A new global study by Kaspersky, in collaboration with VDC Research, has revealed that 40% of enterprises face significant cybersecurity challenges as they attempt to digitalise their operational technology (OT) environments. The report highlights the critical hurdles standing in the way of safe and effective digital transformation, particularly for sectors like energy, transport, logistics, and manufacturing.
The research, titled “Securing OT with Purpose-Built Solutions,” draws from several years of market analysis and a recent survey of over 250 OT and IT decision-makers. It explores how industrial organisations are navigating the complex integration of digital technologies into their traditionally manual or semi-automated processes.
While global efforts toward digitalisation are gaining pace, the findings show a wide disparity in adoption. Around 31.1% of industrial companies globally (25.8% in the EMEA region) remain largely reliant on manual systems or are only beginning to apply digital tools in limited areas. In contrast, nearly 23% (22.7% globally; 21.5% in EMEA) have already begun integrating connected digital technologies. Encouragingly, a clear majority — 63.6% globally (67% in EMEA) — expressed plans to achieve full digital transformation within the next two years.
However, as these systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity has emerged as a major barrier. The study found that 39.3% of global respondents (43.8% in EMEA) view cybersecurity concerns as the top impediment to adopting digital technologies within OT environments.
Key security-related obstacles include:
- Inadequate security measures: Cited by 46.6% globally (49% in EMEA), reflecting gaps in existing infrastructure.
- Limited cybersecurity resources: The same proportion (46.6% globally; 46.9% in EMEA) noted budgetary or staffing limitations.
- Regulatory challenges: 42.7% globally (46.9% in EMEA) cited compliance requirements as a significant concern.
- Complex IT/OT integration: Identified by 41.7% globally (42.9% in EMEA) as a technical barrier to progress.
Despite these issues, experts emphasise that cybersecurity is not simply a defensive mechanism, but a core enabler of digital transformation. Without proper protection, the advantages of connected technologies risk being undermined by security breaches, system downtime, or loss of sensitive data.
“As connectivity and reliance on digital technologies continue to grow, the potential for cyber threats rises as well,” said Andrey Strelkov, Head of the Industrial Cybersecurity Product Line at Kaspersky. “It is crucial for industrial organisations 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.”
The report ultimately calls for greater investment in purpose-built OT cybersecurity solutions, backed by strategic planning and regulatory awareness, to allow industrial players to realise the full promise of digital transformation — safely and securely.
