Description

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of managing legacy operational technology (OT) systems. Join host Ken Kully, Systems Support Lead at Verve Industrial, and his guests Tyler Bergman, Doug Artze, Dylan Stencil, and Andrew Wintermeyer, as they discuss the complexities of legacy systems, spare parts ("grey") markets, and the importance of security in maintaining older technologies. They explore real-world stories, the economics of keeping legacy systems running, and offer insights into potential solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Legacy OT equipment can have extremely long lifespans, often much longer than typical IT hardware. This leads to challenges in finding support and spare parts as the equipment ages.
• There is a thriving market for reconditioned and resold legacy OT equipment, but the chain of custody and security vetting of these devices can be unclear.
• Maintaining documentation and access to legacy software/configuration tools is critical for supporting and troubleshooting older OT systems, which can be difficult as vendors discontinue support.
• The economic and operational costs of upgrading legacy OT systems can be prohibitive, leading many facilities to try to keep them running as long as possible through creative means like sourcing spare parts.
• Planned obsolescence by vendors and the lack of right-to-repair policies can exacerbate the challenges of maintaining legacy OT equipment over time.
• Visibility into the OT asset inventory and having a plan for securing legacy systems are important for managing cybersecurity risks in these environments.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and sound check 02:00 – Ken's story: Decommissioning PDP-11/84 systems 04:50 – Challenges with legacy equipment and backup solutions 09:00 – The aftermarket for OT equipment and security risks 14:00 – Securing legacy OT systems and ensuring safety standards 27:00 – Real-world experiences with aging OT infrastructure 39:00 – How cybersecurity standards affect legacy systems 50:00 – Solutions for managing legacy equipment

Guest Information

Tyler Bergman: Experienced in utilities and OT security with over 20 years in the industry.

Dylan Stencil: Research team member with a background in technology and controls work.

Doug Artze: Operations team member with experience in nuclear power and wastewater treatment.

Drew Wintermeyer: Research team member and overseer of Verve's internal labs of OT devices.

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