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:  

https://youtu.be/2Lwch5NEkWs  

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 

Safeguards Consulting Sponsors ASIS Milwaukee’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon

Safeguards Consulting is proud to reflect on our recent experience at the ASIS Greater Milwaukee Chapter’s Annual Law Enforcement (LE) Appreciation Luncheon, held on November 13th at the historic Bucyrus Club and Museum.  

As proud sponsors of this meaningful event, we had the unique opportunity to connect with dedicated law enforcement professionals and community leaders who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. 

Donald “Don” McInnes, our Physical Security and Fire Alarm Systems Specialist and Instructor, who is a member of the Milwaukee Chapter, attended the event. When we asked him about the event, he stated, “Our Greater Milwaukee ASIS Chapter’s Annual Event was very well attended by Southeast Wisconsin law enforcement leadership, including many Police Chiefs and their State and Federal LE partners. Our chapter has held this event for many years, which gives our private sector security an opportunity to acknowledge and thank our public sector LE community at no cost to their agency or departments.”   

The highlight of the luncheon was an enlightening presentation by Chris Litzkow, State Capitol Police Deputy Chief and Wisconsin Air Coordination Group (WI ACG) Co-Chair. His topic, titled “Wisconsin Air Coordination and The Statewide WI Drone Network,” offered a fascinating glimpse into the cutting-edge air resources that support law enforcement operations across the state. From planes and helicopters to the rapidly expanding use of drone technology, Deputy Chief Litzkow detailed how these assets are made available at no cost to local departments, regardless of the size of their community. 

This network of aerial support plays a crucial role in a wide range of law enforcement activities, including criminal investigations, search and rescue missions, and emergency response efforts. What stood out was the emphasis on accessibility and collaboration, ensuring that even smaller, resource-limited departments can leverage these advanced tools to enhance safety and efficiency. 

The presentation was not only informative but also inspiring, showcasing the innovative ways technology is transforming public safety in Wisconsin. Everyone who attended left the luncheon with renewed appreciation for the dedication of our law enforcement partners and the incredible resources at their disposal. 

McInnes went on to add in reflection, "It was an excellent presentation filled with many insights. Overall, the event was a great success, and our firm’s sponsorship helped offset the cost for law enforcement attending. I personally knew several of the Police Chiefs in attendance, including our former Milwaukee County Sheriff, whom I sat with, and it was great to renew those old friendships, especially with those who are now engaged in the private security sector.”   

Our firm is honored to support events such as this that celebrate and empower those who serve our communities, and we are happy to hear this year’s event was such a success.  

Additionally, we would like to thank McInnes for representing us, the ASIS Greater Milwaukee Chapter for hosting the event, LE for protecting our communities daily, the Bucyrus Club and Museum for hosting us, Terry Browne and Sean O’Neill for all their work preparing for the event, Chris Litzkow for taking the time to speak and share his expertise, Father Matthew Szymanski for the invocation, and everyone else who was involved in the overall success of the event.  

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ASIS Greater Milwaukee Chapter and contributing to initiatives that promote safety, collaboration, and innovation throughout the region. 

To read more about the event, visit:  

ASIS Milwaukee Chapter - Events