Predictions, Old and New!
OT After Hours
In this episode of OT After Hours, Ken Kully (Systems Support Lead for Rockwell SecureOT), sits down with Natalie Kalinowski (Network & Cybersecurity Specialist), Lance Lamont (Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead), Zach Woltjer (Technical Account Manager), and Rick Herzing (Systems Support Analyst) The team reviews last year’s predictions for 2025 in industrial cybersecurity, confirming that most came true and discussing their impact on hybrid workforces, regulatory compliance, AI integration, dynamic detection, zero trust, legacy device security, monitoring, and third-party...
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Back from Automation Fair
OT After Hours
In this episode of OT After Hours, Ken Kully (Systems Support Lead for Rockwell SecureOT), sits down with Natalie Kalinowski (Network & Cybersecurity Specialist), Tyler Bergman (Operations Team Lead) and Lance Lamont (Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead) to discuss the recently-concluded Rockwell Automation Fair. And if you weren’t able to attend Automation Fair, you can still find videos and presentations from it on . Key Takeaways Automation Fair is a major annual event held by Rockwell Automation, attracting both employees and customers. The event features workshops, tech...
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Live from Verve Developers Gathering
OT After Hours
In this episode of OT After Hours, Lance Lamont, Special Projects & Protocols Team Lead, sits down with Tyler Bergman (Operations Team Lead) and Richard Melito (Senior Software Engineer) to discuss Richard’s history at Verve and now Rockwell, the development process for Verve’s software, and what standout features are in version 1.42 of the Verve Security Center (VSC). This episode was recorded at the end of September, but was under embargo until the release of VSC 1.42. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and explanation of episode embargo 01:46 – Introductions by Lance, Tyler, and...
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The SkillBridge Path
OT After Hours
In this episode of OT After Hours, host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, sits down with Zach Woltjer and Connor Murphy, Technical Account Managers at Rockwell Automation to explore how the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program is helping veterans transition into civilian careers in OT cybersecurity. Zach shares how his own journey through SkillBridge not only eased his transition out of the military but also inspired him to help set up the program at Verve. Connor recounts his path from military intelligence into OT security, proving that determination,...
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From a TRS-80 to OT Cybersecurity
OT After Hours
In this episode, we trace the career of Tyler Bergman, Operations Team Lead at Rockwell Automation (formerly Verve Industrial), whose early fascination with computers and programming sparked a path that led through SCADA operations, utility cooperatives, and consulting before finding a home in OT cybersecurity. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, as Tyler shares how persistence, hands-on experience, and a thirst for knowledge shaped his expertise—and why networking fundamentals are the backbone of OT security. Key Takeaways A lifelong passion for technology: From...
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From Snowboarding Slopes to Securing OT Networks
OT After Hours
In this episode, we follow the unique career journey of Natalie Kalinowski, Network & Cybersecurity Specialist at Verve Industrial, from teaching snowboard lessons to managing complex industrial network security. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, as Natalie shares how international internships, early career programs, and continuous learning shaped her expertise—and her advice for anyone looking to break into OT security. Key Takeaways Career pivots can start anywhere—Natalie’s path began on the slopes and in hands-on engineering internships across the...
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From Embedded Developer to OT Protocol Sleuth
OT After Hours
In this episode, we explore how an embedded-systems engineer became the leader of Verve’s Special Projects & Protocols team—and what his journey says about recruiting, culture, and continuous learning in OT security. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guest Lance Lamont, Manager for Special Projects & Protocols, as they discuss career pivots, protocol reverse-engineering, and building low-ego teams that thrive on curiosity. Key Takeaways Transferable skills matter: deep protocol expertise from product engineering can power OT-security research...
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From Craft Cocktails to Control Systems
OT After Hours
In this episode, we trace an unlikely career pivot from fine‑dining bartender to the helm of Verve’s OT cybersecurity lab. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guest Andrew Wintermeyer, Team Lead, Device & Integration Research, as the latter discusses breaking into the field, learning on the fly, and why forgotten manuals can be more dangerous than zero‑days. Key Takeaways Curiosity compounds — an hour of self‑study each week can snowball into deep expertise. Real‑world OT risks often hide in “maintenance” passwords and...
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Lightweight Forensics With Verve Reporting
OT After Hours
In this episode, we take a look at how Verve Reporting, and in particular its ability to search and filter logs, can be useful for high-level forensic investigation. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guests Dustin Gogue (Technical Account Manager), Andrew Wintermyer (Team Lead, Device & Integration Research) and Zach Woltjer (ICS Security Specialist) as they dive into how Verve Reporting helped identify user account management and authentication issues. Key Takeaways Proper user account hygiene (especially timely user off-boarding) is a key component...
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The CIA Triad in OT & Automation
OT After Hours
In this episode, we grapple with a deceptively simple question: in an operational technology environment, which element of the CIA triad—confidentiality, integrity or availability—should reign supreme? Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guests Natalie Kalinowski (OT Security Analyst), Tyler Bergman (Industrial Cybersecurity Engineer) and Zach Woltjer (ICS Security Specialist) as they debate real-world incidents, legacy system constraints and industry priorities that shape how we secure critical infrastructure. Key Takeaways Availability often takes...
info_outlineIn this episode, we dive into the challenges of managing legacy operational technology (OT) systems. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guests Tyler Bergman, Doug Artze, Dylan Stencil, and Andrew Wintermeyer, as they discuss the complexities of legacy systems, spare parts ("grey") markets, and the importance of security in maintaining older technologies. They explore real-world stories, the economics of keeping legacy systems running, and offer insights into potential solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Legacy OT equipment can have extremely long lifespans, often much longer than typical IT hardware. This leads to challenges in finding support and spare parts as the equipment ages.
- There is a thriving market for reconditioned and resold legacy OT equipment, but the chain of custody and security vetting of these devices can be unclear.
- Maintaining documentation and access to legacy software/configuration tools is critical for supporting and troubleshooting older OT systems, which can be difficult as vendors discontinue support.
- The economic and operational costs of upgrading legacy OT systems can be prohibitive, leading many facilities to try to keep them running as long as possible through creative means like sourcing spare parts.
- Planned obsolescence by vendors and the lack of right-to-repair policies can exacerbate the challenges of maintaining legacy OT equipment over time.
- Visibility into the OT asset inventory and having a plan for securing legacy systems are important for managing cybersecurity risks in these environments.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and sound check 02:00 – Ken’s story: Decommissioning PDP-11/84 systems 04:50 – Challenges with legacy equipment and backup solutions 09:00 – The aftermarket for OT equipment and security risks 14:00 – Securing legacy OT systems and ensuring safety standards 27:00 – Real-world experiences with aging OT infrastructure 39:00 – How cybersecurity standards affect legacy systems 50:00 – Solutions for managing legacy equipment
Guest Information
Tyler Bergman: Experienced in utilities and OT security with over 20 years in the industry.
Dylan Stencil: Research team member with a background in technology and controls work.
Doug Artze: Operations team member with experience in nuclear power and wastewater treatment.
Drew Wintermeyer: Research team member and overseer of Verve’s internal labs of OT devices.
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