Regulatory Uncertainty in OT Security Due to Third-Party Risk
Critical infrastructure providers are facing increased cybersecurity challenges stemming from third-party risks, which are driving regulatory uncertainty in the operational technology (OT) sector. According to a global survey by Claroty, 69% of cybersecurity professionals claim to closely follow existing cybersecurity standards, yet 76% anticipate that new regulations will force them to significantly overhaul their current security strategies. This disconnect highlights confusion and concern about the direction and impact of forthcoming regulatory requirements for cyber-physical systems.
The survey, which included 1,100 cybersecurity professionals, revealed that nearly half of organizations with cyber-physical systems experienced breaches in the past year due to third-party access. Additionally, 54% of respondents reported finding security gaps or weaknesses in vendor contracts after an incident had occurred. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved third-party risk management and clearer regulatory guidance to protect critical infrastructure from evolving threats.
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