Industrial Defender Releases Inaugural State of OT Cybersecurity Research Survey Report

Industrial Defender, a leader in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity innovation, today released the results from their inaugural 2022 State of OT Cybersecurity Research. The research survey was completed by 101 OT/ICS security professionals across 10 industries between October 2021 and May 2022. The findings show organizations are focused on solving specific gaps and overlaps across OT security, while trying to better integrate with big picture IT security strategies and goals. 

"Our research indicates that the rapid evolution of both cybersecurity threats and cyber-related compliance regulations, along with staffing shortages, is creating demand for security solutions and programs that can empower OT teams to defend their organization's unique environments more efficiently," said Jay Williams, CEO at Industrial Defender. "Today's landscape requires a new commitment from IT and OT teams and senior leadership, to create formalized transformational programs that strategically address the technology and talent gaps that ultimately stand in the way of achieving end-to-end cyber resilience."

Industrial Defender's 2022 State of OT Cybersecurity Research Report key findings include:

• The unique constraints of OT environments demand multiple paths to both security and compliance.

Teams are deploying multiple platforms and solutions to safeguard their control environments, layering passive and manual collection tools with other solutions. There is a broad distribution of governance models, with organizations splitting nearly evenly between being led by IT, OT or via shared responsibility.

• People-adjacent challenges are outpacing technology-centered problems.

Budget limitations are the top barrier to OT security success with lack of in-house expertise and in-house politics close behind, showing that many OT teams are facing people-related barriers to doing their jobs successfully. 

• Top drivers of risk strategy are overwhelmingly external.

Most respondents, at 39%, were most focused on meeting government regulations, while 35% were motivated by fear of the attacks themselves.

• OT leaders are working to stay out in front of a rapidly changing threat landscape.

The survey period, from October 2021 to May 2022, saw an industry still absorbing the impact of Colonial, as worries about Russia and Ukraine grew. Respondents rated ransomware as the largest current driver of security strategy, at 62%, followed by concerns about hostile nation state attacks.

• Most organizations are committed to moving away from manual data collection processes where possible.

When we asked respondents about future data collection plans, it's clear that both passive and active data collection methods have a role to play. 

To download the full 2022 State of OT Cybersecurity Research Report, visit https://www.industrialdefender.com/2022-state-of-ot-cybersecurity-research-report/.