Podcast: The Green Insider, powered by ERENEWABLE
Host: Mike Nemer, CEO of ERENEWABLE
Guest: Jonathan Pollet, Founder & Executive Director at Red Tiger Security
Episode Summary
What happens when cyber threats move beyond the digital realm and target our essential physical resources? In July 2026, a coordinated cyberattack compromised over 100 U.S. water and wastewater systems across 12 states, forcing facilities into emergency manual operations and exposing critical gaps in municipal infrastructure security.
In this episode of The Green Insider, host Mike Nemer sits down with Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity pioneer Jonathan Pollet. With over 25 years in the field, Jonathan unpacks the root vulnerabilities that leave municipal utilities exposed, contrasts physical security with digital defenses, and provides actionable pathways for municipal water boards and critical infrastructure operators to protect their systems without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
- The Vulnerability Void: Smaller municipal utilities and co-ops frequently rely on advisory boards and third-party contractors, resulting in an absence of dedicated in-house IT and cybersecurity oversight.
- Physical vs. Cyber Gap: While water facilities often feature robust physical protections (fences, locks, cameras, and dispatch alarms), their digital perimeter is frequently left unprotected—exposing SCADA and HMI systems directly to the internet.
- Real-Time Defense on a Budget: Securing critical assets does not require millions in capital expenditure; deploying low-cost, next-generation firewalls linked to a Managed Security Operations Center (SOC) provides real-time threat protection and visibility at a fraction of the cost.
- Speed of Defense: Cyber defense must move at machine speed rather than human speed—utilizing automated signature updates as global threats propagate in real time.
Enjoyed the Episode?
If you find this episode insightful, please leave a 5-star rating and review wherever you get your Podcast from! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode on sustainability, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure.
TheGreenInsider #CriticalInfrastructure #Cybersecurity #OTSecurity #ICSSecurity #SCADASecurity #WaterSecurity #MunicipalUtilities #IndustrialCybersecurity #ManagedSOC #CyberDefense #InfrastructureResilience #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #RedTigerSecurity
