Cybersecurity has become a major corporate hurdle in the digital transformation of operational technology (OT), with 39.3 percent of global industrial enterprises citing it as the primary barrier, according to a new report released by Kaspersky and VDC Research at GITEX Asia 2025. In Asia Pacific (APAC), the concern is even more pronounced, with nearly 45 percent of respondents naming cybersecurity as the most significant challenge.
The study, titled Securing OT with Purpose-built Solutions, surveyed over 250 OT and IT decision-makers across industries such as energy, transportation, manufacturing, and utilities. The report highlights key commercial risks threatening the ROI of digitalization initiatives, including inadequate security frameworks, underfunded cybersecurity teams, complex IT/OT integration, and tightening regulatory requirements.
Despite the risks, digital transformation remains a high priority. More than 63 percent of global respondents plan to reach full digital maturity within two years. APAC leads this shift, with 78 percent of industrial firms already employing or achieving full integration of connected digital technologies.
Still, the region’s more advanced digitalization exposes a broader surface for cyber threats. The report notes that 68 percent of APAC firms face critical security gaps, while 56 percent report lacking the personnel or budget needed to adequately defend their infrastructure.
Commenting on the findings, Adrian Hia, Kaspersky managing director for APAC, underscored the urgent need for tailored cybersecurity solutions amid the rapid growth of connected manufacturing, forecast to become an USD80 billion market in the region by 2029. “Many companies still run on outdated systems. A purpose-built cybersecurity partner with industrial intelligence is essential,” Hia said.
Kaspersky head of industrial cybersecurity, Andrey Strelkov, added that cybersecurity is not just a defensive measure but an enabler of digital transformation. “Without strong protection, companies risk stalling their digital progress due to lost trust and operational vulnerabilities,” he noted.
To address these evolving challenges, Kaspersky promotes its Industrial Cybersecurity (KICS) platform—a centralized, OT-native solution providing asset visibility, threat intelligence, risk auditing, and scalable protection for critical infrastructure.
The report affirms a growing consensus: as industrial organizations accelerate digital integration, cybersecurity must evolve from a cost center to a strategic enabler of resilience and growth.
