Former NSA now Founder & CTO Breaks Cybersecurity Down: Satellites to Manufacturing

Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Former NSA now Founder & CTO Breaks Cybersecurity Down: Satellites to ManufacturingPub date: 2026-02-10Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationDino sits down with Dick Wilkinson, CTO and co-founder of Proof Labs, to explore the intersection of space technology and industrial cybersecurity.Dick shares his 20-year journey in the U.S. Army with the National Security Agency, transitioning from signals intelligence to becoming a CISO for critical infrastructure organizations, including New Mexico's Supreme Court and the Albuquerque water authority.The conversation dives deep into the challenges of securing satellite systems with onboard intrusion detection and the persistent gap between IT and OT security teams. We also explore why the "castle wall" perimeter security model is dangerously outdated.Dick reveals how AI is lowering the barrier to entry for both attackers and defenders, and discusses the real-world applications of satellite communications in oil and gas operations.He also introduces a revolutionary physical layer-one air gap device called Goldilock Secure, which could transform how we protect remote industrial assets.This episode is essential listening for CISOs, CTOs, and security leaders looking to understand emerging threats in space-based infrastructure and practical solutions for securing distributed industrial environments.Chapters:(00:00:00) - Dick's Journey: From NSA to Space Cybersecurity(00:04:32) - What is Proof Labs and Why Space Security Matters(00:08:15) - Satellites as OT Assets: Oil, Gas, and Critical Infrastructure(00:12:47) - How Onboard Intrusion Detection Works in Spacecraft(00:16:23) - The Castle Wall Problem: Moving Beyond Perimeter Security(00:19:41) - IT vs OT: Bridging the Gap in Manufacturing Cybersecurity(00:24:18) - AI's Impact: Lowering the Barrier for Attackers and Defenders(00:27:35) - The Visibility Challenge: Why Most Plants Don't Know Their Assets(00:30:12) - Goldilock Firebreak: A Physical Air Gap Device That Changes Everything(00:35:20) - Real-World Applications for Remote Industrial Asset ProtectionLinks And Resources:Want to Sponsor an episode or be a Guest? Reach out here.Dick Wilkinson on LinkedInProof Labs WebsiteIndustrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedInBW Design Group CybersecurityDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.