Risk Matters X.0

Could the accidental upload of Katy Perry’s discography onboard a vessel create an unknown entry point for malware? From physical port blockers to vendor maintenance plans, a mature cybersecurity program can fill in the gaps potential threat actors strive to take advantage of—especially in the maritime industry, where IT and OT have only recently merged. In this mini-episode, Keon McEwen, Global Head of the Industrial Security Operations Center (ISOC), gets the 4-1-1 from Blake Benson, Cyber Practice Lead Senior Director, on his personal "war stories" as a practitioner in the marine field.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

88% of Boards of Directors view cybersecurity as a business risk— so why are budgets for industrial cybersecurity so scarce? Funding is often an issue because cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) environments is a relatively new idea brought on by the rapid IT-OT convergence. In this mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Rob Wade, Global Head of Sales and Strategy for Industrial Cybersecurity, walk through the journey of solidifying budget and buy-in throughout the organization, from CISOs to shop floor managers.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

Do Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments have anything in common? While some cybersecurity professionals may answer yes, the reality is that IT and OT are two separate worlds with vastly different priorities. In this mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Keon McEwen, Global Lead - Security Operations Center (SOC), discuss the IT-OT convergence and the resulting industry-wide need for OT-specific protection against cyber attacks.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

What does cybersecurity mean to your company? In this mini-episode, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Ian Bramson and CEO Ryan Moody explore how different functions in industrial organizations perceive cyber risks.

From the board of directors to the team on the plant floor, the idea of OT cybersecurity and how to successfully implement it varies greatly. Regardless, hackers continue to exploit critical perception gaps to their advantage, including the misconception that IT personnel are equipped to handle cyber attacks on operational technology and critical infrastructure.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

In this Cybersecurity Awareness Month mini-episode, Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, and Dennis Hackney, Solutions Development Director of Industrial Cybersecurity Services, discuss the specifics of what ransomware is and the difference between how it impacts IT environments and Operational Technology (OT) environments.

While ransomware in IT can hold your data hostage, ransomware in OT remains a whole different ballgame. Why? Because upon initial access to your OT network, it can completely halt your operations, causing you to lose total control and visibility. This can ultimately result in physical impact, enormous financial and reputational damages or even loss of life.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

When it comes to cyber targets, critical infrastructure remains in the line of fire. Furthermore, the attacks against them continue to develop in complexity with each strike, leaving operational technology (OT) and IT controls extremely vulnerable. This is especially true for the oil and gas space, which has been exposed to several organized crime syndicates in recent years. So, what’s next for your security infrastructure in combating these cyber attacks?

Join host Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, Jim Linn, CIO of American Gas Association and Executive Director for DNG-ISAC, and Rock Lambros, Cybersecurity Leader and CEO for RockCyber, to explore next steps for addressing your OT cybersecurity.

About the Guests

Kyriakos "Rock" Lambros is the CEO and Founder of RockCyber, LLC. Founded in 2018, RockCyber is a cybersecurity executive consulting firm specializing in aligning cybersecurity strategy to enterprise business goals. Lambros is a seasoned cybersecurity and information technology executive with expertise in aligning cybersecurity and technology strategy with enterprise business goals. He has served in several senior cybersecurity and technology roles for global companies such as MPLX (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation), eBay, Honeywell, General Dynamics Information Technology, Wells Fargo and Agilent Technologies.

Jim Linn is the CIO of the American Gas Association and the Executive Director for the Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center (DNG-ISAC). Linn has spent the past 35 years of his career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity management with several non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC area, including eight years as IT Director for the Chemical Manufacturers Association. In addition, he is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Association Executive, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Protection Professional and holds many other industry certifications.

About the Host:

Ian Bramson heads the global cybersecurity organization at ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), an affiliate of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), where he works closely with senior executives to help minimize their cybersecurity risks. For over 20 years, Ian has helped organizations adapt to their digital environments and solve business challenges related to industrial cybersecurity, risk management and digital transformation. He has built successful companies, global sales organizations and cybersecurity programs across multiple industries, including power, maritime, oil and gas and more. Ian is a recognized thought leader and market developer in the emerging threat landscape of attacks on industrial operations and critical infrastructure. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from Cornell University.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America’s Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

Cyber attackers know exactly what essential services can cripple us. Recent attacks on critical infrastructure have forced the power industry to take a step back and precariously assess its OT and IT controls. As the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards continue evolving to address today’s threats the heavy question remains: Is it enough?

Join host Ian Bramson, Global Head of Industrial Cybersecurity, Dr. Dennis Hackney, Head of Cybersecurity Services Development and Michiko Sell, NERC CIP Services Supervisor at NAES Corporation, to explore how the regulatory environment is changing industry-wide and what role industrial cybersecurity plays in providing an essential layer of protection.

About the Guests 

Michiko Sell has over 12 years of NERC compliance experience...

NAES is an independent services company dedicated to optimizing the performance of energy facilities across the power generation, oil & gas and petrochemical industries. NAES applies its deep experience in operations, maintenance, construction, engineering and technical support to build, operate and maintain plants that run safely, reliably and cost-effectively. NAES is a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation. With operations in over 80 countries covering a broad range of industries, ITOCHU ranks among the world’s largest corporations.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America’s Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.

Produced by Sandra Monsalve-Ramos, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

The cyber-physical world is now a raging battleground—who do you have on the digital frontline? As cyber attacks on industrial operations and critical infrastructures continue to rise, so do the devastating real-world impacts. Criminals are no longer simply stealing data; their goal is to disrupt and control core operations. This translates into what is now known as the cyber-physical world. From influencing the flow of oil and the functions of machinery to manipulating the navigation of vessels, the risk to OT environments is vast.

Host Ian Bramson explores the question of how you can fight back on this new and ever-changing battleground. Listen as top industry experts George Daglas, Chief Operating Officer at Obrela; Dimitris Strevinas, Chief Technology Officer at Obrela; Christos Kapodistrias, IT Manager at Neptune Lines; and Grigoris Floutsakos, Data Protection Officer at WIND Hellas, provide key insights, including how you can move beyond fear-driven tactics to safeguard your organization.

About the Guests

Obrela Security Industries is a global cybersecurity service provider. Addressing an emerging demand, Obrela offers an 'umbrella' of end-to-end security services under which clients can enjoy peace of mind and focus on their business. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in London, Obrela leverages sophisticated real time risk management technology to dynamically protect its clients by identifying, analyzing, predicting and preventing cybersecurity threats. Obrela’s mission statement ‘We Keep Your Business in Business’ underpins the company’s commitment to a better prepared, more secure corporate world.

Neptune Lines Shipping and Managing Enterprises SA is a leading finished vehicle logistics provider, offering transportation and shipping solutions to manufacturers and shippers of cars and high & heavy cargoes. Through their modern fleet of Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels and their expansive agency network and operational expertise, they provide short sea transportation solutions to almost 19 countries and more than 30 key ports, focusing on the Mediterranean, North Europe and the Black Sea.

WIND is one of the largest telecommunications companies in Greece. Since their establishment in 1992, until today, they have continuously invested in technology, providing complete mobile, fixed, internet and television solutions to our customers.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America’s Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies. 

Produced by Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

What does a career in STEM look like and how can we encourage more women to pursue this path?

There is currently a shortage of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The solution: educating girls and young women on what a career in STEM truly looks like (it can be what you make of it) and exposing them to not only the vast realm of career choices, but how these jobs contribute to building and maintaining the world we live in today. 

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, host Pendo Mugofwa, Marketing Intern at ABS Group, leads a conversation with three trailblazing women in STEM: Sheila Boyington, President of Thinking Media/Learning Blade; Marcia Lee, Business Development Manager of Industrial Cybersecurity at ABS Group; and Hannah Waldron, Graduate Process Safety Engineer at ABS Group.

Follow along with these three women as they discuss the experiences that shaped their lives, ultimately leading them to their current careers and goals, including how they plan to help young girls bridge the gender gap and gain the confidence they need to thrive in STEM.   

About Our Guest

Sheila Boyington, P.E., is the co-founder and CEO/President of Thinking Media, a Chattanooga-based educational technology firm, for the past 24 years. Thinking Media is the creator of Learning Blade®—system of interactive online lessons and printable at-home activities for 5th to 9th graders that has been validated by Battelle to increase awareness and interest in STEM careers with many statewide contracts currently and use in over 40 states. Thinking Media was the creator of ACT-acquired KeyTrain® which has been hailed as the most effective system for improving basic skills, used by millions of students/clients in high schools, community colleges, one stops and major corporations throughout the United States and abroad.  Thinking Media was also named to the Inc. 5000 – Fastest Growing Private Companies for 2021.

Sheila has served as the National States Chair for Million Women Mentors since its inception—helping to launch, grow and now lead the state-level mentor movement with State Chairs and Steering Committees contributing to the national, cross-sector conversation on Women in STEM and workforce development. 


ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America's Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.

Produced by Pendo Mugofwa, Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group

If a cyber attack can take down an entire pipeline, what's next? As news from the recent attack on Colonial Pipeline continues to develop, owners and operators, the U.S. government and the public continue to question the dangerous implications behind our critical infrastructure lacking the proper cybersecurity against dangerous hackers. 

"20 years ago, if you wanted to attack operational technology (OT) or an industrial control system you had to specifically target it," says Dr. Dennis Hackney, Head of Cybersecurity Services Development. "Now, all you have to do is look and see where a connection exists between the information technology (IT) and OT environments."

"Oil and gas [industries] have historically underinvested in cybersecurity," says Kyriakos "Rock" Lambros, cyber expert and CEO and Founder of RockCyber, LLC. "While OT systems are being targeted, most of the impact that we're seeing are casualties of war. The IT side of the house is targeted and then the ransomware moves laterally throughout the network because there aren't good controls in place."

Tune in as host Ian Bramson dives into the minds of cybercriminals like DarkSide and discusses how this historic event will impact industrial operations and new cyber regulations moving forward.

Need more cyber expertise? Revisit our Cyber Risk Series: https://bit.ly/2ywSHuG

About the Guest 

Founded in 2018, RockCyber, LLC is a cybersecurity executive consulting firm specializing in aligning Cybersecurity strategy to enterprise business goals. Kyriakos "Rock" Lambros is the CEO and Founder of RockCyber. He is a seasoned Cybersecurity and Information Technology executive with expertise in aligning cybersecurity and technology strategy with enterprise business goals. He has served in several senior cybersecurity and technology roles for global companies such as MPLX (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation), eBay, Honeywell, General Dynamics Information Technology, Wells Fargo and Agilent Technologies.

About the Host:

Ian Bramson heads the global cybersecurity organization at ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), an affiliate of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), where he works closely with senior executives across the maritime sector to help minimize their cyber security risks. For over 20 years, Ian has helped organizations adapt to their digital environments and solve business challenges related to industrial cybersecurity, risk management and digital transformation. He has built successful companies, global sales organizations and cybersecurity programs across multiple industries. Ian is a recognized thought leader and market developer in the emerging threat landscape of attacks on industrial operations and critical infrastructure. He has a bachelor's degree in Economics and English from Cornell University.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. ABS Group has over 50 years of risk management and safety experience and was recently named one of America's Best Consulting Firms of 2021 by Forbes. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.

Produced by Brittney Warrick and Daniel Fischer, Digital Communications at ABS Group