Organizations are also increasingly looking to AI as part of their cybersecurity response, with 45% planning to apply AI and machine learning to those initiatives over the next year.
While 46% of organizations experienced a cyber incident in the past year, 90% say they are confident in their ability to prevent, contain or recover from one.
See also: IT-OT convergence: When ransomware hits the factory floor
These statistics indicate a larger industry shift, according to the Rockwell report.
As organizations are embedding cybersecurity into broader digital transformation strategies alongside AI, automation, cloud technologies and connected operations, environments are more connected.
But resilience depends on how well organizations can translate investment into coordinated action, the report said.
See also: U.S. agencies report cybercriminals used AI-generated code to crack Siemens PLCs
“Industrial organizations understand that cybersecurity directly affects uptime, continuity, productivity and growth, but technology investments alone do not create operational resilience or confidence in an organization’s security posture,” said Rick Kaun, global director of cybersecurity services at Rockwell Automation.
“True resilience is built when cybersecurity becomes an integral part of business strategy. Organizations that proactively manage risk and prepare for disruption are better positioned to protect operations, sustain production and gain a competitive advantage,” he added.
According to Rockwell, the next step is for organizations to bring investments together into a cybersecurity program that improves visibility, reduces risk, and adapts to evolving operational needs.
