Cybersecurity Insights - OT Threat Landscape Update

September 29, 2025
By Debojyoti Goswami

What Happened

Over the past 90 days, Operational Technology (OT) environments have seen a sharp rise in targeted cyberattacks.

Ransomware groups exploited legacy systems and misconfigured cloud integrations.

State-sponsored actors infiltrated telecom and manufacturing sectors.

3 out of 4 industrial operators reported OT-specific intrusions, with phishing and business email compromise leading the way.

Why This Matters

Unlike IT systems, OT environments control critical physical infrastructure—power grids, water treatment plants, and manufacturing lines.

A successful attack doesn’t just steal data, it can halt production, endanger lives, and disrupt essential services.

As IT and OT converge, blind spots in visibility and governance are being exploited by attackers.

Immediate Actions to Consider

Audit OT networks for shadow devices and undocumented assets.

Adopt Zero Trust principles across both IT and OT layers.

Enhance SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) tracking for effective vulnerability management.

Upskill engineering teams on secure deployment and operational security practices.

The Bigger Picture

The traditional OT air gap is gone. As organizations embrace cloud, AI, and remote access, attackers gain new opportunities.

Regulatory pressure on OT security is increasing worldwide.

To remain resilient, enterprises must unify IT and OT strategies, ensuring:

Full visibility into assets and traffic

Strong network segmentation

Proactive threat hunting

Bottom line: OT security is no longer optional – it’s a strategic necessity.

Reference Links:

Qilin Leads Ransomware Groups Attacks For July 2025

Jaguar Land Rover shuts down production after cyber attack; asks employees to stay home – The Times of India