006 - Automation and Smart Agriculture

In this episode, we're continuing our journey inside the ISA Automation Summit and Expo in Orlando. Our conversations kept returning to three questions. How do we protect critical infrastructure, especially water? How do we keep up with new regulations like Europe's Cyber Resilience Act? And how do we bring AI into the plant safely? ISA talked to experts on each of these topics... and their answers are more hopeful, and more practical, than the headlines suggest.

In this episode, we're taking you inside the ISA Automation Summit and Expo in Orlando. The tech was great: robots, AI, and new standards. But the same theme kept coming up in hallway conversations. Automation depends on people. And people, even the most accomplished ones, doubt themselves. This episode features interviews with our keynote speaker, our president, our president-elect, and some of the best voices in our community, on how to build courage, find your people, and grow your career.

This episode of Podomation is an encore presentation of a panel presented during the ISA Automation Summit & Expo in September 2026.This session examined practical, risk-focused methods for securing operational technology in the water sector. We explored how frameworks such as ISA/IEC 62443 and programs like the NRWA Cybersecurity Circuit Rider help utilities of all sizes prioritize meaningful risk reduction rather than merely checking compliance boxes.Presenters:Moderator: Marco AyalaSteve MustardChad PaxsonGraham NasbyJohn DeGour

The recent cyberattacks against water systems have raised concerns throughout the US water sector. What should system operators consider as they move to assess their risk, shore up vulnerabilities and ensure that water systems are adequately protected? This episode addresses the role of standards such as ISA/IEC 62443, the impact of regulation and perhaps the most significant factor of all: operator training and preparation. Interested in more on this topic? Attend an upcoming ISA training: Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Water/Wastewater Industry Professionals - in person at the ISA Automation Summit & Expo on 26 September, and virtual on 19 October. Visit https://www.isa.org/products/cybersecurity-awareness-training-for-water-wastewa Attend the ISA Automation Summit & Expo, where this topic will be the subject of a panel discussion on 28 September - visit ase.isa.org to registerRead "Cybersecurity in US Water Systems: Lessons from the Recent Incidents," by Steve Mustard  Panelists:Morgan Foor, ModeratorSteve Mustard, au2mationLeo Staples, Staples Farm and ISA Past PresidentArun Rajagopal, cybersecurity consultantCharles Stephens, National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

Join ISA for a recap of day two of the OT Cybersecurity Summit, held in June 2026 in Prague. Speakers include:Steve Mustard, au2mationIlja David, Iron OTGustav Martin Bartel, Robert Bosch GmbHDr. Lukasz Kister, HoneywellPetr Kopřiva, BDO Consulting s.r.o.Mark Harbord, UK Parliament

Join ISA for a recap of day one of the OT Cybersecurity Summit, held in June 2026 in Prague. Speakers include:Claire Fallon, ISAMegan Samford, Schneider ElectricTatyana Bolton, OT Cybersecurity CoalitionBerta Jarošová, Women4Cyber CzechiaCheri Caddy, Savannah River National Laboratory

Operational technology (OT) systems are vital for the control, operation and security of shipboard processes. But in today's threat landscape, is the maritime sector adequately defending against cyber attacks?  PanelistsMorgan Foor, ModeratorMarco Ayala, Director, Technical - Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CoE), Global Energy, ABS ConsultingSteve Mustard, President and CEO, National Automation, Inc.

From the next generation to ensuring our current automation professionals are prepared for leadership roles, developing career skills is a huge part of what we do at the International Society of Automation (ISA). Leadership and culture are the multipliers—building psychological safety, clarity, and opportunity. Attendees at the recent Automation Summit & Expo said that their favorite session was about leadership lessons from bees. ISA sat down after the event with the presenter of that session to get her thoughts. Speakers:- Liz Neiman, Host- Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, Bee Downtown 

In this special episode of our podcast, we cover ISA’s flagship event, the Automation Summit and Expo, which took place on 5-7 October 2025. From the expo floor to the keynote stage, everyone was focused on one idea: adapt faster. Today, we’ll go deep on security and cyber resilience, explore edge intelligence and how automation informs data-to-decisions, and hear how immersive training and ISA’s community are shaping the next generation.Speakers:- Liz Neiman, Host- Matt Bolick, Fortinet- Mike Bova, Acronis- Sachin Vasudeva, ZEDEDA- Adne Olsen, representing ISA100- Tom Liston, Bad Wolf Security- Joe Bastone, Honeywell- Bob Rice, Control Station- Brandon Turnage, IglooVision- Steve Mustard, National Automation, Inc.- Andrea Holovach, ISA- Elijah Bracken, Missouri University of Science and Technology- David Sanni, Houston Community College- Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, Bee Downtown- Ashley Weckwerth, ISA President-Elect- Leticia Zarpellon, Audubon Companies- Felipe Sabino Costa, MOXA Americas- Scott Reynolds, ISA President- Douglas Hurley, retired NASA astronaut

Farming is one of the oldest industries, but it faces some very modern opportunities and challenges in today's environment. Our panelists share how automation technologies can have a positive impact on farmers, and what cybersecurity measures those who work in the agriculture field should address.Panelists:Leo Staples, Staples Farm, ISA Past PresidentJim McGlone, CTO, Automation Strategy and PerformanceDr. Ali Dehghantanha, Founding Director, Cyber Science Lab, University of Guelph