Celebrating Excellence: Mike Holcomb Named Practitioner of the Year – ICS/OT Defender, Community Choice Award
/At Safeguards Consulting, we take immense pride in recognizing the outstanding achievements of our team members who go above and beyond to make a difference in security.
Today, we are proud to spotlight our Senior Cyber Security Advisor, Michael “Mike” Holcomb, who has been honored with the prestigious Practitioner of the Year – ICS/OT Defender, Community Choice award at the 2025 SANS Difference Makers Awards.
This distinguished award is a testament to Holcomb’s steadfast dedication, deep expertise, and impactful contributions in the critical field of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) security. As cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to the infrastructure that powers our daily lives, safeguarding these systems has never been more vital.
Advancing Cybersecurity Best Practices in Critical Infrastructure
Holcomb’s commitment extends beyond day-to-day defense. Through thought leadership, mentoring, and hands-on guidance, he has been instrumental in advancing cybersecurity best practices within the ICS/OT community. His holistic approach combines technical expertise with strategic insight, enabling organizations to build robust security postures that adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.
His tireless efforts have not only mitigated risks for countless critical infrastructure operators but also fostered a culture of security awareness and proactive defense. This award reflects the high regard the community holds for Holcomb as an influential advisor, advocate, and innovator in the field.
As he stated in the attached press release from SANS, “It can't be the OT side of the house and the IT side of the house. It's all the same house we live in, and we're trying to protect."
Inspiring the Safeguards Consulting Team and Beyond
Holcomb’s recognition as the Community Choice award recipient highlights the broad-based support and admiration he has earned from peers, clients, and industry leaders alike. At Safeguards Consulting, he stands as a shining example of professionalism and dedication that inspires our entire team to strive for excellence every day.
His leadership encourages us to push boundaries, embrace new challenges, and continuously seek innovative solutions to protect the vital systems that underpin our society’s safety and functionality.
Continued Leadership in Cyber Defense
As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we also look forward to his continued leadership in securing the future of industrial control systems and operational technology. His expertise remains a cornerstone of our mission to empower organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to defend against emerging cyber threats.
On behalf of everyone at Safeguards Consulting, we are proud to extend congratulations to Holcomb for this well-deserved accolade. His contributions are not only advancing the field of ICS/OT cybersecurity but also making our communities safer and more resilient every day.
To watch the entire award presentation, visit:
To view Holcomb accepting his award and to hear his speech, click:
https://youtu.be/2Lwch5NEkWs?t=2724
To learn more about the award, visit:
2025 SANS Difference Makers Awards: The Winners and Moments That Defined the Night | SANS Institute
