Cisco Report: OT Security and AI Key to Industrial Networking

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has released its first State of Industrial Networking Report, highlighting the critical importance of Operational Technology (OT) in the evolving industrial landscape. The report underscores how OT has transitioned from a secondary concern to a primary focus for organizations worldwide, revealing key trends and challenges in building secure and efficient industrial networks.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for robust security solutions tailored to industrial environments, with 89% of respondents citing cybersecurity compliance as a top priority. Organizations that fail to prioritize these strategies risk wasting resources on mitigating attacks, which could otherwise be directed toward innovation and growth. Additionally, the report identifies a significant gap in collaboration between IT and OT teams, with 41% of firms reporting that these teams work independently. Improved collaboration, supported by integrated tech solutions, is essential for optimizing data and asset protection.

AI is highlighted as a transformative force, with 48% of respondents viewing it as the most significant technological advancement impacting industrial networking over the next five years. Forward-thinking OT leaders are leveraging AI to enhance product delivery and differentiate their companies. However, organizations that fail to update their infrastructure to utilize AI for efficiency, data analysis, and cybersecurity will struggle to remain competitive, as 49% of respondents expect AI to improve network management across IT and OT.

The Cisco 2024 State of Industrial Networking Report draws on data from a global survey of over 1,000 industry professionals across 17 countries and 20 sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, and energy. The findings represent insights from management to C-suite executives at companies with annual revenues exceeding $100 million.