Welcome to the Policy Pulse Panel, a new monthly series within the Critical Assets Podcast. Hosted by Patrick Miller (Ampyx Cyber), Earl Shockley (CEO, Inpowerd), and Joy Ditto (CEO, Joy Ditto Consulting), this recurring panel dives into the most significant policy shifts and regulatory developments impacting critical infrastructure, operational technology (OT), and industrial cybersecurity. Each month, we unpack emerging legislation, agency actions, and standards updates - connecting the dots between policy and the practical realities faced by asset owners, utilities, vendors, and government partners. If you're trying to stay ahead of your auditors and your legislators, this is your monthly must-listen.

In this episode, Patrick Miller speaks with Kylie McClanahan, CTO at Bastazo, about the practical (and often messy) realities of patch and vulnerability management in operational technology (OT) environments. Kylie shares grounded insights into patching challenges, the gaps between IT and OT remediation cycles, and the real-world implications of relying too heavily on scoring systems like CVSS.

The conversation covers CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, exploring how it’s being used (and possibly misused) in prioritization workflows, and where the disconnects lie between policy directives and operational feasibility. Kylie also critiques the current state of vendor responsiveness, machine-readable vulnerability disclosure (CSAF), and the importance of asset and exposure awareness.

This episode is essential listening for practitioners wrestling with patching fatigue, program prioritization, and the tradeoffs between theoretical vulnerability data and applied security outcomes in critical infrastructure environments.

Links:

CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities

CISA vulnrichment: https://github.com/cisagov/vulnrichment

Vulnrichment, Year One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5pSVMnWD7k

CISA SSVC: https://www.cisa.gov/stakeholder-specific-vulnerability-categorization-ssvc

Carnegie Mellon SSVC: https://certcc.github.io/SSVC/

CSAF: https://www.csaf.io/

VulnCheck KEV: https://vulncheck.com/kev

Kylie McLanahan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliemcclanahan/

Bastazo: https://bastazo.com

In this episode of the Critical Assets Podcast, Patrick Miller interviews Darren Highfill, former CISO of Norfolk Southern, for a candid look behind the curtain of life as a security executive. Darren shares hard-won lessons from building and leading a cybersecurity program in a critical infrastructure environment, including how to gain executive buy-in, scale a team, and align security with business priorities. He reflects on the challenges of translating cyber risk into business risk, managing real-world incidents, and the evolving expectations of the CISO role. Whether you're in the chair now or working toward it, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone navigating cybersecurity leadership.

Show links:

• Darren Highfill LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenhighfill/
• NIST Cyber Security Framework (CSF) - https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
• Ankrd website - https://www.ankrd.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Lesley Carhart (@hacks4pancakes), a renowned expert in OT/ICS incident response and forensics, to explore the unique challenges of defending critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Lesley shares insights into how internal OT teams can better support external IR teams, evaluates global and sector-specific preparedness, and discusses the impact of regulations on effective incident response. We delve into the complexities of defining and reporting incidents, the potential for improved approaches, and actionable advice for those looking to enhance their IR and forensics skills. Lesley also gives a glimpse into the future of their work and their continued mission to strengthen cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.

Show Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcarhart/

https://www.threads.net/@hacks4pancakes

https://bsky.app/profile/hacks4pancakes.com

https://infosec.exchange/@hacks4pancakes

Join us for a discussion on Energizing Cybersecurity Careers: Workforce Development in the OT/ICS Community. Guests Cynthia Hsu and Erin Owens dive into the cybersecurity challenges facing Industrial Control Systems and Operational Technology asset owners. Through open conversations, we explore everything from skill gaps and career pathways to diversity, continuous learning, and the impact of new technologies. This session aims to provide insights into developing a skilled, diverse cybersecurity workforce – starting from the ground up – with a focus on practical strategies for professionals, educators, and anyone interested in the future of ICS/OT security.

Show links:

Cynthia Hsu LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiahsu33/

Erin Owens LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinowens/DOE CESER Cybersecurity Training for the Utility Workforce, free 3-day ICS Cybersecurity training for electric and ONG utility staff. Next training event: Buffalo, NY, April 23-25, Register at: Eventleaf | Event Registration Software and Mobile Event Apps

DOE CESER CyberStrikeTM professional cybersecurity training for operational technology environments: https://inl.gov/cyberstrike/

· LIGHTS OUT – focus on Ukraine attacks

· NEMESIS – focus on nation-state TTPs

· STORMCLOUD – focus on renewable energy

DOE CESER CyberForce® workforce development program for college students focused on building a pipeline of cyber professional candidates in operational technology cybersecurity: https://cyberforce.energy.gov/

Sandia National Laboratory

• Tracer FIRE (Forensic Incident Response Exercise): https://github.com/sandialabs/Tracer-FIRE
• Center for Cyber Defenders: https://www.sandia.gov/careers/career-possibilities/students-and-postdocs/internships-co-ops/institute-programs/titans-technical-internships-to-advance-national-security/titans-cyber/

Cyber Defense Center https://www.cyberdefensecenter.org/

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Cyber Informed Engineering (CIE), joined by Ginger Wright, Program Manager at Idaho National Laboratory. This episode unpacks CIE's strategic efforts to integrate cybersecurity into the very fabric of engineering critical infrastructure. We discuss the evolution of CIE and how it's transforming the approach to system design. We cover the synergy between engineers and cybersecurity experts and the implementation of engineering-based mitigations. Get insights on building resilience into critical systems from the ground up.

Join Patrick Miller, CEO of Ampere Industrial Security and his guest Amanda Freick, CRO of Altruistic as they discuss the need for collaboration and breaking down cultural barriers to effectively utilize data and drive innovation in the energy sector with AI/ML. We also touch upon the importance of approaching generative AI and language models like GPT with a strategic mindset, understanding the specific needs and goals of the organization before implementation. Additionally, we talk about the importance of recognizing and leveraging the untapped skills and potential within an organization to drive transformation and democratize access to meaningful work.

Show Links:

Amanda Freick LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafreick/

Altruistic Video Case Study - https://vimeo.com/733720685

Tony Robbins Book, Life Force - https://amzn.to/3qTXRfj