RichardS
Dr. Richard Smith is a Senior OT Security Consultant at Bureau Veritas, specialising in the intersection of industrial resilience and cyber-physical security. Formerly an Associate Professor of Cyber Security at De Montfort University, Richard has spent his career bridging the gap between theoretical research and the operational realities of critical infrastructure. His expertise spans the full security lifecycle from initial risk assessment to high-pressure incident response.
Richard is a firm believer in "learning by doing." He has designed and built hybrid cyber ranges to facilitate complex security exercises and has showcased the real-world impact of OT vulnerabilities as a demonstrator at global stages like DEFCON and RSA. His mission remains constant: translating complex technical risks into actionable business intelligence to ensure the continued safety and operation of essential services.
Session
OT security careers rarely follow neat, linear paths. This talk begins with the personal transition from Associate Professor of Cyber Security to Senior OT Security Consultant as a case study in how non-traditional career moves can become a strategic advantage rather than a risk.
Drawing on experience across academia, consulting, and live operational environments, this session explores what actually builds credibility in OT security roles. It examines how demonstrating tangible operational impact earns trust with decision makers, why human factors are just as important as technical controls in OT, and how security decisions get made when safety and availability outweigh confidentiality. The talk also explores why cyber exercises are crucial to building organisational resilience.
This is not a “which cert should I get next?” talk. Instead, it's about developing the mindset and skills that make OT security professionals effective in environments where production can't stop, downtime is measured in millions, and your credibility determines whether security recommendations become implementation plans or left at the side of the road. It is also about recognising how experience in teaching, research, or consulting strengthens your position.
For students, career switchers, and practitioners feeling stuck, this talk offers a practical reframing: OT security rewards curiosity, breadth, and time spent in uncomfortable environments. If your career choices help you enable operations instead of obstruct them, you’re building the kind of experience the field actually needs.