Ransomware attacks targeting industrial sectors such as manufacturing, oil, and gas have surged in 2024. According to a report, nearly 1,700 attacks were recorded, an increase of 87% from the previous year. Among the affected companies, 25% were forced to halt operations, while 75% experienced varying levels of operational disruption.
At the same time, many operational technology (OT) systems remain highly vulnerable. A study by Claroty found that 40% of organizations have at least one device insecurely connected to the internet, and around 31% have a connected device with a known, exploitable vulnerability.
Expert Analysis
Industrial control systems were never designed for modern cyber warfare, yet they are now prime targets for ransomware gangs and state-backed hackers alike. The idea that OT environments remain isolated from IT threats is a dangerous myth, as seen in this wave of attacks. The increasing connectivity of OT systems, driven by digital transformation and remote monitoring needs, has created an easy entry point for cybercriminals.
What was once a domain of air-gapped security has now become a high-risk battlefield. Until organizations treat OT with the same level of scrutiny as IT security, attacks will continue to escalate, and downtime will become an industry-wide liability rather than an isolated incident.
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