Episode: Inside OT Penetration Testing: Red Teaming, Risks, and Real-World Lessons for Critical Infrastructure with Justin Searle
Pub date: 2025-06-16
Get Podcast Transcript →
powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization
In this episode, host Aaron Crow sits down with OT security expert Justin Searle, Director of ICS Security at InGuardians, for a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of OT and IT cybersecurity.
With over 25 years of experience, ranging from hands-on engineering and water treatment facilities to red-team penetration testing on critical infrastructures such as airports and power plants, Justin brings a wealth of insight and real-world anecdotes.
This episode unpacks what it really takes to assess and secure operational technology environments. Whether you’re a C-suite executive, a seasoned cyber pro, or brand new to OT security, you’ll hear why network expertise, cross-team trust, and careful, collaborative engagement with engineers are so crucial when testing high-stakes environments. Aaron and Justin also discuss how the industry has matured, the importance of dedicated OT cybersecurity teams, and why practical, people-first approaches make all the difference, especially when lives, reliability, and national infrastructure are on the line.
Get ready for actionable advice, hard-earned lessons from the field, and a candid look at both the progress and the ongoing challenges in protecting our most critical systems.
Key Moments:
05:55 Breaking Into Cybersecurity Without Classes
09:26 Production Environment Security Testing
13:28 Credential Evaluation and Light Probing
14:33 Firewall Misconfiguration Comedy
19:14 Dedicated OT Cybersecurity Professionals
20:50 "Prioritize Reliability Over Latest Features"
24:18 "IT-OT Convergence Challenges"
29:04 Patching Program and OT Security
32:08 Complexity of OT Environments
35:45 Dress-Code Trust in Industry
38:23 Legacy System Security Challenges
42:15 OT Cybersecurity for IT Professionals
43:40 "Building Rapport with Food"
47:59 Future OT Cyber Risks and Readiness
51:30 Skill Building for Tech Professionals
About the Guest :
Justin Searle is the Director of ICS Security at InG
Popular Podcasts
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.