Why Industrial IoT Systems Are Prime Targets for Cyberattacks—and How to Secure Them

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. — Industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) are experiencing a dramatic uptick in cyberattacks, according to leading security experts.

What makes the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) so vulnerable?

We spoke with senior specialists from top cybersecurity vendors and respected industry analysts to uncover the root causes.

The consensus points to a confluence of factors that have created a perfect storm in recent years:

• Rapid expansion of connected sensors and devices, vastly enlarging the potential attack surface.
• Decades‑old OT equipment that was never designed for internet exposure and lacks built‑in security controls.
• A fragmented ecosystem of proprietary, often non‑updatable software across multiple vendors, including HMI computers, RTUs, SCADA masters, and PLCs.
• Insufficient cybersecurity practices and technologies tailored to the unique needs of the IC/OT environment.
• A sharp increase in the number and sophistication of attackers targeting industrial assets.

Phil Neray, Vice President of Industrial Cybersecurity at CyberX, highlights three critical trends that amplify risk today:

“First, most devices and networks used in our industrial control systems were designed over 15 years ago, when internet connectivity was not a norm and security was often assumed to be inherent. Consequently, many systems lack robust authentication, relying on easily sniffed passwords.

Second, the bridge between corporate IT and OT networks has widened as companies demand real‑time operational intelligence from assets ranging from gas pipelines to factory floors. This expansion multiplies the avenues for intrusion.

Third, the threat landscape now includes nation‑state actors, ransomware‑driven cybercriminals, hacktivists, and third‑party vendors, all of whom can exploit these vulnerabilities. Nation‑states such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran focus on destructive malware, while China often targets intellectual property theft.”

EE Times consulted a broad spectrum of cybersecurity experts for this Special Project. The following pages distill their key insights into why IIoT is a growing target for cyber threats and how organizations can fortify their defenses.