Hack the Plant cover art

Hack the Plant

Hack the Plant

Written by: Bryson Bort
Listen for free

About this listen

Electricity. Finance. Transportation. Our water supply. In Hack the Plant, podcast host Bryson Bort looks for answers to the question: Does connecting these systems, and others, to the internet leaves us more vulnerable to attacks by our enemies? We often take these critical infrastructure systems for granted, but they’re all becoming increasingly dependent on the internet to function. From the ransomware threats of Colonial Pipeline to the failure of the Texas power grid, it is clear our interconnectivity is also a significant source of risk. Hack the Plant walks through the world of hackers working on the front lines of cyber security and public safety to protect the systems you rely upon every day. Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology. ICS Village is a nonprofit that equips industry experts and policymakers with the tools to better defend our critical infrastructure. We educate people on critical infrastructure security with hands-on examples, not just nerd stuff. Catch us at an event near you! www.icsvillage.com. The Institute for Security and Technology is a nonprofit think tank with the mission to bridge gaps between technology and policy leaders to help solve these emerging security problems together. Learn more at securityandtechnology.org.2023 ICS Village Political Science Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • Bridging the IT/OT Divide in Oil & Gas
    Jan 20 2026

    Bryson Bort is joined by Dd Budiharto, Microsoft’s Customer Security Officer for the Oil, Gas, and Energy sectors, to share her experience bridging the IT/OT divide in the energy sector. Drawing on her background as a former CISO and industry veteran with decades of experience starting security programs at giants like Halliburton and Marathon Oil, Dd breaks down IT vs OT auditing, the cultural divide in oil and gas, and what cybersecurity looks like in the energy sector.

    How did an early mistake involving a patch reboot change Dd's career forever? What is preventing private companies and the FBI from working together? Why is basic hygiene—like disabling terminated accounts—still the biggest "unsolved" problem in billion-dollar industries?

    “If you want to upgrade your home, to modernize it, the foundation still needs to be fixed first,” Dd said.

    Join us for this and more on this episode of Hack the Plan[e]t.

    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast represent those of the speaker, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of their employers.

    Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • AI and the Future of Maritime Cybersecurity
    Dec 16 2025

    In this episode, host Bryson Bort sits down with Gary Kessler, retired cybersecurity professor and co-founder and director of the Maritime Hacking Village. As a maritime cybersecurity researcher, consultant, and practitioner with nearly fifty years of experience, Gary walks us through the ins and outs of cybersecurity at sea, automated identification systems (AIS), and AI’s current and future role in maritime operations.

    What is AIS spoofing, and why is it dangerous? What are the unique challenges posed by cybersecurity at sea? Is the maritime industry ready for artificial intelligence integrations?

    “AI is going to [present] really incredible opportunities for us moving forward. I think however, it is a tool that is not well understood in general by people who are not specialists. And particularly in the maritime industry, we're going to have to get a lot better at understanding the capabilities and the pitfalls,” Gary said.

    Join us for this and more on this episode of Hack the Plan[e]t.

    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast represent those of the speaker, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of their employers.

    Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Creating a Cyber Aware Culture for Local Water Utilities
    Sep 9 2025

    Deputy Managing Director at the Cyber Readiness Institute Lessie Skiba joins host Bryson Bort to discuss the CRI’s new program connecting small- and medium-sized water utilities with cyber coaches to strengthen their resilience.

    What if the most effective cybersecurity solution isn't a new piece of technology, but a human connection? How can we empower small businesses to tackle cyber threats, even with limited resources? And if Lessie could wave a magic, air-gapped wand, what is one fundamental change she would make to our digital landscape?

    Join us for this and more on this episode of Hack the Plan[e]t.

    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast represent those of the speaker, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of their employers.

    Hack the Plant is brought to you by ICS Village and the Institute for Security and Technology.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
No reviews yet