OT Cyberattacks Proliferating Despite Growing Cybersecurity Spend

The increase in attacks on operational technology (OT) systems is driven by nation-state actors and profit-driven cybercriminals. The complexity of OT environments, the convergence of IT and OT, insider attacks, and supply chain vulnerabilities contribute to the lack of success in defending against these attacks. Many organizations focus on visibility and detection without prevention, which opens up new attack surfaces. Cyber physical systems (CPS), which combine IT, OT, IoT, and IIoT, have expanded the attack surface for attackers. Isolating production assets from the internet is no longer sufficient protection, and a modern approach is needed. Implementing a zero trust mechanism at the device level can protect CPS fleets and support uninterrupted processes. Device OEMs should prioritize robust cybersecurity measures from the design stage to the entire lifecycle of their products. Organizations should seek industry-specific solutions that comply with emerging regulations.