Operational technology runs the systems we depend on every day. Power grids, hospitals, manufacturing lines, transportation networks, and smart buildings all rely on environments where uptime directly affects safety and revenue.

In this episode, we sit down with Pat Hurley and Ryan Davis from Acronis, along with Chris Daggett from HUB Tech, to explain how OT differs from IT and why convergence between the two is accelerating. The conversation focuses on what it takes to protect physical systems while maintaining performance and reliability.

We discuss the realities of securing legacy-heavy environments, where downtime is not an option, and many systems were not built with security in mind. Our guests break down how regulations such as NERC CIP, FDA requirements, and Europe’s Cyber Resilience Act are shaping OT security programs. They also explain the importance of asset visibility, network segmentation, and disaster recovery plans that teams can execute under pressure.

The discussion then moves into practical defense. We cover digital twins for safer testing, broad operating system support for faster recovery, and how teams manage aging machines tied to critical production. We also explore AI use cases such as predictive maintenance and anomaly detection, as well as the risks introduced by Industry 4.0 and increased connectivity.

This episode is for leaders responsible for uptime, safety, and cyber resilience across factories, hospitals, utilities, transportation, and smart infrastructure. It offers clear guidance for building OT and IT programs that work together to protect the systems that run our world.

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For more information about all-in-one cyber protection, please visit Acronis at www.acronis.com

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The Beyond the Firewall podcast features discussions with technology leaders and practitioners who provide valuable insights into today’s IT and business challenges.

Follow the podcast to stay updated on new episodes, and watch full episodes and video highlights on YouTube.

To learn more about HUB Tech and the services that support IT modernization, visit the HUB Tech website at https://hubtech.com/.

What does safe and responsible AI adoption look like in a public sector environment that handles sensitive data and must protect trust at every step?

In this episode, we talk with Kerry Jordan, Chief of Staff for the City of Boston. He explains how his team approaches AI with clear guardrails, approved tools, and training that supports security and transparency. He gives a real example of financial data uploaded to an unapproved model and shows why controlled environments and policy alignment matter.

We cover how to evaluate AI by use case, select the right ecosystem such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini, and set up monitoring and auditing. Kerry also outlines the factors that shape public sector decisions, including consent requirements and accountability to citizens.

The conversation then shifts to adoption. Teams gain confidence when they see AI remove repetitive tasks and reduce errors. We walk through a simple approach: survey your workforce, communicate the purpose, start with high-impact pilots, and measure results in time saved and quality gains. We also discuss governance to reduce bias and the value of human review as these tools evolve.

If you need clarity on AI tool selection, data protection, or how to support your teams without enabling shadow IT, this episode provides a clear playbook you can apply in your organization.

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The Beyond the Firewall podcast features discussions with technology leaders and practitioners who provide valuable insights into today’s IT and business challenges.

Follow the podcast to stay updated on new episodes, and watch full episodes and video highlights on YouTube.

To learn more about HUB Tech and the services that support IT modernization, visit the HUB Tech website at https://hubtech.com/.