KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 – According to Palo Alto Networks’ newly published report, “State of OT Security: A Comprehensive Guide to Trends, Risks, and Cyber Resilience,” over 78% of industrial organisations in Malaysia have experienced cyber attacks in their Operational Technology (OT) environments over the past year. This alarming statistic underscores the heightened vulnerability of Malaysia’s industrial sector to cyber threats, with many organisations facing frequent attacks that can lead to operational shutdowns and significant financial losses.
The report, which surveyed 1,979 OT and IT business leaders globally, including 51 from Malaysia, also highlights the increasing importance of AI in combating these cyber threats, with 74.5% of Malaysian respondents acknowledging AI’s crucial role in stopping OT attacks. The report also revealed several critical insights into the current state of OT security in Malaysia. A significant portion of respondents (52.9%) consider OT cybersecurity a high priority, with many planning to increase their spending in this area over the next two years.
However, there remains a disconnect between OT and IT teams, with over half of the respondents describing the relationship as siloed or frictional. Despite these challenges, the adoption of cloud solutions and the implementation of a Zero Trust approach are seen as pivotal strategies for enhancing OT security. Sarene Lee, Country Manager for Malaysia at Palo Alto Networks, emphasized the need for stronger security measures and collaboration between OT and IT teams to safeguard Malaysia’s industrial operations against emerging cyber threats.
