Ep 68: Lessons Learned in OT Security: Regulation, Collaboration, and the Rise of AI Threats with Kam Chumley-Soltani

In this episode, host Aaron Crow is joined by Kam Chumley-Soltani, Director of OT Security at Armis, for a candid conversation that dives into the ever-evolving landscape of OT (operational technology) and IT cybersecurity. After several rescheduling attempts across time zones and even parking lots, Aaron and Kam finally sit down to share their frontline experiences and insights from the world of critical infrastructure security.

From the increasing visibility of OT threats and the surge in regulatory requirements, to the convergence of IT and OT teams, they dig into what’s driving organizations to prioritize real-time visibility, risk management, and collaboration. Kam reflects on his diverse background in the military, at Cisco, Dragos, and now Armis, while Aaron draws on decades of experience leading teams across power plants and utilities in Texas. They both underscore the importance of people, process, and technology - reminding us that even the best tools are only as valuable as the teams that wield them.

The discussion explores the challenges smaller utilities face, balancing regulation with limited resources, and the need for cyber-informed engineering from the very start. Plus, they look ahead at the role of AI in cybersecurity, the daisy-chain effects of infrastructure attacks, and the importance of community and continuous learning in keeping ahead of the curve.

Whether you’re a cybersecurity veteran, just breaking into OT, or simply want to understand why your electricity bill matters, this episode is packed with anecdotes, practical advice, and a few laughs. So pull up a chair and get ready to protect it all!

Key Moments:

03:18 Cybersecurity Developments and Regulatory Changes

06:33 Demand for Consulting and Assessments

09:51 Future of Regulation and Community

13:06 Regulating Small Utilities Challenges

16:41 Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure

19:43 Simplifying Complex Issues for All

26:12 Embracing AI in Cybersecurity

27:39 "Embrace Challenges, Educate Yourself"

30:14 Cybersecurity Threats to Infrastructure

34:29 Evaluating Automated Alerting Systems

39:38 Controlled Network Configuration Risks

42:10 Underfunded Team: Multi-Skill Necessity

45:31 "Collective Progress and Contribution"

48:13 "Geopolitical Threats to Infrastructure"

About the guest :

Kam Chumley-Soltani serves as the Director of OT Solutions Engineering for the U.S. Public Sector at Armis, where he specializes in industrial cybersecurity. His expertise lies in designing secure and resilient network architectures for critical infrastructure environments.

Previously, Kam led Cisco’s OT Solutions Engineering team for the entire U.S. Public Sector, delivering end-to-end solutions across IoT/OT security, network architecture, diverse RF wireless deployments, embedded systems, and edge computing.

He has guided numerous global enterprises, federal agencies, and SLED organizations in architecting solutions that incorporate robust networking, cybersecurity controls, advanced threat detection, and proactive vulnerability management.

A Navy veteran, Kam served as a flight systems engineer and mission operations planner. He holds a B.S. in Cyber Operations from the United States Naval Academy, an M.S. in Cybersecurity from Brown University, and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) in AI/ML from George Washington University.

How to connect Kam:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kam-chumley-soltani/

Connect With Aaron Crow: