Cisco’s Inaugural State of Industrial Networking Report Highlights OT Security as a Top Priority for Global Organizations

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has unveiled its inaugural State of Industrial Networking Report, emphasizing Operational Technology (OT) security as a critical focus for organizations worldwide. The report reveals that OT, once a secondary concern, is now a central element in organizational strategies, with cybersecurity compliance emerging as a top priority.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Cybersecurity Compliance: A significant 89% of leaders prioritize cybersecurity compliance, recognizing it as essential for protecting against vulnerabilities in operational infrastructure. Neglecting OT security can lead to wasted resources on attack mitigation, diverting focus from innovation and growth.

• IT/OT Collaboration: The report highlights a disconnect between IT and OT teams, with 41% of firms reporting that these teams work independently. Enhanced collaboration between IT and OT is crucial for optimizing and safeguarding data and assets.

• AI Integration: Nearly 48% of respondents identify Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the most impactful technological advancement for industrial networking over the next five years. AI is seen as a key tool for enhancing product delivery, network management, and cybersecurity. However, organizations that do not update their infrastructure to integrate AI may struggle to stay competitive, with 49% expecting AI to improve network management across IT and OT.

Vikas Butaney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco Networking - SD-WAN, Multicloud, and Industrial IoT, stated, “Operational technology and the network supporting industrial operations have become critical differentiators for organizations globally. This research underscores the necessity for robust OT security to drive business resiliency, enhance efficiencies, and prepare for future innovations.”

The Cisco 2024 State of Industrial Networking Report is based on a global survey of over 1,000 industry professionals from 17 countries and 20 sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, and energy. The findings reflect the views of management to C-suite executives at companies with annual revenues exceeding $100 million.