Rob O'Connor

I am a Chartered Engineer and Principal OT Cybersecurity Consultant with 24 years of experience in delivering secure, resilient, and standards-aligned OT, BMS, EPMS, PLC, and ICS architectures within mission-critical environments, such as hyper-scale data centres, pharmaceutical facilities, and healthcare. My expertise spans IEC 62443-based secure design, OT network segmentation, protocol hardening, secure remote access, and the implementation of defence-in-depth strategies across complex operational technology environments.

My career has covered leading OT cybersecurity designs for advanced liquid-cooled data centres across Europe, developing hardened BMS/EPMS architectures that integrate risk assessments, MITRE ATT&CK® for ICS, and best-practice security controls. These have included delivery of secure OT network designs and regulatory compliance assurance for major pharmaceutical clients and playing a key role in global ICS/BMS modernisation projects at Meta, including the migration to Schneider M580 PLC platforms and secure OPC UA architectures.

I have led significant remediation programmes, including the redesign of the National Children's Hospital automation network following a ransomware attack, delivering a fully segmented, IEC 62443-compliant architecture. My early career in controls engineering, spanning programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and integration across multiple BMS platforms, gives solid technical underpinning and deep insight into OT protocols, network behaviour, and Level 0-2 device interactions.

I bring extensive experience in the design of secure, resilient OT systems; the production of high-quality technical documentation; the coordination of multidisciplinary teams; and cybersecurity improvements that materially reduce operational risk. I have experience in delivering secure-by-design architectures from concept through commissioning, ensuring robust protection and long-term maintainability for critical OT environments.

• Currently pursuing the GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP) certification through SANS.
• Completed the full suite of ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity certifications: Cybersecurity Expert, Fundamentals Specialist, Risk Assessment Specialist, Design Specialist, and Maintenance Specialist.
• Achieved CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification in 2024.
• Achieved CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certification in 2024.
• Awarded Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through CIBSE in 2020.
• Achieved Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification through AEE in 2015.
• Completed Diploma in Advanced Psychology (CMIT) in 2010.
• Earned BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering (1.1), I.T. Tallaght, in 2003.
• Completed Diploma in Electronic Engineering, I.T. Tallaght, in 2001.