In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Pat Dixon, President of DPAS, to discuss the intersection of operational technology (OT) and cybersecurity in industrial facilities. Pat shares insights on the evolution of industrial tech, how automation has shaped industries like water treatment and manufacturing, and the security risks unique to critical infrastructure.

Key topics include:

• The 4th Industrial Revolution and how industrial facilities were ahead of mainstream tech in digital automation.
• The growing threat of cyberattacks, not just from the internet but from physical vulnerabilities like USB drives.
• The challenges of maintaining legacy systems, with many facilities still relying on outdated tech.
• Why securing industrial operations requires a different mindset compared to financial or traditional IT security.
• The importance of cross-disciplinary learning, how industrial tech can influence mainstream technology, and what Austin’s future growth might look like.

Pat also shares his journey in engineering, the founding of DPAS, and his perspective on the future of Austin’s tech infrastructure, particularly around power and water security.