Webinar: Bridging IT–OT Gaps: OT-Led Data Transformation in Action

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Latest OT Insights

The recent advancements in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), have led to a significant upsurge in the operational technology market over the last few years. According to the Data Bridge Market Research analyses, in the forecast period of 2021 to 2028, the OT market is growing with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% and by 2028, it’s expected to project to 33,738.33 million USD. 

Gartner, a leading research company, defines Operational technology or OT as a system of hardware and software that monitors and controls changes in industrial equipment and processes. This technology is helps factories and industries in energy production and transmission, utilities, and transportation systems.

Adoption of Operational Technology

The increased spending on OT is pertinent to the convergence of OT and IT in industrial systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. 

Today, OT systems are reliant on IT information systems. OT deploys information from IT systems and the internet for adequate management of real-time plant operations.

This agility, however, has substantially augmented the cybersecurity risks. Since physical systems are now connected to firmware and software, hackers can easily target them for malicious activities. Because of this reason, it has become critical for industries to implement adaptability and flexibility in their day-to-day operations.

Latest Insights for OT security

Here we will highlight some OT security insights of businesses that employ the technology.

Insight: Centrally Visible OT system

Companies need centralized visibility to ensure optimum protection against cyberattacks. Most of the leading global industries have already achieved full or at least half visibility of their OT activities.

Insight: Cybersecurity Is Critical

Companies that conduct manufacturing processes in an operational technology need to embed security within the operations. More than half of OT leaders of top-tier companies are directly responsible for ensuring cybersecurity at the workplace.

Insight: Automated Compliance Reporting

Regular reports and compliance has become a pressing concern of businesses. Most top-tier organizations deploy automated reporting across the enterprise to acquire real-time security tracking and timely reporting of the risks and threats.

Conclusion

Industries need to focus on security awareness in their organization. Incorporating zero-trust access for users can considerably increase the security of operational technology systems.

Dexcent is a recognized OT solution provider in Canada. They offer data cybersecurity for industrial control systems and affordable IT and OT engineering solutions throughout the country. They have a team of technical experts and engineers who can listen to your concerns and provide cutting-edge technology solutions for all sorts of industrial problems. Feel free to contact them.

Andrew Capper

Vice President of Industrial Digital Transformation

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Andrew Capper is Vice President of Industrial Digital Transformation at Dexcent, helping industrial organizations improve data-driven decision-making by optimizing the data journey, reuniting siloed information, and delivering a trustworthy version of the truth.

With more than 25 years of experience, he is known as a results-driven leader who delivers on commitments and tackles complex information management challenges with a practical, human-centric approach. His work spans digital transformation strategy and roadmaps, governance, digital maturity assessments, and performance measurement through clear KPIs and metrics. Andrew is a NAIT graduate with training in Instrumentation Engineering Technology and Security Systems, and he brings a strong focus on safer, more effective operations from data producers through to data consumers

Nader Asgharinia

MP, P.Eng.

Vice President of Enterprise SCADA & Advanced Applications.

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Nader Asgharinia, PMP, P.Eng., is Vice President of Enterprise SCADA & Advanced Applications at Dexcent, leading the delivery of complex, mission-critical solutions with a clear focus on client experience and operational excellence. With more than 30 years in business execution and over 25 years managing multi-million-dollar programs for mission-critical and SCADA systems, he brings a pragmatic, delivery-at-scale approach to every engagement. Nader is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving disciplined portfolio execution, and delivering measurable business outcomes, including significant growth in program portfolios and team capacity over time. He holds a B.Sc.(Hons.) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Type in the UK, a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary, completed Georgetown University’s Director’s Program, is a Professional Engineer in Alberta, and a Project Management Professional.

Gerrit Nel

CISSP, CISM – Vice President of OT Infrastructure and Cyber Security Services

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Tobias (Gerrit) Nel, CISSP, CISM, is Vice President of OT Infrastructure and Cyber Security Services at Dexcent, leading the development and delivery of practical services and solutions that integrate, complement, or replace OT infrastructure and protect OT assets from cyber threats. He is known for building resilient security frameworks, governance processes, and integrated solutions that reduce risk and support compliance across diverse industries. Gerrit has over 40 years of relevant IT/OT experience and has built and delivered highly skilled and high-performance delivery teams. His strengths include Cyber Security roadmaps, security architecture, incident response, and alignment to standards such as IEC 62443, NIST, and NERC CIP. Furthermore, he has deep foundational technical experience in Networking and OT infrastructure systems architectures that he leverages in building and leading successful delivery teams. Gerrit holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Johannesburg and brings deep cross-sector experience supporting clients in oil and gas, mining, chemical, healthcare, financial, and government environments.

Jaydeep Deshpande

P.Eng. – President

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Jaydeep Deshpande, P.Eng., is a seasoned and decisive executive with over 25 years of experience driving operational excellence, profitability, and market growth in national and multinational organizations. As President, he is recognized for his strategic leadership, disciplined execution, and ability to lead organizations through change. Jaydeep is passionate about developing people, building strong leadership teams, and fostering a positive, performance-driven culture. His expertise spans strategic planning, business diversification, financial management, and organizational transformation, with a consistent focus on delivering growth-oriented, profitable results. He holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta, is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and Project Management Professional (PMP), and has completed the CMA Accelerated Accounting Program, bringing deep financial and strategic insight to executive decision-making.

Karim Amarshi

Chairman of the Board

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Karim Amarshi is Chair of Dexcent’s Board of Directors, providing governance leadership and strategic oversight to support the company’s long-term strategy and executive team. With nearly 40 years as an entrepreneur and owner-operator, he is recognized for building high-performance organizations and forging strategic alliances across Information Technology, government, health care, education, and energy. He is the former co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of one of Canada’s leading enterprise Information Technology solution providers, where he led the organization through three successful mergers and helped scale long-term client and vendor partnerships. Karim remains active across a diverse business portfolio, serving as a founding principal, officer, and advisor to organizations spanning Information Technology, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and real estate in Canada and internationally.

Yasmin Jivraj

FCIPS, I.S.P. | Board Member

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Yasmin Jivraj, FCIPS, I.S.P., is a Board Member at Dexcent, providing executive guidance and strategic oversight to support corporate management and long-term business direction. Over a 35-year career, she has held senior leadership roles across private, public, and non-profit organizations, with a track record of building operating foundations and driving profitable growth. Following a 15-year tenure as a co-owner and President of one of Canada’s leading strategic Information Technology solution providers, she expanded her governance leadership through active board service in post-secondary education and community-focused organizations. She is recognized for decisive, purpose-led leadership, clear communication, and deep expertise in technology, business models, and methodologies that help enterprise organizations advance digital transformation.

Nadir Jivraj

CEO, Board Member

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As Chief Executive Officer, Nadir is accountable for providing overall leadership and Dexcent’s Industrial operational performance. Nadir has been involved as an executive sponsor with Oil & Gas and Mining companies for over 35 years, and through the years has developed a strong working relationship with the Executive leadership team of many Fortune 500 companies.

Nadir is known for recognizing value and superior investment opportunities in the technology services sector. His pursuit of highly prospective technology companies around the world has resulted in numerous company start-ups. Prior to starting Dexcent, Nadir had led companies through highly profitable business transactions, including the merger of Atlas Systems Group with CompCanada (later renamed Acrodex) in 2000 and later as Chairman of the Board of Axcend Pvt – an engineering solutions provider – based in Bangalore, India from 2004 – 2014. Acrodex and Axcend were sold in 2015