Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most critical areas in today’s industrial landscape. It is due to maestros like Colin Prentice, OT Cybersecurity Leader, MEA Region, at Emerson, that this sector stands at the core of resilience. Colin began his career early, working in a semiconductor plant where his first exposure to automation sparked a passion for engineering. While his initial work involved operating machinery, it inspired him to pursue further education, earning qualifications in Electrical and Mechatronic Engineering. Over the years, he gained diverse experience across industrial manufacturing facilities, witnessing first-hand the shift from proprietary, offline systems to interconnected automation built on Common Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components. To stay ahead of this evolution, he advanced his studies in computing and networking.
His career took shape with a leading OEM, where he worked as an Application Engineer across sectors such as food and beverage, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, focusing on factory automation. In 2014, he joined Emerson in United Kingdom as an Oil & Gas Technical Account Manager, a role that marked a turning point. As automation systems became increasingly connected, the vulnerabilities of COTS-based solutions highlighted cybersecurity as a critical business priority. Recognizing this, he chose to specialize in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity in 2016.
Two years later, he was entrusted with leading Emerson’s OT cybersecurity strategy for the Middle East and Africa. Moving to Dubai, he worked with major clients to strengthen the resilience of their automation systems and mitigate emerging cyber risks across vital industries. Alongside leadership responsibilities, he earned multiple certifications, including IEC62443 Expert, GICSP, and GRID, reinforcing his expertise in securing critical infrastructure.
Today, his journey reflects the UAE and Emerson’s broader vision of innovation and resilience, bridging engineering, automation, and cybersecurity to safeguard the future of industrial operations in a rapidly digitalizing region. Colin deserves applause as his journey has been nothing short of inspirational. His dedication and commitment to the world of OT cybersecurity have been transformative and innovative due to his technical expertise.
Balancing Security Reliability
Colin explained that at Emerson, part of his responsibility is to help organizations maintain strong cybersecurity without compromising safety, reliability, or operational continuity. Supporting clients through system changes, upgrades, and technology integrations forms a key part of their digital transformation journey.
He emphasized that achieving the right balance between availability, reliability, safety, and security requires strategic planning. As an OEM, Emerson ensures that every system remains highly available while being safe and secure. All solutions and applications undergo rigorous testing and validation to prevent any negative impact on operations.
When customers pursue new technologies such as remote connectivity, he ensures that cybersecurity is integrated from the design stage. This includes implementing secure infrastructure, perimeter protection, access controls, and continuous monitoring, essentially a defense-in-depth strategy.
Acknowledging that cybersecurity is never a “set-and-forget” exercise, Colin works closely with clients to understand their operational needs, aligning Emerson’s advanced automation technologies with their security and business objectives. Any solutions that expand connectivity or create additional entry points by expanding the attack surface are carefully reviewed, risk-assessed, and protected with appropriate safeguards.
Molding Cyber Leadership
Colin shared that his advanced certifications GICSP, GRID, and ISA/IEC 62443 Expert, have deeply shaped his approach to cybersecurity leadership, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complexities within industrial control systems that support critical infrastructure. He emphasized that cybersecurity in this domain goes beyond traditional IT, focusing on the unique vulnerabilities and operational requirements of operational technology (OT).
He explained that while all three certifications are OT-specific, each offers a distinct perspective. The GICSP provides broad coverage of OT from operational and technical angles, addressing security controls, risk management, governance, and ICS architectures. The GRID certification, by contrast, is highly technical and hands-on, incorporating real-world attack simulations, defense methodologies, and incident response preparedness. Meanwhile, the ISA/IEC 62443 certification focuses on global standards, policies, architectures, and lifecycle management critical for compliance in the Middle East region.
According to Colin, these programs collectively equipped him with diverse frameworks, tools, and practical insights from system design and implementation to response strategies. They have also enhanced his ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex cybersecurity concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences within Emerson and its customer ecosystem.
Cybersecurity Leadership
Colin highlighted that Emerson plays a leading role in advancing OT cybersecurity across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. The company continuously delivers innovative, secure solutions for critical process control systems embedding cybersecurity from the earliest design stages. Every new product inherently includes enhanced security features, reflecting Emerson’s “Secure by Design” philosophy, where protection is built in, not added later.
What sets Emerson apart, Colin explained, is its end-to-end approach. The company’s broad cybersecurity portfolio is developed, engineered, tested, and validated to ensure systems remain safe, reliable, and operationally efficient. Emerson aligns with global standards such as ISA/IEC 62443, ensuring compliance with regional regulations and best practices for critical infrastructure.
Emerson’s dedicated OT cybersecurity team partners closely with clients throughout their security journey, offering tailored assessments, policy development, upgrade planning, and ongoing operational support. The company also collaborates with global cybersecurity bodies and partners to stay ahead of emerging threats and regulatory trends.
Colin added that Emerson’s strong regional presence further strengthens its differentiation. With major facilities in Saudi Arabia’s SPARK supporting Vision 2030, a state-of-the-art solutions and education centre in Dubai’s Jebel Ali, and a new Global LNG Innovation Centre in Doha, Emerson’s localized investments enable faster response times and deeper customer support.
Through its scalable, adaptive cybersecurity solutions and strong regional commitment, Emerson continues to lead OT cybersecurity innovation across the MEA region.
Empowering Digital Resilience
Colin emphasized that cybersecurity should be viewed as a strategic business enabler rather than a cost center. He explained that true cybersecurity maturity begins with senior leadership involvement, as C-level executives are ultimately accountable for protecting business continuity. To secure the right investments, decision-makers must understand cybersecurity not as an operational expense, but as essential risk management.
He noted that while cybersecurity may not directly enhance product quality or output, neglecting it exposes organizations to significant safety, environmental, financial, and reputational (SEFR) risks. Global standards like IEC 62443 help quantify these risks, highlighting how a single cyber incident, such as ransomware or a plant shutdown, can cause massive financial losses, regulatory penalties, and lasting brand damage.
According to Colin, cybersecurity should be a foundational element of every critical operation, ensuring continuous uptime and resilience. It also enables safe digital transformation by securing IoT integration and connected systems that might otherwise expand the attack surface.
He further stressed that cybersecurity must become part of an organization’s culture, driven by the combined strength of people, processes, and technology. It’s not just an IT function and responsibility; every employee plays a role, serving either as the first line of defense or, if untrained, as a potential vulnerability.
Navigating the OT Challenges
Colin noted that industries across the Middle East and Africa are facing increasingly sophisticated and frequent cyber threats as operational technology (OT) systems become more connected. This growing interconnectivity expands the attack surface, exposing systems that were once isolated to new vulnerabilities and evolving threats.
He explained that many facilities still operate legacy systems such as Windows XP and Windows 7, which are no longer supported or patchable. This creates serious security risks, as deploying modern countermeasures like antivirus software or application whitelisting often leads to compatibility challenges with outdated hardware and software.
Colin highlighted that upgrading OT systems is another major hurdle. Since many industrial plants run continuously, scheduling shutdowns for upgrades can result in manpower strain, production loss, and financial impact. Maintaining up-to-date, supported systems requires careful lifecycle planning and budget allocation.
He also emphasized the growing complexity of compliance, with multiple standards and government regulations now mandating cybersecurity audits for critical infrastructure. Despite this, many facilities still lack full visibility into their networks and endpoints, a gap made worse by the limited availability of specialized OT cybersecurity expertise. As a result, many organizations are increasingly turning to external partners for support in monitoring and managing their systems securely.
Bridging Security Silos
Colin observed that many organizations still treat IT and OT security as separate functions, largely due to historical structures and organizational culture. This siloed approach, he noted, often prevents a unified security strategy that meets enterprise-wide objectives. He emphasized that management support is essential to break down these silos by forming multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration and communication between IT and OT.
He explained that in today’s interconnected environment, data flows both ways between IT and OT, making alignment critical for secure operations. While IT typically prioritizes confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA), OT focuses on availability, integrity, and confidentiality (AIC), with an added emphasis on safety, an area not usually addressed in IT. Despite these differences, IT’s long-established practices, policies, and procedures can often be adapted to OT contexts.
Colin highlighted the importance of understanding OT’s unique requirements, such as legacy systems and hardware compatibility, while leveraging IT expertise. Cross-functional training and a “one-team” approach can bridge knowledge gaps, enabling both departments to work together. By acknowledging these interdependencies and tailoring frameworks to OT’s operational realities, organizations can build a cohesive, enterprise-wide defense strategy that protects both business and operational systems.
Securing Operational Systems
Colin shared a generalized example of a project his team handled for an oil and gas company facing regulatory pressure to upgrade multiple legacy systems. These systems, many of which were out of support and connected to the IT network, lacked critical cybersecurity controls, raising significant operational risks. The customer was particularly concerned about system downtime during the upgrade.
Emerson began with a comprehensive cybersecurity and system upgrade assessment to understand the site’s security posture, vulnerabilities, and asset status. Using these insights, Colin and his team conducted workshops with the customer to educate them on the plant’s assets and the steps required to bring legacy systems up to current standards.
The team designed a new, segmented network with appropriate security zones and perimeter protections, including firewalls, to replace the existing flat network. They recommended end-to-end cybersecurity solutions aligned with regulatory requirements and developed upgrade and cybersecurity requirement specifications to define the scope and technical requirements of the project. Emerson also provided technical and awareness training to plant personnel, reinforcing good cybersecurity practices.
The result was a fully supported system with updated operating systems, patched hardware and software, hardened security measures, and a redesigned network that significantly reduced exposure to cyber threats. The upgraded system improved availability, reliability, and operational safety while ensuring compliance with local regulations and enhancing staff awareness to minimize human-related risks.
Future-Proofing OT
About the rise of Industry 4.0 automation, IoT, and Digitalisation, Colin believes that while terms like these are often used synonymously, the core concept remains the same: integrating intelligent devices and software into control systems. These advancements offer significant organizational benefits but also introduce new cybersecurity risks.
He highlighted that IoT devices and increased connectivity expand the attack surface, exposing previously isolated systems to potential threats. For critical infrastructure, which was traditionally air-gapped, the key consideration is always whether the business benefits outweigh the risks. When the benefits, financial or competitive, are clear, organizations must quantify and mitigate risk through system redesigns, enhanced cybersecurity measures, updated policies, and employee training.
Colin also noted the growing role of AI in cybersecurity. AI-driven systems are already being used for threat detection and response, analysing network behaviours, establishing baselines, and flagging anomalies. Advanced learning rules enable these systems to identify adversary tactics and correlate large volumes of data tasks that would be challenging for cybersecurity personnel alone. While AI can support automated responses, such as adjusting firewall rules or isolating assets, he stressed the importance of human oversight to prevent false positives from impacting critical systems.
In summary, Colin sees the convergence of automation, IoT, and AI as a transformative force for OT security, offering enhanced efficiency and threat detection, but requiring careful risk management, system design, and skilled human oversight.
OT Resilience
Colin observed that the landscape of OT cybersecurity is evolving rapidly, driven by emerging technologies that enhance the protection of critical operational systems. He noted a growing demand for greater visibility into Industrial Control Systems, enabling monitoring of endpoints and networks. Tools such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS), often referred to as anomaly detection systems, provide early warnings of potential compromises. While many OT environments have protection and prevention measures in place, they often lack comprehensive monitoring of networks and endpoints. These systems require specialized, trained professionals to interpret alerts and define rules that detect abnormal or suspicious behaviour.
He highlighted that the integration of AI and machine learning into these monitoring systems is accelerating. These technologies help translate complex SIEM and NIDS data into actionable insights, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making by security analysts. AI also supports cybersecurity assessments by automating data collection, comparing systems against baselines, and providing recommendations for patching and hardening.
Colin further explained that as AI, machine learning, IoT connectivity, and cloud integration become more prevalent, cybersecurity standards will evolve to address the associated risks alongside business benefits. Regulations are expected to become increasingly stringent, with mandatory compliance criteria and frequent audits for critical infrastructure. This, he emphasized, will drive changes in governance models, policies, and procedures across asset-owning organizations, ensuring a more resilient and secure operational environment.
The Future Career Path
In discussing a career path in OT Cybersecurity, Colin advises that one must first understand that it is distinct from IT Cybersecurity. This differentiation is crucial for selecting the appropriate courses and training to ensure one begins on the correct professional trajectory.
He explains that securing OT and Critical Infrastructure typically involves Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA Systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), PLC Systems (Programmable Logic Controllers), and Safety Systems, which can be integrated or standalone. A recommended starting point is a course or training that provides an understanding of what these systems are, where they are used, and how they function. Once an individual grasps the fundamentals of OT systems, they can better understand how to secure them.
He notes that numerous cybersecurity courses are available at colleges, universities, and through standard bodies. ISA, for instance, offers a course based on IEC 62443, the global standard for process control systems, which is a broad offering covering best practices and securing OT Systems. SANS also provides OT-centric courses focusing on securing, defending, and responding to incidents within these systems.
Colin mentions that readily available resources, such as free courses and webinars, can be found easily on platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn and serve as a good initial starting point. Given the many roles in OT Security, he stresses that defining one’s desired specialization is important for choosing the right course. Example roles include Risk Assessment Specialist, Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, Security Analyst, and Incident Responder. He suggests that some experienced cybersecurity personnel may have the capability to handle a few of these roles after training, development, and experience.
According to Colin, hands-on experience is a must; while education is beneficial, putting knowledge into practice in real-world scenarios is vital. He recommends looking for opportunities to gain as much practical experience as possible. Internship roles and entry-level roles are invaluable, supplementing academic education. Furthermore, there are many online labs, open-source simulations, and software available. He adds that many cybersecurity conferences offer free general attendee access, which are great events for networking and hearing from experts on different topics.
He concludes that the world of OT Cybersecurity is expanding rapidly, creating a demand for talented and skilled professionals. He suggests this offers an exciting and worthwhile career with extensive opportunities for development and growth. The fast growth in OT cybersecurity and the evolving threat landscape mean there are stable and long-term job prospects for successful candidates.
Predicting the Future of OT Security
The vision for the role of OT security, according to Colin, is the continued safeguarding of critical infrastructure across the MEA region, specifically the power, water, and energy sectors, including electricity, oil, and natural gas. These sectors face persistent threats from increasingly sophisticated and well-funded cyber adversaries whose aim is to disrupt or destroy vital systems with little regard for human life or safety.
As the cyber threat landscape evolves, he stresses that it is imperative to evolve alongside it. This necessitates ensuring the right combination of skilled people, cutting-edge technologies, and robust processes are in place. Equally important is fostering a strong cybersecurity culture within organizations, acknowledging that cyber risks can affect everyone both within and outside the workplace.
Protecting critical systems is non-negotiable. To achieve this, Colin emphasizes that there must be collaboration as a unified community. This includes working closely with standards bodies, regulators, and trusted partners to establish a cohesive and strategic approach to OT security. Through these collective efforts, a resilient, secure infrastructure can be built that will continue to serve the region for years to come.
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