The cyber threat landscape is likely to shift significantly this year. We’re seeing adversaries increase their focus on OT environments – the critical systems that keep the world running smoothly in the background of our daily lives.
Energy grids, manufacturing plants, and transportation systems are frontline strategic assets in geopolitical conflicts. Unlike IT systems, which largely manage data, OT systems control physical processes such as power generation, water treatment and industrial automation. A successful attack on OT can halt production, disrupt supply chains and even endanger lives of those managing the infrastructure and in wider society.
Escalating threats: CNI to remain in the crosshairs
The risks are therefore considerably higher, and the reasons behind these attacks continue to evolve. State-sponsored actors increasingly view critical infrastructure as viable targets in global disputes. Disrupting energy or transportation networks can destabilise economies and apply political pressure without firing a shot. At the same time digital transformation has expanded the attack surface. Legacy OT environments, often designed without cybersecurity in mind, are now exposed to sophisticated threats through interconnected networks.
The impact of an OT outage is often long-lasting, both financially and reputationally. A single disruption can cost millions – sometimes billions – in lost productivity and brand trust. For industries like energy and manufacturing, a period of downtime can be catastrophic to operations and supply chain. Ransomware, which dominated the headlines in 2025, increasingly threatens to cause operational chaos. We see opportunistic attacks as well as sophisticated campaigns designed to disrupt critical services.
As adversaries expand their targets and refine their tactics, protecting these environments requires a fundamental shift in mindset to protect OT infrastructure. Traditional IT security strategies don’t make the cut. Visibility is the first step. Organisations need a complete inventory of their OT assets, eliminating blind spots for attackers to exploit. Monitoring lets organizations not only see threats in their network but also allows them to log that information for later root cause analysis should an event occur.
Building robust defences
Network segmentation and access control are critical steps in reducing the attack surface and preventing cross-movement by attackers. Limiting remote connectivity and ensuring privileged accounts are tightly managed adds another layer of defence. Incident response must be tuned to OT incidents, which require specialised playbooks because shutting down systems isn’t always an option: doing so could halt critical services and create various safety risks. Response plans must prioritise operational continuity while containing threats effectively.
Most importantly, cybersecurity should not be siloed. IT, OT and executive leadership must collaborate to embed security into every layer of operations. Boards and CEOs must recognise that operational resilience is a measure of leadership credibility. Companies that fail to protect their OT environments risk more than disruption – they risk becoming collateral in a global cyber conflict.
Proactive OT security key for CNI resilience in 2026
Looking ahead, the risks for OT security in 2026 are clear. Enterprises must be proactive in planning and quick when responding to potential threats. Operational resilience will define competitive advantage in the coming year. By prioritising visibility and collaboration, businesses can turn OT security from a vulnerability into a strength. The enterprises that comprehensively plan and act will lead the next era of industrial security. Those that don’t will be left exposed in a world where disruption is the new weapon of choice.
