The world we’ll be faced with tomorrow demands big ideas today. In Jacobs’ series of interviews with some of today’s leading industry and academic problem solvers, we discuss the Ifs and Whens of disruption - those phenomena with the potential to unsettle the status quo, as well as those now imminent and emerging.
Resilience by Design: Safeguarding Water Utilities From Cyber Threats
According to Check Point Research and Reuters, cyberattacks on U.S. utilities in 2024 increased nearly 70% compared to the year before, leading to an average of 69 attacks every week. In 2025, the trend continued, in the U.S and globally. What can water utilities do to protect themselves from these digital threats?
The answer is a nuanced one, as the challenges extend beyond outdated software and ageing infrastructure. Most water utilities globally are undergoing rapid digital transformation to respond to higher demands from communities, councils and authorities. This has opened more opportunities for cyberthreats, driving more challenges for cybersecurity in Operational Technology (OT) environments. Unlike conventional Information Technology (IT) systems, OT systems directly control pumps, valves, and treatment processes. An attack on OT can have immediate, real-world consequences for water quality, safety and public health.
The OT environment at Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is a success story as it protects one of the largest regional water and wastewater utilities in the U.S., servicing more than 20 counties and cities and 1.5 million people. Thanks to its signature program of embedded visibility, governance and consequence-driven planning, it can serve as a blueprint for water utilities globally.
Today we’ll talk about how to apply this cybersecurity blueprint with Ben Stirling, Director, Cybersecurity & OT at Jacobs, and Roger Caslow, Chief Information Security Officer, Hampton Roads Sanitation District.
21 Jun 2025
A Blueprint for Social Value: How Businesses Can Shape a Better Future
Dr. Mary-Kathryn Adams and Toyin Ogunfolaju discuss how businesses integrate social value strategies to drive growth, improve efficiency, and enhance reputation, creating long-term value for society; this is an interview episode.
12 Apr 2025
Global Guardians: Safeguarding the Health, Safety and Security of a Worldwide Workforce
Joe Olivarez, Dr. Myles Druckman, and Polly Willis discuss safeguarding a global workforce through integrated technology and local experience in this interview.
Who has been a guest on Jacobs: If/When
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Mary-Kathryn Adams
Toyin Ogunfolaju
Joe Olivarez
Dr Myles Druckman
Polly Willis
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
876,626
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
52
Social presence
97
YouTube
86
Engagement
85
Host of Jacobs: If/When?
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