The integration of IT and operational technology (OT) has brought major benefits in terms of efficiency, scalability, and resilience. However, this convergence has also significantly expanded the attack surface, exposing manufacturers to cyber threats. The most damaging incidents affected enterprise IT systems or production control, with financial losses ranging from $200,000 to $2 million per breach.
Historically, industrial firms relied on air gapping—isolating OT systems from corporate networks—to prevent cyber intrusions. However, as IT and OT systems become increasingly interconnected, this approach is no longer sufficient. Nearly 90% of industry leaders now recognize the importance of IT-OT integration in achieving better business outcomes, yet only 45% of manufacturers are well-prepared to secure this convergence effectively.
The report highlights that cyber-to-physical security attacks account for three-quarters of incidents in the manufacturing sector. Advanced persistent threats (APT), malware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks remain the most prevalent threats targeting OT systems. Despite these risks, responsibility for OT security remains fragmented, leaving many firms without clear leadership in cybersecurity. CISOs and IT security executives are increasingly taking charge of OT security, but the lack of skilled professionals with expertise in both IT and OT is pushing many organizations to seek external cybersecurity support.
To mitigate these growing threats, cybersecurity experts emphasize the need for a structured approach that includes strengthening collaboration and strategic planning, defining clear cybersecurity roadmaps, enhancing technical expertise, assigning accountability, utilizing the right security tools, and accelerating cybersecurity maturity through established frameworks.
As the manufacturing sector continues its transition into Industry 4.0, strengthening cybersecurity strategies will be critical to safeguarding critical operations and ensuring resilience against evolving cyber threats.
Source: IT Pro
The European Cyber Intelligence Foundation is a nonprofit think tank specializing in intelligence and cybersecurity, offering consultancy services to government entities. To mitigate potential threats, it is important to implement additional cybersecurity measures with the help of a trusted partner like INFRA www.infrascan.net, or you can try yourself using check.website.