Methodology
The findings of this research are grounded in a large survey conducted jointly by TXOne Networks and Frost & Sullivan, which encompassed input from 200 OT cybersecurity decision-makers across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and the Middle East. The survey was meticulously designed to query C-level executives, ensuring its insights reflect the latest trends and challenges in OT cybersecurity from a global perspective.
By focusing on multinational, multi-industry, and large-enterprise decision-makers, the study provides robust, representative data, delivering actionable insights into the evolving threat landscape. The methodology provides a critical foundation for crafting effective OT cybersecurity strategies tailored to the needs of large industrial organizations.
In addition, a secondary survey was conducted in partnership with Omdia to support and validate findings. This survey broadened the respondent base to include additional industry verticals and a wider mix of organizational roles. We cross-referenced insights from both studies to minimize bias and provide a more comprehensive view of the global OT cybersecurity landscape.
Roles and Responsibilities
The survey exclusively targeted professionals directly responsible for OT cybersecurity management within their organizations, ensuring the reliability and relevance of the data.
These leaders represent the driving force behind the design and implementation of robust cybersecurity strategies, working collaboratively to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
Chief Security Officers (CSOs)
Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
Organizational Scale
The survey focused on large organizations with complex operational and production environments where the demand for advanced security measures is most acute. Respondents were segmented based on size of the organization:
from enterprises with 5,000+ employees
from companies with 4,000–4,999 employees
from companies with 3,000–3,999 employees
from companies with 2,000–2,999 employees
This distribution highlights the heightened security challenges faced by larger enterprises, whose expansive operations and interconnected systems make them attractive targets for cyber threats.
Geographic Representation
Respondents were drawn from a diverse array of countries, with representation as follows:
United States of America
Japan
Germany
(6% each)
Taiwan and South Korea
(5% each)
Saudi Arabia, France, the UAE, and Brazil
This geographic distribution ensures that the survey captures perspectives from leading global economies, particularly those at the forefront of industrial manufacturing and digital transformation. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan play pivotal roles in advancing industrial technology and setting cybersecurity standards. The inclusion of Brazil expands the study's reach into South America, reflecting the region's growing importance in global industrial operations.
Industry Breakdown
The survey spanned multiple industrial sectors, each vital to the global economy and uniquely exposed to OT cybersecurity challenges:
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Respondents were concentrated in the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, the world's leading hubs for silicon chip design and fabrication.
Food Manufacturing
Input came predominantly from the United States, Brazil, and France, reflecting key markets in industrial-scale food production and supply chain security.
Automotive Manufacturing
Responses focused on the United States, Japan, and Germany, reflecting their continued leadership in automotive innovation and production.
Pharmaceuticals
Insights were drawn from the United States, Japan, and Germany, countries with strong pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing capabilities.
Oil and Gas
Participants were primarily based in the United States, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, due to these regions' critical roles in the global energy sector.
Mass Transport Systems
Respondents represented the United States, Germany, and Japan, nations at the forefront of modernizing urban and intercity transportation infrastructure and securing it against evolving cyber threats.
Data Integrity
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of findings, Frost & Sullivan implemented a rigorous multi-layer quality assurance protocol. This included completion time monitoring, response consistency checks, verbatim review of open-ended answers, attention validation questions, geolocation verification, and bot-prevention measures. All 200 responses included in this report passed these quality standards.
