SANS 2024 State of ICS/OT Cybersecurity Report

The SANS 2024 State of ICS/OT Cybersecurity report is a comprehensive analysis based on a survey of over 530 professionals in critical infrastructure sectors. It provides key insights and benchmarks for managing industrial cyber risk effectively. The report is structured around the SANS Five ICS Cybersecurity Critical Controls, offering practical guidance applicable to organizations of varying sizes and budgets. It highlights trends such as increased cloud adoption, the necessity for workforce training, and the importance of incident response plans. The findings indicate that while multifactor authentication is widely implemented, there is limited adoption of artificial intelligence in security strategies. The report emphasizes the need for organizations to align their security governance with industry standards and adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape. It also discusses the challenges faced by the workforce, including a lack of certifications and the integration of legacy systems with modern technologies, underscoring the urgency for specialized training and knowledge transfer within the ICS/OT community.