When most people think about cybersecurity, they think of stolen passwords and data breaches. But what happens when the targets are the systems that keep buildings running, water flowing and energy moving?

In this episode of the Ctrl+Alt+Mfg Podcast, hosts Gary Cohen and Stephanie Neil sit down with Danielle “DJ” Jablanski, a leading OT cybersecurity strategist at STV. Together, we move past the awareness stage and dive deep into the high-stakes world of cyber-physical risk.

DJ breaks down why securing the built environment is one of the biggest challenges hiding in plain sight. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss theater dreams, food trucks, why you don’t need an engineering degree to be an OT security champion, the myth of the perfect security framework and why network segmentation is a constant process rather than a one-time project.

This episode explores:

• The "Always/Never" Principle: Lessons borrowed from nuclear weapons policy for industrial safety.
• Capability vs. Awareness: Why technical maturity, not more education, is the real bottleneck in OT.
• The Vendor Dilemma: Balancing the risks of vendor consolidation against point solution fatigue.
• Audacious Goals: Why the biggest risk to your organization is standing still for the next six years.

Whether you're an engineer on the shop floor or a leader in the C-suite, this episode is a masterclass in building resilience into the very infrastructure we rely on every day.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Security Challenges

07:11 The Importance of Operational Technology Security

13:33 Danielle Jablanski's Journey into Cybersecurity

16:29 Understanding the Critical Nature of OT Security

19:57 The Growing Gap in Operational Technology (OT) Security

23:55 Understanding Network Segmentation in OT

27:29 The Importance of Securing the Built Environment

31:32 The Role of EPC Firms in Cybersecurity

34:36 Navigating Cyber-Physical Risks

37:41 Assets vs. Functions in Cybersecurity

39:43 Evolving Threat Models in Critical Infrastructure

43:35 Advice for Infrastructure Owners on Cybersecurity

• (00:00:00) - Introduction to Cyber-Physical Security Challenges
• (00:07:11) - Introduction to Cyber-Physical Security Challenges
• (00:13:33) - Danielle Jablanski's Journey into Cybersecurity
• (00:16:29) - Understanding the Critical Nature of OT Security
• (00:19:57) - The Growing Gap in Operational Technology (OT) Security
• (00:23:55) - Understanding Network Segmentation in OT
• (00:27:29) - The Importance of Securing the Built Environment
• (00:31:32) - The Role of EPC Firms in Cybersecurity
• (00:34:36) - Navigating Cyber-Physical Risks
• (00:37:41) - Assets vs. Functions in Cybersecurity
• (00:39:43) - Evolving Threat Models in Critical Infrastructure
• (00:43:35) - Advice for Infrastructure Owners on Cybersecurity