Show Notes
Work with Aaron: https://protectitallpod.com/work/ The book: https://protectitallpod.com/book/ This episode: https://protectitallpod.com/ep114/ The OT Security Starter Kit: https://protectitallpod.com/starter-kit/ The biggest challenge in OT cybersecurity isn't technology - it's earning trust. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Jacob McCune, a cybersecurity architect with more than 20 years of hands-on experience across both IT and OT environments. Jacob shares his unconventional journey from the help desk to securing critical infrastructure, highlighting the lessons that only real-world experience can teach. Together, Aaron and Jacob explore why communication, collaboration, and trust are often the deciding factors between successful cybersecurity programs and failed initiatives. The conversation also dives into the future of OT security, examining how AI, cloud technologies, and evolving architectures are changing industrial environments and why organizations need to rethink traditional approaches while keeping operational realities front and center. Key Learning:
Why trust is the foundation of successful OT cybersecurity programs How practical experience shapes better cybersecurity decisions The importance of communication between IT, OT, and leadership teams Why compliance alone doesn't guarantee security How AI and cloud technologies are reshaping OT environments What the future may look like beyond traditional industrial architectures
Key Moments: 05:18 Building a Power Plant Team 09:06 Balancing cybersecurity with business needs 11:01 Avoiding project delays during downtime 16:04 Importance of Broad Experience 17:59 A mentor's lesson on teamwork 23:41 Challenges with job postings and requirements 26:27 Managing risk and resource challenges 29:59 Helping Your Compliance Team 33:12 Dad's long career and expertise 36:44 Discussing cybersecurity risk management 39:44 Cloud resources and AI discussions 41:08 Exploring future solutions and technologies Whether you're building an OT security program, managing critical infrastructure, or looking to grow your cybersecurity career, this episode delivers practical lessons from years of real-world experience. Tune in to discover why people, trust, and communication remain the most valuable assets in modern cybersecurity only on Protect It All. About the guest: Jacob McCune is a cybersecurity architect with more than 20 years of experience across IT and OT environments, helping organizations secure critical infrastructure through practical, real-world security strategies. From starting his career on the help desk to designing enterprise security architectures, Jacob has built a reputation for bridging the gap between IT and OT through collaboration, communication, and trust. He is passionate about helping organizations move beyond compliance to build resilient cybersecurity programs that protect both people and operations. Links to connect Jacob : LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-mccune-33a08984/ CornCon Cybersecurity Conference : https://corncon.net/
Learn more about PrOTect IT All: Work with Aaron: https://p...
More from PrOTect It All
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Work with Aaron: https://protectitallpod.com/work/ The book: https://protectitallpod.com/book/ This episode: https://protectitallpod.com/ep127/ The OT Security Starter Kit: https://protectitallpod.com/starter-kit/ Three months ago Ben Wilcox's company was running roughly 200 AI agents. When he checked the day before we recorded, it was 900. Nobody stood them up on purpose, and every one of them runs under somebody's identity.
Work with Aaron: https://protectitallpod.com/work/ The book: https://protectitallpod.com/book/ This episode: https://protectitallpod.com/ep126/ The OT Security Starter Kit: https://protectitallpod.com/starter-kit/ Shadow IT used to be a server in a closet. Today it is Linda from sales uploading confidential quotes to whatever AI tool she found first, and your corporate data leaving with it.
Work with Aaron: https://protectitallpod.com/work/ The book: https://protectitallpod.com/book/ This episode: https://protectitallpod.com/ep125/ The OT Security Starter Kit: https://protectitallpod.com/starter-kit/ A wireless engineer sat in a parking lot, connected to a plant's crane anti-collision network, and had everything he needed to stop the cranes inside 20 minutes. Nobody inside the fence ever knew he was there.
Work with Aaron: https://protectitallpod.com/work/ The book: https://protectitallpod.com/book/ This episode: https://protectitallpod.com/ep124/ The OT Security Starter Kit: https://protectitallpod.com/starter-kit/ NIS2, the EU Cyber Resilience Act, and CIRCIA are converging between now and 2027, and for the first time the law is pushing cybersecurity requirements upstream into product design and supply chain. What does that actually change on the plant floor?