Guarding Gears · Free OT/ICS security news every Sunday
Mike Holcomb is an independent consultant focused on OT/ICS cybersecurity, an educational content creator, and an international speaker. Prior to supporting clients full-time through UtilSec, he was a Fellow of Cybersecurity and the OT/ICS Cybersecurity Global Lead for one of the world’s largest engineering and construction companies, providing him with the opportunity to work in securing some of the world’s largest OT/ICS environments, from power plants and commuter rail to manufacturing facilities and refineries. As part of his community efforts, Michael founded BSidesICS/OT, with multiple events planned globally for 2026. He has his master’s degree in OT/ICS cybersecurity from the SANS Technology Institute. Additionally, he maintains cybersecurity and OT/ICS certifications, including CISSP, GRID, GICSP, GCIP, GPEN, GCIH, ISA 62443, and more. He was awarded the SANS Difference Maker Award for Practitioner of the Year: ICS/OT Defender for 2025, BEER-ISAC's Community Builder Award and SecurityWeek's Critical Impact Award in 2026. He posts regularly on LinkedIn and YouTube to help others learn more about securing OT/ICS and critical infrastructure. You can find out more information about Mike and his resources at mikeholcomb.com.