EnergyTech Podcast

What happens when traditional IT networks collide with operational technology (OT) environments?Recorded live from the ENTELEC 2026 Conference in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with James Rizzler of Cisco Systems to discuss the accelerating convergence of IT and OT, industrial cybersecurity, AI-driven threats, and the future of connected operations.James shares Cisco's perspective on helping OT professionals navigate modern cybersecurity challenges, protecting critical infrastructure, and preparing industrial organizations for the next generation of AI-enabled operations.Topics Include:⚡ IT/OT convergence and digital transformation⚡ Industrial cybersecurity best practices⚡ AI agents and operational technology⚡ Securing connected industrial environments⚡ Cisco Cyber Vision and OT visibility⚡ Network segmentation and defense-in-depth strategies⚡ The future of the Purdue Model⚡ AI readiness for industrial organizations⚡ OT workforce development and training⚡ Cybersecurity risks in connected operations⚡ Industrial networking trends and challenges⚡ Lessons learned from major cyber incidentsWhether you're responsible for industrial networking, cybersecurity, SCADA systems, control rooms, automation, or digital transformation, this episode provides valuable insight into securing the future of connected operations.#OTSecurity #Cybersecurity #Cisco #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #ENTELEC #OperationalTechnology #AI #IndustrialAI #Networking #CriticalInfrastructure #ControlSystems #DigitalTransformation #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:12 James Rizzler's Role at Cisco02:00 The Growing IT/OT Convergence03:05 Common Misconceptions Between IT and OT05:20 How Cisco Bridges IT and OT06:56 Why OT Security Matters More Than Ever08:11 Security Best Practices and Segmentation10:21 Unified Namespace vs Purdue Model12:35 ENTELEC Conference Takeaways13:24 The Need for Cybersecurity Demonstration Labs15:27 AI, AI Agents and Industrial Operations17:00 Cisco's Approach to AI Training18:57 The Future of OT Training and Workforce Development20:17 Cisco Cyber Vision and OT Visibility21:21 Connectivity and Security Challenges Ahead22:20 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What happens after an alarm goes off?Recorded live at Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Brooks Corfage, Sales & Integrator Program Lead at iGear, to discuss how operational teams can close the gap between event detection and problem resolution.Brooks shares how iGear's Squeaks platform integrates with Ignition to help organizations reduce downtime, improve response times, drive accountability, and create a digital thread around incident management. The conversation explores alarm management, mobile notifications, Microsoft Teams integration, no-code dashboards, and how AI may help optimize operational response workflows in the future.Topics Include:⚡ Reducing downtime through faster alarm response⚡ The human response layer in industrial operations⚡ How Squeaks integrates with Ignition⚡ Mobile alarm management and incident workflows⚡ Microsoft Teams integration for operational alerts⚡ Measuring response time and MTTR improvements⚡ No-code dashboards for operational teams⚡ Creating accountability through workflow automation⚡ Capturing operational data for AI analysis⚡ Improving visibility into incident resolution processes⚡ Ignition's growing technology ecosystem⚡ Future trends in operational intelligence and AI#Ignition #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #DataCenters #OperationalTechnology #OT #MQTT #DigitalTransformation #AlarmManagement #IndustrialAI #OpsiteEnergy #EnergyTechPodcast #InductiveAutomation #iGear #squeaks Presented by OpSite Energy www.opsiteenergy.comChapters00:00 Introduction from Data Center Discovery Day00:55 Meet Brooks Corfage and iGear02:02 How iGear Fits into the Ignition Ecosystem03:39 Solving Operational Blind Spots05:26 Introducing Squeaks06:38 Alarm Management and Accountability07:41 Real-World Customer Use Cases08:40 Mobile Apps and Microsoft Teams Integration09:28 AI and Operational Response Optimization10:20 Measuring Downtime and Response Time Improvements11:33 Why Data Centers Need Better Alarm Response12:37 Key Takeaways from Data Center Discovery Day13:12 The Future of iGear and Ignition Integration14:36 Getting Started with a Proof of Concept15:24 No-Code Dashboards and Data Accessibility17:08 A Family-Built Company with a Long-Term Vision18:43 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What has made ENTELEC one of the most respected organizations in the energy industry for nearly a century?Recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with ENTELEC Lifetime Member Richard Nation to discuss the history of the organization, the importance of industry mentorship, and how knowledge transfer remains critical as the energy sector embraces AI and digital transformation.Richard shares his journey in the oil and gas industry spanning more than 40 years, his first ENTELEC conference in 1984, and the lessons that have shaped generations of automation, SCADA, telecommunications, and operations professionals. The conversation explores why networking remains one of the industry's most valuable assets and how AI should be viewed as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for experience.Topics Include:⚡ The history and origins of ENTELEC⚡ Richard Nation's 40+ year career in oil & gas⚡ Why networking creates long-term career value⚡ The evolution of automation and telecommunications⚡ Preserving institutional knowledge before it is lost⚡ The importance of mentorship in technical industries⚡ Lessons learned from nearly a century of ENTELEC history⚡ Balancing legacy systems with emerging technologies⚡ AI as an augmentation tool for industry professionals⚡ The future of ENTELEC and industry education⚡ Building community among competitors⚡ Why continuous learning remains critical in energy operationsWhether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this episode highlights why knowledge sharing, mentorship, and community remain essential to the future of energy and industrial automation.#ENTELEC #EnergyTechPodcast #OilAndGas #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #IndustrialAI #Telecommunications #EnergyIndustry #OperationsTechnology #AutomationChapters00:00 Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:18 Meet ENTELEC Lifetime Member Richard Nation01:14 Richard's 40+ Year Career in Oil & Gas01:57 Lessons from His First ENTELEC Event in 198403:04 The Value of Networking and Industry Relationships04:03 Leadership and Service on the ENTELEC Board05:03 How Industry Learning Has Changed Over Time06:03 Preserving Knowledge Through Mentorship06:55 The Origins and History of ENTELEC08:28 The Evolution of SCADA, Automation & Telecommunications09:33 Learning from Legacy Systems and New Technology09:58 AI's Impact on the Industry11:00 AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement12:40 Experience Versus Artificial Intelligence13:07 Richard's Vision for the Future of ENTELEC14:27 Lighting the Fire for the Next Generation15:19 ENTELEC Conferences and Industry Events17:14 Community, Learning and Opportunity17:49 Final Thoughts and Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What does the future of industrial data architecture look like?In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live from ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with MQTT co-inventor and Cirrus Link President, Arlen Nipper, to discuss the evolution of MQTT, the next generation of Sparkplug, and why a Unified Namespace is becoming the foundation for AI-ready industrial operations.Topics include:⚡ The future of MQTT and Sparkplug C⚡ Native Sparkplug-enabled PLCs, RTUs and flow computers⚡ Why data centers are driving new growth opportunities⚡ The rise of the Unified Namespace (UNS)⚡ Building a true single source of truth⚡ Data quality and AI readiness⚡ Sparkplug namespace enhancements and JSON support⚡ MQTT scalability at enterprise scale⚡ Industrial AI, agents and operational intelligence⚡ Chariot MQTT Broker and edge architectures⚡ Why clustered MQTT brokers can create operational risks⚡ The future of industrial infrastructure and edge computingArlen also reflects on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and shares his vision for the next phase of industrial digital transformation.Whether you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, manufacturing, oil & gas, data centers, AI initiatives, or digital transformation, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the pioneers who helped shape modern industrial communications.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on SCADA, MQTT, AI, industrial automation, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and energy technology.Chapters00:00 Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:38 Meet MQTT Co-Inventor Arlen Nipper01:29 Data Centers and New Growth Opportunities02:19 Sparkplug Adoption Accelerates02:52 Introduction to Sparkplug 03:30 The Vision for Native Sparkplug Devices04:04 Eliminating Data Mapping and Configuration Complexity05:49 Lifetime Achievement Award Recognition06:53 Cirrus Link as Industrial Infrastructure07:52 MQTT Growth Beyond Oil & Gas09:35 Unified Namespace and Single Source of Truth11:45 Common MQTT and Sparkplug Mistakes12:47 What's New in Sparkplug C14:34 Data Engineering vs Data at the Source16:24 AI Readiness and Industrial Data Quality17:35 AI, Claude and Industrial Operations19:01 The Best Role for AI in Industrial Systems20:00 Looking Back at MQTT Design Decisions22:32 Cirrus Link's Roadmap for 202622:53 Chariot MQTT Broker in Docker23:03 Why Clustered MQTT Brokers Can Be Risky25:02 The Future of Edge-Based MQTT Architectures26:01 Closing ThoughtsMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In Part 8 of the Energy Tech Podcast Control Room Management miniseries, Mike Flores and Daniel Netto discuss one of the most important CRM topics for pipeline operators: internal communication plans and manual operations during SCADA outages.This episode covers what happens when SCADA visibility is lost, why PHMSA expects operators to maintain safe pipeline operations during full or partial outages, and what a strong manual operations plan should include.Topics include:Internal communication plan requirementsManual operations during SCADA failuresPartial vs. full SCADA outagesField-to-control-room communication expectationsManual readings, valve lineups, pressure checks, and update frequencyAnnual testing requirementsTabletop drills and real-world event documentationLessons learned and CRM recordkeepingCommon audit gaps and misconceptionsIf you manage a control room, support pipeline operations, work in SCADA, or are responsible for PHMSA Control Room Management compliance, this episode provides practical guidance for building and testing a defensible internal communication and manual operations plan.00:00 Introduction to Part 8 of the CRM Miniseries01:13 What Happens When SCADA Fails?03:29 Why PHMSA Cares About Manual Operations04:46 Internal Communication Plan Requirements07:12 When to Activate the Plan09:30 What the Plan Must Cover10:46 Backup Communication Methods14:53 Field Readings, Valve Lineups, and Update Frequency18:09 Vague Plans vs. Tested Plans19:16 Can a Real Outage Count as a Test?23:48 What Inspectors Focus On25:37 Annual Testing and Tabletop Drills30:27 Field Personnel and Controller Roles34:14 Four-Step Guidance for Operators36:30 Common Misconceptions39:02 Partial Outages and Annual Test Coverage44:10 Building Better CRM Forms and Records46:34 Key Action Items47:35 Real-World Best Practices50:33 Preview of the Next Episode: Backup SCADA SystemsPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Mike Flores and Jeff Perry sit down with Suzette McDaniel, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at AutoSol.Suzette shares her remarkable 32-year journey at AutoSol, from starting as a receptionist to becoming a senior executive in one of the most recognized companies in industrial automation and SCADA communications.The discussion explores the evolution of industrial technology from OPC to MQTT, the role of customer relationships in long-term business success, the growing convergence of energy, telecommunications, and data centers, and the increasing influence of women in industrial technology leadership.Topics include:✅ AutoSol's evolution over three decades✅ MQTT and modern industrial communications✅ AI's impact on industrial operations✅ ENTELEC's role in industry education and innovation✅ Energy, telecom, and data center convergence✅ Women in industrial technology leadership✅ Building professional communities and mentorship✅ Industrial automation trends for 2026 and beyond✅ AutoSol's new MQTT broker initiative✅ The future of digital transformation in OT environmentsWhether you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, energy operations, telecommunications, OT cybersecurity, or digital transformation, this episode provides valuable insight from one of the industry's most experienced leaders.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy#IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #MQTT #AutoSol #ENTELEC #DigitalTransformation #EnergyTech #IndustrialIoT #OT #automation 00:00 Introduction & Welcome00:50 Suzette McDaniel's 32-Year Journey at AutoSol02:15 How Industrial Technology Has Changed02:58 AI's Growing Role in Industrial Operations03:20 ENTELEC's Impact on Industry Education05:20 Innovation Labs & Industry Collaboration06:30 What's Next for ENTELEC?07:15 Energy, Telecom & Data Center Convergence08:00 Women in Industrial Technology Leadership10:00 Building Industry Communities & Mentorship11:45 Why Diverse Perspectives Matter13:15 Leadership, Relationships & Business Development14:20 AutoSol's MQTT Broker Initiative15:00 Final Thoughts from ENTELEC 2026🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🌐 www.opsiteenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day 2026 in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Benson Hougland, Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing at Opto 22.The discussion explores how data centers are evolving into AI factories, the growing importance of edge computing, MQTT, Unified Namespace (UNS), cybersecurity, and why contextualized data is critical for AI-driven operations.Benson shares insights from Opto 22's decades of experience in industrial automation, telecommunications, and edge computing, explaining how organizations can build scalable, secure, and AI-ready architectures.Topics include:✅ Data Centers as AI Factories✅ MQTT and Sparkplug B Architectures✅ Unified Namespace (UNS) Strategies✅ Edge Computing and Data Contextualization✅ Cybersecurity and Zero-Trust Architectures✅ Decoupled Publish-Subscribe Systems✅ AI Readiness in Industrial Operations✅ Ignition Edge and Industrial Ecosystems✅ Operational Technology (OT) and Enterprise Integration✅ Scaling Industrial Infrastructure for AIIf you're involved in industrial automation, SCADA, data centers, AI infrastructure, manufacturing, or digital transformation, this episode provides practical insights into building the next generation of operational technology architectures.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🌐 Insight Driven Remote Optimization#DataCenters #AI #MQTT #UnifiedNamespace #UNS #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #Ignition #Opto22 #IIoT #DigitalTransformation #energytechpodcast 00:00 Introduction & Data Center Discovery Day 202600:59 How Data Centers Have Changed in One Year02:06 Data Centers as AI Factories03:17 Opto 22's History in Telecom & Infrastructure05:57 MQTT Growth in Data Centers06:33 Unified Namespace & Edge Computing07:18 Data Democratization & Contextualized Data09:10 Energy, Tokens & Business Visibility10:17 Why the Edge Matters12:22 Common Edge Architecture Mistakes13:21 Decoupling Systems with MQTT15:52 Cybersecurity Benefits of Publish-Subscribe Architectures18:28 AI in Operations: Hype vs Reality20:40 Opto 22's Role in AI-Ready Infrastructure21:35 Connecting Technology to Business Outcomes22:36 The Power of Industrial Ecosystems24:16 What's Next for Opto 22?25:01 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Mike McCabe from Nazomi Networks to discuss the growing importance of OT cybersecurity in industrial environments.The conversation explores how industrial cybersecurity has evolved over the past decade, the increasing threat from nation-state actors, and why energy operators, manufacturers, and critical infrastructure companies must rethink their OT security posture.Topics include:OT vs IT cybersecurity challengesIndustrial asset visibility and threat detectionEast-west traffic monitoring in OT networksAI and machine learning in cybersecurityProtecting critical infrastructure and industrial operationsNation-state attacks and operational disruptionDrone and wireless threat detectionAsset inventory, vulnerability management & proactive defenseAI guardrails and secure industrial AI workflowsHow Nazomi Networks approaches OT monitoring and visibilityIf you're involved in industrial operations, SCADA, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, or OT cybersecurity, this episode provides practical insights into protecting operational environments from modern threats.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, OT cybersecurity, SCADA, AI, and energy technology.#OTCybersecurity #NazomiNetworks #IndustrialCybersecurity #SCADA #CriticalInfrastructure #EnergyIndustry #IndustrialAutomation #AI #OperationalTechnology #ENTELEC2026 #Cybersecurity #ICS #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 – Intro from ENTELEC 202600:18 – Meet Mike McCabe from Nazomi Networks01:03 – Entering the OT cybersecurity space01:47 – When OT cybersecurity became a major priority02:26 – The real cost of operational downtime03:13 – Nation-state attacks and equipment damage04:04 – Why OT environments remain vulnerable05:10 – Where Nazomi Networks fits into OT security05:44 – Asset visibility, AI & proactive monitoring06:54 – North-south vs east-west traffic visibility08:04 – IT/OT convergence and security challenges09:03 – Real-world customer deployment examples10:32 – Proactive OT asset management10:41 – Private LTE, wireless & cloud-connected OT11:19 – Drone traffic detection and wireless threats12:12 – Nation-state cyberattack concerns13:19 – Protecting human safety through OT security14:00 – Security strategy for regional operators15:10 – Outcomes-based OT cybersecurity15:41 – Asset inventory and threat landscape visibility16:26 – AI agents and cybersecurity guardrails17:18 – How Nazomi uses AI and machine learning17:56 – AI-assisted alert triage and automation18:06 – How to get started with Nazomi Networks18:34 – Closing thoughts from ENTELEC 2026Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

YouTube DescriptionIn this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Inductive Automation’s Data Center Discovery Day 2026 in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Travis Cox, Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation.The conversation dives deep into the future of industrial automation, Unified Namespace (UNS), edge architectures, AI-ready data, MQTT, Sparkplug B, and where Ignition is headed next with AI, orchestration, and agentic workflows.Travis shares insights into:Ignition 8.3 and modern deployment architecturesWhy AI readiness starts at the edgeThe rise of Unified Namespace in industrial systemsOT and IT convergenceKubernetes, containers, REST APIs & GitHub workflowsData orchestration and digital infrastructureAI copilots and agentic workflows for operationsHistorical data usability and context modelingWhat to expect at ICC 2026If you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, data centers, manufacturing, OT infrastructure, or AI-enabled operations, this episode provides a high-level look at where the industry is rapidly heading.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, SCADA, MQTT, AI, and operational technology.#IgnitionSCADA #InductiveAutomation #UnifiedNamespace #MQTT #SparkplugB #IndustrialAI #SCADA #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAutomation #DataCenters #OTIT #AIInfrastructure #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 – Intro from Data Center Discovery Day 202600:20 – Meet Travis Cox of Inductive Automation01:08 – What changed from last year’s message02:09 – The rise of Unified Namespace (UNS)03:25 – Why AI readiness starts at the edge04:08 – Centralized SCADA vs edge architectures05:08 – MQTT, Sparkplug B & edge translation layers05:21 – Ignition 8.3 and data orchestration06:09 – Blending OT and IT technologies06:58 – GitHub, REST APIs & Kubernetes deployments07:43 – OT/IT convergence and collaboration08:07 – Biggest mistakes companies are making09:21 – When AI becomes operationally useful10:18 – AI-assisted Ignition development10:43 – Natural language interfaces for operations11:06 – Agentic workflows and predictive operations11:41 – MCP and industrial AI platforms12:18 – AI roadmap leading into ICC13:06 – Industry-specific agents vs flexible platforms14:15 – Building customizable AI agent platforms15:15 – Travis Cox’s vision for digital infrastructure16:35 – Personal takeaways from Discovery Day17:44 – “Don’t worry about data anymore” philosophy18:25 – Sneak peek at ICC 2026 announcements19:11 – Closing thoughtsPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Stuart McCone, Founder and CEO of VideoSoft.Stuart shares how VideoSoft built ultra low-bandwidth video technology designed specifically for harsh industrial environments, remote infrastructure, and mission-critical operations.The conversation dives into:Real-time video over limited bandwidth networksLow latency video for oil & gas operationsEdge video processing and compressionDrone and BVLOS video applicationsVideo AI and machine learning at the edgeOT cybersecurity and encrypted video transportSCADA, telecom, and operational network integrationHow operators can deploy video reliably in remote environmentsVideoSoft is actively supporting some of the largest critical infrastructure deployments in North America, including large-scale midstream energy operations where reliable video transport across constrained networks is essential.Topics Covered:✅ Low-bandwidth video technology✅ Critical infrastructure communications✅ BVLOS drone video✅ Edge AI video analytics✅ Operational technology (OT) networks✅ Video compression for harsh environments✅ Oil & gas telecom infrastructure✅ Cybersecurity for industrial video systems✅ Real-time video transportIf you're involved in industrial networking, SCADA, OT cybersecurity, drones, video analytics, or remote operations — this episode offers practical insight into how modern video architectures are evolving for industrial environments.🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, SCADA, AI, edge computing, OT cybersecurity, and energy technology innovation.#VideoSoft #IndustrialVideo #SCADA #OilAndGas #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAI #ENTELEC #Cybersecurity #BVLOS #OperationalTechnology #IndustrialAutomation #IIoT #energytechpodcast 00:00 – Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:36 – Meet Stuart McCone, Founder of VideoSoft01:06 – Building Video Technology for Harsh Environments01:58 – The Rise of IoT & Industrial Video03:09 – Solving Low Bandwidth Video Challenges03:49 – Critical Infrastructure, Latency & Terrain Challenges04:41 – Video in 24/7 Industrial Control Rooms05:32 – How VideoSoft Compresses Video at the Edge06:13 – Simplicity, Reliability & Cybersecurity07:40 – Where VideoSoft Fits in OT Architectures08:20 – “Thread Through a Straw” Video Compression Analogy09:32 – Real-World Industrial Video Use Cases10:15 – Defense, Aviation, Drones & Energy Applications10:30 – 30,000 Camera Deployment with Enterprise Products11:15 – VideoSoft Platform & Proprietary Protocols12:07 – BVLOS Drone Video & Remote Operations13:20 – Extending Drone Operations with Low Bandwidth Video14:18 – AI & Machine Learning for Industrial Video15:10 – Connecting Edge AI Detection to Operations16:42 – The Future of Automation & Video Systems17:51 – How Customers Deploy VideoSoft18:30 – Simplifying Deployment for Industrial Operators19:22 – Scaling Video Technology for Critical Infrastructure20:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing