Attacks on OT – hardware and software that monitors or controls equipment, assets and processes – have become more common. By 2025, cyber attackers will have weaponized operational technology (OT) environments to successfully harm or kill humans, according to Gartner, Inc.

Due to the nature of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), incidents can quickly lead to physical harm to people, destruction of property or environmental disasters. Gartner analysts predict that incidents will rapidly increase in the coming years due to a lack of security focus and spending currently aligning to these assets.