Published Dec 1, 2025 · 8 min read
Critical infrastructure operators face escalating cyber threats driven by connected OT, aging assets, and expanding attack surfaces. In 2025, five risks dominate: ransomware on SCADA, insider threats, zero-day exploits in industrial software, supply-chain compromises, and cloud misconfiguration. Each requires proactive controls, staffing, and response readiness.
1) Ransomware on SCADA
Attackers are directly targeting industrial controllers. Mitigate with network segmentation, application allowlisting, offline backups, tabletop exercises, and a rapid isolation playbook.
2) Insider Threats
Privileged access and contractors increase risk. Enforce least privilege, session recording, behavioral monitoring, and zero-trust identity for operators and vendors.
3) Zero-Day Exploits
Legacy OT stacks and long patch cycles make zero-days painful. Use virtual patching via IPS, rapid threat intel ingestion, and pre-approved change windows to accelerate fixes.
4) Supply-Chain Compromise
Third-party firmware and software updates are prime targets. Require SBOMs, sign/verify updates, restrict update channels, and continuously assess vendors.
5) Cloud Misconfiguration
Telemetry and analytics workloads in cloud expand risk. Enforce IaC with guardrails, CSPM, and automated drift detection; treat secrets as code with rotation and vaulting.
Staffing Playbook
- 24/7 incident response pod for containment and forensics.
- OT security engineer for SCADA hardening and segmentation.
- Cloud security architect to govern IaC and monitoring.
- Compliance lead to align controls to NIST 800-82 and NERC CIP.
Key Takeaway
Pair preventive controls with practiced response. Pre-book vetted engineers so you can respond within minutes, not days.