OT Pen Testing: Why Trust, Culture & Hands-On Experience Matter Most

Podcast: PrOTect It All (LS 27 · TOP 10% what is this?)Episode: OT Pen Testing: Why Trust, Culture & Hands-On Experience Matter MostPub date: 2026-08-03Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationEffective OT penetration testing isn't just about finding vulnerabilities, it's about building trust. In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow is joined by Oren Niskin and Reynaldo Gonzalez for an engaging discussion on the evolving role of penetration testing in operational technology (OT) environments. Drawing from years of experience in industrial operations, IT, and OT cybersecurity, Oren and Reynaldo explain why successful OT security assessments require far more than technical expertise. They explore how trust, communication, and collaboration help bridge the gap between security teams and operations, making penetration testing a valuable business tool rather than something to fear. The conversation also highlights the importance of diverse career paths, hands-on learning, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. From network segmentation and risk communication to creating realistic lab environments, this episode offers practical lessons for anyone responsible for securing critical infrastructure. Key Learnings:  Why trust is essential for successful OT penetration testing How IT and operational experience strengthen OT security teams The value of network segmentation in reducing cyber risk Why "doing nothing" is no longer an acceptable cybersecurity strategy How organizations can bridge the gap between safety, operations, and security Practical ways to develop the next generation of OT cybersecurity professionals Key Moments:  07:00 Oren's technology and security approach 15:04 Discussing network security measures 19:16 Building Trust in Business Relationships 26:17 Understanding and planning security architecture 30:16 Network management and rule assessment 33:39 Managing and Assessing Tool Overload 38:39 Analyzing tool overlap and complementarity 48:41 Building a trusting team culture 49:48 Encouraging Open Communication 56:34 Getting into cybersecurity without IT experience 01:04:56 Entry-level ICS training courses Whether you're an OT engineer, penetration tester, security leader, or just beginning your cybersecurity journey, this episode delivers practical insights into protecting industrial environments while building stronger relationships across teams. Tune in to discover why the most successful OT penetration tests don't just identify vulnerabilities they build trust, strengthen teams, and improve security for the long term. About the guests:  Oren Niskin is Principal OT Security Engineer at GuidePoint Security. His 20-year arc runs from the US Navy as a Nuclear Electrician's Mate, to Electronics Technician on offshore drilling rigs, to office OT/IT management, to OT cybersecurity consulting at EY, and now into OT cyber engineering at GuidePoint. He also runs Packets Or It Didn't Happen, a YouTube livestream where he builds a factory-realistic PLC and HMI training kit on camera (the open-source PLC Trainer Kit), aimed at helping newcomers get hands-on with OT for under $500. Link to connect Oren Niskin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenniskin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PacketsOrItDidntHappen PLC Trainer Kit (GitHub): https://github.com/oniskin/PLC-Trainer-Kit LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/17708001/ Reynaldo Gonzalez is a recognized cybersecurity thought leader with 18+ years of experience helping organizations strengthen cyber resilience and secure critical infrastructure. His expertise spans cybersecurity strategy, IT/OT security, AI security, risk management, and digital transformation, complemented by a passion for education, innovation, and industry collaboration. Link to connect Reynaldo Gonzalez:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reynaldoglz/ Learn more about PrOTect IT All: Email: [email protected]  Website: https://protectitallpod.com/ep117 X: https://twitter.com/protectitall  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrOTectITAll  FaceBook:  https://facebook.com/protectitallpodcast To be a guest or suggest a guest/episode, please email us at [email protected] Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple   - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Aaron Crow | Operational Technology & Cybersecurity Host, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.