Remote access transformed overnight - and OT environments are still feeling the impact.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow is joined by Steve Rutherford, VP of Sales at Hyperport and former military officer, for a candid conversation on how secure remote access in operational technology (OT) has evolved - and where it’s heading next.

They unpack how COVID accelerated remote connectivity across critical infrastructure, why many traditional IT security tools fall short in OT environments, and what protection really looks like when safety, reliability, and uptime are non-negotiable. Drawing from military discipline and frontline OT experience, Steve shares a grounded perspective on managing risk in environments where failure has physical-world consequences.

You’ll learn:

If you’re responsible for enabling remote access while protecting critical operations, this episode delivers real-world insight, practical guidance, and a forward-looking view of OT cybersecurity.

Tune in to understand what secure OT access really requires in today’s threat landscape- only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

00:00 Securing Critical Infrastructure Access

03:59 "OT Mindset: Defense and Offense"

07:26 "Remote Access Challenges in Operations"

11:45 "Challenges in OT-IT Integration"

16:07 Authority Must Match Responsibility

18:23 Simplifying OT Authentication Challenges

21:53 "Dynamic Trust Scoring with AI"

24:05 "Access Control and Segmentation"

28:57 "Secure Access Without Overreach"

33:12 "Left of Boom Awareness"

35:56 OT Security and Local Control

39:35 "Driving Early Adoption Awareness"

41:54 "Proactive Support for Critical Infrastructure"

45:52 "Remote Work Enhances Team Efficiency"

47:17 "Exciting Tech for Cybersecurity"

About the guest :
Steve Rutherford is a former U.S. Army officer and aviator who transitioned his mission-driven mindset from military service to protecting critical infrastructure through operational technology (OT) security. After exploring multiple industries, Steve found a natural alignment between military operations and OT environments - where safety, reliability, and uptime are non-negotiable. Today, he works in secure user access for OT, helping organizations protect the systems that power modern life.

How to connect steve : 

Website : https://hyperport.io/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steverutherford1/

Connect With Aaron Crow:

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

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Apple   - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4