Almost 40% of industrial enterprises view cybersecurity as a significant challenge in digitalising their Operational Technology (OT) environments, according to a recent study by VDC Research. The report, titled "Securing OT with Purpose-built Solutions," highlights key risks, including inadequate security measures, insufficient resources for OT cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance challenges.
The research involved over 250 OT and IT decision-makers across industries like energy, utilities, and manufacturing. It reveals that nearly one-third of industrial companies still rely on manual processes or are just beginning to implement digital technologies. Conversely, 63.6% of organisations aim to achieve full digital integration within the next two years.
The study indicates that companies in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are slightly ahead in digitalisation. Only 22% remain in traditional processes, while 36% are running multiple connected technologies, and 33% have achieved full digital integration.
However, cybersecurity concerns are more pronounced in APAC, with 45% of respondents citing it as a barrier to adopting digital technologies, compared to 39.3% globally.
Key issues identified include inadequate security measures (46.6%), insufficient budgets (46.6%), and regulatory compliance challenges (42.7%). In APAC, 68% of respondents reported gaps in security capabilities, and 56% cited a lack of personnel or budget for enhancing their cybersecurity posture.
“As connectivity and reliance on digital technologies continues to grow, the potential for cyber threats rises as well,” stated Andrey Strelkov, head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky. “It is crucial for industrial organisations to adopt robust cybersecurity solutions to mitigate potential risks.”
Adrian Hia, managing director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, emphasised the importance of addressing outdated protocols and legacy systems as organisations strive for digital transformation. “Partnering with cybersecurity providers knowledgeable about the latest threats is essential,” he said.