Modernizing American Critical Infrastructure: Why the Need is Urgent, and Where to Begin

September 9, 2025

This article was originally published in S.C. Media.

In a recent conversation hosted by the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), Cory Simpson, CEO of ICIT, welcomed Barry Mainz, CEO of Forescout Technologies, to discuss the pressing need to modernize and secure the nation’s critical infrastructure.

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Simpson opened by highlighting ICIT’s mission to make infrastructure resilient and secure, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships and the support of organizations like Forescout Technologies. Mainz, drawing on over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and operational technology (OT), reflected on the dramatic shift in awareness among policymakers.

“A year ago, we were still trying to figure out why we should care about critical infrastructure. Now, people get it—it’s the new battleground,” Mainz noted.

He pointed to the growing recognition of threats such as quantum computing, which could soon render current encryption methods obsolete, and the need for proactive investment in quantum-resistant technologies. Both leaders agreed that many OT systems are aging and financially difficult to upgrade, making it essential to prioritize funding and public understanding of these vulnerabilities.

Navigating emerging threats and solutions

The discussion turned to the evolving threat landscape, with Mainz warning of the increasing sophistication of adversaries. He described how agentic AI—autonomous systems capable of learning and acting without human intervention—can be leveraged by bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities at scale. However, Mainz also emphasized the potential for AI to strengthen defenses, enabling faster software development and more effective integration of security solutions.

Simpson and Mainz addressed the challenges of funding and public awareness, likening the situation to environmental reforms of the past: “People don’t understand OT infrastructure, so they don’t vote to fund it,” Mainz observed.

They stressed the importance of clear communication and marketing to help the public and policymakers grasp the real-world impact of infrastructure security on daily life.

Call to action

The conversation concluded with a call to action: act now, invest in proven technologies, and foster collaboration across sectors to build a resilient future. As Simpson summarized, “The resilience of our critical infrastructure depends on real partnerships, clear direction, and leadership.”

About ICIT

The Institute  for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)3think tank with the mission of modernizing, securing, and making resilient critical infrastructure that provides for people’s foundational needs. ICIT takes no institutional positions on policy matters. Rather than advocate, ICIT is dedicated to being a resource for the organizations and communities that share our mission. By applying a people-centric lens to critical infrastructure research and decision making, our work ensures that modernization and security investments have a lasting, positive impact on society.

Learn more at www.icitech.org/.

ICIT CONTACTS:

Parham Eftekhari

Founder and Chairman

parham@icitech.org 

Cory Simpson

Chief Executive Officer

cory@icitech.org