Sertan Selcuk, the Vice President for METAP and CIS at OPSWAT, says the influx of compliance and government regulations will continue to drive the need for comprehensive security controls across different verticals

Can you please elaborate on some of the biggest cybersecurity trends you are seeing in the market?
There are a few cybersecurity trends we have seen on a global scale. First, the influx of compliance and government regulations will continue to drive the need for comprehensive security controls across different verticals — especially critical infrastructure. Also, the adoption of AI in cybersecurity applications will drive threat detection and response capabilities for organisations. We are also seeing an increased focus on supply chain risk management and security, reiterating the need for visibility and defence against malware and vulnerabilities.

What is the theme of your participation at GISEC 2024?
At GISEC, we will be participating under the theme “Protecting the Pulse of Industry 4.0.” Industry 4.0 throws down the gauntlet to any organisation that runs an OT setup because the breaking down of walls between IT and OT has exposed critical infrastructure to a range of attack vectors. But at OPSWAT, backed by a process-driven approach, we stress the importance of cyber resilience more than just cybersecurity — we are focused on enabling our customers to continue operations in the face of evolving threats.

As such, we will use the event to reiterate our commitment to the region and the importance of safeguarding the interconnected systems and technologies driving the fourth industrial revolution.

Which products and solutions will you be showcasing at GISEC 2024?
At GISEC, we will showcase our solutions at the OPSWAT CIP Mobile Lab. Solutions on display and available for demo are powered by OPSWAT’s MetaDefender platform and support storage security, supply chain security, secure managed file transfer, peripheral and removable media protection, access and endpoint security, email security, OT security, cross-domain security and more.

Additionally, delegates can tour OPSWAT’s Nuclear Plant Model Reactor, a display that underscores the company’s established expertise in securing sensitive environments like nuclear power plants. Our stand will feature two demo sessions daily over the three-day event. The nuclear power plant demo, for example, will feature practical applications of the OPSWAT IT/OT platform deployment in a real-world scenario. Each demo has been specially designed to reflect the challenges endemic to GCC critical networks and infrastructures and to showcase OPSWAT regional use cases and success stories for both IT and OT environments.

How are you equipped to help companies overcome digital security and privacy challenges?
OPSWAT is positioned to help organisations address emerging challenges when it comes to security and privacy. With our advanced threat prevention MetaDefender platform, we enable organisations to navigate compliance requirements, embrace cloud technologies while safeguarding critical assets, and advance their zero-trust approach to enforce security measures across their networks and devices effectively.

Is there a skills gap in the cybersecurity industry? What needs to be done to bridge that gap?
There is. In fact, in its 2023 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, ICS2 identifies that 4 million cybersecurity professionals are needed globally, marking a significant 13% increase from 2022. The CIP landscape has become more complex, requiring expertise in safeguarding both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). Additionally, the data sharing between these domains, coupled with complex technologies, intensifies the need for specialised knowledge about how to protect it.

Bridging the gap starts with education; an area where we are leading the charge. OPSWAT Academy Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) courses promote the best practices and practical approaches that have been successfully implemented in the most secure critical infrastructure environments. Once completed, students are well-versed in practical cybersecurity expertise for OT and IT and gain knowledge about the latest technologies used to manage cyber threats in critical environments.

In support of this training program, we recently announced a $10 million scholarship program to provide OPSWAT Academy courses through authorised partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies. These collaborations aim to empower both students and seasoned professionals by offering them free access to courses that cover the latest technologies in cybersecurity and are tailored to equip participants with the skills necessary to protect critical infrastructure environments from a dynamic threat landscape.