Among the primary risks are inadequate security measures and insufficient resources allocated to OT cybersecurity, challenges surrounding regulatory compliance, and the complexities of IT/OT integration. These findings Kaspersky and VDC Research have revealed at GITEX Asia 2025.
The research "Securing OT with Purpose-built Solutions" aims to analyze the current state of Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity and provides valuable insights into the key business and technical trends affecting OT organizations, in addition to identifying the best practices being implemented to address these challenges. The findings are derived from ongoing research in the OT cybersecurity sector, conducted by VDC Research over several years, and a survey involving over 250 OT and IT decision-makers from various industries, including energy, utilities, transportation, logistics, and manufacturing.
According to the
study, nearly a third (31.1%) of industrial companies are primarily or entirely
dependent on manual processes or are just starting to implement digital
technologies for specific tasks, while almost a quarter (22.7%) have already
integrated some connected digital technologies. Despite these varying
levels of digitalization, a remarkable majority (63.6%) of industrial
organizations expressed their intention to achieve the 'fully digital' stage of
their transformation—characterized by proactive and continuous enhancement of
digital capabilities—within the next two years.
However, the cybersecurity risks inherent in connecting operational technology (OT) systems can significantly undermine the benefits of digital transformation. With an increasing number of organizations moving towards a fully connected digital environment, cybersecurity concerns emerge as the most frequently cited factor negatively impacting the implementation of digital technologies in OT settings, affecting 39.3% of respondents.
When discussing
specific cybersecurity concerns that hinder companies' adoption of digital
technologies, respondents highlighted several critical issues: 46.6% pointed to
inadequate security measures within their existing infrastructure, while an
equal percentage cited insufficient budgets or personnel dedicated to
addressing operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. Additionally, 42.7%
acknowledged the challenges of regulatory compliance, and 41.7% emphasized the
complexities of IT/OT integration.
Despite these
concerns, it is important to recognize that cybersecurity serves as an enabling
technology for digital transformation. Without robust protection for data and
systems, the full potential of digital technologies remains unrealized, as such
concerns can erode trust and hinder an organization's digitalization journey.
“As connectivity and
reliance on digital technologies continues to grow, the potential for cyber
threats rises as well. It is crucial for industrial organizations to adopt
robust cybersecurity solutions to ensure that while they implement new OT
systems and enhance their overall efficiency, they simultaneously mitigate
potential cyber risks that could result in significant disruptions and
financial losses,” stated Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity
Product line at Kaspersky.
For OT customers,
Kaspersky provides a unique ecosystem that seamlessly integrates specialized
OT-grade technologies, expert knowledge, and invaluable expertise. Kaspersky
Industrial Cybersecurity (KICS), a native XDR platform for critical
infrastructure, is the cornerstone of this OT ecosystem, that offers
centralized asset inventory, risk management, and audit, and enables security
scalability across diverse, distributed infrastructure via a single platform.
To read the full
report ‘Securing OT with Purpose-built Solutions’, please visit the website. To learn more about Kaspersky
Industrial Cybersecurity, please follow the link.
About VDC Research 关于 VDC Research
Founded in 1971, VDC
Research provides in-depth insights to technology vendors, end users and
investors across the globe. As a market research and consulting firm, VDC's
coverage of AutoID, enterprise mobility, industrial automation and loT and
embedded technologies is among the most advanced in the industry, helping its
clients make critical decisions with confidence. Offering syndicated reports
and custom consultation, its methodologies consistently provide accurate
forecasts and unmatched thought leadership for deeply technical markets.
Located in Southborough, Massachusetts, VDC prides itself on its close personal
relationships with clients, delivering an attention to detail and a unique
perspective that is second to none.
