More Than a Third of Industrial Orgs See Cybersecurity Risk as a Top Obstacle to Growth, Study Finds
A study by Rockwell Automation reveals that over a third of industrial organizations view cybersecurity risk as a major obstacle to growth, despite increasing cybersecurity investment. While companies are investing in platforms and exploring AI for security, a disconnect exists between perceived confidence and actual operational resilience due to the expanding convergence of IT and OT systems. The report emphasizes the need to integrate cybersecurity into business strategy for true resilience.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, released “Operational Resilience in the Age of Connectivity,” an industry insights report based on input from 1,500 manufacturing and industrial operations decision makers across 17 countries. The research highlights a significant disconnect between confidence in comprehensive cybersecurity protection and actual operational resilience, with over a third of industrial organizations identifying cybersecurity risk as a top obstacle to growth.
Despite increasing cybersecurity investment – 62% of organizations have already invested in cybersecurity platforms – companies struggle to translate these investments into tangible operational resilience. This stems largely from the ongoing convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, creating a broader attack surface and introducing new points of connectivity.
Key findings from the report include:
- Organizations remain confident despite rising incident exposure: 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.
- Cybersecurity delivers strong perceived ROI: 62% of organizations have already invested in cybersecurity platforms, and cybersecurity ranks as the second-highest ROI-generating technology investment reported by respondents.
- Organizations are looking to AI as part of their cybersecurity response: 45% plan to apply AI and machine learning to cybersecurity initiatives over the next 12 months to help improve detection, monitoring and risk management capabilities.
- IT/OT convergence creates both risk and opportunity: IT and OT integration points rank as the second-most vulnerable to cyber incidents. At the same time, 37% say securing IT/OT architecture will drive positive business outcomes over the next five years.
“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, 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.”
The full report, Operational Resilience in the Age of Connectivity, is available and explores how industrial organizations are strengthening cybersecurity, managing IT/OT convergence and building more resilient operations in an increasingly connected environment.
About Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise® to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.