Today, Derek Harp interviews Michael Schroeder, the Founder, CEO, and Director of OT, FRCS, and ICS Security at 3 Territory Solutions. 

Michael leads an organization that conceptualizes, develops, and implements cybersecurity standards and policies for Facility-Related Control Systems, Medical Devices, Industrial Control Systems, PIT and PIT Systems, Operational Technologies, and most generally, the Internet of Things. They are passionate, challenge the status quo, innovate, and fail forward.

Michael was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a long-time contributor to the cybersecurity space. In the early years, he was a Chapter Board Member in the Washington DC Chapter of the Control System Cyber Security Association International. He is also a father, husband, entrepreneur, engineer, project manager, traveler, and race-car driver. He joins Derek today to discuss his education and career path, talk about what he does today, and offer advice for anyone considering a career in cybersecurity.

Show highlights:

• Michael explains what drew him toward the discipline of engineering and why he decided to study mechanical engineering.
• Michael discusses what he did after graduating from Pennsylvania State University.
• How Michael jumped from engineering and working in construction to cybersecurity in 2015.
• Why should you leave jobs with professionalism and strive to keep the doors open?
• Michael explains why his stint working at a large company was so short.
• Michael shares his motivation for starting his own company and gets into the genesis process.
• How Michael chose the name 3 Territory Solutions.
• Michael shares some insight for entrepreneurs. 
• How Michael built his career by taking advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves.
• Michael offers advice for people coming into the cybersecurity space.
• The role mentorship has played in Michael’s career path.

Links and resources:

(CS)²AI

Michael Schroeder on LinkedIn

3 Territory Solutions