Cyber Attacks Can Cost Billions
Cyber risk management is no longer optional for critical infrastructure. The financial impact of cyber-attacks now reaches hundreds of billions globally.
A recent analysis estimates that up to US $329.5 billion could be lost from OT cybersecurity incidents in a 1:250 tail scenario. This is not a distant possibility. Industrial cybersecurity threats are growing as once-isolated operational technology (OT) systems become connected.
Supply chains, power grids, and manufacturing plants are now prime targets. Effective OT security risk management is essential to prevent catastrophic disruption.
Indirect Costs: The Hidden Multiplier in OT Cybersecurity
The true financial impact of cyber-attacks often lies in indirect costs. Research shows that 70% of OT cybersecurity breaches create indirect damage rather than direct system compromise.
These secondary costs include:
- Lost production
- Supply chain disruptions
- Emergency response measures
- Long-term reputation damage
For most organisations, indirect costs far exceed the immediate cost of system repair. This multiplier effect makes proactive OT cyber risk management critical.
Am I at Risk of a Cyber Attack in 2025?
The likelihood of cyber-attacks against industrial systems will only increase in 2025. With more interconnected OT environments, the attack surface continues to expand.
Every organisation running critical infrastructure is at risk. Manufacturing, energy, and transport are particularly vulnerable. Without strong cyber risk management strategies, the financial impact of cyber-attacks could escalate dramatically.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk of a Cyber-Attack
If companies do only one thing, it should be preparing for incident response. According to Marsh McLennan, incident response planning reduces cyber risk by an average of 18.46%.
Comprehensive planning should include:
- OT-specific incident response scenarios
- Regular tabletop exercises
- Pre-positioned data collection
These actions help organisations recover faster while reducing financial losses from cyber-attacks.
Steven’s Insights
Steven, Co-CEO of ZENDATA, shares his perspective on the financial and operational risks:
“In a 1-in-250-year tail-risk event, global OT cyber losses could escalate to approximately US $329.5 billion. This shows that rare but plausible disruptions can cause unprecedented financial damage.
Importantly, 70% of these costs come from indirect impacts like precautionary shutdowns and downstream operational disruptions. Businesses must anticipate these effects in their planning.”
Protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks
The best way to protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks includes three key steps:
CS Network Visibility & Monitoring
You cannot defend what you cannot see. Continuous network visibility and monitoring give organisations a clear picture of their OT and IT environments. By detecting unusual behaviour early, businesses can stop cyber threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This visibility is the foundation of effective cyber risk management.
Build a Defensible Architecture
A layered, defensible architecture makes it harder for attackers to move through systems. This involves segmenting networks, strengthening access controls, and hardening critical endpoints. By designing infrastructure with security at its core, organisations can reduce vulnerabilities and limit the financial impact of cyber-attacks.
Prepare with Incident Response Planning
Even with strong defences, breaches happen. Incident response planning ensures organisations can react quickly and recover with minimal disruption. OT-specific response plans, combined with simulation exercises, reduce downtime and secondary costs. Preparation transforms a potential crisis into a controlled event, protecting both operations and reputation.
Protect Your Organisation with ZENDATA
The financial impact of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure is too great to ignore. Proactive cyber risk management is no longer optional, it is essential. At ZENDATA, we specialise in protecting organisations with advanced OT cybersecurity strategies, from network visibility and monitoring to incident response planning.
Our team can help you build a defensible architecture, reduce risk, and safeguard business continuity.
Partner with ZENDATA today to protect your organisation’s most valuable asset, your data.
