Bridging the Gap: OT Cybersecurity in the Evolving Landscape of Industry and Recruitment

02/05/24 • 62 min

With a focus on the OT Cyber Security recruitment space James is the Talent Solutions Director at NDK Cyber. NDK Cyber work with high-growth businesses in the USA, UK & EMEA to provide completely tailored cybersecurity talent attraction solutions. Specialising in long-term talent acquisition and strategy, we have mastered a blend of data insights, the latest technology and our own personal network mastered over 20+ years to build 100s of cybersecurity teams across the globe.

Summary

Hosted by: Aaron Crow

Guest: James Morris, Director, Talent Solutions at NDK Cyber

In this conversation, Aaron Crow and James Morris discuss the transition happening in the field of OT security, with a growing need for dedicated OT security engineers and teams. They explore the challenges of budgeting for OT security and the importance of building trust and collaboration between IT and OT departments. They also emphasize the value of cross-disciplinary skills and the need for apprenticeships and on-the-job training to address the skills gap in OT security. The conversation highlights the importance of translating cybersecurity into business risk and the role of education and community in promoting OT security. The conversation covers various topics related to job descriptions, hiring challenges, helping people enter the OT space, companies being more open to training and transferable skills, excitement for the future of OT security, concerns about AI and ML in cybersecurity, and the importance of OT security in uncertain times.

Takeaways

There is a growing need for dedicated OT security engineers and teams.
Building trust and collaboration between IT and OT departments is crucial for effective OT security.
Cross-disciplinary skills and apprenticeships can help address the skills gap in OT security.
Translating cybersecurity into business risk is essential for gaining budget and buy-in for OT security initiatives. Job descriptions should be written in a way that encourages more people to apply, focusing on transferable skills and being more inclusive.
Companies should be open to training and developing employees who have the desire and raw skills needed for the job.
The OT security space is growing rapidly, and there are opportunities for individuals to enter the field and for companies to hire the right talent.
There is excitement about the future of OT security, but concerns exist about the potential risks associated with AI and ML in cybersecurity.
In uncertain times, it is crucial for companies to prioritize OT security and not cut back on investments in this area.

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