Plumbing and Cybersecurity: Basically The Same
Colin Dunn
S4x24 - ICS Security Conference · Day 2 · Stage 3
In a compelling and highly relatable presentation at S4, Colin Dunn, CEO of Fend, drew an insightful parallel between the often-underappreciated world of plumbing and the critical realm of Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Titled "Plumbing and Cybersecurity: Basically The Same," the talk aimed to demystify complex OT cyber challenges and solutions by framing them within the universally understood context of managing physical flows, preventing leaks, and limiting damage. Dunn argued that by communicating the intricacies of OT cybersecurity through this analogy, practitioners can better articulate the importance of their work to non-technical stakeholders, secure necessary budgets, and ultimately foster more resilient industrial systems.
AI review
Dunn's presentation, while from a vendor, uses a surprisingly effective and clear analogy between plumbing and OT cybersecurity to demystify complex concepts. It delivers genuine value by translating critical defense principles, particularly Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (CCE), into a universally understood framework. The talk provides actionable insights for communication, budgeting, and system design, making it a substantive contribution despite its origin, demonstrating how physical engineering can limit cyber-physical impact.