11 Proven Insights from Industrial Cybersecurity Leaders

When you skim the many blogs and articles on cybersecurity and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), it’s easy to get lost in the technical details. The big picture is often forgotten, yet the opportunity in this space remains largely untapped by traditional IT security vendors.

For consumer services like Gmail or Facebook, security investments are motivated by protecting customer trust and brand reputation. In contrast, an industrial firm safeguarding a $10 million turbine faces a different calculus: the cost of a breach can eclipse the investment itself. That’s why the industrial sector is a high‑value target for security innovation.

GE Ventures, the venture arm of General Electric, has long understood this dynamic. Their experience with industrial partners, coupled with the Predix platform’s robust security‑in‑depth architecture, positions them to help customers reduce downtime and lower costs.

GE Ventures actively seeks startups that are redefining industrial cybersecurity. Success in this niche demands more than a great product roadmap; it requires deep domain expertise, a nuanced understanding of industrial control systems (ICS), and a customer‑centric mindset. Below are 11 take‑aways that reflect GE Ventures’ experience evaluating promising startups.

1.) They know their stuff.

Startups that thrive have teams built around industrial experience. They have first‑hand knowledge of control systems, the unique constraints of the market, and the attack surface that comes with legacy hardware. Their focus remains on business continuity, not just technical prowess.

2.) They take the IIoT Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm.

Industrial equipment cannot afford downtime. Successful innovators design security layers that are as agile—if not more—than the devices they protect, ensuring that safeguards never become a bottleneck.

3.) They don’t make things harder for the customer.

These startups respect the long‑standing processes of industrial clients. They recognize that customers may lack in‑house IT expertise and communicate in operational technology (OT) terms, bridging the gap between IT and OT without forcing a paradigm shift.

4.) They make security integrated.

Security is baked into the product from the outset. Clients expect seamless integration with existing processes; a separate, optional “security add‑on” is simply not viable.

5.) They don’t try to eat the whole cake at once.

Rather than attempting a one‑size‑fits‑all solution, they tackle discrete problems—perimeter defense, authentication, data loss prevention, and compliance—mirroring the modular evolution of enterprise security.

6.) They start with the assumption that they will be targeted.

Even the most secure systems contain hidden threats. Startups build in robust containment and isolation strategies, acknowledging that the attack surface extends beyond devices to supply chains and internal networks.

7.) They’re ready to scale.

Zero downtime is a non‑negotiable requirement. These firms design for rapid, large‑scale deployments—potentially thousands of units across multiple regions—without compromising reliability.

8.) They know that security starts before the first device connects.

Supply‑chain vulnerabilities can be more dangerous than software flaws. Proven startups secure every stage—from manufacturing to shipping—to prevent tampered firmware from entering the field.

9.) They don’t get distracted by buzz words.

While AI and machine learning generate hype, the best startups focus on tangible, industry‑specific problems rather than chasing the latest trend.

10.) They understand the need to secure data at rest and in motion.

Industrial clients require protection for both edge data and data traversing to the cloud. Some solutions simplify encrypted data passthrough, eliminating the need to decrypt in transit.

11.) They understand the job is never done.

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process. Effective startups commit to continuous iteration and improvement, never settling for a “finished” product.

These insights are not exhaustive, but they provide a solid foundation for evaluating companies that are pushing the boundaries of IIoT cybersecurity.

Authors: Michael Dolbec & Abhishek Shukla, Managing Directors of GE Ventures