Rise in Targeted Attacks on OT Environments

October 10, 2025
By Pratik Surendra Bhosale
Senior Director, Global Cybersecurity Services

Summary

Over the past 90 days, multiple client environments operating Operational Technology (OT) systems have experienced a surge in targeted cyberattacks. Threat actors—including ransomware groups and state-sponsored entities—exploited legacy infrastructure and misconfigured cloud integrations. These attacks primarily affected telecom and manufacturing sectors, with 75% of industrial operators reporting OT-specific intrusions.

What's Happening

  • Ransomware groups targeted legacy OT systems with known vulnerabilities.
  • Misconfigured cloud integrations allowed lateral movement into OT networks.
  • State-sponsored actors infiltrated telecom and manufacturing sectors.
  • Phishing and business email compromise (BEC) were common initial access methods.
  • 3 out of 4 industrial operators reported OT-specific intrusions.
  • Attackers exploited lack of segmentation between IT and OT networks.

Why It Matters

  • OT environments control critical physical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing lines.
  • A successful cyberattack can halt production, endanger lives, and disrupt essential services. As IT and OT systems converge, attackers are exploiting visibility gaps and governance blind spots.
  • Without unified security strategies, organizations risk operational downtime, safety incidents, and regulatory penalties.

Recommendations

  • Audit OT networks for shadow devices and undocumented assets.
  • Apply Zero Trust principles across both IT and OT environments.
  • Enhance SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) tracking for vulnerability management.
  • Upskill engineering teams on secure deployment and operational security.
  • Implement strong network segmentation and proactive threat hunting.

Additional Resources

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