S15 E11: Staying Ahead of the Hackers: Cybersecurity Know-How for Utilities with Farokh Kakar

In this episode of The DooDoo Diva’s Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with engineer, educator, and innovator Farokh Kakar to expose the urgent cybersecurity threats facing water and wastewater utilities today. As cyberattacks on SCADA systems and public infrastructure continue to rise, Farokh explains why utilities must stay ahead of hackers—and how training, awareness, and proactive defense strategies can protect both operations and public health.Farokh also shares her powerful personal journey—from refugee life to becoming a PhD, professor, and founder of Blue College, where she is on a mission to close the cybersecurity skills gap in the water sector.🔑 What You’ll Learn- Why cybersecurity is now mission-critical for water and wastewater utilities- How cyberattacks threaten operations, safety, and communities- The unique challenges of securing OT and SCADA systems- Why every utility needs at least one trained cybersecurity professional- How hackers are evolving—and how utilities can stay one step ahead- How Blue College is training the next generation of water-sector cyber talent💧 Why This MattersCyber criminals are targeting utilities more than ever. With aging infrastructure, remote monitoring, and SCADA vulnerabilities, the water sector must shift from reactive to proactive cybersecurity. It starts with training, awareness, and building a security-first culture.👤 Connect with Farokh Kakar Blue CollegeEmail: [email protected]: linkedin.com/in/farokh-laqa-kakar/Website: bluecollege.caI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#Cybersecurity #WaterIndustry #Wastewater #SCADA #CriticalInfrastructure #UtilitySecurity #CyberAwareness #PublicUtilities #InfrastructureSecurity #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #BlueCollege