Around 40% of industrial control systems (ICS) fall victim to cyber attacks every six months. According to an international study by the security software company Kaspersky, however, only 52% of companies have taken appropriate measures to protect their IIoT-compatible systems. Nevertheless, the potential risk is now recognized in many businesses: 66% of manufacturing companies and 73% of energy companies fear negative impacts in the worst-case scenario.

Those on the front line are all too aware of the reasons for deficient implementation of security strategies. In a majority of the companies surveyed, their own IT department is responsible for putting security technologies in place, but 61% struggle to find qualified personnel. Over half of the respondents stated that the top management level is not involved in the area of IT, which is certainly one reason why two thirds complain about an inadequate budget. Errors by the companies’ own employees are behind 27% of all security incidents. For that sobering reason, 82% are opting for corresponding employee training courses.

According to the Bitkom industry association , four out of ten German companies are already using an industrial IoT platform. At the same time, 58% have concerns about data security and are therefore reluctant to modernize their production, among other things.