Executive Summary
The 2026 OT Cybersecurity Annual Report marks the fifth edition of a global study tracking the evolution of security in Operational Technology (OT) environments. As industrial systems become increasingly digitized and interconnected with IT networks, cyber risk has shifted from a theoretical concern to an enduring operational challenge that affects safety and business resilience.
Threat Landscape and Security Posture
A widespread increase in incidents characterized the threat landscape in 2025 despite a lack of newly developed, purpose-built ICS malware.
- Incident Frequency: 60% of surveyed organizations experienced a cyber incident in their OT environment over the past 12 months, and half faced multiple attacks.
- IT-to-OT Spillover: A staggering 96% of OT security incidents stemmed from IT-level compromises—either through direct penetration (56%) or collateral damage (40%).
- Ransomware Persistence: Ransomware remains a critical threat, affecting 52% of respondents. Groups such as Qilin and Akira lead the field, with Qilin notably abusing trusted Windows drivers to evade security controls.
- Supply Chain Exposure: High-profile cases involving the "Scattered Lapsus$ Hunter" group highlighted vulnerabilities in supply chain platforms like Salesforce, which threat actors use to pivot into critical operational systems.
of OT security incidents resulted from IT-level compromises
of organizations perform frequent security updates
achieve asset coverage exceeding 90% despite frequent patching efforts
Persistent Challenges with Evolving Responses
While technical visibility has improved, organizations face structural "human and legacy" constraints that slow the translation of awareness into action.
- The Legacy Reality: Legacy equipment remains the foremost challenge for 15% of organizations. Rather than pursuing costly, disruptive replacements, 88% of organizations have opted to coexist with the risk, keeping these assets while implementing compensatory controls.
- Resource-Strained Teams: Despite a rise in dedicated OT security personnel—with 55% of large organizations now maintaining a workforce of over 100 people—teams remain under significant strain from the complexity of managing a mix of legacy and modern systems.
- Patching Gaps: While 90% of organizations perform frequent security updates, only 24% achieve asset coverage exceeding 90%. Compatibility issues and limited asset visibility are the primary technical barriers to comprehensive patching.
From Visibility to Action
The industry is moving beyond mere monitoring toward enforceable, integrated protection.
- Rising Budgets: Corporate commitment is growing, with 89% of organizations increasing OT security spending by more than 10% in 2025.
- Prioritization of Operations: Security investments increasingly guide operational criticality (which assets matter most to production) rather than technical urgency (vulnerability severity in isolation). 94% of CISOs expressed satisfaction with their security posture so long as operational delivery remains stable. This reflects that security strategies are now evaluated by their ability to maintain production continuity, rather than by their threat-detection capabilities.
- External Integration: Organizations increasingly rely on Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and external experts to bridge internal talent gaps and meet complex regulatory requirements.
of organizations increased their OT security spending by more than 10%
Looking Ahead
Over the next three years, OT cybersecurity will shape deeper IT-OT convergence and a shift toward human-centered security. Organizations are encouraged to view ransomware as an operational continuity challenge requiring proactive defense, not just incident response. The focus is shifting toward preventing disruption before it occurs, recognizing that downtime costs far exceed the investment in proactive defense. The path forward requires a pragmatic, layered defense strategy to protect mission-critical output in industrial environments.
Contents
As OT threats grow more sophisticated and persistent, the gap between awareness and enforceable protection has never been more consequential. TXOne Networks' 2026 Annual OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report draws on survey data from 200 C-level security decision-makers across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East to examine the real-world state of OT security, covering the threat actors and incidents organizations faced in 2025 and the chronic structural challenges that continue to hold defenses back.
This report traces how organizations are evolving from detection-focused strategies toward protection-first approaches and explains why the gap between frequent patching and comprehensive coverage remains dangerously wide. From year-over-year shifts in budgets and workforce priorities to a forward-looking analysis of ransomware evolution, regulatory pressure, and AI adoption, it offers security leaders a grounded, data-driven guide to building operational resilience in the years ahead.
Chapter 1 Threat Landscape and Security Posture
Ransomware, IT-OT spillover, and emerging threat actors. What organizations faced in 2025 and where defenses held—or failed.
Chapter 2 Persistent Challenges
Legacy systems, talent shortages, and the 96% IT-to-OT spillover rate that refuses to budge. Why chronic obstacles demand structural solutions.
Chapter 3 Year-over-Year Evolution
Budget increases, workforce expansion, and shifting vendor priorities. How organizations are maturing from detection-focused strategies to protection-first approaches.
Chapter 4 From Visibility to Action
Practical implementation of cybersecurity governance. How organizations identify cybersecurity risks, manage system vulnerabilities, and translate these insights into action.
Chapter 5 Outlook and Predictions
Ransomware evolution, regulatory pressure, AI adoption, and workforce transformation. What does the next three years hold for OT security?
Conclusion
The transition from awareness to action will define operational resilience in the years ahead. Organizations that prioritize protection over detection, and design security around operational realities will succeed.
Chapter 1 Threat Landscape and Security Posture
Ransomware, IT-OT spillover, and emerging threat actors. What organizations faced in 2025 and where defenses held—or failed.
Chapter 2 Persistent Challenges
Legacy systems, talent shortages, and the 96% IT-to-OT spillover rate that refuses to budge. Why chronic obstacles demand structural solutions.
Chapter 3 Year-over-Year Evolution
Budget increases, workforce expansion, and shifting vendor priorities. How organizations are maturing from detection-focused strategies to protection-first approaches.
Chapter 4 From Visibility to Action
Practical implementation of cybersecurity governance. How organizations identify cybersecurity risks, manage system vulnerabilities, and translate these insights into action.
Chapter 5 Outlook and Predictions
Ransomware evolution, regulatory pressure, AI adoption, and workforce transformation. What does the next three years hold for OT security?
Conclusion
The transition from awareness to action will define operational resilience in the years ahead. Organizations that prioritize protection over detection, and design security around operational realities will succeed.