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.