Podcast: PrOTect It All (LS 27 · TOP 10% what is this?)
Episode: From NFL to OT Cybersecurity Why Trust and Teamwork Matter More Than Tools | Aaron Crow
Pub date: 2026-05-04

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Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology - it’s about people.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Sean Tufts for a conversation that goes far beyond tools and tactics. From the locker room to control rooms, Sean shares how his journey from professional football to OT cybersecurity shaped his approach to trust, teamwork, and leadership.

Together, they unpack one of the biggest challenges in OT environments: building trust between IT and OT teams. Because without trust, even the best tools fail.

You’ll learn:

Why trust is the foundation of OT cybersecurity success
How to bridge the gap between IT teams and engineers
The role of communication and empathy in security programs
Real-world lessons from segmentation failures and hidden network risks
Why diversity and teamwork drive stronger security outcomes
How leadership mindset shapes resilience in high-stakes environments

Whether you’re leading cybersecurity, working in OT environments, or building cross-functional teams, this episode delivers practical insights on the human side of security—where real progress happens.

Tune in to learn why the strongest cybersecurity programs are built on people, not just platforms only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

05:11 Importance of communication in tech

06:58 Learning from early career mistakes

11:40 Implementing network scanning in OT environments

15:50 Debating project priorities in cybersecurity

18:24 Improving system reliability and ROI

20:28 Convincing plants to self-fund projects

26:21 Creating layered RACI charts

26:57 Discussing people, process, and technology

31:15 Easy validations and big risks

34:35 Operators' productivity challenges

37:21 Network security in hospitals

42:25 Creating a safe network environment

43:10 Addressing network configuration issues

46:55 Different types of AI users

About the guest :

Sean Tufts is Field CTO at Claroty and a cybersecurity leader with deep expertise in industrial environments. With leadership roles at GE and Optiv, he has helped asset-intensive industries navigate the intersection of OT, IT, and cyber risk. Before cybersecurity, Sean was a standout linebacker and team captain at the University of Colorado and went on to play in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers bringing the same discipline, teamwork, and leadership mindset to securing critical infrastructure today.

How to connect Sean :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-tufts-36b4909/

Website: https://claroty.com/

Connect With Aaron Crow:

Website: www.corvosec.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrow

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

Email: info@protectitall.co
Website: https://protectitall.co/
X: https://twitter.com/protectitall
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrOTectITAll
FaceBook: https://facebook.com/protectitallpodcast

To be a guest or suggest a guest/episode, please email us at info@protectitall.co

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4

The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Aaron Crow, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.