ISA Ireland OT Cyber Security Conference in partnership with Cyber Ireland, Mullingar, 21st November

By Dónal Óg Cusack, DePuy Synthes

The ISA Ireland OT Cyber Security Conference in partnership with Cyber Ireland took place in Mullingar on the 21st November 2023. Conference details and agenda is available at: ISA Ireland Section. 

Dónal Óg Cusack, DePuy Synthes and Cyber Ireland OTSec SIG Chair, moderated the conference and provided his redlfections afterwards. 

“As we drew the ISA Ireland OT Cyber Security conference to a close, we took a moment to reflect on the wealth of knowledge and insights that were shared during the day. We had journeyed through a landscape rich in diversity, covering everything from the nuances of ISA/IEC 62443 to the complex interplay between IT and OT security.  

We began our day with Philip Westbroek of ISA Europe, who illuminated the intricate world of ISA/IEC 62443, setting a high bar for subsequent discussions. Following Philip, Neodyne’s Ciaran Murphy shared insights into selecting the right technology for organisations using these standards provided us with practical, actionable guidance. 

A brilliant pair representing CIM, Gordon Walsh and Misha Caloway tag teamed to impart expertise in implementing CSMS based on ISA/IEC 62443 compliance. They reminded us of the tangible impact these standards have in shaping our cybersecurity landscape. Then, we shifted our focus with Carlos Buenano of Armis, delving into the unique challenges and strategies for implementing ISA/IEC 62443 in the energy industry, a sector where cybersecurity is not just a matter of data protection, but of public safety and national security.

Paul Gaynor from Radiflow talked to us on continuous risk assessment in securing critical infrastructure bringing to light the dynamic nature of our field, where threats evolve as swiftly as the technologies we use.  

We had a brilliant discussion on ‘NIS2 – Whats New’ involving Ita O’Farrell of the NCSC, Katie McCarthy from Usice Eireann and Joanne Connoly of Brookfield Renewable, all expertly chaired by European Security Head for Accenture Security, Jacky Fox.

Dave Ryan from Kingspan provided wise words on strengthening the bond between our OT and IT teams, emphasizing the crucial role of human interaction in this technologically advanced domain. He provided a blueprint for bridging gaps that are often overlooked. 

Fortinet’s Ben White explored OT cybersecurity risks, threats, and applications with many industry surveys acting as a crucial reminder of the ever-changing landscape we navigate. Zach Fleming of Integrity 360* deep dove into offensive security consulting and network penetration testing and highlighted the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. 

Richard Robinson CEO of Cynalytica who flew in from Washington discussed full-spectrum defense, particularly in securing diverse connections in ICS and SCADA systems, underscoring the complexity and criticality of our work.

The audience, hungry for more knowledge, then flocked in large numbers to the World Class Irish Manufacturing Research facility a few minutes’ walk from the venue, serving as a splendid finale to the conference.   

During the day we didn’t just discuss theories and strategies; we shared real-life experiences, challenges, and solutions. We recognised that in the realm of OT cybersecurity, the stakes are incredibly high. Our work safeguards not just data, but the very infrastructures that power our societies. Thank you to all again who contributed to a wonderful event.  

Here’s to a future where our operational technologies are as secure as they are innovative.