According to Zscaler’s ThreatLabz 2023 Enterprise IoT and OT Threat Report, there has been a remarkable 400 percent year-on-year surge in malware attacks on IoT and OT systems.
The manufacturing sector, heavily reliant on these technologies, has borne the brunt of these attacks, accounting for a significant 54.5 pc of all incidents. On a weekly basis, an alarming average of 6,000 attacks were recorded on monitored devices within this sector. The escalation of malware attacks on IoT devices poses a substantial risk to OT security, as it opens doors for the movement of malware between networks, potentially jeopardizing critical infrastructure.
In their quest to comprehend IoT device behavior and the ever-evolving IoT malware threat landscape, ThreatLabz harnessed the power of device fingerprinting and analysis. As the reliance on internet-connected devices grows across various sectors, the looming threat of malware and enduring vulnerabilities continues to expand. To counter these risks, organizations are strongly encouraged to embrace a zero trust architecture, providing visibility into IoT device traffic while minimizing associated security risks.
The report also underscores the alarming surge in IoT malware attacks, showcasing a remarkable 400% year-over-year increase. This underscores the tenacity and adaptability of cybercriminals in launching these attacks. Furthermore, the research reveals that cybercriminals are pinpointing legacy vulnerabilities, with the majority of popular IoT exploits targeting weaknesses that have persisted for over three years.
These findings underscore the necessity for organizations to prioritize IoT and OT security, adhering to zero trust principles and adopting a mindset of assuming a breach in order to effectively shield against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.