Manufacturers Face Rising Cyber Threats Amid IT/OT Convergence

• •82% of manufacturers faced cyber incidents in the past year, with 57% impacting OT environments.
• •71% are investing over $1 million in OT security, with 50% using AI-driven tools.
• •Cybersecurity has become a boardroom priority, emphasizing operational resilience.

In the past year, 82% of manufacturers experienced cyber incidents, with 57% directly impacting operational technology (OT) environments. Common attack vectors included malware (43%), network intrusions (35%), and supply chain compromises (31%). As manufacturers modernize and connect their production systems, the attack surface is expanding, making traditional security measures inadequate. In response, 71% of manufacturers are investing over $1 million in OT security for 2026, with 50% deploying AI-driven security tools. The urgency for improved cybersecurity measures is underscored by the increasing sophistication of threats, including ransomware and zero-day vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity is now a boardroom imperative, focusing on maintaining production and operational resilience. The industry is shifting towards greater visibility, segmentation, and policy-led containment to manage risks effectively.