At the recent 100 CISO Summit in Dubai, Ouaissou Dembele hosted a compelling discussion with Evgeny Kurtukov, Regional Director MENA at Softline Group, on the critical topic of “Securing Critical Infrastructure & OT Environments.”
The conversation delved into the growing challenges faced by organizations as they defend Operational Technology (OT) systems used in energy, manufacturing, and utilities against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
OT environments present unique security challenges compared to traditional IT networks. Legacy systems, often decades old, remain integral to operations yet were not designed with modern cybersecurity in mind. The panel explored how organizations can balance operational safety with cyber resilience, mitigate risks from downtime, and prepare for threats that include nation-state actors targeting critical infrastructure.
Key concerns highlighted include the ownership of OT security, the complexity introduced by IT-OT convergence, and the importance of network segmentation and real-time monitoring. As critical infrastructure becomes more connected, proactive measures, threat intelligence, and strategic planning are increasingly vital to safeguarding operations and preventing catastrophic disruptions.
This discussion is a must-watch for cybersecurity professionals, infrastructure operators, and decision-makers keen to understand how the region and the world is responding to the evolving OT threat landscape.
Watch the full interview and gain actionable insights from one of MENA’s leading cybersecurity experts. Don’t forget to like, share, and comment to spread awareness on securing our critical systems.
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