In today’s complex world of OT cybersecurity, protecting the lifelines of our society—power grids, transportation, oil & gas, and manufacturing—requires more than firewalls and tools. It requires visionary individuals and teams who can seamlessly bridge operational technology (OT) with digital defense strategies.
These leaders don’t just mitigate risk; they safeguard economies, industries, and communities. They are the real assets of cybersecurity, and today we spotlight 10 remarkable experts and organizations who inspire, innovate, and protect.
The 10 Leaders & Teams Shaping OT Cybersecurity
🔹 Sarah Armstrong-Smith – Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft EMEA
Celebrated for crisis management and strategy, Sarah is recognized as one of the UK’s most influential women in cyber.
📖 Wikipedia
🔹 Anupam Joshi – Chief AI Officer, UMBC
At the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, Dr. Joshi leads the Cybersecurity Institute and is an IEEE Fellow.
📖 Wikipedia
🔹 Mischel Kwon – Founder & CEO, MKACyber
Former Director of US-CERT, she’s renowned for building SOCs and national incident response systems.
📖 Wikipedia
🔹 Gabi Siboni – ICS/SCADA Security Expert
Key consultant in Israel’s critical infrastructure defense and co-author of its national cyber strategy.
📖 Wikipedia
🔹 Dorit Dor – CTO, Check Point Software
Recipient of the Israel Defense Prize, Dorit is a trailblazer in cybersecurity innovation.
📖 Wikipedia
🔹 Robert M. Lee – Co-founder & CEO, Dragos
A foundational voice in industrial cyber defense, Robert has built Dragos into a global OT/ICS leader.
📖 Cyber Risk Leaders
🔹 Dr. Reem (OTCEP) – Global Cyber Policy Leader
Advocates for cybersecurity and digital transformation at the UN, influencing global cyber policy.
📖 OTCEP
🔹 Marco Pereira – Global Head of Cybersecurity, Capgemini
Driving integrated OT security frameworks, Marco emphasizes risk-to-resilience strategies.
📖 Industrial Cyber
🔹 Honeywell OT Cybersecurity Team
With 20+ years of experience and 7,000+ projects across 130 countries, Honeywell sets industry benchmarks.
📖 Honeywell
🔹 Fortinet – 2025 OT Insights
Latest report shows 52% of organizations now entrust OT risk to CISOs/CSOs, elevating OT to executive leadership.
📖 Fortinet
Why This Matters
- The OT cybersecurity market is projected to grow from $16.7B in 2023 to $32.4B by 2028 (MarketsandMarkets).
- 62% of organizations reported OT/ICS security incidents in the last year (SANS 2024 Survey).
- 52% of CISOs now directly manage OT risks (Fortinet 2025 Report).
These stats show a clear trend: OT security is no longer a niche—it’s a boardroom priority.
Final Thought
These leaders underscore an evolving paradigm: cybersecurity today demands not just technical acumen, but strategic vision, resilience, and cross-functional trust.
To all the practitioners, innovators, and visionaries in OT cybersecurity—your expertise and dedication keep industries safe. You are truly priceless.
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Call to Action
Who inspires you in the field of OT cybersecurity?
Share their names in the comments below.
Tag colleagues and celebrate their contributions.
Or write to us at [email protected] to continue the conversation.
Together, let’s celebrate the champions of OT cybersecurity who protect what truly matters.