepared them for cybersecurity careers.
The value for companies: SkillBridge allows organizations to bring in talented veterans, "test drive" potential hires, and diversify teams with unique backgrounds.
Degree not required: Connor's success story emphasizes that curiosity, drive, and continuous learning matter as much as formal education.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and overview of career-focused mini-sodes
02:30 – Introducing Zach Woltjer and Connor Murphy
03:08 – What the SkillBridge program is and why it matters
07:40 – Zach's path: military service, mentors, certifications, and SkillBridge experience
13:57 – Bringing SkillBridge to Verve and recruiting Connor into the program
17:20 – Connor's journey: transitioning out of the Air Force, overcoming doubts, and gaining new skills
24:18 – How SkillBridge works for companies: processes, intermediaries, and benefits
32:29 – Why veterans should consider SkillBridge when transitioning out
34:52 – Challenges of shifting from military to civilian culture
36:34 – Final reflections on SkillBridge and its impact on careers in OT cybersecurity
Guest Information
Zachary Woltjer: Technical Account Manager at Rockwell Automation. A U.S. Air Force veteran who helped establish the SkillBridge program at Verve, bridging military expertise with civilian OT cybersecurity needs.
Connor Murphy: Technical Account Manager at Rockwell Automation. An Air Force veteran who transitioned into OT cybersecurity through SkillBridge, now focused on supporting clients and advancing his cybersecurity career.
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