132: Solving Problems at Scale: Kenny Mesker on OT Cybersecurity Strategy, Risk, and Leadership

About this episode

Kenny Mesker discusses his journey in OT cybersecurity and offers insights on the industry's evolution and future challenges.

Kenny Mesker, OT Cybersecurity Strategist and Distinguished Engineer at Chevron, joins Derek Harp to share his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in West Texas to becoming one of the industry's leading voices in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. With more than 30 years of experience spanning electric utilities, SCADA systems, industrial control systems, and cybersecurity, Kenny reflects on the evolution of OT security from the days of air-gapped networks to today's interconnected digital environments. He discusses how a passion for problem-solving led him from electrical engineering into industrial operations and ultimately into cybersecurity strategy. Kenny offers practical advice for professionals looking to enter the OT cybersecurity field, explaining why hands-on operational experience remains one of the most valuable foundations for success. He also explores the challenges of IT/OT convergence, the importance of risk assessment, and how cybersecurity leaders must think beyond individual systems to protect entire organizations and critical infrastructure. Looking ahead, Kenny shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and the…

People in this episode

Host: Derek Harp

Guest: Kenny Mesker

Topics covered

• OT Cybersecurity
• Risk Assessment
• IT/OT Convergence
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cloud Technologies
• Operational Technology

Keywords

• cybersecurity
• operational technology
• risk management
• IT/OT convergence
• industrial control systems
• SCADA
• artificial intelligence
• cloud computing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chevron

Places: West Texas

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